New York City will hold the inaugural Downtown Fair between May 8 and 11, 2014. Downtown Fair will be a new modern and contemporary art fair that’s produced by the same ownership team of highly popular Art Miami show in Florida.

The new show coincides with Frieze Week in New York City, which is one of the busiest and exciting weeks of NYC’s 2014 art and cultural season. The event expects large numbers of art collectors, art enthusiasts, art advisers, curators and international visitors to attend.

On May 8th, there will be a luxurious, invitation only High-Tea VIP Preview between 2-5 PM. The art show’s preview will be offering a first glimpse for VIP collectors and accredited members of the press.

The Downtown Fair caters to a wide range of seasoned plus new art collectors, who search for nothing but the very best. The global contemporary art market will descend upon New York City in May is expected to be a huge success.

Event attendees will be able to view art pieces from both emergent talent and mid-career cutting-edge artists. There will also be a fresh selection of secondary market works by top name artists from the Modern as well as Post-War eras. It’s expected that almost 600 artists representing more than 35 countries will showcase their artwork at the Downtown Fair.

The Downtown Fair’s formal dealer selection / advisory committee had a difficult time choosing from over 200 dealer submissions. The committee finally chose the top 50 galleries to display stunning 20th & 21st century art. The goal was to select art pieces that are carefully-curated, rich-in-content, and quality presentation.

The art event will be held near the amazing backdrop of the historic 69th Regiment Armory, which is a 30,000 square foot beaux-arts landmark found at the intersection of Lexington Avenue and 25th Street, in the center of the Flatiron District.

If you plan to attend Frieze Week, all Frieze VIP cardholders will be offered complimentary admittance to Downtown Fair, plus you can utilize a courtesy shuttle service to and from the Frieze Ferry.

The painting shown above is by Don Eddy (Long Beach, CA 1944) and titled “Seasonal City IV”. It’s available at the Nancy Hoffman Gallery, New York.

If you are interested in attending the Downtown Fair art event in New York City, contact The Life of Luxury to help plan and book your entire trip. Want to hear about art news? Then follow this luxury blog for future updates.

Designer Pavan Ahluwalia currently holds the Guinness World Record for the fastest Henna application. In a single hour, Pavan painted an incredible 511 armbands in February 2012. Each record breaking design was unique from the other.

Pavan has worked with many recognized brands and celebrities from around the world including: Harrods, Selfridges, Sky tv, and the BBC on a variety of high-profile artistic projects.

Her latest henna project involves hand painted ladies shoes, which are gold painted and raised to add depth. The gold paint plus diamantes which are also applied, last and stay on the shoes.

The stunning looking  shoes are made of patent leather and are high quality. The shoe’s heel height is slightly under 6 inches tall.

Pavan creatively transforms intricate patterns into beautiful pieces of art. What makes the work of Pavan so special is her attention to detail by integrating unique facets into her work.

The custom henna designer women shoes are available in any color scheme upon request. These truly luxury shoes are incredibly beautiful. The retail price for the luxury shoes is British Pounds 150.

For those with a strong desire to learn the art of henna, can take a course from Pavan Ahluwalia. You’ll gain the valuable knowledge of different styles of henna and body art. Pavan is looking for students who are dedicated to improving upon their own talents as a henna artist. The art courses are taught by Pavan at a central London art studio.

If you are interested in purchasing a pair of henna designer shoes from Pavan, please contact The Life of Luxury.

Andrea Pivetta is an Italian designer who over the last 2 decades has worked with numerous leaders from companies across various business industries.

Pivetta “Opera Only” is the latest creation from Andrea Pivetta. This amazing piece of art follows his original piece in the field of sound – a multi-channel amplifier titled “Pivetta Opera One.”

“Opera Only” is based on intuition, imagination and genius solution. It’s a fascinating piece that uniquely crosses between both sophisticated technology and art.

The size of “Opera Only” is impressive but required due to the fact it pumps out a staggering 160,000 watts. In addition, Andrea Pivetta also wanted to create something very special and unique from a visual point of view.

Andrea Pivetta’s mission is to simply offer a unique product. He feels his customers want solutions that are tailored just for them.

The external structure is constructed of aircraft aluminum. Cleverly thoughtout, its openings or connections are not visible from the outside.

This mightly amplifier can handle any speaker load. With transducers of equivalent stature, it can convey profound sonic beauty.

The Pivetta “Opera Only” openly reflects the expression of creativity and equally complemented by the inside high-quality audio technology.

It’s definitely an impressive visual. Consisting of a black 12-sides prism, its structure actually changes completely once the device is turned on. Divided into six distinct sections to unveil all the internal electronics at a glance.

The price tag is not available at this time, but is quite steep. Any owner will quickly realize the value and be able to experience extreme audio luxuries.

Many people don’t realize that Las Vegas has increasingly attracted beautiful pieces of art to display. Sin City is not just a place for non-stop gambling action and over-the-top stage shows.

