CONTEMPORARY CULTURE
Issue_
43
AD Lay Me Down, oil on canvas, 20” x 30”
Still Life with Watermelon, Oil on Canvas 36” x 38”
www.julieleff.com
203.434.8655
julie@julieleff.com
“Touching & hilariously funny.” – Broadway World
DENNIS GRIMALDI PRESENTS Photos: Maria Baranova
TONY® AWARD WINNER SWEENEY TODD
LEN CARIOU CRAIG BIERKO TONY® AWARD NOMINEE THE MUSIC MAN
WRITTEN BY
GEORGE EASTMAN DIRECTED BY Sometimes it’s harder to like someone than it is to love them
KAREN CARPENTER
New York City Center Stage II, 131 W. 55th St. | NYCITYCENTER.org | 212-581-1212
HarryTownsendsLastStand.com
“
” A LIVE-ACTION DRUNK HISTORY . – Time Out
RATED 5 STARS ON YELP, TRIP ADVISOR & FACEBOOK
“NEW YORK TIMES CRITICS’ PICK”
«««««
for TICKETS
DRUNKSHAKESPEARE.COM
Followeth:
2
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
New York • Chicago
M A R C H 26 – 2 9 Metropolitan Pavilion 125 West 18th Street, NYC Explore art: affordableartfair.com
E X P R E S S YO U R S E L F W I T H A R T
The 32nd Annual Premier Event
FEBRUARY 13 - 17 DOWNTOWN MIAMI ONE HERALD PLAZA
MiamiYachtShow.com
Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary, presented by Art Miami and hosted by the City of West Palm Beach, kicks off the winter season presenting investment quality Blue Chip contemporary and Post-War works from 60 top international galleries. Palm Beach Modern + Contemporary Pavilion 825 S Dixie Hwy @ Okeechobee Blvd | In the heart of downtown West Palm Beach
WWW.ARTPBFAIR.COM
Hosted By
Official Cultural Partner
Official Online Partner
Winter Issue_43
SPOTLIGHT 14
Interior + Design Rooms With A View Interior & Design Show
16
Artist Marie Ange Daudé
FEATURES
44
Mana Miami: American Riviera’s Newly Discovered Silicon Valley
44
50
Ninth Street Women and the MFA’S Big Show
EVENTS + GATHERINGS
54
Cover Story The Art and the Heart of Rick Garcia
ON THE COVER Rick Garcia’s CLUB ROOM complete image on page 10 66
CONTEMPORARY CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE CULTURE//MAGAZINE
14
50
18
FCBUZZ Arts and Economic Development Workshop
19
Highlights A Journey through Rick Garcia’s Masterful Creativity
20
ArtsWestchester Artists Bring Data to Life in “Dataism” Exhibition
An ever-changing, multi-course tasting menu inspired by seasonal flavors & the freshest ingredients.
AVA IL A B L E W E D N ES DAY, TH U R S DAY FRIDAY
&
D IN N E R
78 SOUTHFIELD AVE, STAMFORD, CT 06902 | 203.817.0700 | WWW.RESTAURANTPRIME.COM
Winter Issue_43
21
Highlights Seakeeper of the Year
APPETITE 22
The Golden Palate Aspen Continues to Excite and Delight in the Off-Season
40
30
68
PULSE 74
Stage More Pigs and Chickens
FILM & ENTERTAINMENT 24
30
Travel A Curated Tour with “The Unofficial Mayor of Rome,” Giorgio Cazzaniga Venü Vines The Provence Rosé Group: The World’s Best Rosé Wines from Four Unique Estates in Provence
DESIGN
MOTORING
36
Lighting Adaptive Design Group’s Artistry & Illumination
64
Experiential Technology Digital Media
WELL-BEING
40
TRAVEL 60 8
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
A Weekend In North Fork
The Bridge Returns for its 4th Successful Year
68
Where To Unwind, Reset and Recharge in 2020
72
Forest Bathing: Our Connection with Trees
76
Fox On Film After The Wedding
DECORATIVE ARTS 78
On the Block Selection for the Fall
IN EVERY ISSUE 10 Publisher’s Letter
WWW.ARTWYNWOOD.COM
I N T E R N AT I O N A L C O N T E M P O R A R Y + M O D E R N A R T FA I R DOWNTOWN MIAMI ON BISCAYNE BAY ADJACENT TO, AND IN PARTNERSHIP WITH, THE MIAMI YACHT SHOW
Official Online Partner
Official Luxury Hotel Partners
VIP Preview Beneficiary
We tribute Venü’s last issue of 2019 to our awe-inspiring stars, partners, and readers with whom we get to experience and share
PUBLISHER’S LETTER
our incredible journeys.
Venü’s love of storytelling is about sharing a conscious dialogue with some of the most innovative creators, intriguing minds, beautiful people, and cultures who
The heart of our curated cover feature
2021. Lisa Mikulski gives you the inside scoop
make the world a brighter place to reside.
by Miami-born extraordinaire pop artist Rick
of the show and the shunning that went on
We reflect on our incredible year together,
Garcia graces us with his award-winning
in decades past.
cherishing the time we got to spend with
illustrations in a colorfully dynamic spread
We kicked off fall with a trip to Provence
that never ceases to turn heads. Mana Common, the vernacular vision of
and Rome, soaking in the sights and the wines with locals we can’t wait for you to
January found us traveling to Kenya
empathetic developer Moishe Mana is an
meet. We literally lived La vie en Rosé at
to celebrate sustainable development and
indispensable movement of higher social
four exquisite estates in Provence, France,
shared success at Basecamp’s safari camps,
and environmental viability that builds a
sampling and savoring the world’s best rosé
encountering an enriched-community busi-
heritage of community and connectivity in
wines right at their source. Then we roamed
ness model that epitomizes unity. In the
Miami’s downtown culture.
you – embraced with memoirs of humanity and remarkable adventures.
like the Romans do in Rome with an old
plenary efforts of bringing all living beings
Glenn Merlin Johnson, a true pioneer of
friend and jewelry scion Giorgio Cazzaniga,
together, The Maasai people of the Mara
architectural lighting design illuminates us
who made our stay personally rewarding and
have not only inspired us but have spear-
with his knowledge of The Modern Design
delicious in every way. It’s a good thing our
headed our renewed focus on responsibility
Team.
food and wine editor Fred Bollaci knows how
that you’ll read more about in upcoming
If you have never heard of the Ninth Street
to portion plates of pasta without putting
issues.
Women, you’ve missed out on the crucial
on the pounds! His story is a delightful
In addition to celebrating art at the Grand
contributions five women painters had on
travelogue about the jewels of Rome you
Velas Los Cabos Resort, we ventured in June
the Abstract Expressionist movement in New
won’t want to miss.
to Madrid, where our search for the world’s
York. Their paintings are among Boston’s
October found us on the road and closer
best artists was surreal. Our summer cover
Museum of Fine Arts 200-piece collection of
to home in a new GMC truck that made our
feature revealed the technical artistry of
works by women artists on exhibit through
weekend in the North Fork one we’ll be
three of 24 IBEX Masters across the globe,
talking about for years! Check out the fun
each raising the bar with their super-realist
and farm to table fare we had in Greenport
painted portraits that are so mesmerizing,
and Southold, and take out a 2020 GMC
they can easily be depicted as photographs.
Sierra Denali pickup for a test drive you won’t
We raise our glasses and toast to our
soon forget. It’s easy to see why these new
extended Venü family, who have continually
trucks are fast and becoming the wheels of
grown with us over the past nine years. Wish-
choice for the in-crowds who head to the end
ing you a happy and healthy holiday season
of Long Island in warm weather!
and magical New Year!
We have already lined up some exciting adventures for the New Year, and to get ready, we’re heading to the woods for forest bathing and some down-time spa
We’ll see all of you in 2020, our 10th Anniversary year. Visit our website and join our Ü-LIST for the latest happenings, exhibits, and more.
pampering. Both promise to be revitalizing, restorative, and well-deserving.
Cover Story Rick Garcia, Club Room 40” x 30”, Acrylic on Canvas See story on pages 54-59 10
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
VENÜ …YOUR PASSION IS OUR SCENE.
Tracey Thomas Publisher/Editor-in-Chief
Just A Little Overboard.
West Palm Beach waterfront along Flagler Drive pbboatshow.com THURSDAY - SUNDAY MARCH 26 - 29
PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Tracey Thomas CREATIVE DIRECTOR Nichole D’Auria I Nisu Creative ASSOCIATE EDITOR Kamitha Sloan FEATURES EDITOR Cindy Clarke FOOD EDITOR & SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER Fred Bollaci FILM & ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Peter J. Fox EDITORIAL & MARKETING Lisa Mikulski DECORATIVE ARTS EDITOR Matthew Sturtevant CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Susana Baker, Fred Bollaci, Judy Chapman, Cindy Clarke, Peter Fox, David Green, Janet Langsem, Lisa Mikulski, Kamitha Sloan, William Squier, Matthew Sturtevant PUBLISHING PARTNER Venu Media Company DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Christina Calabrese BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & OPERATIONS Debra Menich SALES Susie Earls Elizabeth Webster ADVISORY BOARD Nona Footz LEGAL COUNSEL Alan Neigher, Sheryle Levine (Byelas & Neigher, Westport, CT) DISTRIBUTION Thomas Cossuto, Man In Motion, LLC OFFICE 840 Reef Road, 2nd Floor, Fairfield, CT 06824 ADVERTISING INQUIRIES advertising@venumagazine.com
Buy Now on Amazon www.fredbollacienterprises.com
EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTION editorial@venumagazine.com SUBSCRIPTIONS subscribe@venumagazine.com Venü is printed with soy ink THE SMALL PRINT: No responsibility can be taken for the quality and accuracy of the reproductions, as this is dependent upon the artwork and material supplied. No responsibility can be taken for typographical errors. The publishers reserve the right to refuse and edit material as presented. All prices and specifications to advertise are subject to change without notice. The opinions in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. Copyright VENÜ Magazine. All rights reserved. The name VENÜ Magazine is copyright protected. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted without written consent from the publisher. VENÜ Magazine does not accept responsibility for unsolicited material. This is a quarterly publication and we encourage the public, galleries, artists, designers, photographers, writers (calling all creative’s) to submit photos, features, drawings, etc., but we assume no responsibility for failure to publish submissions.
Matthew Leifheit, Joseph Kazadi, Martine Kabanga, and their children Miriama, Drysile, and Joey, 2019.
This exhibition has been made possible with generous support from Art Bridges, the Department of Economic and Community Development, The David T. Langrock Foundation, The George A. and Grace L. Long Foundation, Mr. Charles T. Clark, The Howard Gilman Foundation, The Vincent Dowling Family Foundation, Mr. & Mrs. J. Geddes Parsons, Mr. William Blunt White, as well as donors to the Museum’s Annual Fund.
Studio
Minerale
We Dare You to Be Different!
Good Morning. National Invitational Exhibit featuring coffee and tea inspired vessels.
February 1st through March 31st
Sparkle This Season with COLOR!
Peridot & Green Tourmaline
Specializing in one of a kind, gemstone pieces Email us: studiominerale@gmail.com Shop online: https://studiominerale.com
40 Beech Street Port Chester, NY 914-937-2047 www.clayartcenter.org
SPOTLIGHT:
Interior + Design
Ken Gemes Interiors
The Tailored Home
Rooms With a View Interior and Design Show Celebrates 25 Years With a Spectacular Showcase Photography by Alan Barry ROOMS WITH A VIEW, THE HIGH-END
designer created a six-foot-by-eight-foot
interior design show created by late Dean of
vignette around the theme “25.” These mini
American Design, Albert Hadley, celebrated
rooms were staged in the library and great
its 25th year of bringing designers together
hall of the historic, stone, Gothic Revival style
to showcase their work while raising money
Southport Congregational Church.
for the ministries and missions of Southport
Designers for the 25th anniversary show
Congregational Church, particularly for 18
include; Adams ID, Alexis Parent Interiors,
charities within the Greater Bridgeport area.
Clarity Home Interiors, J.P. Franzen Associ-
“This is our 25th year and we have been
ates, Handin/Browne, Ken Gemes Interiors,
working all year to make this the biggest and
The Lewis Design Group, Moss Design, Parker
best Rooms with a View yet,” shares Rooms
& Company, Roughan Interiors, Sister Parish
with a View Executive Director, Christopher
Designs, The Tailored Home, and Kenneth
Phillip. “We have an incredibly talented
Lynch & Sons (outdoor vignette).
group of designers and have a lot in store for this special anniversary year.”
14
Presenting Sponsor of the 25th ROOMS with a VIEW was Waterworks. Other design
The three-day design event featured 12
sponsors included Farrow & Ball, Circa
designers from across the country who were
Lighting, Stark Carpets, Donghia, Williams
hand-picked by a design committee. Each
Sonoma Home, Kenneth Lynch & Son. In
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
Clarity Home Interiors
Alexis Parent Interiors
Parker & Company
Moss Design
Roughan Interiors
J.P. Franzen Associates
The Lewis Design Group
standing restaurants, bars and music festivals throughout the United States. His most recent endeavor is Bar Yoshi restaurant on the island of Nantucket. The restaurant was appropriately called, The Hadley. “The Hadley is the place for conversation and delight,” says Leliever. “It’s a space that brings to light the simplicity and elegance of Albert Hadley’s concepts of color and addition to being a design sponsor Williams
space. The décor and fantasy that Albert so
Sonoma Home designed the Narthex. Ken-
loved is shared through the transformation
neth Lynch designed the outside space in
of the space.”
front of the church.
The SHOPS at ROOMS with a VIEW fea-
In celebration of this landmark anniversary,
tured 40 vendors and artists selling jewelry,
the Chapel of Southport Congregational
home accessories, antique prints, art and
Church was transformed into a pop-up
unique items of clothing.
restaurant by Christian Arkay Leliever.
ROOMS with a VIEW, kicked off with a
Leliever’s guest experiences have been
gala preview party, Thursday, November 7th.
entertaining the public throughout the
Guests were treated to wine and beverages,
years at various Dining by Design (DIFFA)
fabulous hors d’oeuvres by local Culinary
events throughout New York City to long
Visionaries as well as a silent auction. ¨ CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
15
PROFILES:
Artist
MARIE ANGE DAUDÉ Eco-Visual Artist and Plumassiere
From her home – an 18th-century Chateau near Bordeaux – Marie Ange
Marie Ange began experimenting with feathers (she is known in
Daudé creates portraits from feathers. These extraordinary, unique
France as a Plumassiere as the French word for feather is plume) after
artworks caused a sensation when they were first exhibited in the US,
purchasing Chateau Guiton in 1998. In 2014, she commissioned a local
at the artMRKT San Francisco international art fair in April this year.
carpenter to build her box frames. These boxes get crisscrossed with
Johnny Gorman of Quantum Contemporary Art takes up the story:
hundreds of feet of inconspicuous fishing line. With intricate detail,
“The Preview Night of the fair was packed with thousands of San
Daudé gradually constructs her portraits by attaching each feather
Francisco’s collectors, curators, and art lovers. A buzz of excitement
Her depictions of women are evoked by the softness, poignancy,
Clamoring, shouting, jostling, Amex cards waving in our faces,
and femininity of the feathers. Sometimes she will incorporate
tears... it was the nearest thing to a riot we’ve experienced in 22
other elements, dried flowers from the local market at nearby
years of exhibiting at art fairs all over the world. We had four feather
Sauveterre-de-Guyenne, or a piece of vintage fabric found in the attic
portraits on the wall and two back at our gallery in London. All six
of the Chateau.
were sold in the first 30 minutes of the fair.”
The art world soon began to sit up and take an interest – exhibitions
Marie Ange was born in Limoges in Central France in 1964. She
in Nantes, Milan, Paris, Brussels, Strasbourg, Courchevel, Lyons, and
studied urban planning in order to, as she says, “beautify the world.”
St Tropez followed. In 2016, she was awarded the top prize at the 20th
Mixing with architects and artists unleashed her creative passion, which
annual prestigious International Salon of Contemporary Art in Marseille.
she combined with her athletic endeavors – representing the Gironde region in the triathlon.
16
individually to the fishing line.
began at our booth when they saw Marie Ange’s feather artworks.
Marie Ange is, above all, an intensely free spirit; indeed, the wearing of clothes on the Chateau grounds is optional! Perhaps it
She is a fervent environmentalist and began to make artworks from
is the tranquility of her surroundings – bees buzzing amongst the
what the French call objets trouvés or found objects, like old tins,
wildflowers in the summer heat - that enable her creation of these
newspapers, and fishing nets.
beautiful, evocative, gossamer-like portraits.
