THE FINE ART ISSUE
FROM THE EDITOR
Can you believe it? 2025 has arrived, and with it, the promise of new opportunities, fresh perspectives, and the chance to write another chapter in our collective story It feels like only yesterday we were celebrating the start of 2024, and yet here we are on the brink of Drax Digest’s second anniversary, just two months away! They say time speeds up as you get older, and while I always laughed that slightly terrifying notion away, experiencing it firsthand is something else entirely
January is often considered a blank canvas a pristine surface waiting to be filled with bold strokes and bright colors a chance to start anew Here at the Drax Group, we view it as both a reflection point and a moment to gaze on ahead The past year brought its fair share of lessons and challenges, each one shaping and refining us, much like an artist layering
layering pigments on a canvas Every step forward builds upon Mrs von Liebig’s legacy of meaning, innovation, and positive impact work that we ’ re honored to carry into 2025, a year of exciting shifts and changes
This month we ’ re thrilled to turn the spotlight on Drax Fine Art, a branch of our organization that feels perfectly aligned with January’s spirit of renewal Just as every great masterpiece begins with a single brushstroke, every transformative venture begins with a bold vision Though some of our plans remain under wraps, we can promise that exciting developments are on the way a foundation being laid for something remarkable like the early underpainting of a grand composition With spring just around the corner, we look forward to seeing these seeds blossom into vibrant works of art
As you step into this new year, we invite you to take a moment to reflect Whether you see January as a fresh slate or a continuation of an already colorful journey may it bring you closer to your aspirations
Keep an eye out for updates on Drax Fine Art we can’t wait to share more with you in the months to come Until then, enjoy this mini-issue of updates as we prepare for the bigger waves of change coming our way
Until next month!
With love, light, and gratitude,
Eleonora Fogg EDITOR-IN-CHIEF eleonora@svvl net
Publisher Michael Ennis
Editor-In-Chief Eleonora Fogg
Drax Digest is published monthly by Drax Publishing, LLC Don t hesitate to contact us with your ideas for future issues at eleonora@svvl net!
Happy New Year, Dearest Digest Readers!
DRAX FINE ART
Art World Highlights of 2024: A Look Back and Glimpse Ahead
by Giavanna Mattera, Assistant Director at Drax Fine Art
Art Basel Miami Beach 2024: A Testament to the Contemporary Market
Art Basel Miami Beach 2024 showcased the thriving art market with standout sales like David Hammons’ Untitled ($4 75M) at Hauser & Wirth the fair’s top sale and Georg Baselitz’s bronze sculpture (€2 5M) at Thaddaeus Ropac Emerging talents shined, with Marlon Mullen’s works selling out ($20,000–$30,000 each) and Argentine gallery PIEDRAS debuting with Jimena Croceri’s Impossible Jewel series ($8,000–$10,000). Women artists also excelled, including Joan Snyder’s painting ($500,000) and Zilia Sánchez’s sculptures ($85,000–$150,000). Samsung Art Store expanded the fair’s reach with a curated digital collection, blending innovation and accessibility.
Art Basel continues to connect blue-chip masterpieces with rising stars, cementing its global significance We look forward to Basel's next adventure in Hong Kong, this spring
Steve McQueen, Kim Yun Shin, and Joan Jonas: Artists Shaping 2024
Steve McQueen ranked 4th on the ArtReview Power 100, showcased Bass (2024) at Dia, premiered the war drama Blitz, and will curate Resistance at Turner Contemporary in 2025.
At 88, Kim Yun Shin gained global acclaim with her Add Two Add One, Divide Two Divide One series at Frieze L.A. and the Venice Biennale, solidifying her presence at major fairs like Art Basel.
Joan Jonas, a pioneer in video and performance art, was celebrated with a MoMA retrospective and the 2024 Nam June Paik Prize. Her innovative works and influence spanned art and fashion, cementing her legacy. These three artists define the diverse forces driving contemporary art forward.
2024’s Viral Art Moments: Conversations That Captivated From Maurizio Cattelan’s duct-taped banana (Comedian) selling for $6.2 million to Banksy’s mural blitz across London, 2024 was rife with cultural flashpoints. Other highlights included Jonathan Yeo’s divisive portrait of King Charles III and Ivan Argote’s towering aluminum pigeon on the High Line, sparking debate and delight alike.
What’s Ahead in 2025?
As 2024 fades, the art world looks forward to new milestones, including McQueen’s Resistance and the ongoing fusion of technology and creativity From blockbuster sales to emerging voices, the art market shows no signs of slowing, promising another year of transformative innovation.
