I Loewe You

LI CHEN THE SOUL GUARDIAN

AERIEL PAGODA I

AERIAL PAGODA II

FIREMASTER

THE THREE BODIES OF BUDDHA

THE PURSUER

CLEAR SOUL

SNOW WONDERLAND

SOUL GUARDIAN

THE GENUINE STATE

LANDSCAPE IN HEAVEN

GOLDEN PALM

ELEVATION

LORD OF WIND

OFFERING

SOARING DRAGON

CAUSAL (soul)

THE ILLUMINATOR

THE ILLUMINATOR CLOSE UP

  "Behind the Beacon is a ceremonial process; its essence lies in “Yinze”—the full or diminishing glory of the sun and the moon. (Li Chen)

One morning I received a call from a dear friend of mine whose taste and creativity I greatly admire, she recounted to me her trip in Paris and all the wonderful art she had seen but especially wanted to share with me in detail something she knew I would love. Buddha statues like she had never seen, her description immediately resonated with me and the googlelista that I am I fell on Buddhas Big Lap. It was love at first sight for me too, Splendid Buddha, big and round like a baby, strong yet soft, heavy yet light,  almost as if Botero and Buddha had baby via Artist Taiwanese Li Chens mind. 

Li Chen's  Spiritual Invocations come from his deep knowledge and experience in Taoist, Buddhist and Classic Chinese Traditions but most of all from his connection to his soul. That is what make these sculptures be different from the rest, they glimmer within. 

Now how can I invoke one of his sculpture in my house?! 

*When night light Glimmers : The Beacon*

In this Series:

The Pursuer, Illuminator, Angelic Smile, Fire Master, The Pavilion, Aerial Pagoda & Soaring Dragon.

"One evening in 2009, Li Chen returned from a busy day at work to his home. He lit a long unused candles on the family Buddhist altar and enjoyed the warmth of the silence, and the experience brought back memories of one of his earlier drawings titled “Illuminator.” This event was the spiritual beginnings of the artist’s current series of work. For the “The Beacon” Series, Li Chen completed just eight pieces in total. For Li lighting the lamp constitutes an act of “recuperation” and brings with it a certain ritualistic joy. Through the interaction of humanity and fire the burning of materials not only changes the environment, but a certain romantic sentimentality dances in the candlelight. As a result, ones state of mind becomes becalmed, providing an opportunity for one to communicate with oneself. “The Beacon” is far richer and more diverse than any of Li’s earlier work. It also marks the first time the artist has sculpted the human form, deliberately showcasing the characteristic of the Asian physical form. This work makes the connection between people and such high places as towers, pavilions, heavenly fire, containing objects that appear distant, but can be compared with Chinese literati’s slow wander.

  "The meaning of the Pursuer’s candle light can be decided by people’s different definition and thought for life. A white cloud twirling around the waist of the figure is evocative of a dream-like illusion, triggering the imagination and lending a surprising touch of humor to the otherwise thought-provoking theme. Such is the wondrous creativity of Li Chen." (Thomas Lee, President of Asia Art Center)

 ******* NEWS***************** ( Lucky Parisians )

LI CHEN EXHIBITION IN PLACE VENDOME PARIS 2 SEPTEMBER-29TH. 2013. 

   Li Chen has accomplished an artistic style that incorporates Eastern philosophy of Confucian, Taoist, and Buddhist traditions with contemporary thought, evincing the idea of “Spirit of the East.” His sculptures will be showcased at the center of Paris surrounded by historical buildings. While such arrangement seems to emphasise the contrast between two different cultures, they are alike in terms of providing new possibilities and interpretations for our cumulative civilisation and wisdom in contemporary world. Facilitated by the speed of globalisation and technology nowadays, we can thus expect a profound intellectual dialogue between Eastern and Western cultures occurring at Place Vendome. 