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
For further information about Marie Ange’s feather artworks contact Quantum Contemporary Art in London, UK. Tel + 44 207 498 6868. Email info@quantumart.co.uk www.quantumart.co.uk @quantumcontemporaryart
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
17
EVENTS + GATHERINGS
By David Green
FCBUZZ
Director of Programs & Membership Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County
Arts and Economic Development Workshop ON NOV. 8, 2019, Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County (CAFC) collaborated with the Connecticut Office of the Arts to co-host with the Fairfield Museum and History Center, Arts and Economic Impact: Build Your Local Economy with Creativity. This event, presented by Dee Boyle-Clapp, Director of the Arts Extension Service at UMass Amherst, and Meri Jenkins of the Massachusetts Cultural Council (ret.), provided attendees with an opportunity to hear from creative economy professionals, connect with peers, discuss the ups and downs of adopting a cultural development agenda, test assumptions, be introduced to the development of cultural districts in other states, and learn more about the creative economy and the opportunity for economic and community growth in their communities. Thirty participants from 9 towns gathered to learn from the experts and to hear local success stories of cross-sector teams from Bridgeport
and Norwalk as they presented projects involving their collaborations among commercial entities, municipalities and nonprofit organizations. The Bridgeport group presented their project Pop of Color, an initiative to increase the number of art installations in vacant storefronts around the city. The
Artist Duvian Montoya leading the discussion of the Washington Village/ South Norwalk Choice Neighborhoods Initiative project status.
Kim Morque, President, Spinnaker Real Estate Partners; Lauren Coakley Vincent, Executive Director, Bridgeport DSSD; Jane Dávila, Managing Director, NEST Arts Factory discuss the Pop of Color project.
Looking for something different to do? FCBuzzEvents (culturalalliancefc.org/ fcbuzz-events/) is the place to find out what’s happening in Fairfield County any day of the week–featuring theater, exhibits, music, history, science, family fun, classes and local artists. For more information contact Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County by emailing info@CulturalAllianceFC.org, calling 203-256-2329, or visiting the website, www.culturalalliancefc.org 18
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
Norwalk team gave an update on the public art project being created in Ryan Park as a part of the Washington Village/South Norwalk Choice Neighborhoods Initiative. Due to the positive response of this event, CAFC will organize follow-up workshops in 2020 so watch our newsletters for further information and schedules.
EVENTS + GATHERINGS
Tiffany Benincasa, Rick Garcia, Tom Galvin and friend
Rick Garcia, Tiffany Benincasa
“PERPETUAL MOTION” A Journey through Rick Garcia’s Masterful Creativity
Rick Garcia, Chris, Charlie, Katie, Tiffany and Jamie Benincasa. Photo by ChiChi Ubiña
On November 7th, C. Parker Gallery welcomed multi-dimensional and highly distinguished contemporary artist Rick Garcia. Garcia has created works of art for some of today’s most highly visible organizations, events, and causes. His accomplishments span across mediums and themes, from rock and roll to endangered species; encompassing photography, surrealist renderings on canvas and guitars. He has been selected as the official artist for the GRAMMY awards three times. A private party on November 19th, celebrated Rick’s artwork along with a special wine tasting by Trifecta Wines with owner Pablo Nyarady. Trifecta Wines has been producing a distinctive, hand made, small batch Cabernet Sauvignon since 2001 and more recently, a Russian River Pinot Noir. Each vintage remains in extremely limited production and is Allocated.
For more on Rick Garcia, turn to page 54, he’s our cover story.
Nicole Reynolds, Pable Nyarady, Tanya Smith, Rick Garcia
Rick Garcia, Tiffany Benincasa, Pablo Nyarady
Tony Frascella, Jamie Benincasa, Tom Galvin Photo by ChiChi Ubiña
Erin Deegan, Ashley Sheping Photo by ChiChi Ubiña
Tracey Thomas, Rick Garcia, Tiffany Benincasa
Cleo Miller, Rick Garcia Photo by ChiChi Ubiña
Janine Kennedy, Rick Garcia, Jennifer Frascella
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
19
EVENTS + GATHERINGS
By Janet Langsam CEO, ArtsWestchester
Artists Bring Data to Life in “Dataism” Exhibition
1. Laurie Frick, People Connections 2. Mariam Ghani and Chitra Ganesh, Welcome to the Hotel Ariana from Black Sites I, The Seen Unseen, from Index of the Disappeared
exhibition present data through handcrafted works and recognizably “artistic” procedures, such as drawing, collage, and sculptural assemblage. Other artists present their work on a computer screen. They share a determination to reclaim the mining and interpretation of data—“the material of our age,” in the words of Guest Curator, Lise Prown-- as an illuminating and empowering cultural practice. Dataism is on view at the ArtsWestchester Gallery in White Plains, NY through January 25. The exhibition is free and open to the public, and will be accompanied by a series of public programs.
3. Derek Lerner, Detail of Asvirus 111 2019
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “ARTISTS” AND “SCIENTISTS” CAN BE DECEIVING. In fact, they are more alike than one would imagine. Both are engaged in modes of inquiry in which the process matters as much as the product. Similarities are even greater between artists and data scientists as both are searching for patterns and telling stories. Dataism, ArtsWestchester’s newest exhibition, features the work of 13 New York area artists who use data as points of entry into areas as humdrum as daily activities and social interactions, or as global as climate change, financial markets, privacy and surveillance, and political and social power. In the age of the algorithm, every facet of our lives, from whom we date, to the news we read is shaped by a formula driven by data -- data we knowingly or remotely provide. From an ATM transaction to signing an online petition, an Instagram post to a Google search, our daily interactions and behavioral choices are transformed into data points that are collected and stored by unknown sources.
Like scientists, many contemporary artists also anchor their work in the collection and shaping of data: to engage with this ubiquitous artifact of daily life, probe present realities, and imagine the future. Some of the artists in the
Dataism is presented in collaboration with the Westchester Community College Center for the Digital Arts. It is made possible in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. ArtsWestchester Gallery Hours: Tues.-Fri. 12-5pm; Sat. 12-6pm. artsw.org/dataism
For more arts, visit artsw.org The complete guide to the arts in Westchester /ArtsWestchester | @ArtsWestchester For more of Janet Langsam’s cultural musings, be sure to visit her blog at www.ThisandThatbyJL.com. For a full calendar of arts events visit: www.artsw.org. 20
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
EVENTS + GATHERINGS
Steve Caine, Triss Albano, Brytten Cook, Laura McDonnell and Michael Moore Jr.
Melissa Pizarro, Tony Gilbert
Amos Nachoum and Jay Wade
Chris Walsh, Tony Gilbert, Peter Molnar, Jaleen Hartney, Joanne Drake, Morne Peterson, Jay Wade, Glenn Allen,John Crupi and Richard Snow
Richard Snow, Alex & Gill Rodrigues and Michael Moore
Silvana Garrido, Andew Winch, and Lisa Stratton
Katherine Zacarian, and Richard Snow
John Crupi and Jenifer Mosly
Jill Bobrow and Efren Zimbalist
Jose Govea, Julie Bernard, and Tim Murphy
SEAKEEPER OF THE YEAR The International SeaKeepers Society hosted its 2019 Founders Event, a maritime masquerade to honor Amos Nachoum as the 2019 SeaKeeper of the Year Award Recipient, 2019 NextGen Awardee, Katherine Zacarian, and the 2018-19 DISCOVERY Yacht Fleet. Nearly two hundred guests attended the annual Founders Event on Thursday, October 31st, during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. The gathering was held at a private waterfront property where guests enjoyed cocktails and dinner in a stunning setting. A video presenting the 2019 SeaKeeper of the Year awardee, Amos Nachoum and 2019 DISCOVERY Yacht missions was shared with guests which included scientist-led expedition highlights, citizen science trips, educational outreach programs, and community engagement events. SeaKeepers leadership was in attendance, including Chairman Emeritus, Michael Moore, Chairman, Jay Wade, and Board Members Glen Allen and Mark Luther. SeaKeepers honored the following vessels from the DISCOVERY Yacht Fleet and their respective representatives: Andiamo and Shredder – Capt. Glen Allen, Archimedes – Capt. Chris Walsh, Catniss – Capt. Jalene Harney, Dorothea III – Capt. John Crupi, Julia – Capt. Morne Petersen, Merlin – Joanne Drake from Super Yacht Group Great Barrier Reef who accepted on behalf of Great Barrier Reef Legacy, and SAM – Capt. Peter Molnar, for their generous contribution to and participation in the DISCOVERY Yacht Program. Event highlights included Amos Nachoum’s acceptance remarks and his profile videos, Picture of His Life and BigAnimals Global Expeditions. Media Partner Venü Magazine CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
21
APPETITE
By Fred Bollaci
Aspen Continues to Excite and Delight in the Off-Season
Glenwood Hot Springs Pool
View of “Ajax” (Aspen Mountain) from town
I HAD THE PLEASURE OF RE-VISITING Aspen, one of my favorite destinations for summer recreation and world-class skiing in winter, this time during the “off season” (early October) to enjoy spectacular fall foliage, as well as several snowstorms, which quickly melted and gave way to mild, sunny afternoons to explore. As is always the case, new hot spots open, and a fresh visit to a familiar destination can offer exciting new adventures. For dining, an absolute must is Bosq, which opened in 2017, featuring gourmet seasonally-inspired offerings by Chef C. Barclay Dodge. The Peking Duck is the signature dish, and if they have the Sweet and Sour Eggplant—order it—and hike, bike, or ski a little more tomorrow! For Asian—choose from Matsuhisa, Kenichi, or Maru. For Japanese, Chinese/Asian Fusion and dim sum at Jing, and Vietnamese at Bamboo Bear. A must for Mexican is Mi Chola (My Girl). Try the Prickly Pear Margarita. Rooftop musts are Pinon’s and bb’s. The historic Red Onion bar dates back to 1892. Sports fans will enjoy Zane’s, and beer lovers will want to visit Aspen Brewing Company and Hops Culture. For Seafood, try Clark’s Oyster Bar. Early risers will enjoy Poppycock’s, Paradise Bakery, Victoria’s Espresso, and Annette’s Mountain Bake Shop. I Love the cozy feel of French Alpine Bistro Crêperie du Village.
Crêperie du Village
Beef Tartare at Crepêrie du Village
Rustique (owned by Rob Ittner, owner of the adjacent Aspen Cooking School) has been a local favorite since 2000 for classic country French. Carnivores will enjoy The Monarch or Steakhouse No. 316 (same owners, prime cuts and classic sides). For the best après ski and people watching, head to Ajax Tavern’s famed sun-drenched patio. Gourmands and wine aficionados should visit
Element 47 in The Little Nell. I love the historic J-Bar at Hotel Jerome for drinks or a bite, as well as their cozy Living Room. For great sandwiches, try the Grateful Deli and Big Wrap (perfect to take on a hike or biking). You’ll want to visit the charming nearby town of Basalt. The Brick Pony has the coldest beer in Colorado, and upscale Tempranillo features excellent Spanish cuisine. Glenwood Springs, long famous for its hot mineral springs is under an hour’s drive west. For a relaxing spa experience, check out Iron Mountain, overlooking the Colorado River with 16 pools fed from three springs, containing at least 14 minerals, each pool at a different temperature. The Glenwood Hot Springs Resort features accommodations, a spa, and the largest hot mineral spring-fed pool in the world, (1,078,000 gallons). The Pullman is the best restaurant in town (Also visit sib Phat Thai in Carbondale). History buffs will enjoy the historic Hotel Colorado, a favorite of President Teddy Roosevelt, where his daughter Alice coined the term “Teddy” as applied to stuffed toys. Visit majestic Maroon Bells, the most photographed place in America. Hike around Maroon Lake, and if you’re feeling adventurous, climb the trail to Crater Lake, which is directly at the base of the Bells. The Aspen area has one of the best trail networks anywhere, offering something for every skill level for walking, running, hiking and biking. Several of my favorites are the Ute Trail, Sunnyside Trail, and Smuggler Mountain, which offer incredible views, and quite a workout. aspentrailfinder.com The ghost town of Ashcroft is a popular place to explore, especially by bike down in the summer months. A must for dining is Pine Creek Cookhouse, featuring an upscale Colorado-inspired menu.
For more information about Fred Bollaci, visit fredbollacienterprises.com, and to purchase Fred’s book, “The Restaurant Diet” in Aspen, visit Explore Bookstore, or online at Amazon.com 22
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
Join Us For Dinner & Wine! Wednesday, April 1, 2020 6:00 pm Tickets in advance are $100 per person
Bologna Cafe The Sarasota Area’s Most Authentic Italian Restaurant Featuring Gourmet Bolognese Cuisine Florida Winefest & Auction is celebrating 30 years of giving nearly $9 million to children’s charities in Sarasota and Manatee Counties and Venu Magazine’s 10th Anniversary will be commemorated with an exclusive wine dinner at Bologna Cafe’ on Wednesday April 1, 2020 at 6pm. Dinner will include delicious food paired with exclusive Italian wines imported by Claudio and Barbara, and signed copies of “The Restaurant Diet” by local author Fred Bollaci. A portion of proceeds will benefit
Author and Venü writer Fred Bollaci will be signing his second edition of The Restaurant Diet. RSVP TODAY For more information about Winefest and to purchase tickets, please visit www.floridawinefest.org or call 941.952.1401.
Florida Winefest’s Caring for Children Charity. Enjoy the best weekend of the year in Sarasota and come kick off Winefest weekend with us. There will be an array of exciting food and wine events through Sunday April 5th.
Bologna Cafe
3983 Destination Dr.
Osprey, FL 34229
941.244.2033
www.bolognacafe.com
APPETITE:
Travel
Villa Borghese
Piazza del Popolo
The Pantheon
Gelateria dei Gracchi
Hotel Vilòn
24
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
Pasticceria Lotti
The Spanish Steps and Trinita dei Monti Church
PizzaRé
JEWELS OF ROME A Curated Tour with “The Unofficial Mayor of Rome,” Giorgio Cazzaniga Written by Fred Bollaci
WHETHER YOU’VE ENJOYED VISITING Giorgio Cazzaniga
Rome dozens of times, or it is your first trip, you haven’t really seen Rome until you’ve seen it through the eyes of Giorgio Cazzaniga, a native Roman connoisseur. In fact, Giorgio, whom I’ve nicknamed “The Unofficial Mayor of Rome,” is a dear family friend who gives new meaning to the word hospitality. Giorgio represents the modern day dolce vita, sipping drinks at tables once reserved for Federico Fellini, Marcello Mastroianni, and Audrey Hepburn, rubbing elbows with princes and princesses in elite palaces, and knowing everywhere important to eat, shop, or simply delight in the gioia di vivere. Giorgio effortlessly opens doors and reveals a very special, CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
25
APPETITE:
Travel
private Rome. Through his friendships, we
Salad with Mozzarella di Bufala from
have enjoyed access to family palaces, not by
Battipaglia, Sardines from Sicily, and a crisp
appointment but often while we are walking
bottle of Angoris Bianco Riserva Giulio
by, with simply the ring of a doorbell or a quick call on his mobile phone, just to say ciao! Giorgio, an international lawyer, Graduate of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) as well as Marketing Director for his family’s namesake brand, Cazzaniga Roma, speaks fluent English, having lived
Explore the largest EATALY in the world, in a converted train station.
Locatelli Colli Orientali del Friuli, we were in total delight! After lunch, we headed to Bar Rosati, overlooking Piazza del Popolo, for some espresso, as we would need the caffeine to keep up, then to the chic Hotel de Russie for drinks al fresco with some of his closest
and studied in London. Even though I have
friends. The barman at the hotel’s famed
spent over a year of my life in Rome, there
Stravinskj Bar, Agostino Musichini is an expert
is nothing like experiencing The Eternal City with Giorgio.
mixologist, and makes a perfect Martini and simmering a little garlic and basil in olive oil
Negroni. Cin Cin!
Time to start walking! The only way to eat
for added flavor, then adding the canned
Our next stop was the stylish international
our way through Rome and not gain weight
tomatoes, salt, pepper, and pepperoncino.
party known as Dal Bolognese. Veteran
is to walk! Italians consider walking, and
Giorgio suggests that we cook the pasta
restaurateurs Alfredo and son Ettore Tomaselli
the “passeggiata” or stroll, a time-honored
roughly half as long as the directions
and manager Antonello Delrio make guests
tradition! Enter Giorgio, our personal trainer!
indicate. It should still be firm when removed
feel like a million bucks on the gorgeous patio
He walks faster than I would normally jog,
from the pot and tossed with the sauce,
and glowing rooms in this most precious piece
and keeps telling us “come on, you can do
often with a splash of the cooking water to
of Roman real estate in Piazza del Popolo.
it,” suggesting the next great taste sensation
help the sauce adhere to the pasta. Garnish
We enjoyed excellent Bolognese cuisine
was just around the corner or up the hill,
with a bit of pecorino Romano or Reggiano
paired with a chilled bottle of St. Michael
which it usually was!
parmigiano and mangia! Add a Caprese
Eppan Chardonnay Sanct Valentin from
Our host, also an excellent cook,
Sudtirol/Alto Adige. The scene is depicted
prepared us a fabulous lunch with perfectly
in a painting by Leroy Neiman. (Also in Milan,
al dente pasta with tomato sauce, made by
and opening in Miami/Brickell soon).
Piazza Navona Bernini’s Four Rivers Fountain and Borromini’s Sant’ Agnese in Agona Church
Caffè Sant’ Eustachio
26
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
Gambrinus Beach Club
APPETITE:
Tk
WHEN IN ROME Eating your way through Rome never got easier... take my word for it.
