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FrankGehry

Louis Vuitton: Art, Fashion and Architecture

Filed under: Art, Books


A lavish new coffee table book from Rizzoli titled Louis Vuitton: Art, Fashion and Architecture is a seductive anthology of the famed French fashion house's collaborations with an international group of elite artists, architects, designers, and photographers, including Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, David LaChapelle, Annie Leibovitz, Takashi Murakami (whose updated LV monogram is featured on the cover) Richard Prince and Stephen Sprouse. Beautiful images are interspersed with critical essays that examine and position Louis Vuitton's patronage, under the guidance of Artistic Director Marc Jacobs, during "one of the most fertile periods of contemporary art and design." The book is divided alphabetically so as to serve as a sort of encyclopedia of the many collaborations, commissions and sponsorships Vuitton, a cornerstone of the LVMH luxury goods empire, has engaged in over the years.

Mr. Gehry Goes To Washington

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

frank gehryArchitect Frank Gehry has worked his magic in major cities around the world but now he will finally have a place in Washington D.C. The famous architect has been chosen to create the national memorial to President Eisenhower on a site off the Mall. The Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission unanimously decided to choose Gehry. Dwight David Eisenhower II, the president's grandson, is a member of the commission and was one of the 11 judges.

Gehry, who is 80, called the decision exciting and said that he rarely enters design competitions but that that this project resonated with him. An image of Gehry's design has not been released and some are concerned that Gehry's distinctive swoops and flourishes will result in a building that is more a memorial to him than to President Eisenhower. The site will include interactive displays and is estimated to cost between $90 and $110 million and will take five years to design and construct.

LVMH Chief Plans $140 Million Art Museum

Filed under: Art

Bernard Arnault (right), the billionaire chairman of Louis Vuitton parent LVMH and France's richest man, plans to open a $140 million art museum in Paris within the next 2-3 years despite the grim economic forecast. "It's a way of showing that luxury, which often has an arrogant, elitist, egotistical image, can be generous," Arnault's arts advisor Jean-Paul Claverie tells Bloomberg.

Dubbed the Louis Vuitton Foundation and designed by Frank Gehry, the luxury goods kingpin has high hopes for the museum in Paris's Bois de Boulogne on the site of a former bowling alley, which will display LVMH's extensive art collection. "Mr. Arnault often says that as many people will visit the building as will go see the Eiffel tower,'' Claverie says.

Super Vintage Weekend at the Hotel Marqus de Riscal

Filed under: Journeys, Wine, Auctions, Charity


The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts group has planned a "Super Vintage" wine auction weekend at the incredible Frank Gehry-designed Hotel Marqués de Riscal in Rioja, Spain in October. To celebrate 150 years of the region's famed wines, the culinary-themed weekend will culminate in a gala dinner and charity auction of local vintages conducted by Christie's - including the Riscal Superlot, a single lot consisting of 131 bottles dating back to 1862, proceeds from which will go to UNICEF. Details on the once-in-a-lifetime event, which will take place from Oct. 24-26, can be found here.

Live Video Feed from Frank Gehry's Hall Winery Project

Filed under: Wine


You can now monitor progress on Frank Gehry's amazing Hall Winery project in the Napa Valley via a live video feed. Last year my colleague Deidre Woollard told you about the ambitious plan for the new facility built around the original 1885 winery south of St. Helena. Progress is proceeding apace on the project, which artfully blends avant-garde architecture with existing historic structures. The live cam is the latest addition to the Gehry plan web features, which include a project gallery and time-lapse camera showing progress to date. Hall's new 110,000-square-foot complex of six buildings, which broke ground last summer, is slated to open in 2010. Pictured above is Gehry (center) and associate Edwin Chan (left) with winery owners Kathryn and Craig Hall (right) discussing the architect's model for a new Visitor's Center, an all-glass structure supported by a "floating" trellis overhang. See the gallery for more.

Richard Meier's Modern Masterpieces

Filed under: Decor, Estates, Books, Real Estate Developments


Photo by Scott Frances / Esto

Every edifice ever built by rationalist architect Richard Meier -- and then some - is featured in a new mega monograph about to be published by Taschen: Richard Meier & Partners: Complete Works 1963-2008. The extra-large $150 volume showcases Meier's entire career to date, including such stunning commissions as the Getty Center in Los Angeles, the City Hall and Library at the Hague and the beauteous Southern California beach house pictured above. Meier, one of the world's top architects - or "starchitects" as he and a select few of his contemporaries such as Frank Gehry and Rem Koolhaas are known - has an insatiable appetite for large swaths of white, but it works (to say the least). Meier will be at Taschen's New York store to sign copies on June 3rd from 6 - 8 p.m. You can preview the book in the gallery below.

Wiggle Chair

Filed under: Decor


Looking like it's been poured into position, the Wiggle Chair was designed by architect Frank Gehry back in 1972 as part of the "Easy Edges" series that incorporates unusual materials, such as cardboard, in furniture. Comprised of approximately 60 layers of cardboard held together with hidden screws and a fiberboard edging, the complete "Easy Edges" series includes (in addition to the Wiggle Chair) a Side Chair, Dining Table, and Low Table Set. Made in Germany for Vitra, the Wiggle Chair is available in natural or white edge finishes and goes for $875.

Frank Gehry's Grand Plans For Los Angeles

Filed under: Estates, Journeys


A few weeks ago when I was on Grand Avenue in Los Angeles with a friend attending an exhibit at the MOCA, we got to talking about Frank Gehry's plans for the blocks around Disney Hall. Gehry's designs for Grand Avenue are supposed to help this part of downtown Los Angeles complete its transition into the land of the luxe. The plan just got another boost. Related has announced that the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will manage the hotel that will occupy the first 20 floors of Gehry's 48-story tower. The upper floors will be luxury residences. The 275-room hotel is expected to open in 2010. Perhaps by then people will be more willing to stay downtown.

Spain Gets Another Gehry

Filed under: Journeys


World renowned architect Frank Gehry catapulted onto the scene with his Guggenheim in Bilbao. The landmark museum set about a revival of the Basque city and is now one of the countries top attractions. Beginning in September, it loses the title of Spain's only work by Gehry. That's when the Hotel Marqués De Riscal opens in the Rioja wine region. The hotel is classic Gehry, with layered steel and copper panels swirling around a central structure. The hotel will have 43 rooms with views of the surrounding vineyards and modern amenities and service provided by Starwood's Luxury Collection. A rooftop bar and lounge will ready guests for gourmet delights at the restaurant which promises to be gastronomic delight. I can't think of anywhere I need to be in September, so I guess I'll just go ahead and book it.

Guggenheim Museum Planned For Abu Dhabi

I have been steadily watching Abu Dhabi in the United Emirates as it emerges onto the world stage, transitioning toward a Dubai-like opulence. The latest move for Abu Dhabi is the announcement that the Guggenheim Foundation will create a new museum  there for modern and contemporary art. The Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will be designed by Frank Gehry.  It will be the only Guggenheim in the region and the largest worldwide. It is expected to be completed in 2011 and will be built on Saadiyat Island.


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