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The Lavazza 2010 Calendar: Music To Your Eyes by Photographer Miles Aldridge.

It's that time of year again. When the drool-worthy calendar by Lavazza is released.

For the past 18 years, the annually produced calendar has been unavailable to the public and created with the talented firm Armando Testa for Lavazza's clients. Legendary photographers ranging from Albert Watson to Annie Leibovitz have had the honor of shooting the piece and more and more the yearly release is eagerly anticipated. Every year the calendar gets much deserved favorable and flattering press coverage along with other coveted and exclusive, and coincidentally Italian, calendars like Pirelli's or Campari's. And like the past two years, I have the entire calendar, behind the scenes shots and a making of video for you.

This year's calendar is yet another visual spectacle. Shot by photographer Miles Aldridge in a "Futuretrò" style, this years' them is the universal languages of Music and Photography.

British photographer Miles Aldridge was given the task of visually interpreting six of the ultimate Italian classics: Va' Pensiero, Guarda Che Luna, 'O Sole Mio, Con Te Partirò, Baciami Piccina and Nessun Dorma.

Now don't just gloss over the music and admire these beautiful photos. The classic Italian pieces of music are moving and inspiring. If you're not familiar with them, look them up and have a listen. You even have the opportunity on Lavazza's site to download an mp3 version of the tear-provoking classic Nessun Dorma by Antony and the Johnsons (in conjunction with Sony Music) here.

Now the 2010 Lavazza calendar:

January/February:

March/April:

May/June:

July/August:

September/October:

November/December:

The photographer talks about the project and some behind the scenes shots:

above: Miles Aldrige shooting the calendar

"This project instantly reminded me of Fellini". Miles Aldridge talking on set, at the Cinecittà studios in Rome, about the Lavazza Calendar. "Through the music, melodies and arias I glimpsed stories that told bittersweet tales, dramas, rebirths. I was reminded of characters and stories from films like La Strada and La Dolce Vita".

Even the six Calendar models are strong-willed heroines. "I didn't just want six beautiful girls. I wanted six women who could prove they were larger than life".

The life of Aldridge (married with four children and living in London) is all about light and colour. "I can draw inspiration from anything: a bright red garage in Soho, a woman wearing a green coat crossing the street. The fabulous orange in pictures by Francis Bacon or a palette of colours put together by the Wizard of Oz".

Aldridge prefers artificial shades: phosphorescent yellow, bubblegum pink, the bright green of imitation grass, and deep blue - not sky-blue or the marine blue found in wall frescoes, but the unidentifiable blue of an air hostess's uniform, or the blue of Italy's national football team. He also draws great inspiration from early colour films: "I love the way that Technicolor has always broken everything down into areas of pure colour, giving the shadows a brilliant shade of blue".

More behind the scenes shots:

The Video of the Making Of:

Credits:
Supervision & Coordination Lavazza Corporate Image, Advertising Department   Photographer Miles Aldridge  Creative Project Armando Testa   Creative Director Michele Mariani   Art Director Andrea Lantelme   Copywriter Michele Pieri   Production Federico Levizzani, The Box Films   Set Designer Andy Hillman   Stylist Alice Gentilucci   Hair Stylist Malcom Edwards   Make-up Artist Alice Ghendriah   Photographer Assistants Pawel Pysz, Alex Sjoeberg   Post Production Tapestry Models: Bianca Balti, Georgia Frost, Lydia Hearst, Daisy Lowe, Alexandra Tomlinson, Alek Alexeyeva  Special thanks to Chantecler gioielli and also to Roberto Cavalli, Cavalli & Nastri, Diego Dolcini per Jo No Fui, Dolce & Gabbana, Fisico, La Perla, Sergio Rossi, Sebastian

Be sure to see these past Lavazza calendars:

The 2009 Lavazza Calendar (Annie Leibovitz)

The 2008 Lavazza Calendar (Finlay McKay)

Bas Van Beek's Hybrid Vases For Pols Potten

Dutch designer/artist Bas Van Beek has earned a reputation as an anti-elitist artist and a harsh critic of others.

When it comes to working with ceramics, he playfully combines existing objects, exemplifying that present technological processes may be used for generating new forms which devalue the meaning of limited editions.

His first collection called “Rip-Offs,” was followed up with “Prequels" (both can be seen here) and now his "Hyper hybrids."

But his five Hybrid vases for Pols Potten, the Netherland modern interior design company, are what I wanted to share with you. Available in white, silver or gold, they fuse animals with objects to become functional and fun pieces.

Artist Bas van Beek's Hybrid ceramics for Pols Potten:

Wolf Watering can vase:

Rooster vase:

Bambi vase:

Fred Vase:

Three of his hybrid vases glazed in gold lustre were part of his exhibit at the Glass and Ceramics Gallery in Wroclaw:

above photo courtesy of designws

his website

If You've Got The Money, They've Got The Time. And Location. DUMBO, Brooklyn ClockTower Is For Sale.

UPDATE: Since this post, the price continues to drop on this property. Now available for $18,000,000.

One of the world's most spectacular triplex residences, the ClockTower, with views to die for and a price tag of $25 million, has just gone on the market. Perched atop One Main Street in DUMBO, Brooklyn, the light, airy and open modern space is punctuated by four enormous functioning clocks that double as windows.

Originally built in 1914, the iconic ClockTower space, already famous for its four gigantic clocks, has been transformed into a 7,000 square foot penthouse with fabulous living and entertaining quarters, state-of-the-art technology and arguably NYC's most extraordinary views.

