Ed Burtynsky : Water

One of my favourite photographers is Canadian artist Ed Burtynsky.  His work is primarily focussed on the many ways in which humans impact the earth and is always on a monumental scale.  His latest series which is now on exhibition at the Howard Greenberg Gallery here in New York (until November 2nd) is entitled Water and the subject matter is just that.  Our world as we know it would not be possible without water and he has captured some really amazing and artful ways in which we manipulate exploit it.  I love the scale of his subject and how every photo is truly beautiful and ones eyes search for a reference point or some sense of scale to understand the reality of the subject.  It is a truly spectacular talent he has and I recommend andy opportunity you have to see his work.

Photos courtesy of the Howard Greenberg Gallery and Ed Burtynsky

The Cut of Perfection

Okay, so I have a thing for paper. I have always loved all things paper (even have a pinterest board dedicated to it), so when I came across the work of Bianca Chang I was mesmerized   She's an Australian paper cut artist with immense precision - each cut is done by hand (see here for a video)! and I really cannot believe that these works are made up of layers and layers of paper. I don't know about you but I know I wouldn't have the patience!

Photos courtesy of Bianca Chang

Christophe Côme

Happy April to all.  Well it has been quite the month, and I have to say I'm happy to see the end of March.  I know it has been a while since I posted and thought that a good step back into the blogging world would be through an artist whose work I am currently fascinated with.

Christoph Côme is a Paris based designer who in my opinion is a true craftsman. Working in glass, metal and lavastone, he creates the most incredibly sculptural pieces of furniture and lighting - really more art objects than furnishings.  With a keen eye for design and unique modern takes on form, color and pattern, Côme creates pieces that have the ability to stand alone in any space.  We recently commissioned a piece for a project and I was truly speechless when it was installed. The detailing was perfect, the precision of material was unparalleled and it really is a piece of art.

Triscota Cabinet 2011 - textured iron with grey patina, glass

Sconces - iron with matt nickel, glass

L’onyx chandelier 2008 - iron & onyx

Screen - iron & glass

Tube cabinet - iron, glass rods

Red lava cabinet 2010

All photos courtesy of Christophe Côme

Gentle Giants at Sea

Sharks have forever fascinated me. I have been a recreational diver since I was little and I remember the first time I was underwater with a shark like it was yesterday – seeing this reef shark move past us with grace and ease took my breath away.  They are truly magnificent creatures that are so misunderstood by society and anything we can do to protect them , so when the images of a recent photo shoot with whale sharks came to me I just had to share.  Environmental photographer Shawn Heinrichs has captured the incredible grace of these gentil giants posing with models in the Philipines to help bring awareness to them and their docile nature. Crossing my fingers for the day I can dive with these magnificent creatures.

Blue Sphere Media

The Power of Form

I don't often feature artists on this blog, so when I do it is because it is something that has really stood out to me. Enter Portuguese artist David Oliveira and his incredible wire creations.  They look like they are sketches done in ink suspended weightlessly in mid-air - truly beautiful. His ability to work with just an outline to create a comprehensible forms is fantastic and I am mesmerized by each and every one of his pieces.

All Photos courtesy of David Oliveira

Steffen Dam

I am currently installing a project in Nantucket (see a couple of tweets here), and I am sure I'm not alone when I say that this is always the best - and most stressful - part of a project. I love seeing everything come together and all the months of hard work and planning finally become a home.  This is also the time when we designers run around finding those last little bits and pieces that are going to accessorize and pull the project together perfectly.  Last week I posted on the incredible Annie Turner, and revisiting her work after a few months reminded me of another artist whose work I truly admire.

Steffen Dam is a glass maker extraordinaire! He was experimenting with this incredible material and different techniques - making bubbles, ash marks, etc. - when he discovered truly beautiful and inspiring shapes being formed within the glass.  As you can see from the images below his work is totally unique and breathtaking.  In being surrounded by all things nautical here in Nantucket my mind was drawn to his pieces (image below) that looks like jellyfish and underwater invertebrates frozen in time. What a beautiful collection these would make, and what a truly unique take on this difficult material Steffen has.  I hope you all enjoy his work and creativity as much as I do.

  

Jonanna Bird

Annie Turner

I have been very fortunate to grow up around artists and design, however it took me well into my design degree to realize how lucky I really was.  I remember my mother always had wonderful ceramic pieces around the house as objects and was given stunning pottery bowls and kitchenware as gifts for every occasion. When I was growing up these never really meant a whole lot to me, however now that I am working on some incredible interior design projects and am looking for unique art objects I keep coming back to things that remind me of my home.

There is a wonderful design fair put on every year by the British Craft Council called Collect.  When we were living in London I used to go and always found new and interesting artists' work that truly inspired me.  Unfortunately this year as we are no longer in London I was not able to go; however a friend who went sent me some photos that made me swoon.  Annie Turner is an artist whose work I have admired for years.  Although she works in ceramics she has a series of woven pieces that defies everything I think ceramics should and can be.  Her work was on display here in the city at Sofa NYC in April, and I would highly recommend having a look at her work in person whenever you might have the chance.

Photo 1 via Contemporary Applied Arts, Photos 2 though 6 via Joanna Bird

The New Face of Coal

When I think of coal the first things that come to my mind are dirty, dangerous mining conditions, environmental disaster and maybe Zoolander.  Well, we can now add furniture to last list - and beautiful furniture at that.  Ohio born artist and industrial designer Jim Zivic has reinvented the way we are going to look at coal forever.  Each piece is made and carved from Anthracite coal - pure carbon not charcoal - and seeing as no two pieces are the same, Zivic allows the shape and texture of the blocks to help dictate what shape the finished product will hold.  His collection is sold through Ralph Pucci here in the US and consists of honed, polished or even pewter poured tables (see images below). I love the organic form, the visible history of each block and the depth of colour that each piece holds.  These truly make amazing accent pieces, and although the price tag isn't cheap (think many zeros) they are sure to act as a feature in any space. What do you think? Nice idea or gimmick?

Ralph Pucci

Jim Zivic