Bread Story
It's not uncommon in France to come across baguettes on the way home already bitten right? Have you ever thought they were sold like this? Of course not, they are sold whole baguettes So why can't most people help it but right away eat the crunchy end part of it? Perhaps doing so is an expression of a deeper phenomenon A little snack before the meal that simple bite of bread on the way home is not gourmandise, nor impatience
When we bite into "le quignon de pain" right outside of the bakery, it connects us secretly to the past, to childhood, and takes us back to shared meals around delicious bread It teaches us the traditions of a well-done job of the love of craftsmanship that is kept alive and transmitted when the baker puts his heart into work His knowledge and learned skills will be then taught to his children In the aroma of this piece of bread in our mouth the past, and the future rub shoulders
~ A Brief Story of le Quignon de Pain | A Bread Story
Drax Productions
The recent release of Maria, directed by Pablo Larraín and starring Angelina Jolie as the iconic Maria Callas, has captured the world’s attention The film, set in the final days of Callas’s life in 1970s Paris, is a heartfelt tribute to one of opera ’ s greatest legends Jolie’s transformation into Callas, which involved months of vocal training and meticulous attention to detail, has been widely lauded as one of her finest performances, earning her critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination
This resurgence of opera in mainstream culture feels particularly meaningful in the context of Drax Productions’ work on OPERATIC, our documentary series exploring the world of opera The renewed interest in opera, from stories like Maria to other media, signals a cultural moment where audiences are reconnecting with the drama, passion, and artistry of this timeless art form
Maria Callas known as “La Divina ” was not only a virtuoso but also a symbol of opera ’ s emotional depth and complexity Her groundbreaking interpretations revitalized bel canto and cemented her as a transformative figure in the 20th century Yet her life was far from idyllic marked by fame, heartbreak, and personal struggles, including her highly publicized romance with Aristotle Onassis Callas’s story encapsulates the human drama that makes opera so captivating
As Maria reignites public fascination with Callas and the opera world, it aligns beautifully with the mission of OPERATIC to showcase opera ’ s enduring relevance and its ability to resonate deeply with modern audiences This cultural revival underscores the importance of storytelling in preserving and celebrating opera ’ s legacy, making it accessible to a new generation eager to discover its magic
Left Page
Top: Bread Story’s Baguettes
Bottom: Chef Yann in Action
Right Page
Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas in the new movie Maria
PRIZE PHOTO GALLERY
WELLNESS+ STUDIO
Start 2025 Strong with a Full Body Assessment!
Kick off the new year and prioritize your health and wellness with a visit to Wellness+ Studio Begin your journey with a Body Composition Analysis and Full Body Assessment to understand precisely where you stand and how to achieve your fitness and wellness goals best
At Wellness+ Studio, we leverage cutting-edge technology like the InBody270 Body Composition Analysis Machine to provide a highly detailed and personalized understanding of your body’s current state This advanced technology enables our trainers and practitioners to pinpoint areas of concern with precision, allowing us to tailor your wellness plan specifically to your unique needs.
The InBody270 performs comprehensive analyses, including:
• Muscle-Fat Analysis: Understanding the balance between your weight, skeletal muscle mass, and body fat mass to provide a clear picture of your overall health
• Segmental Lean Analysis: Offering an in-depth look at your fat-free mass in key areas arms, legs, and trunk this analysis evaluates whether you have sufficient fat-free mass in each segment and identifies potential imbalances between your limbs
All this valuable data is provided on an easy-toread printout, giving you a snapshot of your body’s composition Even better, the InBody machine stores your results, so you can track changes and monitor your progress over time Future assessments will showcase your improvements in a tangible and motivating way
Don’t wait start 2025 with clarity, confidence, and a plan. Book your Body Composition Analysis and Full Body Assessment today at Wellness+ Studio and take the first step toward your healthiest self!
Image of the InBody270 Machine Now at Wellness+ Studio
Sweet Potato Pancakes
Recipe by Christopher Varroux-Renaud
Makes 4 Servings (About 8 Pancakes)
Ingrédients:
1 cup leftover mashed sweet potatoes
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup milk
2 large eggs
2 TB packed light brown sugar
2 TB butter (plus more for cooking)
1 TB maple syrup (plus more for serving)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt
Pinch of nutmeg
Directions:
1 Mix mashed sweet potatoes, eggs, milk, brown sugar, and maple syrup in a bowl and whisk until combined
2 Sprinkle flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and baking powder over the potato mixture and stir until smooth
Add melted butter and mix until combined
3.Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and add a small pat of butter. Drop 1/3 cup portions of the sweet potato batter onto the skillet. Cook until bubbles form on top of the pancakes, 2-3 minutes, and then flip, cooking for additional 2 minutes. Repeat the process until all the batter has been used.
4 Serve warm with fresh berries, whipped cream, maple syrup, or a light dusting of powdered sugar. Enjoy! :)
