World's largest coffee bean painting

Coffee beans are usually ground for making everyone's favorite morning drink. But they can also be put to other uses. In Russia, one million coffee beans are being used to make a giant painting. The art piece has even been registered in the Russia's Book of Records as the world's biggest. The picture, showing a face of a woman and a cup of coffee, was exhibited in Russia's Gorky Park in Moscow. The artist together withThe several assistants worked 10 days to create the picture measuring 30 square meters. editor-in-chief of Russia's Book of Records measured the painting and registered it as the biggest in the world. The previous one was made in Albania, which was 25 square meters. The creators of the painting said they had already applied to the Guinness Book of Records to register their achievement. Source; Sam Daily Times

Read More........→December 17, 2013

Sotheby's brings Picasso, Miro to Moscow for 'priciest ever' show

Sotheby's on Thursday brought paintings by Picasso and Miro to Moscow for what it called its most valuable show ever in Russia, seeking wealthy buyers ahead of sales next month. The two-day exhibition at a gallery in central Moscow shows paintings including Picasso's "Tete de Femme" with an estimate of $20 to $30 million (14 to 22 million euros), and Catalan master Joan Miro's "Bonheur d'aimer ma brune". The auction house said the paintings on view in Moscow were valued at a total of more than $140 million. Moscow has joined a circuit of major world cities such as New York and Hong Kong where the top London auction houses Sotheby's and Christie's bring works for a preview ahead of sales for the convenience of wealthy clients. The Picasso and Miro paintings will be sold in New York on November 6.Paintings by Russian artists Semyon Faibisovich and Robert Falk will be sold on November 25 at a specialised sale in London, which Sotheby's said attracts mainly Russian buyers. The auction house is targeting Russian collectors who are growing in number and are the main purchasers of their national art, said Joanna Vickery, the head of Sotheby's Russian department. "The reason we're bringing them here to Moscow is that most of our buyers today are mostly based in Russia. And they're very busy. They don't always have time to travel to London for the sales," she said. "We see time and time again there's love for their own art," Vickery said of Russian art collectors, specifying that 90 percent of them came from Russia or other ex-Soviet countries. Voice of Russia, AFP.  Source: The Voice of Russia

Read More........→October 26, 2013

Kremlin treasures on display in Germany

A unique exhibition of treasures from Moscow’s Kremlin “Between East and West” has opened in Residenzchloss palace in Dresden, Germany.

The exhibition is one of the key events of Russia-Germany cross cultural year. More than 140 works of Russian craftsmen, including parade arms and rare clothes are on display. The exhibition covers the period between 1547 when Ivan the Terrible ascended the throne and 1712 when Peter the Great declared St. Petersburg Russia’s new capital. Many of the masterpieces represented at the exhibition have never been taken outside the Kremlin walls before. The exhibition will last till March 4, 2013. Source: Voice of Russia

Read More........→February 15, 2013

Miami art gallery exhibits paintings of Michael Jackson’s chimpanzee

The sculpture "Michael jackson and Bubbles" of US artist Jeff Koons. Photo: AFP

Art Basel Miami Beach is exhibiting paintings of Bubbles, Michael Jackson’s chimpanzee companion. Bubbles’ works are displayed side by side with paintings of modern artists. Anyone can buy the chimpanzee’s two abstract paintings, priced at $1,500 each. All the funds raised during ‘Endangered’ exhibition will be transferred to the Center for Great Apes, the place where Bubbles has lived for the last 8 years. The Center is a sanctuary for 29 chimpanzees and 15 orangutans, some of them confiscated from illegal exotic pet traders, others having come from biomedical research labs and showbiz. Voice of Russia, Gazeta.ru, Source: Voice of Russia

Read More........→February 10, 2013

Behind the curtains of shadow theatera

By: There are over 50 works of decorative theater art from the state and private collections of Russia and Indonesia. Some exhibits come from the State Museum of Oriental Art. “We really liked the idea of exhibiting Indonesian puppets and masks from our collection on the premises of the Museum of Decorative and Applied Art,” said deputy director of the State Museum of Oriental Art Tatiana Metaksa in her interview to the Voice of Russia. “It is wonderful when a museum dedicated to Russian art exhibits works from one of the beautiful Oriental countries.” The theatrical culture of Indonesia, which is one of the largest island countries in South East Asia, is practically unknown to the majority of Russian viewers. However, historically, theater performances became one of the main ingredients of the spiritual culture of the residents of the Malay Archipelago and the Islands of Java and Bali. The word “wayang”is used to denote both a theater performance and theater puppets. One of the main exhibits on show is a painting several meters wide that depicts episodes from a Javanese fairy tale about the adventures of the young knight Panji and his beloved princess Sekartadji. Such paintings are used for the performances of wayang
master  beber, during which –  the show accompanied by some music – tells Panji’s story by showing paintings that were wrapped around two vertical poles. It could be said that such performances in the past were the equivalent of today's cartoons. But they mostly remind one of a show of diapositive photography that was so popular in the 20th century. Today the art of wayang beber is almost extinct. Only two sets of ancient paintings dated around the 17th –18th centuries have survived to this day, and are considered to be sacred relics that possess magic powers. Performances that use these ancient paintings are held only during especially important ceremonies. The state of the paintings is quite poor, that is why about ten years ago their owners allowed them to be copied in order to preserve the unique heritage and let as many people as possible see them. One such work based on the scroll from the Javanese district of Pachitan is on show at the exhibition. Nonetheless, the exhibited work is still just a copy of the original scroll. Some details, the decoration of the background and the coloring of the canvas exhibited at the Museum of Decorative and Applied Art, are a product of the imagination of the artist who made the modern version. However, the composition as well as the basic artistic methods mirrors the original. According to Tatiana Metaksa, the good characters have “refined facial features: thin lips, thin noses, almond shaped eyes, while bad characters to the contrary are traditionally portrayed with thick red lips that are too big in size.” The story of Panji was also popular with the dancing drama show called wayang topeng, the masks from which are also exhibited at the museum. The actors themselves do not talk since they are holding the part of the puppet with their teeth that is attached to the inside of its mask. The show master tells the story for them. The only exclusion is the fool who wears the mask and makes the audience laugh. In 2003, UNESCO granted wayang world heritage status, thus acknowledging the importance of this type of theater. Photos provided by The All-Russian Museum of Decorative, Applied and Folk Art, Source: Voice Of Russia

Read More........→September 12, 2012

Sonaakshi Raaj Created the Glamour of Style at Usha Talent Box

The collection showcased regal formal wear comprising glamorous gowns and cocktail dresses with the silhouettes being a ravishing blend of feminine flow with sleek structure. With a colour palette boasting nude shades such as blush, ivory, and charcoal, in luxurious materials such as organza, tulle, as well as other sheer fabrics, the designer infused free flowing forms with tight bodices sporting rich, elegant floral work; while cut out backs added a dash of oomph. Some pieces also ranged from crisp collared tops to flouncy, flirty skirts; thus further elevating the soft, sensuous appeal of this range. Keeping it simple, the pieces did not flaunt any hard embellishments, focusing on the beautiful paradox of simplicity within careful  construction. Not afraid to add an experimental touch, Sonaakshi Raaj stirred things up with a refreshing red hot dress with graceful sleeves. Ethereal and timeless, this collection is sure to have you smitten. Neha Sharma showcased an enticing collection titled “Jambalaya on the Bayou” under her label, ‘The Jade Tree’. The range showcased regal, rich pieces most of which were stand alone statement pieces that included an array of necklaces, bejewelled sleek belts, earrings and brooches. A range of stones cut in different patterns and colours, ranged from shades of orange, blue and white were artistically placed on rich velvet, all tied up at the back with a vibrant coloured bow. Most of the pieces were asymmetrically cut, allowing for the casual and gradual ‘branching out’ of the embellishments to give each a surreal, naturalistic appeal. Two of the most notable design features were black gold outlined 3D flowers, as well as a statement piece comprising long gold tentacle-like protrusions. With her enigmatic and bold collection, Neha Sharma truly showed us that sometimes it’s not just your outfit that does all the talking but these wonderful crown jewels! Sofake intrigues and shocks all with its new collection titled, ‘Black Velvet’. A take on a controversial topic –that of fairness creams, the designers Sapna Bhavani and Sukriti Grover made a strong and bold statement, ‘Black is beautiful so embrace it’. The all black collection comprised intriguing black on black prints incorporated on structured forms. Power shoulder jumpsuits and vixen dresses were some of the pieces which helped project the mood of the collection - mysterious, daring, beautiful and dangerous. Fabrics such as silk, velvet and jacquard helped build the sleek and structured bodies, accentuated by simple metal detailing such as eyelets and cut outs. Use of see-through fabric helped to add a feminine touch to the range while a cape-like top injected an experimental spark. One of the most striking features of the collection was its distinct blend of Victorian prints with Asian concepts such as the Obe-belt. Edgy, feisty and yet sophisticated this collection by Sapna Bhavnani and Sukriti Grover is for a diva who likes to make a statement. Source: Page3

Read More........→September 01, 2012

Gorgeous Collection from Pallavi Jaikishan

Day One at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012 Ended with the Gorgeous Collection from Pallavi Jaikishan Presented by Sajala Luxury Villas Celebrating four decades of her success in the business of fashion, Sajala Luxury Villas presented the sensational collection from fashion doyen, Pallavi Jaikishan, which closed Day One at Lakmé Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012. Divided into four segments the dazzling creations for bridal and festive wear ranged from saris to kurtas, jackets, lehengas and anarkalis. With a stage covered in gorgeous fresh flowers, greenery and the melodious strains of The Strings Quartet playing old classical jazz; the show was a vision of beauty and ultimate craftsmanship. Source: Page3

Read More........→August 24, 2012

Creative statues displayed at Beijing Art Expo

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Photo taken on Aug. 15, 2012 shows a creative statue at a preview of Beijing Art Expo held in China World Trade Center in Beijing, capital of China. The five-day expo, which kicked off on Thursday, displays more than 5,000 art works provided by 90 arts institutions from 16 countries and regions. [Photo: Xinhua]  Source: China.org.cn

Read More........→August 18, 2012

Modern Beijing opera Red Cliff successful in Prague

stage photo [photo source:chinaembassy.cz] 

"Great success, not only artistic, but also from social point of view" - this is what visitors said after the Monday first performance of modern Beijing opera Red Cliff in Czech capital Prague. The show was staged under auspices of Czech president Vaclav Klaus in country's most prestigious National Theatre. At he end of the show, long standing ovations continued. According to president Klaus, such shows help to deepen the knowledge about other cultures and he considers it important part of foreign relations. "We were very surprised how quickly was the show sold out," spokeswoman of National Theatre ballet Helena

stage photo[photo source:chinaembassy.cz]

Bartlova said. "Such a big show that even Lady Gaga would go pale," Hospodarske noviny daily commented. And the fact that audience often applauded during the performance - something very unusual in Czech opera tradition - is taken as a proof of big success. Czech media commented that the arrival of more than 160 members of opera performers itself signalled that the show would become a smash hit. They stressed that while Beijing opera usually does not need any big stage setting, this time the show, directed by Zhang Jigang, the architect of the Beijing Olympic Games ceremonies choreography, provides some real thrills for the Czech audience. Source: China.org.cn

Read More........→August 10, 2012

Chloe FALL collection

By: Sarahg, Chloe FALL collection is almost available, this may be my favourite look but the collection is slightly unexpected but as always with the elegance of the Chloe signature. From checks to textural fur vest cinched in with a tan belt styled with the perfect black pant, a relaxed warmth is showcased to escape the winter chill. And a flat tan slipper [Yes, I do love tan] , what more could you want...? Source: Sarahg2747

Read More........→July 30, 2012

Carven Summer 2013

Carven have created my favourite fashion ad campaign for the summer. The ad features 12 models wearing the structured yet easy-to-wear summer 2013 collection. The designs are varied, consisting of a range of colours, prints and styles within the collection. My personal favourite pieces are the red stilettos (far right), the navy blazer (centre) and the print skirt suit (third from right). 

The ad design is simple, with the models standing and sitting in a stark room which is contrasted by the bright wild flowers in the background. The foliage really brings out the colours in the designs. I love the recent trend that we're seeing where brands are starting to show many looks in one ad campaign. This
way we can get a better idea of what the collection has to offer, rather than seeing one element of it. A great example of this are the recent Tommy Hilfiger ad campaigns (below).Source: T-Shirt and Tails

Read More........→July 25, 2012

10,000 diamonds go on display at Buckingham Palace to mark the Jubilee

Queen Mary wears the Delhi Durbar Tiara set with Cullinan III and IV, 1912, Thomson. Photo: The Royal Collection © 2012, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. LONDON.

More than 10,000 diamonds set in works acquired by six monarchs over three centuries go on display at Buckingham Palace to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s 60-year reign. The special exhibition Diamonds: A Jubilee Celebration (30 June – 8 July & 31 July – 7 October) includes a number of The Queen’s personal jewels and works from the Royal Collection chosen for their artistic significance and their historic importance, and for the supreme skill in diamond cutting and mounting they embody. Several pieces of jewellery, such as the Delhi Durbar Tiara, Queen Victoria’s Fringe Brooch and the Kokoshnik Tiara, are on display for the first time. The exhibition also includes jewellery made from the world’s largest diamond, the Cullinan Diamond, which weighed 3,106 carats as an uncut stone. Pieces containing seven of the nine principal stones cut from the Cullinan Diamond are reunited for t  Source: Beattie's Book Blog

Read More........→July 05, 2012

Indian jewellery being showcased at Las Vegas show

Indian Express, Agencies : Washington, Reinstating India's position as global jewellery hub, exemplary works by the country's top designers and brands are being showcased in Las Vegas. Given that India's export of diamond and diamond jewellery to the US touched USD 8 billion in 2011, the government has termed the country's participation in JCK Las Vegas 2012, which kicked off yesterday, as an 'India Show'. The US export to India during the same period was USD 4.6 billion. The presence of the popular Bollywood star and international brand ambassador of the Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, Sonam Kapoor added glamour to the event in Las Vegas, which was inaugurated by Nirupama Rao, the Indian Ambassador to the US. As many as 65 leading Indian exporters are participating in the JCK Las Vegas 2012 show, casing works that incorporate a seamless blend of the best international quality and workmanship with Indian talent and design in jewellery making. The pieces are crafted by India's finest and leading manufacturers and retailers in designer jewellery. The showcase has categories such as mass produced, couture, designer, and further that of gold and silver. “India has emerged as the world's largest manufacturing centre of cut and polished diamonds. We contribute about 85 per cent of the world's supply in volume of such diamonds.” “Eleven out of every 12 diamonds set in jewellery world-wide are processed in India,” Rao said in her inaugural address. “We are also the third largest consumer of polished diamonds. With strong efforts of the Government of India and other stakeholders, the Indian gems and jewellery sector that currently pegs at around USD 36 billion, is poised to record a compound annual growth of approximately 13 percent,” she said. “The show will open a new growth path for stronger commercial links between Indian suppliers of diamond and gold jewellery, and US and other international buyers,” Rao added. The India Pavilion covers a wide array of fine jewellery products such as watches, designer jewellery, antique and estate, bridal and high-end gift-ware. It features a variety of regionally inspired and product specific pavilions. India Pavilion by GJEPC has been a participant at JCK Las Vegas since 2004 and Indian Contingent has grown manifolds since then. “The cultural acts by ICCR, Indian Cuisines, promotions across the Show by Ministry of Tourism and GJEPC is an effort to build an aura of India and establish Identity for the Brand India, as it is the most sought after destination today,” said GJEPC Chairman Rajiv Jain. Source: Indian Express

Read More........→June 09, 2012

Da Vinci anatomy drawings on display at Buckingham Palace

The largest ever exhibition of Leonardo Da Vinci`s drawings of the human body opens in the Queen`s Gallery at Buckingham Palace in London.Among the highlights of the exhibition there are eighty-seven sketches and numerous handwritten copies made by the great Italian. Source: Voice of Russia.

Read More........→May 16, 2012

Sharks As Art: Florida art museum exhibit aims for the soul

RTSea: Art, when it is properly displayed in a gallery setting, often beckons the viewer to contemplate and ponder, not just take a passing glance and turn the page. Paintings, photographs, and even video can reach their maximum visual effectiveness in a gallery. And this can be important if the image has something to say;  if behind its initial visual impact there is a deeper emotional or visceral connection hoping to be made. For endangered animal species, art can prove to be a powerful champion.To that end, the Museum of Art in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in association with the Nova Southeastern University's Oceanographic Center, will be presenting SHARK, an exhibition of paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, and videos of the fabled fish that elicits both fear and fascination for many people. The exhibit represents artists from around the world and was organized by Richard Ellis, renown painter of sharks of the world and accomplished author (The Book of Sharks, Tuna). Many of the images of sharks that I seek with video are based on my early impressions from many of Ellis' paintings. “Sharks have long fascinated man; some ancient societies even revered them as gods. In my art, I pay homage to their graceful beauty,” said Ellis. “This exhibition delves into a variety of issues in an examination of the human impact on sharks. It explores the shark as a predator and its portrayal in culture, the importance of shark conservation, the biology of the myriad of shark species, and the thrill of shark encounters.” The exhibition will display the range of attitudes mankind has had for sharks of the centuries - from John Singleton Copley's classic Watson and the Shark (ca. 1778), shown above, to a retrospective of the movie Jaws, to contemporary representations from artists including Guy Harvey, Richard Ellis, Rod and Valerie Taylor, David Doubilet, and more. The Museum of Art also acknowledges the interactive, multimedia world we live in and will also be providing a SHARK mobile app to further engage the visitors, along with educational kiosks placed throughout the exhibit. “SHARK is a stunning and timely exhibition about how the shark has entered the public imagination and how artists, over the decades, have portrayed one of the most fascinating, vulnerable, and misunderstood marine animals on the planet,” said Irvin Lippman, executive director of the Museum of Art. While the SHARK art exhibit will be running from mid-May to January of next year, I don't expect everyone to jump on a plane bound for Florida and take a peek - unless you happen to be in the area. But it is important for all shark advocates to realize that there are many ways to influence and change people's perceptions about many things, say, the malevolent man-eating shark for one. Art is subtle, it plays with the subconscious but its impact can be profound, aiming deep for the soul, sometimes more so than hard facts or heated argument. Beauty can soothe the savage beast - even when the beast is mankind and the beauty is the grace and elegance of the shark. Source: RTSea

Read More........→April 22, 2012