No visit to Rome is complete without trying the trifecta of pasta: Carbonara (Guanciale/ Pork Jowl, egg, pepper, and cheese), Amatriciana (Guanciale and tomato), and Cacio e Pepe (Pecorino and Pepper). My favorites are: Carbonara and Amatriciana: Checco e Carettiere, and Cacio e Pepe: Flavio al Velavevodetto (the original in Testaccio is built into an ancient Roman landfill, with windows looking onto illuminated artifacts), with a second location near the Vatican, and Hostaria Da Pietro, near the Spanish Steps.
Other favorites are: Molo 10, La Rosetta, Quinzi e Gabrieli, and Ristorante Il Tempio d’Iside for seafood. Le Colline Emiliane has wonderful Bolognese cuisine, Ad Hoc, (elegant wine bar and gourmand’s dream), Bonci Pizzeria and Panificio (bread shop), considered the best pizza by the slice), and Giolitti, famous for great gelato near the Pantheon. Some foods to look for: During summer months, Ovoli mushrooms, as well as Porcini, (autumn), Puntarelle, a slightly bitter long green, served with an anchovy dressing (November to March), Roman Chicory (Cicoria) Dente di Leone, (winter, considered the best), or Cicoria di Campagna (Summer months, more bitter), tossed with olive oil, garlic, and pepperoncino. Veal Saltimbocca (jump in mouth) with prosciutto, sage, and a demi glace), artichokes are a staple, and Semolina Gnocchi “alla Romana,” (typically only available on Thursday nights).
For the best Fettuccine Alfredo in its birthplace: Visit Alfredo L’Originale. It is perfection, with fresh egg pasta, tossed on a heated plate (dipped in the cooking water) with butter and parmesan, with a touch of cooking water, prepared while you watch! No cream. The Jewish Quater: One of my favorite areas is the Jewish section, called the “Ghetto.” Piperno is the most formal—everything is great, especially the Palle del Nonno (Grandpa’s Balls), which are filled with fresh ricotta and chocolate! Another favorite is BellaCarne, a Kosher restaurant, which serves excellent steak, and specialties like Baccala (Fried Cod), and the best Pastrami Sandwich in town! For an elegant Roman experience: Visit Camponeschi in Piazza Farnese, overlooking
Roscioli
the French Embassy, get an outside covered table and enjoy Roman specialties served with panache by convivial owner Alessandro and staff. A must is the Trippa alla Romana, Tripe with Roman Mint (Mentuccia) and tomato sauce.
Discover Culinary Treasures in Rome’s Markets: Roscioli is an incredible gourmet market, salumeria, and restaurant, featuring a dazzling array of meats, cheeses, and wine. If you have an “Air BNB,” I suggest shopping here, as well as at the Campo de’Fiori and Trionfale markets, and at Castroni, another gourmet market and cooking “at home!” Everything tastes better in Rome!
Terrace at Mirabelle in Hotel Splendide Royal
Fettuccine Alfredo at Alfredo L’Originale
WHERE TO STAY Rest assured your sleeping arrangments are covered. • Hotel Aldrovandi Villa Borghese: Elegant and intimate with beautiful pool and gardens. • Hotel de La Ville: Part of the Rocca Forte Group, recently renovated, stylish, located at the top of the Spanish Steps next to the Hassler. • Hotel de Russie: Fashionable and great location next to Piazza del Popolo by Rocca Forte. • Hotel Eden: Recently redone, beautiful rooftop restaurant and bar. • The First Roma Arte: Chic, artsy, with lovely rooftop in the Campo Marzio. • Hotel Parco dei Principi: One of the best spas and largest pools in town. • Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Resort: Formerly the Cavalieri Hilton, luxurious hotel a bit removed from the center, with Three Michelin-Star restaurant, La Pergola by Heinz Beck, and a large pool perched atop Monte Mario with exceptional views of Rome. • Hotel Sofitel Rome Villa Borghese: Luxury boutique hotel near the Via Veneto. • Hotel Splendide Royal: Roberto Naldi Collection, elegant property with Michelin-Star rooftop restaurant, Mirabelle. • Hotel Vilòn: New and impeccably stylish, yet warm and inviting in the Campo Marzio, sib of the J.K. Place.
Art by Marcello Reboiani
Trevi Fountain
We enjoyed gelato at Gelateria dei Gracchi,
one of the best ice cream shops in town and bid “Buona Notte.” Wear comfortable shoes tomorrow, Giorgio advised us! The next morning, we met early at the famed Bar Canova, also in Piazza del Popolo. Canova was a favorite of Fellini, who held court at table 18. The early morning, just at dawn is my favorite time of day in the Eternal City, where Rome seems to belong to just us and the gigantic seagulls (Gabbiani) that glide in the famous summer seabreeze, called Hotel Aldrovandi Villa Borghese
the Ponentino and screeching with glee as the city begins to awaken. The Ponentino is so famous, a romantic song “Roma, nun fa’ la stupida stasera” (don’t be silly tonight) was written about it in the context of a young boy who asks “Roma” to help get his girlfriend to say yes, employing a very strong Ponentino to help! We walked through the Villa Borghese, Rome’s “Central Park, seeing locals out walking their dogs, jogging, and kids headed to school, while being tempted by the heavenly aromas of freshly baked pastries. The towering stone and umbrella pine trees, illuminated by the first rays of morning sunlight
Hotel Vilòn
28
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
seemed to dance before our eyes. Our next
APPETITE:
Cazzaniga Jewelry
Travel
Sunset at Mirabelle
stop was for more coffee and freshly baked
who has created portraits of numerous
pastries at Pasticceria Lotti near Via Veneto.
celebrities, and works on word of mouth
We continued down the Spanish Steps and onto the elegant Via Margutta, shaking hands and exchanging embraces and kisses (abbracci and baci) with his friends we encountered. Next, we enjoyed lunch at Santucci, which specializes in seafood in elegant Parioli. We were seated al fresco on a lovely rooftop on a delightfully warm, sunny day and enjoyed outstanding fresh “crudo” (raw) seafood, followed by exceptional pasta
There are not enough lifetimes to fully experience this incredible tapestry of humanity known as Rome.
and commission only. We spent over an hour admiring his work and enjoying coffee and conversation. That night, we enjoyed an epicurean feast in one of the most breathtaking rooftop restaurants in Rome at sunset atop the gorgeous Hotel Splendide Royal. Mirabelle offers a combination of the best view, service, food, and live entertainment in the city! The cuisine by Michelin-star chef,
with mixed seafood and fresh local porcini
Stefano Marzetti was exceptional. As the
mushrooms, and another with Orata (Sea
sun set behind St. Peter’s Basilica and the
Bream), Zucchini Flowers (Fiori di Zucca) and
sky continued to glow in varying shades of
Bottarga (dried mullet roe). Giorgio advised
black sand—it was Mussolini’s favorite! Back
orange and magenta, we raised our glasses
that the two best days to enjoy seafood are
in Rome, we enjoyed pizza at Pizza Ré, the
to this amazing place called Roma!
Tuesday and Friday, as that is when the fresh
best Neapolitan pizza in town after visiting
On our last day, we visited the Fontana
deliveries from local fishermen arrive.
more friends for cocktails in their top floor
di Trevi and tossed our coins, which ensures
apartment overlooking Piazza di Spagna.
our return to Rome! ¨
We began the evening’s adventures at lively Enoteca Cesaretto, with aperitivi, music,
The next morning, we enjoyed two of
and dancing near the Spanish Steps. Then
Rome’s best Coffee shops—Caffé Sant’
For more information about
we dined at Nino, a Tuscan restaurant, where
Eustachio near Piazza Navona (order the Gran
Cazzaniga Jewellery, please visit
we enjoyed Zucchini Flowers stuffed with
Caffé), and Tazza d’Oro by the Pantheon (get
www.cazzanigaroma.com
anchovies and mozzarella, Cannelloni, and a
the Granita with Panna Montata—Coffee
delicious T-Bone Chianina Steak from Chianti.
Slushy with whipped cream), then visited
Since Saturday was beautiful, we headed
the art studio and home of renowned con-
to Gambrinus Beach Club in Ostia, (45 minute drive). Gambrinus is a gourmet seafood restaurant and beach club, offering great
service, a large pool, and beach with famous
temporary Roman artist Marcello Reboani,
For more information about Fred Bollaci Enterprises, and to purchase Fred’s highly anticipated second book, “The Restaurant Diet, A Spiritual Journey of Self-Discovery,” please visit Amazon, and www.fredbollacienterprises.com
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
29
APPETITE:
Venü Vines
VENÜ MAGAZINE WAS HONORED TO VISIT PROVENCE, FRANCE in September to be part of the Provence Rosé Group’s 2019 Advisory Council, where top wine writers, wine buyers, sommeliers, restaurateurs, influencers, and media outlets had the privilege of visiting this remarkably beautiful region and learning first-hand how the Provence Rosé Group has created a portfolio of fabulous wines. Utilizing certified sustainable and organic practices, they are the first rosé producer in Provence to achieve this remarkable milestone, resulting in luscious, food-friendly wines that are cause for year-round celebration! Rosé wines have taken the world and especially the U.S. market by storm in the past decade, as the signature wine of Provence— rosé is here to stay! The popularity of social media and hashtags like #Roséallday have garnered hundreds of thousands of Instagram posts to date, showing fashionable people sipping these luscious wines in the most beautiful places. If you want to experience the very best in
La Vie en Rosé
Rosé, there is only one place to go: Provence, and only one producer
The Provence Rosé Group: The World’s Best Rosé Wines from Four Unique Estates in Provence Written by Fred Bollaci that delivers an unparalleled experience and product: The Provence Rosé Group. The wines represent a lifestyle and joie de vivre that is purely Provence. While rosé-type wines are produced all over the world, Provence is the only region in the world that specializes in Rosé production, and is the benchmark. In fact, rosé production dates all the way back to Roman times. The sunny Mediterranean climate boasts some 3,000 hours per year of sunshine, and the region’s unique terroir is naturally conducive to this style of wine, which is further enhanced by applying modern practices to this proud tradition. The Provence Rosé group’s four vineyards produce a staggering five million bottles per year under 17 different brands, all while maintaining the highest standards of quality and consistency. In fact, The Provence Rosé Group is the only rosé producer that does not purchase fruit from anywhere else—all fruit is grown and harvested on land they own, under the auspices of veteran winemaker Alexis Cornu. A substantial investment of time, money, and labor has gone into transforming all four estates, and to producing the best rosé wines in the world! The wines come in unmistakably beautiful and unique 30
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
Ultimate Provence
Château de Berne
Château Saint-Roux
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
31
Ultimate Provence
Romance
Château de Berne PRG 2019 Advisory Council with MDCV staff
Winemaker, Alexis Cornu
APPETITE:
Venü Vines
bottles, and are priced competitively with other Rosé wines from Provence. As a sommelier, and a health-conscious consumer, when given the option to purchase a product that is the same or better in flavor and quality than a competing product, for roughly the same price, and the product in question happens to also be sustainable and organic, the choice is simple! These wines combine authenticity, ancestral traditions, savoir faire (know how), and art de vivre, the art of living with the group’s mission of creating and promoting a higher standard of excellence in rosé wines than ever before. Enjoy at home or come experience delicious wines and wonderful hospitality at four unique estates, with state of the art tasting rooms where guests can become acquainted with the incredible beauty and lifestyle of Provence and the French Riviera. Alexis Cornu recognizes the biggest challenge is in growing the best fruit. Like in cooking, your finished product can only be as good as the raw ingredients going into the dish. Alexis oversees the entire process from tending the vines to supervising the team of 50+ workers. As the grapes ripen in late summer, Alexis “observes,
Ultimate Provence
tastes, controls, and analyzes…sugar levels, acidity, and pH…The results are compared with those of previous years, to figure out which plots should be harvested first. He checks the vats, presses, and mechanical equipment, cleaning, and greasing in preparation
features 27 luxurious rooms and villas and a state of the art spa with
for the harvest. Some staff will harvest certain lots of grapes by day,
indoor pool, a sauna, steam room, solarium and relaxation area with
others by night for the rosé, by hand, and by machine. “The wine-
herbal tea room. There are also two outdoor pools, meeting space
maker’s worst enemy is habit.” Everyone is poised and awaiting the
for up to 150 guests, a boutique, and wine shop.
green light from Alexis. “Harvest time is a bonding experience for
Berne is a gastronomic treat for the senses! Michelin-Star Le Jardin
everyone involved…After so much effort, Alexis is eager to witness
de Benjamin, showcases the finest example of local, seasonal cuisine
the initial developments of the vintage, as it gradually takes shape
brings the best of Provence to your table, with fresh local produce,
after only a few weeks.”
fish, meat, and fowl from the region and the kitchen garden, overseen by Chef Benjamin Collombat. Le Bistrot serves local cuisine in a more
Château de Berne, the Luxurious Flagship Resort of the Provence
casual atmosphere. Both restaurants offer the opportunity to dine
Rosé Group, a Five-Star, Relais & Châteaux Property
outside. The ultimate experience is dining at the “Chef’s Table,” or
This magical property, the jewel in the crown of The Provence
attending the cookery school, L’Ecole de Cuisine.
Rosé Group, tucked away in Provence’s hinterland near the village
The signature wines of Château de Berne are gastronomic wines
of Lorgues, is situated several hundred meters above sea level, and
at the highest level of any rosé available. Consider pairing rosé with
comprises 1,300 acres of pine forests, rolling hills, olive groves, a
your Thanksgiving turkey and trimmings, as well as something pink,
working farm, streams, and 350 acres of planted vines.
romantic, and lighter for Valentine’s Day, in addition to seafood, pasta,
In 200 BC, Château de Berne was established. The area was inhab-
pizza, vegetables, or game.
ited by the Ancient Greeks, then the Romans. In the 11th century, the Cistercian Order of monks took up residence here when Raymond
A look at The Provence Rosé Group’s other estates:
V, the Count of Toulouse donated the estate to Saint Bernard. The
Ultimate Provence (UP), the closest to the coast of the four estates is
monks set about nurturing the rich soil. In 2007, Mark Dixon, a British
close to the famed resort town of St. Tropez and adjoins the majestic
businessman and fervent lover of Provence bought Château de Berne,
Plaine des Maures, the largest nature reserve in the South of France.
keen to hoist its wines to the heights of excellence and develop an
UP lays claim to a reinvented legacy with its historic vineyard and
original wine tourism concept. Today, the hotel is the epitome of
celebrated wine. UP is a contemporary resort, with a restaurant, bar,
five-star luxury with world class service and amenities. The property
outdoor seating and recreational areas, and a pool surrounded by CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
33
APPETITE:
Venü Vines
vineyards. UP is literally designed to make a statement: great wines,
Château des Bertrands is located in the commune of Cannet-des-
alive with character, a surprising contemporary destination for
Maures, at the heart of the Plaine des Maures nature reserve. This
modern epicureans with Atmos Restaurant and Bar, with a stylish
property offers exceptional wines thanks to an original geology
rooftop terrace.
and patient human effort. The vineyard stood the test of time, at the foot of the mountain, whose wines embody the typical char-
Château St. Roux was established in the 15th century with the help
acteristics of the unique terroir of this 200 acre plot. The grapes
of an Italian nobleman, who was charmed by the fields of red soil, and
here “grow around the cellar,” with excellent rosé, as well as red
named the place “roux,” and began cultivating the land and supplying
and white wines. ¨
nearby inhabitants with fresh produce. His name escaped history, but his benevolence to the local community inspired the nickname “Saint
For more information on the Provence Rosé Group, please visit
Roux.” The buildings of this historic farm had fallen into ruin, and have
www.provencerose.com For more information on the four wine
since been carefully rebuilt since being acquired by the Provence Rosé
estates, please visit www.chateauberne.com,
Group, with every single stone being returned to its rightful place in
www.chateausaintroux.com, www.chateaudesbertrands.com,
the structures on the property. St. Roux has rediscovered its former
www.ultimateprovence.com
charm, and today employs an eco-friendly approach that governs their winemaking, cheese production from their own herd of goats, and restaurant, where dishes are prepared using vegetables from the expansive gardens. There are also a collection of holiday cottages and guestrooms. The vineyard covers some 100 acres producing grapes that are full of flavor which lead to full-bodied wines.
For more information about Fred Bollaci, Author of “The Restaurant Diet, How to Eat Out Every Night and Still Lose Weight,” and second book, “The Restaurant Diet, A Spiritual Journey of Self-Discovery,” and Sommelier, please visit www.fredbollacienterprises.com
THE WINES Château de Berne (2017): A single vineyard wine from the estate’s high elevation parcel which faces south, 250-330 meters above sea level, the cooler nights of the Haut-Var lends a crisp, bright character with red currant, crisp acidity, and zesty fruit. Slightly salmon pink in color, very bright and iridescent. Fresh, clean nose, rather intense flavors with mixture of yellow-fleshed fruit and citrus zest, with a long, sweet floral finish. Pairs superbly well with food and a fun, year-round wine. Château de Berne Estate (2018): The nose is complex with delicate aromas of cherry and raspberry and light unexpected notes of mint and herbs like anise. The taste is exquisitely dry, with similar aromatic complexity on the palate. Flavors of cranberry and raspberry accented by an elegant mineral finish from the limestone of the terroir, this is a truly elegant Provençal rosé. 34
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
Château de Berne Emotion (2018): Perfect for any occasion, with a floral, blood orange, and potpourri nose, this wine perfectly balances flavors of the orchard, with beautiful pear and fruit blossom, plus hints of fresh strawberry, raspberry and red fruits that lends to a zippy acidity, making it a summer essential, perfect for the beach, pool, or boat! Château de Berne Inspiration (2017): A textbook Provençal rosé that is the perfect wine for the “tried and true fan” or rosé wines from this region. It is beautifully textured and lends body and intensity to the color and nose. Dry in the finish with flavors of fresh strawberry, Provençal lavender, and picked basil. A perfect food wine, it has a bold, intense pink color, and is floral, clean with a nose of fresh berries first, followed by fresh herbs and flowers—like walking through a Provence lavender field on an early summer morning.