The ClockTower residence was designed and renovated by David Walentas, the developer and principal of Two Trees. Walentas, who had the vision to shape DUMBO into the sought-after neighborhood it is today, spent years crafting the ClockTower into a discerning, unique property. "We meticulously re-created the original space into a home that offers arguably one of the world's greatest views," said Walentas. "The ClockTower itself rises close to the East River and offers sweeping vistas of the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge and the entire New York City Skyline."

Atrium is open through the three floors:

The elevator to the ClockTower has a private key access and opens onto a contemporary atrium. The ClockTower boasts strikingly modern design, superb entertainment spaces, and comfortable living quarters, with panoramic views throughout the residence. "It supersedes real estate; it's a work of art that cannot be duplicated," said Asher Abehsera, Vice President for Two Trees residential properties.

Panoramic Views:

Spacious walk-in closets, solid rift-sawn white oak floors, an Italian custom-made kitchen featuring white lacquer cabinets, stainless steel, Pietra Cardosa countertops and Gaggeneau appliances are all part of the residence's luxurious and functional appeal.

Kitchen:

Above all, it is the allure of the four clockface windows, the overwhelming natural light, and unrivaled views that distinguishes this spectacular space from all others. Even the gorgeous pedestal bathtub in the master bathroom looks out onto sweeping vistas of lower Manhattan:

Master Bath:

6,800 SF TRIPLEX TOWER IN THE 1914 LANDMARK CLOCK TOWER BUILDING

16th Floor 3,095 sf / 16’ ceiling
17th Floor 2,330 sf / 11’ ceiling
18th Floor 988 sf / 15’ceiling
19th Floor 400 sf / private roof deck

Floor Plans (click to enlarge):

SPECIAL FEATURES
• Four 14’ diameter clocks with glass faces provide panoramic 360° views
• “Smart Home” technology includes integrated Crestron system for heating, air conditioning,
• lighting, audio/visual system and sun control
• Private Elevator & Staircase: Custom glass enclosed 3-story elevator and architectural wrap-around stair featuring stainless steel and glass railing and solid white oak treads
• Kitchen by Canova: Custom Italian kitchen with cabinets in white lacquer, Pietra Cardosa stone and stainless steel countertops with integral sinks and appliances by Gaggenau and Sub-Zero
• Bathrooms feature natural stone ﬂ oors with radiant heat, glass wall tile, European designed ﬁxtures and ﬁttings by Dornbracht
• Wood ﬂoors throughout are solid, rift-sawn 5” white oak planks
• Central 4-pipe fancoil system for heating and cooling

MONTHLY COMMON CHARGES $2,687
ANNUAL REAL ESTATE TAXES $20,958 (2008/2009)
OFFERED AT $25 MILLION

For more information call Asher Abehsera at 00-1-646-724-2880.

About The Management Company:
Two Trees Management Co. owns most of the Brooklyn neighborhood of DUMBO ("Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass") as well as significant properties in the Downtown Brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill area. The company's holdings include 13 buildings and the second largest portfolio of commercial space on the Brooklyn waterfront, which spans 3 million square feet.
all images and information courtesy of Two Trees Management Co.

Just In Time For Halloween; More Wild Skulls By Artist Damien Hirst

above: one from each of Hirst's series; Hypnotic, Transcendent and Hallucinatory Heads.

A lot of blogs have been covering artist Michael Leon's colored gypsum skulls lately and I've seen many a post on everything from crayon skulls to skull flash drives. But if you're an art fan and a skull fan, I can't think of a more fun combination that the series of Damien Hirst's 'spinner' painted skulls.

above: Hirst with his diamond encrusted skull

I'm sure most of you are familiar with artist Damien Hirst's diamond and platinum skull. Lauded as the singularly most expensive piece of sold art at 100 million dollars, the skull, titled "For The Love Of God".

above: For The Love Of God, the 100 million dollar diamond encrusted platinum skull by Damien Hirst

A common theme in his own, as well as many other artist's work, Hirst has created several other versions of skulls that you may not know about and that are available for purchase.

In this latest series of 50 painted skulls are three categories manifested as three variations of form: Hallucinatory Head, Hypnotic Head and Transcendent Head, with each skull a unique result of the now famous and highly sought after ‘Spin’ painting technique.

The skull is one of a number of recurring motifs not only in Damien Hirst’s work but also in the history of art, and in this special edition has been reworked back in to his signature. The technique is simple but the result relies on complex ideas about mortality and the history of mankind, touching on specific anthropological and historical readings, with compelling, celebratory and seductive results.

A suggested memento mori of a more uplifting and contemporary slant, Hirst’s proximity to the subject of death is ever fresh, rewarding and daring, seeking to challenge the often morbid art historical approach to the subject. His skulls engage, they fix us with their own kind of gaze, imploring us to see the comedy within them. Here, the image of death is less unknowable, more approachable, a little lighthearted, even, whilst possessing something of an ancient relic or offering to the gods. Influences of the Mexican celebration, Dia de los Muertos, fuse ritual and anthropology with ornament, demonstrating the crux of Hirst’s practice wherein the philosophical and eternal become part of the vocabulary of modern life and modern aesthetic.

The Hallucinatory Heads

These are multi-colored glossy spinner paints on partial plastic skulls (no lower jawbone):

The Transcendent Heads

These are multi-colored glossy spinner paints on plastic full skulls with eyeballs:

The Hypnotic Heads

These are black and white glossy spinner painted plastic heads of full skulls with empty eye sockets:

specs for all:
210 x 140 x 140 mm
Household gloss on plastic skull

all information and images are courtesy of The Other Criteria, which is the only place where these skulls shown above can be purchased.

Other Must See Skull Posts:

• The Sensory Deprivation Skull: