Joseph Cornell Exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago

Pandora's Box: Joseph Cornell 

Unlocks the MCA Collection

Now through October 16, 2011

I had a chance to see the Joseph Cornell exhibit this weekend at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago. The exhibit does an incredible job of 

showing the range of Cornell's influence on contemporary artists, 

specifically those that are part of the museum's collection. 

Piotr Uklanski, collage made from pencil shavings.

Nick Cave, sculptural collage.

See more of Cave's work, such as the one below, at Jackshainman.com,

Rivane Neuenschwander: Found Calendar, 2002

Lari Pittman: Untitled #14, 2003

Robert Rauschenberg

Andy Warhol

Gregorio Vardanega, Arabesque Chromatique, 1967

Stills taken from a light box installation influenced by Josef Albers,

whose work is also on display at the MCA.

Learn more about the exhibit at MCAchicago.org.

Hapi Icon

How do I love thee, Tory Burch, let me count the ways...still counting....yep, still counting...
Anyone who knows me, knows that I have a huge crush on all things Tory Burch: the brand, the product, her story, her passion in helping other women, everything. It was exciting to see that she just held her first official fashion show at NYC's Fashion week showcasing her Spring 2012 line. As usual, her collection is breathtaking, definitely holding its place amongst much-pricier lines. Behind-the-scenes footage is currently on her blog. Check out a few sneak peeks below from the slideshow...along with a link to her blog to view more (trust me, you will want to):

View the rest of the slideshow on the Tory Burch Blog.

Images from the Tory Burch Blog.

PALM SPRINGS

Just got back from a fantastic girls' weekend in Palm Springs, CA. Had a chance to see two of my top hotel interiors while there...designed by my all-time favorite interior designers, Kelly Wearstler (The Viceroy) and Mr. Jonathan Adler (The Parker). Here are some of my favorite shots of both hotels...

The Viceroy

Designed by Kelly Wearstler, the hotel exudes her signature Hollywood Regency style. Love the black, white and yellow palette she used throughout the hotel. So chic and glamorous, with places like this, it's no wonder celebrities have flocked to Palm Springs since the Hollywood Golden Age. The outdoor gardens, pools and cabanas are absolutely magical with their manicured trees, black and white cabanas, yellow-strip lounge chairs, all set with an almost surreal mountain backdrop, this is a place you will never want to leave. Here's a peak at this ultra-chic hotel...

Citron (Kellywearstler.com)

Foyer of Viceroy (Bon-voyage)

Viceroy (Viceroy Fan Page)

(Epitomeofchicblog)

(Epitomeofchicblog)

Poolside Cabanas (Candace Rose)

Guest Room (Citron (Kellywearstler.com))

The Parker

If you love Adler's quirky, happy-chic style as much as I do, then you'll love The Parker Palm Springs. The retro 60s decor, is peppered with poppy colors and whimsical- Adler touches, including his famed pottery, even the hotel check-in desk shows off his talent with a enormous carved insert featuring his whimsical designs. Sit upon one of the hanging wicker chairs, or lounge in front of the vintage "Drugs" signs and you know Adler's left his signature mark. Here's a taste...see more on his site!

See more at Jonathan Adler's website.

And if you have the chance, I highly recommend dining at Norma's. We sat on the patio, lit by candelight and surrounded by palm trees. You're greeted with a freshly-baked (literally, still steaming hot) sourdough loaf from the oven that leaves you justifying that it is completely normal - absolutely necessary - to eat nearly the entire loaf.  Then I had the Fajita Steak a la Gringo with sauteed onions, guacamole and black beans, and it was absolutely phenomenal. Usually I love fajitas, but rarely do I have some that truly set themselves apart...these do. The perfect amount of char, spice and creaminess, at 8:30 am I am craving these right now.

All photos found on Jonathanadler.com,

CHICAGO MAGAZINE - WEARABLE ART

Just opened my latest issue of Chicago magazine (yes, I'm a Chicago girl) and was blown away by a feature in the fashion section, "Wearable Art." The model is photographed by an installation by Jesse Harrod at the Evanston Art Center. Absolutely stunning. This led me to his website and introduced me to a new artist that is definitely right up my alley. Check it out...

Here's some of his work:

Here's a look at the piece feature in the background of the Chicago Magazine feature:

See more at Harrod's website.

Images: Chicago Magazine; Jesseharrod

HOUSE OF THE WEEK

MAX & LUBOV AZRIA'S HOME

Love the whimsy and glamour of the Azria's Los Angeles Home featured in Harper's Bazaar.

Click here to read the interview with Max Azria featured in the magazine. See more of their home 

at Trendland.net.

Photos found at Trendland.net.

Spotlight on Art...

"I begin to hear the old sounds - the ones I had thought worn out, worn out by intellectualization - I begin to hear the old sounds as though they are not worn out. Obviously they are not worn out. They are just as audible as the new sounds. Thinking had worn them out. And if one stops thinking about them, suddenly they are fresh and new."

John Cage, "Lecture on Nothing."

A recent visit to the Art Institute of Chicago, had me stopped in my tracks - again - while heading to the entrance at the Modern Wing.  Pae White's "Restless Rainbow" greets you, giving you a taste of the artist's commissioned installation. The "fallen" rainbow wraps and drenches the Bluhm Family Terrace with rich, saturated, vibrant color. The installation is pretty incredible. Highly recommend you see if for yourself (it's up through September 20th). It got me thinking about the emotional and spiritual power of color in art. Stipes, stacked, layered color. It always seems to strike me. Here are a few that I keep coming back to starting with White's installion:

Pae White

Tim Bavington

Hadieh Shafie

Ian Davenport

Warren Isensee

Jaq Chartier

Jim Lambie

Markus Linnenbrink

Jen Stark

Harald Schmitz-Schmelzer

Tadasuke Kuwayama

Gerhard Richter

Any others that you would add?

PHOTOS: Artic.edu; Romanograve; Artslant; Artwineandwhimsy; Randomnessamuck; MOMA; Hadiehshafie; Contemporaryartlinks; Illuminationsmedia; Danese.com; Jaqchartier; blackwhiteandyellow; blackwhiteandyellow; Webexhibits; Patriciasweetowgallery; Thebrokenstitchblog;  Jenstark; Schmitz-schmelzer.de2; Tadasuke.kuwayama; Artattler.
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