Pairs well with classic roasted chicken with lemon and Herbs de Provence, Thanksgiving dinner, and grilled lobster Château des Bertrands (2017): A blend of Grenache Noir and Cinsault. The vineyard is sheltered by the Maures mountain range, and enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot summers, bright sunlight, and a prevailing east wind. The goal of Alexis and The Provence Rosé Group is to extract the essence from this most famous place, called the “NotreDame-des-Anges” terroir on the western border of the Esterel Massif. Night harvesting practices, destemming and partial maceration with gentle pressing to separate the grape juices are employed. This wine offers a complex bouquet of white fruit (peach and pear) with exotic notes. Pairs well with salmon gravlax, pasta with goat cheese and speck ham, and seafood salad.
Château St. Roux
Château de Berne
Château St. Roux Château des Bertrands
Château des Bertrands
Romance (2018): Amazing aromatics that are very inviting. Dominant orchard fruits like peaches and strawberries, the beautiful floral nose is intense and jumps out of the glass! Ultimate Provence (2018): An extra fresh, aromatic wine, whose beauty extends from the show-stopping bottle to your glass, with layers of raspberry, and strawberry jam in the nose, with a gorgeous, spicy palate. A fresh wine with great acidity for food pairing. Many of the wines of The Provence Rosé Group are available for purchase in the United States in many retail outlets as well as online. CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
35
STYLE:
Tk
Welcome Home Adaptive Design Group’s Artistry & Illumination by Kamitha Sloan
Image Courtesy of KHA Architects
36
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
DESIGN:
Lighting
It’s through lighting that we define colors, accentuate volume and apply critical applications that allow for shadowing, which identifies depth & form. – Glenn MERLIN Johnson
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
37
For over thirty-five years, Glenn MERLIN Johnson is revered in the luxury custom home industry as the Pioneer of Artistic Lighting Design. Johnson’s well-versed processes coupling artistic lighting design with technical controls have been taught through his groundbreaking book “The Art of Illumination” in twenty-five colleges and universities. The book highlights Glenn’s ADAPTIVE Method®, a process that focalizes on the intricate balance between aesthetics and function, utilizing multiple layers in the built environment. The Merlin decree of intelligent, artistic
their artistic lighting and technical needs are
level. The sooner “The Design Team”
lighting applications coupled with sophisti-
not being met. The “out-of-date” process
commences, the level of sophisticated tai-
cated dimming controls and scene-setting
shows generic lighting, minimal specifica-
loring and integration amplitudes the design
is not only sought out by owners wanting
tions, no controls, or electronics that leave
intention. Working with Glenn Merlin & ADG
to elevate their living environment, but by
gaping holes in budgets that contribute to
allows me the freedom to truly develop every
architects, interior designers, and audio-video
latter project delays with costly additional
last detail before ground is broken, taking the
integrators alike.
design and engineering fees. The aftermaths
complexity of a well-thought-out space and
result in a relentless resistance between
making it appear effortless.
Adaptive Design Group’s copacetic approach simplifies the complexity of sys-
the owners, the design, and build teams.
tems to best serve today’s color range of LED lighting products and full-home integrated technologies made available in a manner that the end-user can decipher while emphasizing the beauty of the overall vision of the project. Glenn convenes with VENÜ to discuss
“Swimming upstream is not the way to success for any venture.”
is crucial. We’re able to transform corporeal
— Glenn Merlin Johnson
dential clients recently is how to illuminate
THE ART & SCIENCE of THE MODERN DESIGN TEAM…
sensations that set a mood, and the ability to recreate these feelings after the sun has set. The most requested component by resia space without seeing the sources with the level of high-end design such as the
Glenn expounds, “Our experience has shown
foyer of an Aman Resort or a well-appointed
Historically, the custom home “design pro-
that communication to the owner about the
Michelin starred restaurant. Glenn refers
cess” is performed by two integral players, the
complete “Modern Design Team” must start
to this as a critical application “behind the
Architect and the Interior Designer. Owners
with the initial contact person, the architect,
walls.” The milieu of ADG’s craftsmanship
select these two seasoned and cohesive
and corroborated by the interior designer.
dialogues into my interior architectural
groups with the premise of achieving their
With the addition of the architectural lighting
balance that creates a simplistic elegance.”
new dream home or renovation. The unfor-
and technical design, the team is complete
Maynard.design
tunate truth is that this team alone falters
with budgets set per the owner’s wishes, and
The “MODERN DESIGN“ team of today is
to provide the comprehensive capabilities
plans are thoroughly coordinated, approved
setting the new industry standard by working
of sophisticated new technologies. These
and released to the build team.”Glenn
autonomously. Adaptive Design Group has
include LED lighting products, their artistic
Merlin Johnson’s Adaptive Design Group
been at the helm developing this new crew
and technical applications of dimming con-
is the accomplished responsive solution to
member by materializing a fully coordinated
trols, not to mention the adept engineering of
perform the tasks.
set of biddable and buildable working plans
electronics and power requirements needed for all of today’s home systems.
38
Understanding the Architecture and the way natural light will play a role in a home
Jeffrey Maynard, Principal of Maynard
to the builder and his subcontractors.
Design + Interiors conjectures, “It takes cre-
Carlos A. Martin, Principal at Carlos Martin
Owners are not aware of the initial
ative minds willing to join their sensibilities
Architects, Inc., expresses, “In constructing a
juncture at the homes design phase that
together to raise a project to a stratospheric
home today throughout our coastal regions,
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
DESIGN:
Lighting
it’s important to have functional environments
Manager at Maxicon divulges, “Projects that
well-defined operations are an essential factor
that withstand climatic related stresses.”
have a very well-defined lighting design
that can determine if a project will ultimately
“The value-added approach in having
package including lighting layer design;
be successful. Adaptive Design Group is a
a Lighting Designer at the beginning of a
fixture specifications, positioning, fixture
pioneer in this area. Their exceptional and
project is of critical importance to reinforce
loops, circuits, fixture definitions, dimming
succinct work encompasses all the factors
the client’s wishes. Every client has different
requirements, and control addresses of
that make a Lighting design all it needs to be
tastes, lifestyle habits, and certain criteria that
keypad locations ensure that programming
and more. As with all construction projects,
need to be met, especially when they are
installation of commissioning lighting systems
informed communication is required. The
coming from another region of the country.
goes smoothly.
more information we have on the onset, the better.” Maxiconusa.com
We, the design team, place a large emphasis
This is why we not only partner seamlessly
and keep the client’s perspective in mind in
with lighting design firms such as Adaptive
ADAPTIVE DESIGN GROUP is the
the build of their ‘DREAM HOME’ with ‘One-
Design Group, but also offer in-house lighting
cornerstone to ensuring all aspects of
of-A-Kind-Architecture.’ As if the environment
and control design for customers who are not
“THE MODERN DESIGN TEAM.” ¨
isn’t challenging enough, it may come down
aware of the fact that it’s a key design element
to a choice of a single fixture to create the
for their new house or remodel.
artistic solution to comply with the local codes and governance.
The process is an indispensable asset for all we do. Workflows, checklists, and
For more information about Adaptive Design Group’s full range of services, go to Adaptivedg.com.
The coordination of exemplifying newly available products that are currently evolving in the market to include lighting sources, power, sensors, audio, security, cooling, and heating controls, to mention a few, bring a smooth transition and integration of the layers into a high-end project of this magnitude.” Adaptive Design Group is a seasoned practice that understands the dilemmas of the construction from inception of a project to the end, no matter how small or big the task. Not every company has Glenn’s artistry of illumination, the spectrum of understanding
The Merlin Light® is the only specialized lighting fixture designed with the precision to frame light within the confines of the selected artwork and/or sculpture. Any other lighting source for fine art would be a compromise. MerlinLight.com
Courtesy of Guy Dreir Designs ADG Custom Ceiling Lighting Design
technology with the skilled facilitation of the mechanical components into the engineering process, and, most importantly, the function of these to complete the desired aesthetic. “Without proper lighting, a magnificent project could end up in disaster. Above all, artistic lighting design becomes the masterpiece for interiors and exterior architectural design that represents and nourishes the lifestyle of the client and promenades their social status from car collections to proper lighting elements of their wardrobe. Artistic Lighting creates another layer above and beyond all expectations.” CarlosMartinArchitects.com Samuel Naierman, Founder & Engineering CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
39
There is machinery in the mind that is consciousness. Knowing the machine is the dawn of a new era.” — Allan Wesler
40
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
DESIGN:
ARTECHOUSE The Insightful Passage of Digital Media By Kamitha Sloan Photography by Daniel Garcia
Experiential Technology STYLE: Tk
ARTECHOUSE is the new frontier of sensorial
42
our times,” shares Tatiana and Sandro.
repeat themselves into an unperceivable hori-
stimulation that was established in 2015
“Who you are is beyond the mind; you
zon? How do we frame imagined realities that
by art advocates Tatiana Pastukhova and
are infinite consciousness, awareness of
represent something beyond our perception
Sandro Kereselidze. It’s a new-age social
possibilities experiencing your current reality.
of life and of linear time?
platform for visual artists of the 21st century
Your body is the vehicle and your mind is the
One of the most significant eigh-
that work across multidisciplinary mediums
tool. You are not the feelings and thoughts
teenth-century English artists William Blake
to discover new forms of expression through
themselves, you are the awareness of what
famously said, “if the doors of perception
light, sound, and dimension.
you think and feel”.
were cleansed, everything would appear to
Sandro comments, “We get inspired by
Miami’s most recent exhibition Refik
the artists and their work. We realized that
Anadol’s INFINITE SPACE is a collection
“This collection of work represents my
there was no place where one can experi-
of works that revisits Blake’s statement and
passion to critically pursue the intersection
ence and engage with this type of art-so we
seeks to cleanse the doors of perception with
of machine intelligence, media, and architec-
decided to create one.”
man as it is - infinite.”
the tools available in the twenty-first-century.
ture. I hope to offer a new visualization of our
The three destinations in Washington,
The exhibition explores memories and
digitized memories, expanding the possibil-
Miami, and New York are making an impact
dreams through the mind of a machine by
ities of architecture, narrative, and the body
on both the local and international art scene
using data sets ranging from human memo-
in motion, as well as a dramatic rethinking
by having patrons feel like their part of the
ries, photographs of Mars, cultural archives,
of the physical world, our relationship to
exploration of the groundbreaking work
and sea surface activity as data sculptures and
time and space, and the creative potential
that evokes feelings of oneness to the world
paintings. Our lives are framed by a sense of
of machines to enhance our cognitive capac-
around us.
finitude: the sense that everything that we
ities.” Refik Anadol
“Art should evolve alongside science,
perceive will cease to exist one day. But, if
What brought ARTECHOUSE to Miami
culture, and technology, and offer new
finitude is the only absolute truth in life, how
is its ability to deliver new forms of creative
visions and new forms that are reflective of
can we imagine structures and patterns that
expression to life to educate, inspire, and
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
DESIGN:
empower future generations. Miami is a
They’ve been working for decades in exper-
global powerhouse and gateway to the
imenting and creating digital artwork, and
Americas, and also has a bustling arts and
their work is rooted in experiences with
culture scene.
nature and in the past. This is very important
“At ARTECHOUSE, we showcase the
especially when for 95 percent of our visitors
world’s best digital artists, as well as serving
this is their first encounter with new media
as an incubator and launch-pad for emerging
art. We always have to consider that as we
young talents. For instance our inaugural
plan the programming.” ¨
exhibition in Miami is a world-travelled exhibit created by artists Adrien M. and
For more informaiton visit artechouse.com
Claire B. who are forerunners in this medium.
and refikanadol.com
Experiential Technology
“When we look through our eyes, we are not seeing reality but merely decoding information in the form of light and literally blind to everything else.” — Ziad Masri
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
43
FEATURE
MANA MIAMI American Riviera’s newly discovered Silicon Valley By Susana Baker Photography by Armando Colls
44
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
FEATURE
MIAMI’S ESTEEMED DEVELOPER, MOISHE MANA, is one of the most salient visionaries and enlightened entrepreneurs of the 21st century. His formidable projects are the foundation for building roots to enable socially conscious and cross-culturally cohesive communities that foster sustenance. Erasing the line of demarcation, Mana is humanizing the urban realm and propelling the impact of South Florida’s global telepresence in the marketplace. What’s most relevant about the revitalization in this perceptual region, avers Bernard Zyscovich, Founder & CEO at Zyscovich Architects, “We use space to enhance opportunity.” Mana’s resolute persistence is one that begets organizational wit and thoughtful decisions. “Our idea is to create this platform in areas where Mana controls large amounts of the property so that the culture of innovation and creativity can use real estate as a vehicle for social and environmental benefit,” utters Bernard. The prescience of Mana’s dream unfolds… making Moishe Mana a name to remember. Before we begin Mana’s story, let’s revisit Miami’s past.
W
ith every new Century, Miami welcomes modern idealists to its shores. The 19th Century pioneer Julia Tuttle said it best, “I see a metropolis growing out of the mangroves.”
Referred to as the “Mother of Miami” her doggedness incorporated the city, and this was made possible by the “Father of Miami,” Henry Flagler. He inaugurated the Florida East Coast Railroad into Miami in April of 1896, and in July of 1896, a new municipality was incorporated. By 1897, the population grew to 2,000. The railroad precipitated a century of growth and vibrancy. Miami would gain its famous nicknames as it went through its growing pains, from the “stomping ground for the rich and famous,” to the “Capital of Latin America.”
— MOISHE MANA
— BERNARD ZYSCOVICH
FEATURE
Image Courtesy of Zyscovich Architects
exuberance, a sheer utopia - a playground of glamour and affluence. The Beach acted as a billboard to its streets filled with sleek supersonic machines, and the picture window view was a mirror to more than its ocean’s curves. With an invitation from Goldman, Eileen Ford’s statuesque models pranced on its golden sands to capture it all on camera in a sizzling photoshoot. When the magazine hit the newsstands Miami had progressed from its infamous cover of Time magazine,
in the spring of that year, South Beach garnered the attention of the
“Paradise Lost,” when the city became obsolete with Cocaine Cowboys
most celebrated, liberated, and treasured designers of a generation,
and the Mariel Boatlift to the days of when Miami Vice sparked a
Gianni Versace. Versace was enraptured with Miami’s beauty that he
cultural phenomenon and brought the sexy back to its beaches.
decided to make the Beach his new oasis. The ”buzz” engendered a flux
Fast-forward to recent cover stories in the New York Times, “Miami
of European investors to construct the brand-new “American Riviera.”
is more than Art Basel” and “Downtown Miami, More than a gateway
As prices soared, the same developers that claim the resurgence
to the Beach,” Miami’s proclamation is in the staggering number of
of Miami Beach looked to its mainland. Founder and CEO of Dacra
twenty-three million welcomed visitors that have made it the 2nd
Development and co-founder and co-owner of Design Miami Craig
largest tourist hub in the country after New York City.
Robins built The Design District that infuses the trendy Soho charm of
In conjunction with the trailblazers and developers, Mother Nature
New York among its gallivanting architecture of art-galleries, ateliers,
has contributed to the coast’s popularity from its sensitive eco-
high-end fashion boutiques, lounges, and restaurants. Goldman’s
systems, sun-kissed crystalline waters of outstretched oceanfront and
foresight touched down in Wynwood Art District purchasing blocks
soft-hued blue skies overlooking Biscayne Bay.
of industrial warehouse spaces that were once home to abandoned
The mid-20th century bestowed community activist Barbara Baer
factories of yesteryear to assemblage the largest Street Art Museum
Capitman who brought global attention to preservation in her flight to
- Wynwood Walls. Forbes magazine names Wynwood as “the top 10
save neglected art deco buildings. The successful lobbying efforts of
destinations in the Nation to visit.”
