Posts from — October 2007

I completely forgot to mention one of the most exciting things about my trip to Japan last month. I checked out The National Art Center in Roppongi.

Designed by the well-known architect Kisho Kurokawa, the museum opened in January of 2007. The “within the woods” theme is well communicated in the building’s organic-shaped exterior that reminds one of the rolling hills and mountains that are so prevalent in Japan.

The logo was designed by artistic director Sato Kashiwa (known in NY as being responsible for the brash designs of UNI-QLO’s SOHO shop).

The museum also boasts a Moma Store-equivalent, except their souvenir shop is curated by hip Japanese design studio Cibone. Anyway, this post is about the museum so lets take a look at some pictures!

The facade. Quite exquisite at night…

Salon de The Rond. A cafe that sits atop the oval surface (hence the name “Rond” or round) on a gigantic cone-looking structure. Impressive. 

The Library

Photos: daiji kemmochi

What I found interesting about the museum was the choice of furniture because whoever was responsible was certainly a die-hard fan of Danish furniture designer Hans Wegner. His chairs can be found all over the place!

1F East Atrium - The Shell Chair (1963)

1F West Atrium - The Easy Chair (1950)

3F Library – The Elbow Chair (1956)

2F Salon de The Rond - Wishbone Chair (Y Chair) (1949)

So this museum is very multi-purpose. You can go there an enjoy their extensive book collection in the library, enjoy some classic Danish furniture, and immerse yourself in fine art all at the same time!

Ah, it’s Friday. Nothing like finishing off the week with some good old apartment envy. The New York Times gave us a sneak peak of art dealer –  the necessary evil of the fine arts – Marianne Boesky’s apartment (which is oh so conveniently located an elevator ride away from her Manhattan gallery). Now, normally I would be oohing and ahhhing but to tell you the truth I was a bit disappointed. I’m really at loss for words here but the obvious effort to replace conventional furniture with “art objects” isn’t really working for me. I guess I prefer my art in a gallery of museum…although one could argue that her home is a gallery.

The Living Room
A painting by Yoshitomo Nara
Yves Klein’s ”Table Rose”
a Maison Jansen chair

The Project Room
Nara figures
light-box-mounted photograph by Thomas Flechtner

The Powder Room
 ”Woods” wall paper from Cole & Sons. This is probably one of the only things us common folk can afford so here is a link! 

The (2nd?) Living Room
Adam Helms’s  ”4 Untitled Portraits”
Paula Hayes’s  terrariums on the dining table (see it? all the way in the background!)

I really like the look of the railroad tie wood collection from eco-friendly Vivaterra. The first piece was this bookshelf  ($869 but actually $944 when you factor in the $75 shipping surcharge) and then they expanded the collection to include this dining room table with chairs ($949 but actually $1074… yup, $125 shipping surcharge). But you can actually only just the chairs for $298, an option that I am very seriously considering. Artisans used 50-year old railroad ties and wood to fashion these objects. Amazing what a little recycling can do right? The effect is a sense of history with a hint of modernity.

images courtesy goen

I love this album cover that was designed by Chie Morimoto for Mister Children’s 13th album “HOME,” release earlier in March. The designer decided to use actual families and visualize the connection between the members to illustrate themes relating to the album. It’s a simple idea that is both visually dynamic and heartwarming.

Over the past 8 months (since my son was born unitl now) I’ve begun a collection of children’s books that I’ve found particularly appealing. Although the collection is still growing, I thought I would show you a few that I particualrly like for their visual quality!

“Pitschi“ by Hans Fischer

“A story about the kitten who always wanted to be something else. ”

This book was first published in German in 1958. It was translated into English (and many other languages) later on. The drawings are simply adorbale. One of my favorite children’s books!

“Little Pea“  by Amy Krouse Rosenthal (Author), Jen Corace
(Illustrator)

“This is the story of Little Pea, Mama Pea, and Papa Pea”

Amy is the author of several children’s books, grown up books, and articles that have been published in parenting magazines. Jen, the illustrator, an an artist in her own right and has a lot of work displayed on her website.