  This exhibition is organised by notable non-profit organization—Global Art Center Foundation (GAC), and Asia Art Center, with full acknowledgement and support from the Vendôme Committee (Comité Vendôme), Ministry of Culture (Ministère de la Culture) and Paris City Council (Conseil municipal). After 18 months of deliberated planning by the curatorial team, which consists of international experts from Paris, Netherlands, Italy and Taipei, the team has successfully overcome various obstacles such as transportation, structural calculation, artwork placement, loading capacity, and weather conditions. in the hope to help Taiwanese artist break free from geographical boundary and to engage in the infinite possibilities of the world. 

  As the economy of the east begins to rise and attract global attentions, Li Chen’s artworks inspired by Eastern culture and traditions will surely bring to light a visual and spiritual feast in the world.

    SOURCES

www.lichensculpture.org

www.asie-antiquites.com

To see more like LI Chen see my previous piece on Dashi Namdakov 

Oh Herve!

I would kill for a Herve Van Der Straeten piece, I know its a bit extreme but anyone that sees his work feels the same way.

Studied painting at Le Ecoles des Beaux Arts, he started his career with jewellery design which am a collector of and always get such nice compliments on. His jewellery have a very architectural and geometric look to them , made of bronze or gold which give a beautiful glow against the skin.

He then transitioned on to Furniture and lightning , made in house by his highly skilled craftsmen , with such exquisite precision and meticulous attention to detail , I am sure that his work will be a future classic.

Herve has received numerous awards including the esteemed Chevalier des Art et des  Lettres and the L’Entreprise de Patrimoine Vivant .

His line is represented by the wonderful Ralph Pucci International with location both in New York or LA, or you can make an appointment at Herve Van Der Straeten Gallery in Paris. For the Jewellery you can buy it at Neiman Marcus , Bergdorf Goodman in the USA or Erickson Beamon in London.

Just Splendid xo

Image Sources and where to buy,

www.vanderstraeten.fr

www.ralphpucci.net

www.bergdorfgoodman.com/search.jhtml?N=0&Ntt=Herve+Van+Der+Straeten&_requestid=1541

www.ericksonbeamon.com

LONDON CULTURE NOV 2013 Klee & The Chinese Masters

Qui Ying ,Saying Farewell at Xunyang (Detail) Early 16th Century. The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art Kansas City

Gaze of Silence Paul Klee 1932

Possibly Emperor Huizong, Auspicious Cranes  1112. Liaoning Provincial Museum

Comedy Paul Klee 1921

Attributed to Shi Ke, Two Chan Patriarchs Harmonising their Minds . 13th Century .

Chen Rong Nine Dragons (detail) 1244

Historical Site Paul Klee 1927

Yuan Jiang The Palace of Nine Perfections (detail) 1691

A Young Lady's Adventure Paul Klee 1922

This is my choice of London current important  exhibitions.

Masterpieces of Chinese Paintings from 700-1900 at the V & A. An incredible assimilation of rare art works from collections around the world. Categorized in different eras ans styles.  Objects of Devotion 700-950, The Quest for Reality 950-1250, Embracing Solitude 1250-1400, The pursuit of happiness 1400-1600, Challenging the Past and Looking to The West 1600-1900. The other part is that the exhibition is accompanied by the wonderful lectures and workshops not to be missed, Digital Dragons, Dim Sum Demonstration, Painting of The Mongol Dynasty in China and events for the whole family . Lastly there is a 14 day Imperial Jewels of China Cruise to be won and other prizes.. run to the V&A now. 

Down by the River at The Tate Modern  The Ey Exhibition: Paul Klee Making Visible, The "God" of Bauhaus . Abstract, geometric , organic. A magical man who was at one with cosmos as he was grounded in Life. He influenced so many other artist such as Rothko. 