Norman Braman and Robert Goodman made it possible for ART BASEL
The contribution of these developers positioned Miami back on
to call Miami Beach Convention Center home with its first show opening
the map. However, what about the sustainability of its neighbor-
in 2002 that created accessibility for Latin American art collectors.
hoods, of its residents? Locals are forced to leave due to the sky-high
We can’t forget the pivotal moment that forever changed Miami’s
rents and home values. As real estate investors scramble to gentrify
global presence from the notorious to the well-renowned with the
neighborhoods with spec homes and high-rises, what remains left of
boom of South Beach. It all started with a fabulous pictorial swim-
the discarded city is from Overtown, Little Havana to Little Haiti, and
wear spread in Italian Vogue by internationally acclaimed fashion
these districts risk losing their multicultural identity. Everything has
photographer Bruce Weber. Tony Goldman, an eminent redeveloper
been sold to developers and snowbirds, therefore making tourism
of South Beach prophecy was to create a premise of departure and
the only viable industry product. Much of downtown’s redevelopment CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
47
— BERNARD ZYSCOVICH lies south across the Miami River in an area known as Brickell, within
neighborhood into a dynamic terminal of artistry, fashion, and
reach on foot or via the free Metro mover electric train operated by
technology. MANA Wynwood was the first project that serves a giant
the County Transportation Authority, which still caters to the upper-
warehouse and doubles as a convention center, block party, and
echelon and is a deserted ghost town with empty storefronts.
concert venue. Eventually, Wynwood wasn’t enough, Mana needed
Where‘s a Miami native supposed to live, work, and play? The
to expand his empire, but how? Where could he find real estate that,
solution is Moishe Mana’s “MANA COMMON,” an impassioned
if under his care, could transform Miami? Nowhere else, except in
project in downtown Miami that provides affordable housing and a
downtown Miami’s historic Flagler district.
thriving business enterprise that will drive the job market with diverse
Mana is a man with great vision, and he’s masterminded a brilliant
opportunities for its local citizens to call home. Bernard Zyscovich adds,
plan to turn Flagler’s district into “the Silicon Valley” of Latin America.
“The commonality of a community (the idea behind Mana Common)
“Silicon Valley of Latin America” is a campus-like project where workers
generates interaction which results in a particular culture.”
can live in micro-units and walk to their offices as well as to restaurants,
S
stores, and bars that will be set up in his buildings. As Mana puts it; elf-made Billionaire Moishe Mana is turning the chapter on
“We are building the infrastructure for all these companies. Imagine
Henry Flagler. In 1983 he arrived in New York with $800 in
Miami as the head and Latin America as the rest of the body. It’s going
his pockets. He left his neighborhood of Tel Aviv, Israel, and
to be a place of connection, collaboration, and communication with
dropped out of law school to move to the United States to begin his
each other.” Mana sees tremendous potential in downtown’s strategic
rags to riches journey.
location, so he is accumulating as many properties as possible to
It all started with a van. New York City brought many experiences and colorful characters to Mana, one of those characters owed him
bring about real change and benefit the entire city of Miami. To date, he has purchased over 56 properties in downtown Miami.
money, and not being able to pay him back in cash, gave Mana a van.
Before he begins, Moishe needs the city of Miami to fix the under-
Mana began his first business here in America: A Man with a Van.
structure — heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems, electrical
His moving company soon became one of the city’s top residential
systems, and rooftops in some of these buildings. The first building
movers and slowly progressed into Moishe’s Moving Logistics, one
to be rehabilitated is the 13-story office building at 155 S. Miami Ave.
of the largest moving companies in the tri-state area. From there, he
Another component is the Flagler Station, the future tech terminus at
moved into real estate amassing 1.5 million square feet of property.
48 E. Flagler St. It will be Miami’s version of Paris’ Station F, an epicen-
In 2009, Moishe Mana began purchasing acres in Wynwood,
ter that opens in a train station, only here it will be called Station H in
aggregating 40 acres of property in an attempt to transform the
homage to Florida railroad pioneer Henry Flagler. Then there will be
FEATURE
Moishe is building a city, not on profit or income, but culture and life. He expects to incur $600 million from investors, to begin with, but later plans to receive $1 billion to continue his dream. Mana wants this to be the conjunction between Latin and Asian countries to intertwine their ideas using technology as a way to interface. Its undeniable why he calls it “MANA COMMON,” – it’s a way of giving back to the people, unifying and learning from each other. the old Foot Locker building at 38-44 E. Flagler St. for the envisioned food hall and spice market.
“Miami needs to change. Until now, it was a tourist destination, and that’s it. Now we want to turn Miami into a global trading command
Mana’s visions have no deadline. There is no rush for him. He
post of technology. It’s very ambitious for me to say something like
began buying downtown properties since 2013 and, to this date,
this. However, I am putting my money where my mouth is,” Mana
remains unchanged and untouched. His opinion on the haters that
expresses. “I am doing it. Maybe I fail. Maybe I succeed. G-d knows.
question him and believe that he is slowing downtown redevelop-
However, I am doing what I am saying. I need everyone to be patient.”
ment is, “If they are frustrated, what should I say?” What these people
The patience has paid off with the City of Miami recently approving
don’t know is that the longer these buildings remain unchanged, the
22.5 million in funding, and the word is the first project is slated to
more money Mana loses, which is why he spends every day slowly
break ground in 2020.
chipping away at the massive block that is the new Flagler Station. Whether it’s meeting with tech companies from other countries to
Moishe Mana Mantra – “COMMUNITY + COLLABORATION + CONNECTION = COMPASSION”
be a part of the project or meeting government officials from across the globe to see how they can be incorporated, he’s always working
For more information on Mana Common, go to manacommon.com.
towards his goal. Miami isn’t the only place where this is happening. Mana has similar projects set up in Jersey City and Chicago. Mana believes that “Mana Common” is more than just stores and architecture; it’s a philosophy. Bernard Zsycovich concurs, “Architecture is about the use within a building, whereas the Urban vision of the work for Mana is about the creation of community and connectivity.”
About the author: Susana Baker, CEO & Founder of The Art Experiences, Inc an award-winning Art and Culinary Tour Company of the Art Districts of Miami. Radio Anchor on Bloomberg Radio 880thebiz.com on ARTtalk with Susana Baker every Friday at 10:40 am, “Bringing the Cultural Happenings of Miami” for more information on private curated tours or groups go to theartexperiences.com to book a reservation call 305-767-5000.
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
49
FEATURE
s
NINTH t
r e
e
WOMEN
WHEN WOMEN A R E left out of the annals of art history only half of our collective human
A ND T H E MFA’S B IG S H OW by
Women Take the Floor is a year-and-
lisa mikulski
a-half-long exhibition, running through
history is being told. A study of art history
May 3, 2021. It coincides with the 100th
shows us not only visual representations of
anniversary of the ratification of the 19th
any given artist’s oeuvre –– and it’s not just
Amendment and is also part of the MFA’s 150th anniversary—a year-long celebration
about analyzing the technique or talent of that artist –– but art history also gives us
In my hometown of Boston, MA, strides
focused on enhancing the power of art and
the cultural, political, and historical stories
are being taken to draw attention to women
artists, honoring the past and reimagining
behind those works.
artists from our history as well as those
the future.
For centuries, women artists have
working in the contemporary art world. Like
“Our goals are to celebrate the strength
struggled to receive recognition for their
others who write about this subject, I’m
and diversity of work by women artists while
accomplishments and contributions. Despite
struck that there still seems to be a need to
also shining a light on the ongoing struggle
activism toward social and professional
differentiate “women artists”.
that many continue to face today. We see
equality, women remain underrepresented and undervalued in the art world.
50
t
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, is seek-
these efforts of recognition and empow-
ing to remedy gender discrimination found
erment to mark a first step to redress the
As Murray Whyte of the Boston Globe
in museums, galleries, academics, and the art
systematic discrimination against women
points out, “the best strategy for career suc-
market. The MFA also acknowledges its lack
at the MFA, and within the art world,” says
cess for woman artists appears to be to live
of support toward consistently supporting
Nonie Gadsden, who led the cross-de-
long enough to see it. Though waiting — and
women artists, and to this end, the museum
partmental team of curators in organizing
waiting, and waiting — has never been much
has reallocated the entire third floor of the
Women Take the Floor.
of a guarantee.”
Art of the Americas Wing, now showing
Taken primarily from the MFA’s collection,
Whyte also includes some statistics:
approximately 200 artworks made by women
the exhibition shows paintings, sculptures,
ninety-six percent of all art sold at auction is
over the last 100 years. In what the museum
printmaking, photography, jewelry, textiles,
by men. While forty-six percent of American
is calling a “takeover”, this major exhibition
ceramics, and furniture. The museum pres-
artists are women, only thirteen percent of
aims to challenge the dominant history of art
ents a number of installations, some on
American art museum holdings are by women.
from 1920 to 2020.
rotation, including the following:
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
Deer’s Skull with Pedernal, 1936 Georgia O’Keeffe (American, 1887–1986), Oil on canvas * Gift of the William H. Lane Foundation © Georgia O’Keeffe Museum / Artist Rights Society (ARS), New York * Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
51
FEATURE
“ N I N E T YSIX PERCENT OF ALL ART S O L D AT AUCTION IS BY MEN.”
NINTH STREET WOMEN Abstract Expressionism, Action Painting, Color Field Painting –– these are terms you might associate with artistic luminaries such as Jackson Pollock, Willem De Kooning, and Mark Rothko, but they did not paint alone.
Women Depicting Women: Her Vision, Her Voice presents works that span history and geography, and reflect social, political and cultural concepts as represented through the work of artists Frida Kahlo, Alice Neel, Andrea Bowers, and Cindy Sherman. Women on the Move: Art and Design focuses on the inroads women made as professional artists and designers following the campaign for women’s suffrage. Yet the road was not easy, nor was it open to all. This gallery features well-known artists Georgia O’Keeffe, Ruth Reeves, and Loïs Mailou Jones, along with lesser-known artists whose importance is under-recognized. Personal to Political: Women Photographers,
Masquerade, 1954 Grace Hartigan (American, 1922–2008) Oil on canvas *Collection of Lizbeth and George Krupp *© Grace Hartigan *Courtesy, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
1965–1985 features work by more than thirtyfive photographers who in the fields of photojournalism, fashion, social documentary, and fine art photography. Women of Action recognizes the work and dedication of Joan Mitchell, Grace Hartigan, Helen Frankenthaler, Elaine de Kooning, and Lee Krasner. These five women, working along with their male contemporaries, were a part of the revolutionary art movement which shifted the focus of art and culture from Paris to New York and changed the way art is created and appreciated today. ¨ 52
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
Mary Gabriel, author of Ninth Street Women, tells of the Abstract Expressionist movement in New York through the lives of five prominent female painters contributing to that artistic revolution. Joan Mitchell, Grace Hartigan, Helen Frankenthaler, Elaine de Kooning, and Lee Krasner were not just playing the roles of “the artist’s wife” or “the critic’s lover”. They were not supporting characters in Abstract Expressionism, they were a part of it. They were painters. Within Gabriel’s extraordinarily well researched and documented book, it is her mission to introduce readers to these five artists and the society in which they lived. She provides ample space to the leading
characters, but the book also reads like a juicy novel as it describes Bohemia, New York and a supporting cast of art dealers, critics, and patrons moving through Greenwich Village and the Cedar Street Tavern. Working alongside Pollock and De Kooning, the women of Ninth Street did exceptional work and faced incredible odds to become artists in a culture that didn’t want them. In 1948, at the age of 26, Grace Hartigan left her husband and small son to travel to New York to become a painter–– before she even knew how to paint. She showed up at the de Kooning’s door, stating, “Jackson Pollock sent me.” In 1953, MOMA purchased Hartigan’s The Persian Jacket.
FEATURE
1. Chamonix, about 1962 Joan Mitchell (American, 1925–1992) Oil on canvas * Charles H. Bayley Picture and Painting Fund Reproduced with permission. * Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 2. Linda Nochlin and Daisy, 1973 Alice Neel (American, 1900–1984) Oil on canvas * Seth K. Sweetser Fund © The Estate of Alice Neel Courtesy David Zwirner, New York/London * Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 3. Bacchus #46, 1982 Elaine de Kooning (American, 1918–1989) Acrylic on canvas * Gift of Gerald M. McCue in memory of Barbara W. McCue Elaine de Kooning Trust * Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 4. Weather Vane, 1969-70 Helen Frankenthaler (American, 1928–2011) Aquatint on buff Arches paper * Boston Foundation Fund © 2011 Helen Frankenthaler / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. * Photograph © Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
1
4
2
Helen Frankenthaler and Joan Mitchell both came from a background of wealth and privilege before pursuing their passion in New York. Frankenthaler was the inventor of Color Field Painting with her technique of the soak-stain. She continued painting for another sixty years. Mitchell participated in the famous “Ninth Street Show” in 1951, and soon established a reputation as one of the leading American Abstract Expressionist painters. She continued to exhibit regularly in New York throughout the next four decades. Lee Krasner, otherwise known as Mrs. Jackson Pollock, was the oldest of the group but only came into her own after Pollock’s death in 1956. She exhibited in several shows when Pollock was alive, including the historic “Ninth Street Show”, but she could never get out from under the mantle of “the artist’s wife”. After Pollock’s death, Krasner went on to enjoy a long artistic career, her work fetching high prices at auction.
“[Elaine de Kooning] was extraordinarily brazen, had a sharp wit; she could drink all the men under the table, and she was very, very talented,” said Gadsden in a Boston WBUR interview. “She was an art critic and she was a major proponent of abstract expressionism. Yet she never was able to get the name that her husband got and much of that is due to discrimination based on gender.”
3
I believe that Mary Gabriel’s work sets the stage and breaks the mold for continuing study and a more diverse idea of who made art and history. Prior to the book’s publishing, we knew little of these women’s lives, their talent, or their contributions. The MFA exhibition provides an entire gallery to Women of Action that shows us the work of the Ninth Street Women, and that their work was just as formidable, rigorous, and as groundbreaking as the men’s. CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
53
BY LISA MIKULSKI
54
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
1
COVER STORY
3
An internet search of artist, Rick Garcia, will show only the lightest of online footprints revealing his website, a couple of YouTube videos, and his work at C. Parker Gallery in Greenwich Connecticut. Yet Garcia has created for some of today’s most highly visible organizations, corporations, events, and causes. His work has garnered worldwide attention with images
work was also used for interior scenes of the
that are sometimes joyous and other times heart-
show. His artistic trajectory was set.
rending. He is prolific. His palette is vibrant, often
In the mid-nineties, Garcia was repre-
reflecting his love of the tropics, and with an economy
sented by the gallery/agent Arica Hilton, who
of line he displays great skill in illustration. He has
suggested that he might look into creating
an approachable manner and an easygoing way of
images to direct attention to endangered
expressing himself. In other words, he’s pretty cool. Rick Garcia has worked three times as the official artist for the GRAMMY Awards, setting the look and feel of the live ceremonies and gracing the covers
2
of the organization’s program covers, CDs, posters, and apparel. In 1998 and 2003 he was commissioned by The United Nations Postal Administration to bring awareness to the dangers facing the rainforest and its inhabitants. The stamps he created earned his series the title of “most beautiful stamp series of 2003”. Garcia was chosen as “Absolut Artist of the 90s” for the brand’s popular vodka ad campaign with Absolut Garcia, and a second submitted piece, Absolut Electric, went on again to draw worldwide attention. His work has included portraiture of Destiny’s Child, Ricky Martin, Coldplay, Santana, Celia Cruz, Black Eyed Peas, Imogen Heap, and Kanye West. And still, very little will you find about him on the internet. Word of mouth is powerful. His story begins back at the Art Institute of Miami where he studied drawing and painting. Soon Garcia was making a living from his illustrations. His work came to the attention of the creators of Miami Vice whereby he was commissioned to create a mural. His
1. Almost Gone, Acrylic on canvas, 18” x 36” 2. Absolut Electric (poster) Fully functioning guitar, 19 x 25 3. Absolut Garcia (poster) acrylic/canvas, 19 x 25 - 5’ x 6’
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
55
animals. His love and affinity for animals and nature made the job a perfect fit.
4
interviewed on the Today Show in New York and later
One of this writer’s favorite pieces from
the car was put up for auction. This series of artwork
the series is the vibrant yet heartbreaking,
also lead to a commission by the United Nations
Almost Gone.
Postal Administration to create three new paintings
“This was at the time when I was working with regular brushes and airbrush and a level
5
Garcia reflects, “The car, myself, and Mr. Aoki were
for use as postage stamps, this time concerning the rainforest and its endangered inhabitants.”
of surrealism was often used as a key com-
Garcia is passionate about animals, the environ-
ponent of my work,” explains Garcia. “The
ment, and worthy causes, telling me that there are
tiger is looking at the viewer and as the body
an abundance of issues and charities which all need
of this animal nears the rear, less and less
attention and resolution. He’d love to be involved in
remains until the tail portion becomes birds
a number of them.
flying off into the sky. The same tiger is seen
“I helped with three charities this year, and last
above in a playful mood to symbolize an era
year I designed and printed t-shirts to raise money for
of less intrusion by human beings.”
the children killed in Florida at the Marjory Stoneman
The endangered animals series eventu-
Douglas School.”
ally became limited-editions and lead to a
Being a three time official artist for the GRAMMY
licensing deal with Milton Bradley turning
Awards was something Garcia describes it as a “very
two of the images into puzzles. The work
special honor”.
also grabbed the attention of Rocky Aoki,
“The opportunity to attend rehearsals, meet the
founder of Benihana. Aoki donated his Rolls
stars and get a great behind-the-scenes look at what it
Royce for Garcia to cover with a painting of
takes to put on this show was fantastic. On each occa-
a tiger and leopard.
sion I enjoyed the collaboration with then V.P. Rob Senn in brainstorming as to what each event should look like in print form which also led to influencing the look of the broadcast.” The art for the 40th GRAMMY Awards in 1998 has the word ‘GRAMMY’ embossed, and features the award making a splash in a pool. The number ’40’ is blended into the artwork, with musical instruments, notes, architecture, and clouds filling the scene. The 1999 GRAMMY work was designed to feature the history of recording from its earliest time to the digital era. The music sheet depicted is the opening to Layla and the time signature stamp is 4/1 for the 41st GRAMMY award ceremony. The 2001 GRAMMY depicted a more abstract approach and the original artwork includes gold leaf on the canvas for the award. One of Garcia’s most recent projects is RAG13,
4. The 41st Annual GRAMMY Awards, 1999, 18” x 24”
a project exploring how society is being affected by diminishing privacy, increased data mining and
5. The 43rd Annual GRAMMY Awards, 2001, 18” x 24” 6. The 40th Annual GRAMMY Awards, 1998, 18” x 24”
56
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
tracking, and surveillance recognition. While we 6
as global citizens recognize, and complain about, these intrusions into our private life we also lovingly
COVER STORY
7
Garcia is passionate about animals, the environment, and worthy causes... there are an abundance of issues and charities which all need attention and resolution.” embrace technology and willingly share our likes,
world of surveillance, suspicion, and tracking
dislikes, opinions, family photos, vacation plans, and
where we have all become suspects and
dinner choices.
recognized as binary numbers.
