The Imagination Of Eva Menz

Carl Kapp

South African born , Australian based Carl Kapp has designed a beautiful and fresh Summer 2012 collection . Having worked at Kenzo and Donna Karan to name a few, his pieces are draped sensually but elegantly on the body.

With a customer base of Nicole Kidman, Cate Blanchett and Rose Byrne who all wear his dresses with style, this young man has a  a gained a good following. The lucky people of Sydney were is shop and atelier is based can have his dresses made to order.

One on my list of must haves... shame Australia is not round the corner.

G'Day xo

www.carlkapp.com

Farewell Baroness Thatcher

Baroness Thatcher in 1974 by Terry O'Neill

October 13 1925 – 8 April 2013

"Any woman who understands the problems of running a home will be nearer to understanding the problems of running a country." 1979, the year she became prime minister.

NEW SITE FOR VISION OF SPLENDOR

Photo by Vision of Splendor Miami January 2014

Vision of Splendor has a new site! 

Will keep this tumblr site but content will change in the future, but for upgraded version go to the new site below. 

Follow me there xo

www.visionofsplendor.com

Cuixmala

This stunning and vast estate of 25,000 acres of land, beaches , lagoons was the private home of the late Sir James Goldsmith. Set on the Mexican Pacific coast near Careyes Cuixmala is a special place. The land is dotted with  villas , casitas and bungalows all in different locations and sizes.

With an incredible range of activities from horse riding, mountain biking , tennis , volley ball , kayaking, fishing , surfing to name just a few. The most interesting is that Cuixmala is set on nature reserve , home to 270 types of birds, wild boar , deer , foxes , crocodiles and the endangered Jaguar. Not to leave out the Zebras and the Turtle Protection Programme, the giant sea turtle comes to lay their eggs every year were the staff gathered them to protect them from predators and poachers until they hatch and then are returned to the sea. Guests are able to assist with the guidance of biologists, have look at the wonderful Eco Cuixmala Foundation Website for more information.

There is also a club house and a boutique and of course spa services. At Cuixmala you can rent individual rooms at the various locations or rent the whole estate for a big party or wedding. How amazing would that be.

So wish I was there right now, missing the sun and nature.

Que padre x

www.cuixmala.com

www.ecocuixmala.org

All photos via Cuixmala

Cabin Fever

Snow Cabin via Sister Himalaya

Winter Home via Architectural Digest

Modern Mountain home via Pinterest

Rustic Bathroom via Pinterest

The Peak of Rustic Chic Idaho via Elle Decor

Rustic Bathroom via Sisson Designs

Jackson Hole , Wyoming via Elle Decor

Le Chalet Chatel via Les Fermes de Marie

Wild White Horses via Sister Himalaya

Chalet Table scape via Pinterest

Fairy Trees in The Snow Via Pinterest

Am off to the Swiss Alps for a couple of days to enjoy some Nature and fresh Air, can't wait after 2 months in the city.

Yodel Away xo

Dashi Namdakov: A Nomad's Universe

“I would like to understand Buryat and Buddhist tradition rationally, yet I believe something within me knows it better than I do." Dashi Namdakov

Dashi Namdakov lives in the South Eastern part of Russian Siberia near the absolutely magnificent Lake Baikal, the world’s cleanest and biggest fresh water container - one of the Worlds Natural Heritage Sites. The local people Buryats believe the Lake to be sacred.

Dashi was born in 1967 in a small Buryati village near the Russian Chinese border. His father was a well-known craftsman in the village who was famous for his versatile abilities to make things with his own hands furniture, metal handles and even carpets. His wood-carved sculptures of buddhist gods and tangkas (Buddhist icons) were installed in monasteries. So, from early childhood the kids learnt different skills through helping their father.

This is the atmosphere Dashi has grown up in and by the time he became a young man he had a good command of various manual skills. But at the age of 15 Dashi suddenly got very sick and for 7 long years no doctor could heal him. The boy was near the death's door.