"He used to gaze for a long time at his prepared canvas before he began the drawing… I have never seen a man who had such creative quiet. It radiated from him as from the sun. His face was that of a man who knows about day and night, sky and sea and air. He did not speak about these things. He had no tongue to tell of them. Our language is too little to say these things… Klee, when beginning a picture, had the excitement of a Columbus moving to the discovery of a new continent. He had a frightened presentiment, just a vague sense of the right course… Klee set out to discover a new land." Jankel Adler on Paul Klee .

One of my favourite artists of all time Swiss Paul Klee's  work is so refreshingly Modern but has the depth of another era that to me has not been seen in our Modern times of today. 

"I cannot be grasped in the here and now  For I live just as well with the dead  As with the unborn  Somewhat closer to the heart  Of creation than usual  But far from close enough."

Paul Klee own words on his tombstone. 

Enjoy. 

Masterpieces of Chinese Paintings At The V&A

26th October 2013 - 9th of January 2014

Corresponding  Workshops & Lectures 

Paul Klee at The Tate Modern

16th of October 2013- 9th of March 2014

Food is Art III

Quails Egg | Egg

Sweet Jelly | Limoncello

Chocolate | Cheese with Pears

Pumpkin Soup | Soup

Chiacchiere | Cherries

Sea Bass | Sushi

Mullet | Tripe

Octopus | Meatballs

Steak | Bonbons

Asparagus | Basmati Rice

Bread | Pepper

Sea Urchin | Spiedini

Yoghurt with Figs | Foots

Eye | Oysters

Snails | Muricidae

The Dark side of Food Photography. Silvia Badalotti's striking compositions are are a little disturbing and intense to look at but the light, background and contrasts makes them mesmerizing. Taken from the forthcoming Black Food Book, cannot wait to see the rest of these images.

All images via,

www.finedininglovers.com

www.silviabadalotti.it

Stella Jean Has Got her Swim Groove On

Love this woman my second post on her, Stella Jean you are too cool for school. Old world swimwear! 

 Giorgio Armani has  named her the next big thing and has invited Stella Jean to show her next collection at Teatro Armani. Bellissimo!  I totally agree with you Signor Armani she has got it. Moda Operandi is currently showing some of her pieces this week. Run to buy or see her site for more stockists.

Brava Stella x 

Previous post on Stella

visionofsplendor.tumblr.com/post/40676334538/carribbean-chic 

www.stellajean.it

www.modaoperandi.com

Chinese Splendor

Raise The Red Lantern via National Ballet of China

Yellow Chinoiserie Wallpaper via NSR Handcrafts Co.

Wedgewood Jasper Conran Chinoiserie Green via Matching China

Raise the Red Lantern Film by Zhang Yimou

Midnight Blue Chinoiserie Wallpaper via Made in China

Mint Green Chinoiserie Wallpaper via de Gournay

House of Flying Daggers Bamboo Forest

Ralph Lauren's seems to have China on his mind, this is my favorite  collection in years.

I see some influence from Bernardo Bertolucci's wonderful 9 Academy Award winning film The Last Emperor which had incredible costumes, music and set design.

Also the colours in this collection made me think of Director Zhang Yimou films, The stunningly visual House of Flying Daggers with its incredible vibrant Jade Green Bamboo scene, the reds and blacks from both Hero and Raise The Red Lantern which was also made into a Ballet by China's National Ballet.

On 8.8.2008 Zhang Yimou directed the unforgettable Beijing Olympics opening Ceremony. So wish I could have been there.

Here are some links to view clips of these wonderful movies,

The Last Emperor www.criterion.com/films/254-the-last-emperor

House Of Flying Daggers www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLkedDMb8vI

Raise The Red Lantern www.youtube.com/watch?v=vivaoPZhIH8&feature=related

Hero www.youtube.com/watch?v=srFhXDZhUZI

http://www.ballet.org.cn/en/home.htm

www.ralphlauren.com

Photographer:  Prabuddha Dasgupta Model:  Kamai Sidhu

Baitil Aman, Lamu Island, Kenya. Photo Sandy B