The artwork for RAG13 has taken a different tack
“The artwork is colorful and appealing
from that of Garcia’s earlier work and utilizes a great
with an underlying message which now has
deal of symbolism to illustrate how we all wish to be
become an impossible situation to turn
seen and garner our 15 minutes of fame, but at a
around. Art has always depicted literal every-
stunning cost.
day scenes and so these works do the same
“It’s an interesting, complex, and enormous matter
except with a twist using lots of symbolism.”
affecting everyone because it involves two things: a
And there are plenty of symbols here.
weird juxtaposition of vehemently keeping our privacy
The bodies of the children and adults are
and at the same time giving it away,” said Garcia. “This
missing pieces which reflect the sacrifice of
collection of paintings and prints illustrate our modern
certain rights, and every piece of artwork
7. United Nations Postal Administration Stamp, 1998, Orangutan 8. United Nations Postal Administration Stamp, 1998, Jaguar 9. United Nations Postal Administration Stamp, 1998, Ocelot
8
9
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
57
FEATURE
10. Children Crossing, Digital Media, 16” x 20” 11. Body of Works, Acrylic on canvas, 64” X 64” 12. Daybreak, Illustration, 16” x 20” 13. Surf Painter, Acrylic on canvas, 48” x 60”
contains a dark figure of authority identified
14. Surf Painter – detail
by three stripes appearing on the figure’s
15. Jerry Garcia and Skull, Acrylic/canvas, 36” x 36”
shoulder. Walls symbolize restrictions, binary
16. Bowie-Ziggy-Split, Screen print on watercolor paper, 18” x 24”
been reduced to code. Garcia refers to this
17. Artist with Floating in the Sun, 48” x 60”
10
numbers appear as reminders that we have modern society as “the new order”. Today Garcia creates using a variety of mediums including screen printing to further develop his attraction to mixed-media. He is also considering painting more guitars–– made popular after his Absolut Electric customization, and he is working with 3D lenticular art. Fine examples of his newest works include Jerry Garcia Skull, and Bowie
iPadPro, to pastels, and color pencils over a screen
Ziggy Spilt.
print, and sometimes add fabric to a canvas to paint
“As an artist with a strong desire for
over that as well,” said Garcia.
exploration and growth, I tend to venture
Tiffany Benincasa, Principal of C. Parker Gallery, had
into other areas more now than before. I
the following to say about Rick Garcia and his work.
am capable of easily learning how to use
11
“Rick is fascinating, incredibly accomplished and
constructing, building, or in the case of one
he has a heart of gold. Listening to him talk about
project, building an 1800 sq. ft. octopus
his love for art and music is contagious. You want to
with inner lighting out of fiberglass for a
visually soak up all of his works and hear all about
restaurant I designed for Benihana. I like to
his experiences over a long lunch. His journey as
jump from pen and ink, to sketching on my
an artist and a person is a story we all should hear.
13
12
58
tools and materials and so I will find myself
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
14
COVER STORY
15
16
An internet search of artist, Rick Garcia, will show only the lightest of online footprints revealing his website, a couple of YouTube videos, and his work at C. Parker Gallery
Art spins in a fantastic and crazy world. I’ve experienced how people see art and what art means to them, and the most humbling and powerful result of any artist’s creation is when it affects someone in their heart.”
Rick continuously pushes the parameters of his previous work, willing to explore
17
new ideas and unexplored boundaries. He is always on the go, but purposefully finds time to support organizations that make a difference in our world. He is a fantastic artist with a creative mind, such a great person. Collaborating with Rick has been a lot of fun and we are looking forward to sharing another exciting exhibition with him in the Spring, 2020.” In closing, Rick Garcia leaves us with these words: “Art spins in a fantastic and crazy world. I’ve experienced how people see art and what art means to them, and the most humbling and powerful result of any artist’s creation is when it affects someone in their heart.” ¨
Find more about Rick Garcia at rickgarcia.com and RAG13.com. For more about C. Parker Gallery, visit cparkergallery.com.
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
59
TRAVEL
For those of you who are like me, that is to say very happy when I’m already near the end of Long Island but always hate to get there, hope-
North Fork Fun A Weekend In Paradise by the Truckload
fully, this article will inspire you. I love the North Fork as well as the South Fork of Long Island because they
60
is an amphibious plane or helicopter and several ferries. Or you drive and try to avoid rush hour traffic. I was not expecting to be so surprised by the outcome of this experience. We were
By Matthew Sturtevant Photography by TalismanPHOTO for GMC
loaned a 2020 GMC Sierra Denali pickup for the weekend jaunt to the
offer such a large diversity of things
North Fork and what a joy it was. This
to do whether it’s dining, clubbing,
was a contractor’s dream with the
sunning, boating… the activities are endless. I’m constantly reminding
newly designed double-hinged tailgate that offers many variations
myself that I should go more often while I’m there. It is so pleasant
even fit for tailgating with built-in speakers and seat, but rides like a
and I always feel rested, reinvigorated and inspired. I was recently
car. Not to mention the wifi hot spot option which offers speeds of
given the chance to explore this hard to get to paradise from a slightly
connectivity faster than my own home connection given that we were
different platform than I was used to. We all know the different ways
close to “The End” of LI for most of the trip. With all the amenities I
to get to the forks of “The Isle of Long” which explains why we dread
can easily picture comfortably driving a trailer with my wife’s mythical
the trek. There is the pedestrian Hamptons Jitney, which drops you
precious phillies down from the Rockies while she orchestrates her
off on the edge. There is a train, but I believe it’s just a myth. There
business on the internet.
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
Our first stop on the trip was a favorite vineyard Matabella, named after the owner’s two children Matthew and Isabella. A family-run concern specializing in Chardonnay both oaked and steel cask. It was a luscious sunny fall day and what better way to start it off than in a lovely wine garden with a large selection of isolated places to sip in and enjoy some of the local cheeses. Owned by Christine and Mark Tobin, we were greeted by Christine in her ever-present muck boots as she explained the wide varieties of flowers and how they had been planted to draw in insects like the migrating Monarch butterflies. The odyssey continued into Greenport the main town in the all-in compassing town of Southold, which has several boutique hotels like The Gallery Hotel which sports an eclectic inventory of mid century modern design and a tiki bar. Originally a whaling settlement the town during Prohibition was known for its many Speakeasies because the locals could outmaneuver the coast guard. Speakeasies appear
TRAVEL
to have been in most of the local establishments and Claudio’s our choice for a brief light chowder was no exception to the rule. After a nice stroll through the many shops in town, we headed to our digs at the Sound View Hotel a redesigned mid-century motel on route 25 on the water. Aptly named the sunset there is magnificent! After a nice afternoon on the porch overlooking the water we drove 15 minutes south to Jamesport’s Jedidah Hawkins, a spectacular farm to table restaurant and inn built in 1863 for a fabulous meal and quick tour of their own personal speakeasy in the basement. The grounds are filled with gazebos hung with wisteria and fountains and the food was outstanding with a broad variety of seafood, land fare and produce all locally sourced. It was explained to us that Jedidah was part of the Underground Railroad and that the inn served as a stop on the way North. On the following day after a peaceful sleep with quite full bellies we were invited to surf cast off the back of our shiny new vehicle literally on Orient Point. I was a little apprehensive to take this beauty down a pothole-infested dirt road to “The End” but it was hardly a challenge as we backed into the rocky sand incline of the beach. The 62
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
height of the truck bed enabled us to surf cast, and the composite
After the vinyard we meandered our way back to the hotel by the
liner, which could withstand a category three hurricane gave us a
sea and planned to dine at The Halyard, the Sound View’s restaurant
fine platform to fish from. Many fish were caught that day and the
helmed by James Beard award-winning chef Galen Zamarra. A fabu-
truck pulled us effortlessly away from the sand and mud. After a
lous choice, we started with raw oysters, the locally sourced Shinnecock
good fishing workout, we decided
sea scallops served over wild rice with
that another vineyard was a good
chanterelle mushrooms and corn with
idea and headed to Shinn Estates
a hint of truffle were outstanding, as
a small 22-acre concern that’s main objective is to produce less of a higher quality grape with a very small carbon footprint. This organic process is highly work-intensive in that they leave the grasses and weeds but trim them on a daily basis so that they do not overtake the vines while leaving the natural surroundings in place. All of the vines are thinned by hand leaving only the best grapes on the vine
The height of the truck bed is ideal for surf casting, and the composite liner, which could withstand a category three hurricane is a fine platform to fish from.
were the handcrafted cocktails. We even ordered dessert, which we rarely do. The evening continued by a bonfire on the beach where we kicked back on the bed of the pick-up on an a custom made air-mattress enjoying the star filled evening with some local wine and smores. We capped off our evening at the piano bar for a few songs and a lovely evening sleep. Awaking to the sounds of the ocean, with a sad feeling that we were
for the upcoming harvest. They
headed back to reality or home as we
produce an organic wine with no
call it but, first a little more adventure.
use of pesticides or unnatural fer-
We decided that brunch at Bruce and
tilizer specializing in Chardonnay
Son in Greenport was the best course
and Cabernet Franc. We enjoyed
of action and after packing up our
lunch with Shinn’s winemaker,
truck, we headed out. The menu offers
Patrick in their barrel room It was
a variety of items making it hard to
harvest time, and we were taught
choose but I settled on the avocado
the proper way to carefully snip
toast, which was more like an avocado
grapes from the vines and even-
toast benedict topped with Reggiano
tually stomp the grapes in the
cheese. However, I was told later that
“carbonfiber” bed of our truck. I
the savory mushroom oatmeal was
was apprehensive at first but once
one of the most surprising things on
your feet are in the bucket it’s just
the menu. I guess I’ll have to go back?
down and dirty fun and it was only
We said our goodbyes and made
made better by tasting the efforts
our way to the ferries, through Shelter
of our labor. Absolutely delicious,
Island, to Sag Harbor for a little more
their Cab Franc reserve and oaked
fun before we went home. Finding our
chardonnay were impeccable. After we stomped, we were invited
way to the bustling Baron’s Cove Inn for a late afternoon glass of
to view how easy it was to hitch a trailer. The driver while hitching
rosé, while listening to a local band play on their patio overlooking
the trailer is presented with several rearview cameras which help
the water. The GMC Serra Denali made all the difference for time we
to guide the truck effortlessly. A check list is also provided as well.
spent on the forks. Although we could have fit so much more into
There is no forgetting what needs to be done making the frightening
our plan, I think it’s best to not overdo it and plan to go back. There
process of hooking a trailer nearly flawless.
is always room for more adventure! ¨ CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
63
MOTORING
The Bridge Returns for its 4th Successful Year The Exhibition Expands to over 250 Rare and Classic Cars Paired with Engaging New Art Show Format THE FOURTH ANNUAL AND ONE OF THE most anticipated events of the Hamptons season, The Bridge, returned to the private golf club from which it takes its name in on Saturday, September 14th. Set on site of the historic Bridgehampton Race Circuit and paying tribute to the club’s racing heritage, the invite-only event presented over 250 collector cars of all shapes and sizes from classic European sports racing cars to tomorrow’s supercar classics alongside the ‘September Art Show’ curated by Marlborough Contemporary’s Max Levai, organized on the final fairway that combined the art and automotive in a creative way. Luxury brands and automakers alike used Photo by Michael Foster
Nicole Miller and Candance Bushnell
Photo by Michael Foster
64
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
Photo by Laiacona Photography Brendan Fallis and Hannah Bronfman
brand-new Valhalla with President of Aston Martin the Americas Laura Schwab making an appearance. Overfinch North America brought two Range Rover Supercharged and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars showcased an impressive line-up, while Koenigsegg displayed their waitlisted Jesko and the world’s fastest car Agera RS; Automobili Pininfarina CEO Michael Perschke presented the brand’s limited-edition, hand-built hyper GT, the Battista; and De Tomaso unveiled their new magnificent retro-styled P72, a tribute to the iconic P70 model. NetJets wowed attendees by exhibiting a full-sized mock-up of the new this exclusive opportunity to do something unrivaled for this carefully curated audience through a variety of installations, product debuts, and displays. Presenting sponsor, Richard Mille, showcased the brand’s newest cutting-edge timepieces for both men and women. Lamborghini made quite an entrance as first-time sponsors by opening The Bridge IV with a colorful and stunning 20 supercar Lamborghini parade, with Lamborghini CEO of the Americas Alessandro Farmeschi on hand as witness. Bugatti of the Americas celebrated their rich unparalleled history marking their 110year anniversary, and Aston Martin made the event the official East Coast debut of the
Photo by Michael Foster
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
65
MOTORING
Jeff Einhorn, Alex Mille, and Shamin Abas
Cessna Longitude; and Triton Submarines joined the event after completing the last dive of five to the bottom of each of the world’s oceans, displaying their Triton 1650/3 LP, one of the world’s lightest and most compact submersibles ever produced.
Photo by Michael Foster
For the first time, The Bridge Next was introduced as part of the event’s program, providing an opportunity for ultra-low production manufacturers and design houses to
histories: De Tomaso with its new P72 that
present very special vehicles on the verge
echoes its 1960-s P70 ancestor; and Touring
of coming to market. This year showcased
Superleggera, whose Head of Design Louis
two such companies with incredibly storied
de Fabribeckers displayed on behalf of the company an elegant, limited run Sciàdipersia Cabriolet. Guests at the exclusive event enjoyed a sunny afternoon sipping fine wines selected by prestige wine & spirits retailer Sherry-Lehmann and enjoying gourmet bites from Smorgasburg. The art fair component was organized by Max Levai and Pascal Spengemann (Marlborough Contemporary) and Suzanne Butler (CANADA), and was presented within Lars Fisk-designed custom-built pavilions (mini galleries). The design of the art show village included ten curated pavilions that where arranged throughout the dunes, and an array of outdoor sculptures. The Art Show Photo by Michael Foster
66
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
was accompanied by a performance from rockabilly singer Robert Gordon.
Caerey Theim and Yalla Ronan
Some additional notable attendees at Saturday’s event included: Emily Ratajkowski, David Muir, Steve Madden, Nicole Miller, Candace Bushnell, Rev Run Joseph Simmons,
Joseph Simmons with Rev Run
Roger and Wendy Ferris, Gabby Karan, Tracy Maitland, Alexandre Mille, Polina Proshkina,
Polina Proshkina
Lars Fisk and Josh Ostrovsky. Notable automobiles from the 2019 event
Shamin Abas, President of Shamin Abas
included a 1909 Isotta Fraschini FENC, 1948
Ultra-luxury Brand Marketing and Business
Tucker, 1955 Mercedes Benz, 300SL Gullwing,
Development; and Jefferey Einhorn, a Man-
1963 Aston Martin DB4 MkV Drophead SS,
hattan-based attorney.
1964 Alpine M64, 1965 Maserati, A6G/2000
Presenting sponsor for the event was
Zagato, 1966 Porsche 906, 1967 Lamborghini
Richard Mille. Other sponsorship partners
Miura S, 1968 Lamborghini P400 Miura, 1969
include: Burgess, NetJets, Airbus Helicop-
Ferrari Daytona Coupe, 1972 Ferrari Daytona
ters, Rolls Royce Motor Cars, Koenigsegg,
Spyder, 1973 Porsche 911 2.7 RS Lightweight
Bugatti of the Americas, Automobili Lam-
, 1990 Ferrari F40, 1992 Vector W8 and 1993
borghini, Aston Martin, Overfinch North
Jaguar XJ220.