“Annie’s Small Train“  by Michiko Tachimoto

Although only available in Japanese, Michiko Tachimoto creates brilliant illustrations using a number of different mediums from crayons to collage and patchwork.

If you are interested in more of her work, check out her fantastic website! There are a whole bunch of creative and imaginative collages that are sure to inspire anyone.

“365 Penguins“ by Jean-Luc Fromental (Author), Joëlle Jolivet (Illustrator)

This is such a great book. I would reccomend to any child of any age. The use of complimentary colors such as blue and orange, black and white completely mesmerizes my child!

California Home and Design had a spread on Australian writer David Warwick Francis’ home. The “cottage” has some nice elements to it but overall I’m not crazy about it. Then why write about it? Because I do love when one is able to deconstruct the various elements that make up a room. I think it is particularly useful in discovering one’s own tastes.

I do like this library room. Notice how the books are organized by color. That was a creative idea…at first. Recently I’ve been seeing a lot of it and the excitement is starting to wear off. 

Now let’s take a look at some of the components that make up this room. Argentinean designers/brothers Juan Diego and Fernando Gerscovich were partly responsible for the overhaul of this home. A lot of the pieces that were used were from their design studio, Sundayland, which was established in 2003. For example, the “Woody Walnut” lamp in the living room.
What I like about the library room is the mixing-and-matching. The floral country-style wallpaper combined with the modern oval furniture makes for an interesting contrast. Some of these elements include Eero Saarinen’s pedestal table  and Philippe Starck’s Prince AHA Stool. Although it’s hard to tell… is that Arne Jacobson’s 7 Chair that is getting cropped in the left corner?

Sundayland’s “Woody Walnut”

Eero Saarinen’s “Pedastal Table” and Philippe Starck’s “Prince AHA Stool”   

The bathroom combines classic Duravit  fixtures (I think it’s the “D-code” series) with this “Sylvia” chandelier from Sundayland.

“D-code” series from Duravit and “Sylvia” chandelier from Sundayland

Friday

Name: Verdens Mindste Kaffebar
Address: Tullinsgade 1 1618, Copenhagen

To conclude my one-week segment of cafes, last but definitly not least, is this tiny cafe with a whole bunch of character! Verdens Mindste Kaffebar supposedly translates into “the world’s smallest coffebar.” 3 people is the most you can fit and even that’s a squeeze. But nonetheless the locals keep coming back, probably because the place is so charming (and I’m sure the coffe is good as well). Local artists contributed to the art work across the side of the counter. Isn’t it fantastic?

(Photo: Mia-Maria Peterson)

I wonder why I’ve benn having this ongoing urge to travel to Denmark this week….
Next week I’ll return to my usual postings. So many things that I want to show have accumulated. I can’t wait!

Thursday

Name: Kafferiet
Address: Esplanaden DK-1263, Copenhagen

The ’30-’40 pop posters makes you feel like you slipped and fell back a few years. But that wooden horse-head looking protrusion with the hanging ornaments around it has my curiosity peaked! I wish I had a better view….

(photo: Mia-Maria Peterson)

I just did a bit more digging through their website and I found another picture! It wasn’t a horse but a moose! By the way, their website is quite unique. I highly reccomend a peak.

Wednesday

Name: The Royal Cafe
Address: Amagertorv, 1160, Copenhagen, Denmark

What an incredibly stylish cafe! It’s not very often you see the word “royal” and “café” used together, however this space has managed to pull it off. The ornamentation, such as the floral wallpaper and the lavish table (which I love!) give it a Victorian feel. The color scheme also adds to an overall sense of exquisiteness and yet they’ve managed to maintain a feeling of hominess, which is usually what keeps people coming back time after time.

(photo: Mia-Maria Peterson)

The chandelier was designed by historic glass company Holmegaard.
The chairs are that were chosen where Arne Jacobsen’s iconic “Seven Chair”

Such a great music video for Shugo Tokumaru‘s “Parachute,” from the album EXIT. It was directed by Yusuke Koroyasu with animation by Chanson Sigeru.