NEW YORK - ICFF 2012

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LINEAR PARK ON THE HIGHLINE

WATER FEATURE ON THE HIGH LINE

 

SCULPTURAL BIRD FEEDER ON THE HIGH LINE

EDWIN BLUE

INDIGO PIECES BY MOLO

ART BY JAMES KENNEDY

New York City has always been one of my great loves - it is a vibrant mecca for culture and vision.  Every time I visit I come away with new insights and ideas.  I have written about the High Line elevated rail park before, however every time I explore it I am blown away by the sheer genius of this project and so revisit it each time I return.  The dedication, design skill and political perseverance that the team must have had to execute this project is evident with every thoughtful material and detail.  It is certainly a masterwork and sets a high bar for every city.  To me it symbolizes the kind of optimism, trust in talent, and force of will that every great city should aspire to.  Visitors flowing along this linear park are always buzzing with wonder, admiring the blooming trees, resident wildlife, art, surrounding cityscape and lush plantings, while the expanding and contracting rhythm of paths and areas of repose allow for many different experiences.

ICFF this year held a few highlights for me. I enjoyed meeting Charles Pollock the renown furniture designer, Lindsey Adelman's growing collection of sculptural light fixtures were beautiful, artist James Kennedy showed artwork that I adored, and I liked the specialized technology pieces such as the handmade speakers by Symbol Audio.

Another very worthwhile and extremely enjoyable jaunt to NYC!

Beacon Securities_2

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VIEW OF 77 KING ST WEST BEING REPAINTED - 

WHAT A DIFFERENCE.  
EDGE OF THE BMO TOWER TO THE RIGHT

VIEW EAST

VIEW NORTH

Another site visit to the 40th floor of the TD Tower - I never tire of the beautiful lobby with its travertine slabs and the impeccable modernist graphic design of all of the signage.  

The floor to ceiling windows in the new space are amazing.  Mies would have loved that the perimeter induction units are now hidden in the ceiling rather than visible boxes at the floor - so clean.  The North-East orientation of the office suite is perfect, offering beautiful diffused light and views of both the city and the lake.

 

Hi-Lo Lovely

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Love this.  Thanks to Matt Sheargold for sending another interlude of inspiration! 

Milano + Venezia_2

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MILANO DUOMO

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MILANO DUOMO

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TOM DIXON AT 'MOST'

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DISPLAY AT 'MOST'

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POLIFORM AT SALONI - JEAN-MARIE MASSAUD IN ATTENDANCE

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CASA DEGLI ATELLANI

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FONTANA ARTE AT CASA DEGLI ATELLANI

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 MOLO AT 'MOST'

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'MOST'

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'MOST'

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FONTANA ARTE AT CASA DEGLI ATELLANI

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BEAUTIFUL APARTMENT, MILANO

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SALONI FAIRGRONDS, MILANO

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SALONI, MILANO

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SALONI, MILANO

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IRONWORK IN DUOMO, MILANO
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MARINO MARINI SCULPTURE, PEGGY GUGGENHEIM, VENEZIA

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CUPOLA OF PALLADIO'S S. GIORGIO, ISOLE SAN GIORGIO MAGGIORE, VENEZIA
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MY ACCOMMODATIONS IN VENICE - 
THE APARTMENT OF FRIENDS GABRIELLE + PHILLIPE
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SIGMAR POLKE, PUNTA DELLA DOGANA, VENEZIA

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TURKISH CONCERT ON ISOLE SAN GIORGIO MAGGIORE, VENEZIA

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ROSSANA ORLANDI, MILANO

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HOTEL BULGARI, MILANO

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ROSSANA ORLANDI, MILANO

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BAR BASSO, MILANO

 FONTANA ARTE PARTY - LATVIAN CUISINE  

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THE CANAL STEPS AT PEGGY GUGGENHEIM, VENEZIA

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The Salone Internazionale del Mobili in Milan was truly overwhelming - the largest event of its kind in the world.  The fairgrounds showcase 20 enormous trade show floors filled with well executed pavilions featuring the latest in design.  Roughly 400 events occur throughout the remainder of the city - 'off-site' shows, receptions and parties in stunning showrooms, private palazzos, artists' studios and hotels.  The night life, cuisine and hospitality of the locals was also a wonderful discovery - sleep was not an option most nights! 

Highlights in Milan and Venice - just to name a few - included Rossana Orlandi, MOST, Poliform, Fontana Arte, Royal Botania, Ingo Maurer, Flexform, Bocci, Elam, Guggenau, Baccarat, Flos, Punta del Dogana, and the Peggy Guggenheim collection.

Can't wait for next year.

Milano + Venezia_1

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THE MILAN FAIRGROUNDS 
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VIEW FROM THE BALCONY OF A MILANESE APARTMENT 
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THE PAVILIONS AT SALONI ARE EACH IMPRESSIVE FREE-STANDING SHOWROOMS

ON THEIR OWN - TEEMING WITH PRESS AND TRADE.

BEAUTIFUL ARRAY OF BRASS BOWLS AT 'MOST'

 

INLAID MARBLE FLOOR AND CANDLES AT DUOMO DI MILANO

BRASS SCULPTURAL PIECE AT SALONI
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DONALD JUDD 'IN PRAISE OF DOUBT' SHOW AT PUNTA DELLA DOGANA, VENICE.
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CANAL IN CANARREGIO, VENICE
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RELAXING AND TEXTING, VENICE
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FONTANA ARTE PARTY AT CASA DEGLI ATELLANI

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DOORS DUOMO DI MILANO 
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LAUNCH OF BOCCI 38 AT ROSSANA ORLANDI
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TOM DIXON AT 'MOST'
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INSTALLATION AT ROYAL BOTANIA PARTY, PALAZZO ISAMBARDI

AQUA ALTA, S.MARCO, VENICE
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CINDY SHERMAN AT PEGGY GUGGENHEIM, VENICE
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FLOS PARTY, MILAN

TOY BLOCKS AT ROSSANA ORLANDI
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MIRROR AT ROSSANA ORLANDI

GLASS TABLE AT ROSSANA ORLANDI

LASER CUTTER MACHINE DEMONSTRATION AT 'MOST'
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LEONARDO DA VINCI MUSEUM OF SCIENCE + TECHNOLOGY, SITE FOR 'MOST'
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Where to begin!?!

I have just returned from Milan's Salone Internazionale del Mobile 2012, including a side trip to Venice.  Here are a few snapshots - a tiny fraction of all that I had experienced.  I shall write more about the trip shortly!