Finally the parents found themselves at a shaman who found the cause of the sickness. It was the negligence that people show to their roots, their predecessors and their names. She made her ritual. Incredible enough but the pain stopped instantly. And 7 days later Dashi was in another city looking for a job. That shaman predicted that Dashi would see a huge success due to his ability to observe the beauty of the surrounding world and to recreate it in metal.

He moves to Ulan-Ude, Buryati central city and starts his carrier in the workshop of the locally well-known sculptor G.Vasilyev. In 1988 Dashi is admitted to the University of Fine Arts in Siberian Krasnoyarsk city. This is where Russian famous artists Lev Golovnitsky, Yuri Ishkhanov, Azat Boyarlin and Eduard Pakhomov taught him the academic art.

After graduation in 1992 Dashi returns to Ulan-Ude. In the year 2000 after his first personal exhibition in Irkutsk it becomes clear that a new star was born in the world of arts. The exhibition came as a furore to the art establishment. The first exhibition was followed by other successful venues in Russia and other countries.

The mysterious images often haunt Dashi during nights when the consciousness is in transition to another world inhabited by celestial creatures and spirits. Dashi scrupulously renders these visions to the paper for him not to forget - and then the night dreams are imprinted in bronze or silver.

Dashi's sculptures belong to other, remote worlds where the man and the cosmos are one, where every single thing is an integral part of the universal construction each having its own individual place and yet constantly reincarnating. This is the oriental idea of the world seeing beauty in the fragile harmony of things and fearing to break this beauty with an awkward move.

This is why old shamans talk to the spirits and heal people in Dashi's world. His old warrior does not look barbaric at all rather he is tired and wise. However one feels that his wisdom does come from a lot of pain. Knowing the real cost of the victory the warrior becomes wise and thus more humane than anybody else. Dashi's women are sensual but shy in the oriental manner. Looking at a wild fallow deer how can anyone fail to see a beautiful girl? If one takes a close look at the world around he must be able to see its beauty.

"The Creator is wiser than you", - say Dashi's sculptures.- "If you take the world as it is its secret beauty will come out to you".

"My Grandpa was a very gifted story-teller. He knew a lot of legends and stories about Buryats. And I remember them with my bones, inwardly. This feeling is very strong and more on subconscious level. I would like to understand Buryat and Buddhist tradition rationally, yet, I believe, something within me knows it better than I do. My teacher at the Art School was Lev Golovnitsky, a very fine and good Russian sculptor. And he helped me to appreciate and understand the art of sculpture and world tradition. And I am a student of Michelangelo and Bourdelle, Bruegel and Old Japanese art. And I am also myself. " (Dashi Namdakov).

Text above from Halcyon Gallery,

I have always been fascinated by Nomadic Tribes and the lands of Mongolia , Siberia, Russia and central Asia. Especially their traditions and mystical faiths of Shamanism and storytelling. Dashi Namdakov has managed to capture all of these things and more in his incredible sculptures, paintings and jewellery design. This is is his first solo show in the UK, The collection includes 45 sculptures and drawings created by the artist over last 12 years and showcases the artist’s extraordinary craftsmanship and highly original style which combines traditional spiritual imagery with present day realities, make sure to also go and see this and the sculpture in Marble Arch. Out of this world.

Thank you Halcyon Gallery for bringing us such a magnificent talent,

16th of May-7 July 2012

Halcyon Gallery

144-146 New Bond Street

London

Photos sourced via,

www.halcyongallery.com

www.dashi-art.com

www.khankhalaev.com

East is East

Last Saturday a dear friend of mine organized a fantastic tour of East London Street Art. The Sun was shinning and temperatures high, we started our day by meeting up at Shoreditch House for some brunch, good friends and family from London and two friends from Spain who are not all familiar with East London our group in its self is a melting pot of nationalities as none of us are born in London.

