SUMMER LOVE Part V: Art Refresher

There is something special about art that has been part of a private collection that the public has not seen in a number of years, or in some cases not at all. The Fisher collection is one such collection and a small sampling of it has come to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art this summer.

Donald and Doris Fisher, most famous for founding the Gap clothing stores have amassed one of the most impressive collections of modern and contemporary art in America. Over the years, The Fishers collected important works from artists such as Gerhard Richter, Cy Twombly, Chuck Close and Alexander Calder from various stages in their careers.

A special partnership has been arranged with SFMOMA to house and show some 1100 pieces for posterity and Calder To Warhol: Introducing the Fisher Collection is a view into this partnership. What is great about this exhibition is the depth of the Fishers collection, and the ability to see numerous important works by a single artist.

The works are being exhibited at SFMOMA through September 19, 2010.

David Hansen

*All photos taken at SFMOMA by David Hansen via iPhone on August 1, 2010

SUMMER LOVE Part IV: Furniture Divine!

Another crush I’ve developed this summer is on the furniture line by Victoria Hagan. Her line isn’t new, it’s just seems to be a little more on my radar.

The pieces are as practical as they are beautiful and amazing in an array of settings. I can’t waitfor Barbara and I to be able to use one of these amazing pieces on a project soon!

The pieces are sold locally to the trade by the De Sousa Hughes showroom, and the web site for Victoria Hagan Home is here.

David Hansen

*Top photo of Ms. Hagan with the "Wainscott" chair and the "Carroll" screen.

*Two remaining photos from Victoria Hagan Home web site.

SUMMER LOVE Part III: Re-discovering An Old Friend

When I first moved to San Francisco in the 1980s, I had a dear friend who lived on an estate in the Napa Valley and I would go up to wine country as often as I could get there.

On my trips to Napa we would often sample the local eateries. I remember going to Tra Vigne (which literally translates to “amongst the vines”) over 20 years ago and loving it. Since that time the amount of choices for dining in wine country have become overwhelming, so Tra Vigne has faded into the background in favor of establishments not yet tried.

On a recent visit to Wine country I had the opportunity to eat there again and I have to say it was one of the most amazing meals I have ever had. We went for lunch and it couldn’t have been more perfect! The amazingly fresh food and the wonderful service were just what I remember. The cheese (mozzarella), the bread and the pasta were all made fresh on the premises and it was evident in the taste.

On your next trip to the Napa Valley, I encourage you to eat at Tra Vigne, especially if you haven’t eaten there before. The restaurant is located on Oak Avenue right on Highway 29 in St. Helena.

David Hansen

SUMMER LOVE Part II: 50 Ways To See Desire

My dear friend, and former design school classmate Denny Holland is a very talented artist. He has a wonderful blog where he shares his art and glimpses into his life, which you can find here.

For the second year Denny is participating in a 50/50 show put on by the Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica, California. The concept is simple; Produce 50 artworks in 50 days based on a common theme. This year’s theme was “Objects Of Desire”. The subject matter of his paintings this year ranged from chocolate to guitars. He would post the artworks on his blog every day after completing them, and I must say I will miss seeing what object of desire the day holds.

The 50/50 show opens to ticketed previews starting on July 28^th. Get more information about it here.

Please take a moment to take a look at this talented man’s work here.

David Hansen

Photos (from top):

1.Objects Of Desire Day 41: Money

2.Objects Of Desire Day 6: Home

3.Objects Of Desire Day 17: Guitar

SUMMER LOVE Part I: The Lady In Red

This is the first time in history that architect Jean Novel has built a structure in London. Mr. Novel was asked to design the Serpentine Pavilion in Kensington Gardens for the Serpentine Gallery.

Every summer for the past ten years the gallery constructs a pavilion under the direction of a widely recognized architect. Past and notable architects have included Frank Gehry (2008), Rem Koolhaus (2006) and Oscar Niemeyer (2003).

Mr. Novel has added a bit of passion to this year’s structure by creating a structure entirely in red. This passionate red makes a poetic and forceful statement in the context of the green of the surrounding gardens. What’s not to love?

The pavilion will be on display from July 10 through October 17, 2010. To learn more about the Serpentine pavilion go here.

David Hansen

SUMMER LOVE

Summer already has enough to love about it. . .longer days, sunshine, and blooming gardens come to mind. It’s hard to imagine any more to love, but this summer has presented the opportunity for new discovery. I’ve discovered some new diversions to be inspired by and fall in love with.

I’ve fallen in love with more than one thing, so I’ll take the next few days to revel in my new amusements.

Some are actually old friends, and some are new acquaintances. Let me take you on a journey of what I have fallen in love with this summer…

David Hansen

*Photo of Fornasetti fabric from decoratum.com

All Things Cream

CREAM IS A SHADE OF WHITE, but it’smore than that. Just saying the word out loud evokes a softer image. CREAM sounds delicious, CREAM sounds luxurious, CREAM sounds heavenly, CREAM sounds royal, CREAM sounds elegant, CREAM sounds pure. Why is it that just thinking of a color can create images in our minds, awaken the senses, evoking feelings and even experiences.

Cream was a ROCK & ROLL BAND

Cream is the texture of WHITE BURLAP

Cream is the color of AN ELEPHANT’S TUSK

Cream is the scent of A GARDENIA

Cream is the image of AN ELEGANT BRIDE

Cream is the essence of a STRAND OF PEARLS

Cream is the feel of WHITE KIDD GLOVES

Cream is the feel of a PIANO KEY

Cream is the color of MY BERBER RUG

Cream is the color of A PARCHMENT SCROLL

Cream is the color of a COOKED NOODLE

Cream is the color of MY DRAFTING VELLUM

Cream is the color of RICE PAPER SCREENS

Cream is thecolor of a JOHN F. KENNEDY ROSE

Cream is the color of A WHITE DINNER JACKET

Cream is the shade of WHITE BUCKS AT A SUMMER WEDDING

Cream is the color of a POLAR BEAR’s FUR

Cream is the color of CORN SILK ON SUGAR CORN

Cream is the color of LINEN SHEETS

Cream is the color of SHEEP’s WOOL

Cream is the color of QUEEN ANNE’s LACE

Cream is the color of an ERMINE STOLE

What does the color CREAM evoke in you?

Barbara Ashfield

Images (from top):

1) Cream image by James Paulgaard

2) Elephant photo from German Vogue

3) Gardenias with sole from Etsy.com

4) Wedding gown by Carolina Herrera

5) Herb Albert image from John Mariani

6) Sean Connery as James Bond

7) Polar Bear image from British Vogue

8) Queen Anne's Lace from fototime.com

"I Think That I Shall Never See..."

"They took all the trees and put 'em in a tree museum"

Joni Mitchell / Big Yellow Taxi

Earlier this month Swiss landscape architect Enzo Enea, along with Oppenheim Architecture & Design (OAD) joined forces to design and build a "Tree Museum" in Zurich, Switzerland.

The museum is part architectural wonder and part contemplative space. The project is the brainchild or Mr. Enea, who was searching for a showcase for some of the rare trees he has been collecting over the past 17 years. The site is situated on 2.5 acres, the former home of a monastery, and contains 2000 different trees complemented by several simple, but powerful architectural gestures.

Mr. Enea chose to work with OAD because the firm had designed his (sustainably built) headquarters which are located at the site.

The museum is open to the general public for a nominal fee.

David Hansen

* All photos: Enzo Enea / Oppenheim Architecture & Design.