America, Automobili Pininfarina, Triton
The Bridge is a collaboration between
Submarines LLC, J.P. Morgan Bank, Touring
Bob Rubin, who has owned the race circuit
Superleggera, De Tomaso, Sherry-Lehmann
since 1981 and founded The Bridge in golf
Wine and Spirits, Peroni Italia, FIJI Water and
club in 2002, and the event’s organizers
Nicolas Brawer. ¨ CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
67
WELL-BEING
Where To Unwind, Reset And Recharge in 2020 Written by Judy Chapman
Shinta Mani
EACH YEAR, THE GLOBAL WELLNESS SUMMIT (GWS) RELEASES an annual wellness trends report, the only report generated from the insights of 650 industry leaders from 50 nations, offering predictions for the year ahead. According to the latest research, the global wellness economy is now worth a staggering $4.5 trillion and is booming. In a nutshell: we’re taking more wellness trips than ever before. As the year draws to a close, Judy Chapman reflects on some of these GWStrends and recommends destinations that delivered. WELLNESS TAKES ON OVERTOURSIM – ‘choose a destination where sustainability is at the heart of your experience.’ Excessive growth of visitors not only destroys the environment,
SLOW TRAVEL, OFF-THE-GRID, and PILGRIMAGES…
damaging beaches and infrastructure, but can also negatively impact
Did you know that 400 million people take a pilgrimage each year?
the lives of the local people. Choosing to stay at resorts and hotels
In France alone, it’s estimated that 70% of tourism is spent on pil-
that protect the local environment, the people and culture and have
grimages. How inspiring! Over the past few years, I’ve noticed more
a strong sustainability program in place is the only way forward now.
friends and colleagues traveling to two of the world’s UNESCO World
Make sure you put Shinta Mani Wild Cambodia on your radar for
Heritage pilgrimages - the Camino de Santiago in Spain and the
a conscious yet adventurous getaway. You can choose to arrive at
68
Kumano Kodo in Japan.
Shinta Mani by zipline that takes you through the trees to a waterfall
Explains Susie Ellis, Chairman and CEO of the GWI: “The explo-
bar! Hotel designer Bill Bensley actually identified the 800 acres of
sion of walking, hiking, biking and riding experiences will just keep
unprotected forest and it was purchased to save it from logging,
surging, where travelers slowly explore nature - local villages, food
mining and poaching. Gone are the days of the high-end traveler
and craftspeople - and actually connect with the landscape and
seeking out pool villas with all the upscale amenities. It’s now consid-
real people.”
ered an absolute luxury to sleep under the stars, in yurts and the like.
I’m personally dreaming of a pilgrim to the newly opened Six
At this property, your abode happens to be a beautifully fitted-out
Senses Bhutan that offers a wellness circuit type experience where
safari-style tent. Feast on locally foraged foods and reconnect with
you can journey from lodge to lodge over four to ten nights. Also
nature through educational adventures led by the resident Botanist
in Bhutan, AmanKora offers one of a kind immersions where you
and Wildlife Alliance rangers on anti-poaching patrols missions. Kids
temple-hop through mountains, monasteries and forests to their
are welcome and will love the Indiana Jones safari-inspired vibe with,
different luxe lodges. These are journeys of a lifetime like pilgrims
jungle jeep and river cruises and more.
for the soul.
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
AmanKora
AmanKora
is one of the best things we can all do for our health and longevity. As Ellis points out, Forest Bathing, ‘shinrin-yoku’ in Japanese, has been around for centuries as a way to balance the mind and inspire the spirit. It’s a practice of ‘taking in the forest’ that is shown to lower our blood pressure, de-stress our mind and boost our happiness. Ellis says the next wave of wellness is not off-the-beaten-track, but no tracks at all. “We ACHE for nature,” she says. “Whether we admit it each day, we’re in constant, collective mourning over nature’s destruction. The impact of time-in-nature on human bodies and minds is so overwhelming, that doctors all over the world are now prescribing nature.” For more on Forest Bathing, see page 72. DIGITAL-DOWNTIME RETREATS Menla Mountain Retreat
As we start to understand the impact of being connected to our devices 24/7, more brands are offering digital downtime. These range from wififree rooms to digital detox days and complete digital detox retreats, and some with low-connectivity that is monitored and scheduled. Aro-ha
Closer to home, one of the most inspiring hiking wellness retreats
New Zealand is a stunning eco retreat situated on the South Island that
I’ve been to is Menla Mountain Retreat situated in the Catskills. Set on
covers all bases when it comes to wellness. This includes plant-based
325 acres of mountains and trees, there are dozens of various lung-cleans-
vegan cuisine, much of it grown on-site, with nourishing yoga, spa and
ing hikes to do in-between your yoga, ayurveda, Tibetan medicine and
vigorous hikes. It’s truly incredible how the body responds to seven days
meditation workshops. Menla offers year-round retreats and wellness
without of the usual stimulations including coffee or alcohol and digital
getaways that are informative and inspiring. Not to mention their
devices – you feel so calm. In my opinion, Aro-ha is the gold standard
Tibetan Spa, DEWA, offers some of the best treatments I’ve ever tired.
of a nature-centric vacation. The results were so good that I’ve been there twice for a much-needed recharge.
PRESCRIBING NATURE FOR WELLBEING – ‘put down the
Another favorite is Australia’s Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat
Prozac and pick up your walking shoes.’
where you stay in eco-cabins in the bush and surrender to several
Another wellness trend identified by GWS, this one is also driven by
days of daily hikes, spa, workshops, pesticide-free organic food, and
rising pollution (indoor and outdoor) that is now recognized to be one
no coffee or alcohol. Groups are big so the atmosphere is very lively
of the top killers in the world, Seriously, taking regular outdoor vacations
(social interaction is now regarded as one of the key contributors to CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
69
More Wellness Trends Identified By The Global Wellness Institute • The power of women’s wallets…and women-empowering wellness travel. • A fierce, feminist wellness travel: from tough adventure to sexual wellness. • In the new longevity economy, aging will be completely rebranded as COOL! • The appearance, language and approach to luxury and wellness travel will be REWRITTEN for 55+.
Revivo Retreat
Australia’s Gwinganna Lifestyle Retreat
longevity). That said, there’s plenty of space for downtime and healing sessions. It goes without saying that with limited wifi amid ample fresh air, the last thing you’ll want to do is check your emails. URBAN RETREATS At the other end of the scale, there’s a movement in urban wellness, primarily driven by increased urbanization (currently 55% of us are city
Oneworld Ayurveda
dwellers and this is predicted to increase to 68% by 2050. Six Senses Maxwell in Singapore is the brands first urban wellness hotel and home to an organic garden and Earth Lab in the middle of this vibrant and thriving city. Even better, their sister property in Singapore, the
treatments per day. You can also choose to do your Panchakarma in
Six Senses Duxton, houses a Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) clinic
part or all silence and meals can be taken on your veranda, it really is
next to the reception area and every guest receives a complimentary
an amazing place to escape the world.
consultation with the doctor, after which you can book in for a sleep,
Revivo Resorts is another retreat in Bali offering year-round well-
jet lag and de-stress acupuncture or cupping session – what an epic
ness programs in elegant surrounds. The big news is they recently
way to check in! Look out for Six Senses New York opening in 2020
introduced preventative genetic testing as an add-on to their retreats
that will be an urban wellness resort like no other. Imagine checking
– you are sent the test before your arrival, which analyzes how your
into a hotel where everything is designed to make you feel inspired
body metabolizes carbs, fats, and protein as well as gives you an
and healthy including several social and communal spaces, a clinic,
understanding of predispositions for weight-gain, caffeine sensitivity
wellness dining venues, inspiring work spaces and morel
and lactose intolerances. A REVIVO Wellness Coach then creates a
As in the words of Ellis: “The urban wellness resort is no longer an
70
tailored program with a nutrition and lifestyle plan specifically to you,
oxymoron, it’s the future.”
delivering better results than your average retreat program would.
NUTRITION GETS VERY PERSONALISED – ‘the era of one-size
EXTREME BATHING – ‘an antidote to our modern lives’
fits all is well and truly over.’
While hot and cold bathing is as old as spas themselves, ‘extreme
Bali is leading the way with this wellness trend and one of my
bathing’ is a fast growing trend around the globe regarded for
favorites is Oneworld Ayurveda, a boutique retreat offering 7-28 day
its immune-boosting benefits.
Panchkarma detox programs that are one of the most results-
recommend the new ‘Fire and Ice Ritual’ at Peninsula Hot Springs in
oriented cleanses you’ll ever try. All your meals, treatments and
Melbourne Australia where you journey between hot saunas, sub-zero
therapies are prescribed personally by the physician, so no two
ice caves, a deep Freeze Chamber, cold plunge pools and geothermal
programs are ever the same. The spa here is outstanding and unlike
hot springs. The combination of extreme heat and extreme cold
most Ayurvedic retreats, you receive not only one, but two nourishing
help ‘reset’ the body back to homeostasis. Extreme bathing increases
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
For a day experience, I highly
Peninsula Hot Springs
VANA
circulation and brings the mind and body to a heightened sense of
and living nomadically, and have long blended working from a yoga
being present and alive.
or wellness retreat as a lifestyle choice.
World-renowned Prof. Marc Cohen is leading Extreme Bathing
On a serious note, the trend for more of us choosing to take
retreats at Komune Resort Bali and Maruia Hot Springs New Zea-
intentional monthly or year-long breaks is thought to be primarily
land. He explains that “Extreme-Wellness” is the experience of deep
driven by the fact we are all working longer hours and yet not taking
connection with nature, including our human nature and immersion
our vacation time. It’s now estimated that the US just hit a record,
in the natural world.
leaving 768 million days on the table last year.
Says Cohen: “Extreme Wellness also involves an exploration of
Explains Ellis: “People are untethered from offices: 53% of people
human experience and performance and practices that allow you to
worldwide work remotely at least half the week. And if you’re like me,
be extremely comfortable in any situation.”
the reality is you NEED to get away, you NEED a wellness break, but
In the retreats, he uses a range of technologies and techniques to
you NEED to keep working. Vacation shaming feels naïve.”
create ‘controlled stress’ that allows users to practice remaining calm and
One of the best holistic wellness destinations in the world
relaxed during extremes of temperature, activity, hydration, breathing,
is Kamalaya in Thailand. This year, they launch their 21-day
physical posture, exertion, human connection and performance. The
Wellness Sabbatical” retreat series. Another recommendation for
program combines reflection, blissing out and active workshops on
your well-deserved sabbatical is VANA retreat in India. This luxury
unexpected, yet embarrassingly simple ways to get our minds, bodies
ashram retreat is positioned as a ‘refuge for all beings’. The min-
and homes in tip-top condition so we are free to live our dreams. They
imum stay is five-nights although many stay for three weeks, and
include inspiring sessions on detoxification strategies and ways to turn
their highly-personalized programs consist of traditional medicines,
your home into a health retreat and practical sessions on breathing, ice
meditation yoga and other proven Eastern medicine disciplines all
bathing, fire-twirling, fermented foods, yoga and creativity. They also
centered around an ethos to teach one how to ‘live’ again. Give your
involve being indulged with organic food, healthy beverages, massage
being over to their experienced team, shed layers, and be nurtured
and deep relaxation in the beautiful natural settings.
back to a state of inspired wholeness. ¨
Extreme Wellness Retreats are a chance to dive deep into how to stay cool and calm in difficult situations, experience profound joy and exhilaration and do things you never thought possible. Wellness Sabbatical® – ‘the sabbatical is an academic concept: an earned, long, very intentional travel break to recharge and work in a newly inspired way.’ This is possibly my favorite wellness trend predicted by the GWS this year (probably because I’ve personally been taking wellness type sabbaticals for most of my adult life). I thrive when working remotely
About the author: Judy Chapman is the author of four books on spas and the former Editor-in-Chief of Spa Asia magazine. Over the past twenty years, Judy has created award winning spas, wellness retreats, and products for luxury brands in Australia, Bali, Germany, India, Maldives, Middle East, Myanmar, Singapore and New York. With a relentless pursuit of unique and original experiences, her curiosity has led Judy to explore the Himalayas, spending time with Tibetan doctors to onsen bathing in Japan and Ayurvedic retreats in India. She has created over 200 skincare, tea, and candle collections for luxury brands around the world. Judy is also the Editor of ‘The Chapman Guides, a curation of wellness retreats and destinations. www.thechapmanguides.com
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
71
WELL-BEING
contentment. Does being out in nature also leave us with body memory lasting after we have come back indoors? Forest bathing is a practice, not an event. It doesn’t include hiking, jogging, or getting wet. Its only requirement is simply being out in nature. Being still. Opening up your senses to what is around you and noticing as your body responds to your surroundings. Perhaps you wish to meander down a certain path. Or stop to notice
FOREST BATHING: Our Connection with Trees
the patterns made under a snow-covered bush. Following your desires of exploration is part of the beauty of forest bathing. It is an activity that can be enjoyed year-round as each season has its own unique personality and offers us an abundance of natural gifts from observing the opening of the spring buds to experiencing the quiet of a snowfall. We are encouraged to
Written by Lisa Mikulski
take our time. There is no destination or end goal. According to Dr. Qing Li, one of the world’s leading experts in shinrin-yoku, in Japan, both official religions
THERE IS A CONCEPT, KNOWN AS BIOPHILIA, introduced by American biologist
–– Shinto and Buddhism –– believe that the forest is
E. O. Wilson in 1984, that humans have an innate need to connect with nature.
the realm of the divine. For Zen Buddhists, scripture is
Wilson believed that because we evolved in nature, we have a biological impera-
written outside in nature. In Shinto, it is believed that
tive to be close to it, and this affinity with the natural world is fundamental to our
spirits reside in nature. Nature is not separate from
health and well-being.
mankind, it is a part of us.
Experts in forest therapy say that being in the forest reduces stress and blood
In Scandinavia, the forest is also revered. A Scandina-
pressure, strengthens your immune and cardiovascular systems, and boosts your
vian lifestyle includes an abundance of outdoor life. In
energy, mood, creativity, and concentration. In addition to the philosophy of forest
Finland, seventy-five percent of the landmass is covered
bathing, or what the Japanese call shinrin-yoku, there is some compelling science
in forest and many regard mushroom hunting and berry
behind it as well.
picking as lifestyle activities. Forest bathing, although
I am reminded of my own experiences in nature –– in my youth, running through the woods behind my childhood home, later enjoying the Swedish forest, and most recently my trips to Jamaica Pond and the Arnold Arboretum in Boston.
72
not previously known by that name, has always been a way of life in the Scandinavian countries. Ninety-seven percent of Sweden is uninhabited,
I’ve always been drawn to trees and found them to be somehow soul healing.
and national parks and reserves cover one-tenth of
As I write this article for Venü, my body seems to remember the way I feel in nature.
the country’s landmass. More than eighty-percent of
My breath slows and deepens. My muscles relax and my state of being is one of
Swedes live within five kilometers of a nature reserve
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
or a national park, and because of allemansrätten
percent decrease in the stress hormone cortisol, a seven percent decrease
–– the guaranteed right of access –– land is open
in sympathetic nerve activity, a 1.4 percent decrease in blood pressure, and
to all. Residents can often simply walk outside their
a 5.8 percent decrease in heart rate.
door to find a natural setting.