Once fed and energized we strolled to Liverpool station to meet our Street Art knowledge bank and off we went to discover the vast art that is spread out over parts of East London. Concentrating around the Brick Lane area, which is filled with history, like the legend of Jack the Ripper and many layers of cultures, religions and famous artists.  I knew the area well enough having lived in London for more than 20 years but did not know much about street art and how big it has become in the East and around London.

It was a enriching day, sun, art, history and great friends. I recommend this to everyone, yet another thing that makes London so special is that its always filled with surprises.

I love you London xo

All pictures taken by Vision of Splendor with my iPhone.

Here is the link to book your tour,

http://www.insider-london.co.uk/london-graffiti-artists-walking-tours/

Under The Influence

Love these still life images from Under the Influence Magazine, Jewellery with an African Twist.

Photographed by Benjamin Bouchet & Styled by Julie Nivert.

Sourced via,

Under The Influence Magazine

Amangiri

Earth, Teach Me

Earth teach me quiet ~ as the grasses are still with new light.

Earth teach me suffering ~ as old stones suffer with memory.

Earth teach me humility ~ as blossoms are humble with beginning.

Earth teach me caring ~ as mothers nurture their young.

Earth teach me courage ~ as the tree that stands alone.

Earth teach me limitation ~ as the ant that crawls on the ground.

Earth teach me freedom ~ as the eagle that soars in the sky.

Earth teach me acceptance ~ as the leaves that die each fall.

Earth teach me renewal ~ as the seed that rises in the spring.

Earth teach me to forget myself ~ as melted snow forgets its life.

Earth teach me to remember kindness ~ as dry fields weep with rain.

- An Ute Tribe Prayer

Set in the majestic Desert Canyon of Utah on the border to Arizona , Amangiri meaning Peaceful Mountain is in complete unity with its incredible surroundings. This is a resort that reaches into your soul and connects you to the Desert with Panoramic views from every angle, the colours of the pink sky and the splendor of the Canyons as your companion.

With 34 Suites in total with different layouts and categories some with larger terraces, Sunset views or sunrise views, some with pools and its two special suites the GiriJaala and the Aman Suite with dining al Fresco, terraces and large pools a home away from home. All Suites are designed with minimalistic but warm decor in Desert tones to blend the surrounding nature into your room. There is also an outdoor bedroom were you can sleep under stars for the very brave!

At the centre of the resort resides the Main Pavilion were you will find the dining room, cellar, library, Art Gallery where they showcase the regions best Art, Jewellery and Handcrafted wares from the Navajo tribes.

There is a a beautiful pool that blends into the canyon with king size sun loungers, and  next to the hot tub there is a fireplace area for the colder days. The vast 25, 000 Sq ft spa with floatation therapy, indoor and outdoor treatment rooms , even the indoor treatment rooms have spectacular views of the Canyon. The spa menu was created to reflect the Navajo Healing and Culture Traditions. There is also a a yoga pavilion and a the classic gym for those in need, which I find doubtful as Amangiri organizes the most incredible trips in the surrounding areas, hiking trails of different levels with names such as Coyote, Studhorse, Cave Peak and Hodoo. 

Visit the Naional Parks such as Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, North and South Rim and Monument Valley. Or if water is what gets to you visit Lake Powell or go Fly Fishing in the Colorado River. Last but not least take it all in from the sky with Hot Air Baloon Flights or a Private plane, not too shabby this Amangiri.

Wait there is still more, they do some specials tours and events during different times of the year. Full Moon Yoga on a sandstone platform a 15 minutes hike away from the resort . Presentations  and lectures "Dinosaurs of the Grand Staircase" were you will learn about the creatures that used to live in the area from archeologists that will bring some artifacts from the dig site. Love the stars? Then watch the stars via a Dobsonian Telescope with Amangiris Astronomy guide who will give you a tour of the night sky. For culture fanatics there is outdoor Opera in the amphitheater formed by the rocks.

Yes I am obsessed with hotels in the desert. Are you dreaming yet? xo

Photos via Amangiri, Flickr.

http://www.amanresorts.com

Pad London 2018.