It seems that time spent in the forest also has a positive effect on those
A good amount of my time in Gothenburg was
suffering from PTSD. The safe environment of a natural forest or reserve has
spent at the city park, and I was fortunate in that
been shown to address the physiological disruptions of PTSD symptoms
I was able to access several wooded areas and
and improve patient’s psychological well being, social functioning, and
forests from my apartment. I remain convinced that
quality of life. The compelling preliminary studies were so well-received by
there are magical things in those forests.
the government and financial sponsors, that Walter Reed National Military
Enjoying not only the mental health and spir-
Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland created a two-acre space which has
itual aspects of forest bathing, practitioners of
been set aside for veterans and their families to enjoy forest therapy. No data
shinrin-yoku, also seem to benefit in physiological
is yet available on the efficacy of the project but the response from vets and
ways. According to Dr. Qing Li, the health secrets of
the monitoring medical staff has been overwhelmingly positive.
forest bathing seem to lie in two areas –– a higher
And what about those calming effects I experienced as I began writing
oxygen concentration that exists in the forest, and
this piece? It turns out that the benefits of those natural chemicals released
the presence of plant chemicals called phytoncides.
by plants and trees are cumulative. The positive effect on our stress levels and immune responses will last at least a week after a weekend in the woods. So how can you take advantage of these benefits? Forest bathing can
Psithurism - (noun) The sound of the wind in the trees, and the rustling of leaves.
be done alone or in a guided group. Certified guides and organizations are steadily gaining in popularity and can probably be located close to where you live. If you are more of an introvert, try forest bathing on your own. Find a spot in a nearby forest, park, or reserve that calls to you. Perhaps you are drawn to the sound of water or the smell of dirt. Finding an area that provides those sensory effects will work best for you. • A typical forest bath lasts two to three hours. But remember much of this time is spent in exploration, meditation, and stillness. You should begin
Phytoncides are natural oils that form part of a
to feel the effects of forest bathing in the first 20 minutes of your walk.
tree’s defense system against infection, insects, and
• Just like any other therapeutic exercise, forest bathing requires multiple
fungi. It is also thought to be one of the ways trees
sessions. To truly reap the benefits, shinrin-yoku should not be treated as a
communicate with each other. Exposure to these
one-time event.
natural chemicals can have measurable health
• Leave behind your cell phone.
benefits for humans such as supporting the “NK”
• Walk slowly through the woods, observe, and breath. Notice the little things
(natural killer) cells that are a part of our immune
and listen as your body directs your exploration.
system’s defense against cancer. Evergreens, such
• Touch the trees, feel the leaves, smell the soil. Forest bathing takes place
as cedar, cypress, and pine, seem to release more
at a slow almost meditative pace. It is an opportunity for wonderment.
of these chemicals. Additional research, compiled by the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy, is accumulating
• Stay and sit in one place for at least 20 minutes noticing what is happening around you. Utilize all of your senses –– hear the breeze, feel the ground, taste the air, look up.
that shows that forest bathing reduces cortisol
• End your bath with a tea ceremony or picnic.
levels, improves sleep, reduces blood pressure,
• Pick up any trash you might have left behind.
and provides accelerated recovery from surgery or illness. According to the ANFT website, leisurely forest walks, compared with urban walks, show a 12.4
Forest bathing is a wonderful practice for both body and mind. It also serves to remind us of the beauty and majesty of our planet, and like those living in Japan and Scandinavia, to be good stewards of our environment. ¨
Photos courtesy of Lisa Mikulski CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
73
PULSE:
Stage
More Pigs and Chickens How Fate, Family and Friends led to Broadway. By William Squier Photography by Jeremy Daniel and Michael Kushner
Toward the end of 2012, it looked like everything was coming together for actor, composer and lyricist, Rob Rokicki. He was about to start rehearsals for his Broadway
Rob Rokicki
debut in the John Doyle led revival of the musical Pump Boys and Dinettes. He was also poised to sign a deal with theatrical producers who’d promised to shepherd Strange Tails, a musical he’d written, to a regional production. And, to top things off, he and actress, Amanda Flynn, had just become engaged to be married. Then, within the span of 24 hours, his life fell apart. The producers dropped the
James Hayden Rodriguez
option on Strange Tails when one of them suddenly decided to leave show biz and go to grad school. Next, Doyle’s production of Pump Boys was postponed and, ultimately, cancelled. “By Saturday, it was like, ‘At least, I’m still engaged,” Rokicki jokes. Fortunately for Rokicki, his fiancé became wife in early 2014. But, his career was in a tailspin. He and writing partner, Michael Ruby, were
as filled with music supplied by his father, an orthopedist who played
crushed by the experience and Ruby wound up moving to the west
classical piano, and his mother, a vocalist with a local choral group.
coast. And Rokicki began to fear that his years of struggle – spent on
Family road trips were accompanied by Broadway fare like West Side
many a frigid sidewalk waiting to be seen for an audition or toiling
Story and Candide playing on the car stereo. And his parents encour-
away at odd jobs to buy himself time to write – had been a waste. “I
aged his love of music with singing and piano lessons. So, by first
was floundering,” he admits. “I didn’t know what to do.”
grade he was already writing his own songs and landed his first acting
But, spoiler alert, it turns out Rob Rokicki’s story has a happy ending
74
Rokicki and his twin sister were born on Halloween and grew up in the central Colorado city of Centennial. He remembers his home
role in his classroom’s peppy, anti-pesticide musical Goin’ Buggy.
because, eight years later, he’s going to Broadway with his rock musical
Rokicki started writing his own musicals in middle school. After a
adaptation of the bestselling young adult novel, The Lightning Thief.
bit of a set back, when he discovered that the Jekyll and Hyde musical
The musical is playing at the Longacre Theater – where Rokicki used
he had in the works had already been penned by Frank Wildhorn –
to bartend – for a 16-week engagement that began in September. “I
“I’d done the album cover art, drawn the poster and written the first
think nine out of our ten actors are making their Broadway debuts,”
couple of songs!” – he moved on to zany romps like a show set on a
he says. “They have so many stories like mine. So, it’s a real victory
putt-putt golf course that involved space aliens, a detective, Vikings,
for the little guys.”
the Care Bears and tunes with intriguing titles like Steve Has a Spastic
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
Colon. His father read the piece and dubbed it “mass confusion,”
me some feedback. I’ve always found people like that who’ve taken
which Rokicki eagerly adopted as the title.
the time to take me seriously; artists that I admire have really been
Rokicki explains that his earliest efforts were as much about
instrumental in my career.”
finding an excuse to do something fun with his friends as they were
Rokicki moved to New York City in the summer of 2001, just a
about artistic expression. “So, I made my shows bigger and crazier,”
few weeks before the attack on the World Trade Center. And, as fate
he says. “Kind of like The Muppets Take Manhattan, where Kermit
would have it, he got a day job across the street from Tower One.
has a line, ‘We’ll just add more pigs and chickens.’ That was my
Then, one of his first performing gigs was a Lincoln Center concert of
philosophy. And it has served me well over the years. I surround
Babes in Toyland held to raise funds for children who’d lost parents
myself with friends and try to find projects for them.”
in the tragedy. “It was the moment when I realized that musicals and
Rokicki continued to create original musicals at the University of
the arts were important,” he says. “That did it for me. There was no
Michigan. But, the subject matter turned a bit more serious. “Tres-
way I wasn’t going to stay in that profession and stay in New York.”
passes was a modern day, gritty, pop drama very loosely based on
For the next decade, Rokicki rode the roller coaster ride that is many a fledgling artist’s early career. His musicals would be featured in festivals and at venues like 54 Below and Joe’s Pub, where they attracted enthusiastic response and garnered awards. But, full, commercial productions of his shows eluded him. As an actor, he performed in prestigious productions like the 25th Anniversary Tour of Evita, directed by Hal Prince, and Carnegie Hall’s televised concert of South Pacific. But, while the flow of work at regional theaters was steady, Broadway remained out of reach. Then, that devastating week in 2012 happened. “I understood that was the biz,” Rokicki insists. “That it was arbitrary and the universe wasn’t angry with me. But, I’d worked so hard, for so long, that it really hurt. The arts were the only place that I felt I belonged and had a purpose. So, it was like an attack on my identity.” Fortunately, the theater friends that Rokicki had become close to over that same period came to his rescue. Marquee talent, like actress Megan Hilty, offered to perform his songs in concert and on recordings. And then, Be More Chill songwriter, Joe Iconis, brought him the news that Theaterworks USA was looking for a composer with rock chops to score their touring TYA version of The Lightning Thief. Rokicki read the book, fell in love with it and called in every
The cast of The Lightning Thief: Kristin Stokes, Chris McCarrell & Jorrel Javier
favor he could to land the gig. “I made three demos and got the job,” he says. “It was the right show at the right time.” The next few years were a whirlwind of collaborating with librettist, Joe Tracz, on a one-hour adaptation of the 400+ page novel and then
Aeschylus’ Oresteia,” he recalls. “It was dark. Way too self-important
expanding it into two acts as the show crisscrossed the U.S., with two
and earnest. But, when you’re feeling lots of feelings in college, that’s
runs in NYC, making it one of Theaterworks’ most successful shows.
what you do.”
Along the way, it racked up rave reviews and award nominations
After graduation, the script and score for Trespasses became a
against the likes of megahit Hamilton! “It’s a little show that has
calling card for the aspiring writer and he was able to get it into the
done amazing things,” Rokicki feels. “We’re getting to celebrate
hands of no less a Broadway veteran than Stephen Schwartz. “He
that in a Broadway theater – the tour’s grand final stop.” But, it’s a
was great,” he says. “I gave him my demo, he listened to it and gave
happy ending that’s only the beginning for Rob Rokicki. ¨ CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
75
FILM + ENTERTAINMENT
by PETER FOX: about.me/foxonfilm
Vir Pachisia as Jai, Michelle Williams as Isabel Photo by Kevin Nunes
After The Wedding Directed by Bart Freundlich A Sony Pictures Classics Release, 112 minutes, rated PG-13.
I
t is difficult to resist the temptation of comparing a cinematic redux to it’s original version, especially in the case of Bart Freundlich’s After the Wedding. I’ve found that at the end of the day, watching an original production and then comparing it to a new version only dampens the experience of watching both. So, to avoid this phenomenon, I decided not to watch the original version,
After the Wedding (2006) directed by Susanne Bier, until after viewing Freundlich’s 2019 production. With a powerful cast led by Julianne Moore (Teresa), Billy Crudup (Teresa’s husband, Oscar) and Michelle Williams (Isabel), Freundlich delivers a reverently told family story. Freundlich wastes no time in establishing the universe with breathtaking photography. With a drone
camera shot that seems to begin from one mile above the earth, he takes us into the world of Isabel, a forty-something American who runs a financially imperiled orphanage in India. Once there, she’s summoned to New York by a wealthy magazine publisher, Teresa (Julianne Moore) who’s looking to support the less fortunate of the world. Teresa’s overreaching generosity gets personal; she installs Isabel in an opulent five-star hotel where minions fawn over her from the moment she checks in. After chatting out the initial details of the donation, Isabel is taken aback when Teresa invites her to stay the weekend at her stately home, where her daughter, Grace (Abby Quinn) will be married over the course of the weekend. Teresa’s husband, Oscar, is an artist of average talent.
Isabel recognizes Oscar, who also knows her as well. Did they have an affair? Did Oscar break her heart? Or, was it a business deal gone wrong a long time ago? It’s more explosive than any of these. They had a child together, and that child is Grace, who walks down the aisle as Isabel tries to mask her anguish. After the wedding ceremony, Isabel wastes no time in confronting Oscar about the fact that when they were younger, they decided to give up Grace for adoption and part company. But the breakup, Oscar returned to the orphanage, reclaimed Grace, and became a single father. This revelation of truth infuriates Isabel, crushes Grace, and scares the shit out of Oscar. What now? Will Teresa leave him? And what will happen to the endowment to the
Billy Crudup as Oscar Carlson, Abby Quinn as Grace Carlson, Julianne Moore as Theresa Young Photo by Julio Macat
Photography courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics 76
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
orphanage? To complicate all of this, Teresa and Isabel meet in Manhattan the following day. While Teresa does not retract her offer, she tells Isabel that it is far from a done deal. Isabel reveals to Teresa that the heartbreak of giving up her child and losing her relationship was severe to the degree that she decided to move to India in the hopes of building a new life and identity. After the meeting, Isabel is angry. She wants to walk away from the whole situation, but because so many orphaned children depend on the success of her trip, she cannot return to India without the endowment. Teresa is playing for time, but her motive is unclear. Is she going to try to destroy Isabel? Did Oscar leave Isabel to gain access to Teresa’s growing fortune? The film goes to great lengths to explore the measures to which the super-rich will go to retain control over those beneath them on the economic scale. In one scene, Teresa sits in a restaurant with Isabel and orders for her without asking permission. It also explores moments of brutal truths between two people torn apart by tragic circumstances. In one such scene, Isabel sits in a restaurant with Grace as the biological mother and child awkwardly try to make sense of what has been revealed, and where to go next. In a tender moment, Grace shares that she has canceled her honeymoon, and will have her marriage annulled. Isabel is supportive of this. Moment after moment,
fallout from the events of Grace’s wedding day sprinkles over the characters. Isabel privately tells Oscar that she thinks his artwork is terrible. But the biggest bomb of all has yet to fall. Teresa summons Isabel to her office to tell her that she is not only going to move forward with the endowment, but that she is going to increase it ten-fold. Instead of saying thank you, Isabel flies into a fit of rage. Feeling manipulated and confused, Isabel flees Teresa’s office and heads to the street. Teresa chases after Isabel her and reveals her true motives: She is dying of cancer and wants to bequeath a large portion of her fortune to the orphanage. The question of whether Teresa knew of Isabel before the wedding could have been explored in greater depth, but the film does not suffer much from it’s exclusion. This is because of the work of the actors. Julianne Moore and Michelle Williams work off of one another like the veteran professionals that they are. Billy Crudup turns in his best performance since 1999’s Jesus’ Son, and Abby Quinn is a revelation as Grace. When producer Joel B. Michaels saw the original version by Danish filmmaker Susanne Bier, he was stunned by the compelling human drama of the story. “What attracted me to the piece,” he recalled, “was that it dealt with the gray areas of life, and the idea that what is morally right or wrong can get muddied. We humans are nearly all
guilty of manipulations both large and small, but even with the best intentions, bending the truth to fit your personal narrative often results in great damage. Bart (Freundlich) immediately understood the intention of the film, and spoke to me about the story in the way that I always envisioned it,” said Michaels. We had a series of conversations, and I found that he tapped right in to the psyche and the
fully.” Michelle Williams was deeply drawn in by the emotional peaks and valleys that are inherent in the story. “I’m always keen to do something that I haven’t done before, and that I don’t quite know how to do,” she said. “It felt exciting to stretch for Isabel, and for that growth to be a little bit painful, because I would up in new places each time.” After viewing Freundlich’s After The
Bart Freundlich (Director), Julio Macat (Director of Photography) Photo by Elizabeth Fisher
psychology of all of the characters.” Freundlich found the intensive character development and very modern way the high drama unfolded to be compelling. “It’s a story that lives in the real world,” he said. “one that I think we all recognize. I was fascinated by and wanted to explore that human frailty further, and the joys derived from people we form relationships with over the course of our lives. At the end of the day, we’re all on this journey, but we don’t really have a choice about where it takes us
Wedding, I did take in Susanne Bier’s 2006 version. After seeing it, I was happy that I chose not to watch her version beforehand. The experience reminded me of when I saw Jim Mc BrBride’s Breathless, starring Richard Gere. I’d heard so much about it’s predecessor, Â Bout de Souffle, by JeanLuc Goddard. With all due respect to Monsieur Goddard, Mc Bride’s Breathless was a superior telling of that story, by far. The same principle applies here. Go and see After The Wedding.
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
77
DECORATIVE ARTS
Selection for the Fall By Matthew Sturtevant
“Monkey Business” At Sotheby’s London a timely Banksy painting depicting the British parliament populated by chimpanzees smashed the record for the mysterious British street artist on Thursday, fetching nearly $12.1 million, Sotheby’s auction house said following a 13-minute battle between 10 different bidders. Banksy on Instagram reminisced “Record price for a Banksy painting set at auction tonight. Shame I didn’t still own it”. The previous auction record for a Banksy artwork was $1.87 million, achieved by “Keep it Spotless” at Sotheby’s New York in 2008. “Devolved Parliament” was expected to fetch £1.5 million to £2 million in Thursday’s sale. The oil painting measures 4.2 meters by 2.5 meters unframed -- the largest known canvas by the anonymous artist. It shows chimpanzees on the green benches of the House of Commons, from the viewpoint of the main entrance. The sale comes after the controversial five-week 78
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
suspension of Britain’s parliament by Prime Minister Boris Johnson was deemed unlawful by the Supreme Court with time running out before Britain is due to leave the European Union on October 31. When parliament returned, MPs spent their time angrily arguing over the suspension, and then arguing about whether their language in doing so was too strong. Great artists depict events with an uncanny sense and in doing so only reveal our true nature.
Constant “Constant Change”, a monumental sculpture by Tony Cragg, topped Bonhams Post-War & Contemporary Sale in London on October 3rd, selling for $1,050,000. It set a new world record for the artist at auction. The work had been estimated at $550,00-800,000. The sale as a whole totalled $6,594,923. Cragg (b. 1949) created Constant Change in 2005. Standing over 4.5 metres tall, the sculpture is the
largest work by the artist ever to appear at auction with the two, highly polished, stainless steel columns towering over viewers. Bonhams Global Head of Post-War & Contemporary Art, Ralph Taylor, commented, “Tony Cragg is one of the most important sculptors of our time, and Constant Change was an incredibly exciting work to bring to auction. We were very confident that this sculpture would appeal to collectors, and the fierce competition to secure the work – leading to a new world record – bore this out.”
Return on Inversion The iconic Inverted Jenny centerline block of four has been
sold at Spink New York for a record-setting $1,740,000 million dollars, becoming the most expensive United States philatelic item sold at auction this year. The 1918 Twenty Four Cent Inverted Jenny is one of the most recognized and desired rarities in all of philately. Its legendary status began the moment the stamp was issued in May, 1918, when William T. Robey purchased the entire error sheet of 100 at the New York Avenue Post Office window in Washington D.C. - May 14th - just one day after the stamp was issued. Within one week Robey sold the sheet for $15,000.00 to the well-known Philadelphia stamp dealer Eugene Klein (an impressive return on his initial $24.00 investment). Shortly thereafter Mr. Klein sold the sheet to the renowned, yet eccentric collector, Col. Edward H.R. Green for $20,000.00. Col. Green asked Klein to break up the sheet for him into singles and blocks, then instructed him to sell all but the few key position blocks.
GIEVES ANDERSON
March 19-22, 2020 Pier 94 NYC
PRODUCED BY:
VENÜGRAM
“ANTARCTICA” PHOTOGRAPHY BY LIZ HOWARD
Fraser Yacht Charter, February, 2018
Antarctica has this mythic weight. It resides in the collective unconscious of so many people, and it makes this huge impact, just like outer space. It’s like going to the moon. – Jon Krakauer –
80
CONTEMPORARY CULTURE//MAGAZINE
GALLERY Greenwich
New York
Newport
HAMILTON AGUILAR, Flower Series, “Blue Suspension”, Acrylic and Resin on Panel, 96” x 30”
“Curating Art That Reflects Your Passions”
cparkergallery.com
info@cparkergallery.com
409 Greenwich Ave, Greenwich, CT 06830
203-661-0205