You’d be surprised to find breathtaking art from Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and James Turrell at some of the most popular Vegas resorts including the Bellagio, Mandalay Bay and ARIA.

Priceless Las Vegas art can be found up and down the world famous Las Vegas Strip, including hotel lobbies, award-winning restaurants in addition to guest rooms and luxury suites.

Mandalay Bay:
Guests checking into Mandalay Bay can view four of Peter Lik’s incredible landscape images and welcome hotel guests to their much-anticipated vacation. From a quiet forest resembling a Shark Reef’s tropical paradise to a clear blue open ocean that reminds guests of the sunny Mandalay Bay Beach, these “welcome signs” invite resort guests to leave all their troubles behind and embrace the peaceful and relaxing moments that await. The hotel changes these amazing photos four times a year create a customized seasonal greeting.

The Shops at Crystals:
Not only will fashionistas enjoy High-end fashion at The Shops at Crystals, shoppers will also enjoy two new art installations from James Turrell, one of today’s hottest contemporary artists of light and space. It doesn’t matter if you’re searching for Prada peep-toe shoes or gazing at beautiful Gucci garments, enjoy the vibrant, multi-colored light installation seen throughout Crystals. A second James Turrell installation that is named “Akhob” is available for personal viewing. Make your appointment to view Turrell’s art only inside Louis Vuitton, which is the luxury brand’s largest North America location.

Picasso at Bellagio:
Art lovers will soak in the ideal combination of both food and art at Picasso at Bellagio, named after the influential Spanish artist. Picasso at Bellagio the AAA Five Diamond restaurant and offers its fine dining customers an unbelievable, multi-sensory dining experience. Enjoy delicious dishes that are inspired by the artist’s regional cuisine of France and Spain while surrounded by Picasso’s original masterpieces. If your taste is closer to Pop Art, then find an unexpected treasure at Bellagio’s PRIME Steakhouse – a Roy Lichtenstein tapestry. The Still Life tapestry is infused with Lichtenstein’s own
“cartoonish” flair. A truly hidden gem in Las Vegas.

Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art:
Andy Warhol fans rejoice. The “Warhol Out West” art display at Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art has been extended through January 2, 2014. The Warhol art exhibit features 56 Warhol’s finest works. Las Vegas is proud to host the only comprehensive collection in the United States besides his namesake museum in Pittsburgh, PA. You can also experience an enhanced Las Vegas art experience by joining Bellagio’s Director of Wine and Master Sommelier Jason Smith at Art & Wine: A Perfect Pairing. This event is held the second Wednesday each month.

Bellagio:
The luxurious Bellagio resort has undergone a renovation project to remodel its suites and rooms. You can still take in the amazing panoramic views of The Fountains of Bellagio but inside, enjoy breathtaking rooms which are now a reflection of the famous Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. Decorated with gorgeous botanical images, the art captures the work of renowned photographer Damon Clarke. You’ll feel you’re staying in a paradise of floral colors, shapes and textures.

To book your reservation in Las Vegas and enjoy non-stop gaming and entertainment action plus Las Vegas art displays and exhibits, please contact The Life of Luxury and one of our travel concierge specialists will help you.

Mona Lisa

We reported back in June about the exciting “Da Vinci – The Genius”” exhibit being held at the luxurious Venetian Resort  in Las Vegas.  The art exhibit has been so popular that coordinators have decided to extend the Las Vegas engagement until January of 2013.

From its world debut of a new Leonardo da Vinci work to revealing the “Secrets of Mona Lisa,” the hit exhibition has infused new life into Vegas’ emerging arts scene.

<h3>Since the art exhibit’s opening this summer, Da Vinci – The Genius has brought the incredibly creative mind of Leonardo Da Vinci to life with a deep dive of his work as an inventor, sculptor, artist, musician, anatomist, engineer and architect.</h3>

There are more than 200 unique pieces of art on display for patrons to enjoy that represent the full scope of Leonardo da Vinci’s remarkable genius. Featured are numerous interactive examinations of his iconic art and studies in flight, music, military engineering, aquatics, anatomy, time and more.

Just a small sample of the Da Vinci – The Genius art pieces to see include:

· An extraordinary, brand new da Vinci discovery: the mold and original bronze cast of the only known Leonardo da Vinci sculpture surviving today, “Horse and Rider.” Created more than 500 years ago from a block of solid beeswax, “Horse and Rider” was authenticated by the foremost authority on the life and works of da Vinci, Dr. Carlo Pedretti.

· The illustrious Secrets of Mona Lisa exhibit, featuring the findings of French scientific engineer and examiner of fine art, Pascal Cotte. Granted unprecedented access, Cotte took “Mona Lisa” out of its frame at The Louvre to conduct an in-depth analysis of history’s most elusive work of art. Cotte’s study revealed dozens of secrets, and is showcased by 40 super-magnified, high-resolution sectional images exploring every aspect of the work.

· More than 75 life-size machine inventions crafted by Italian Artisans, many using techniques and materials from the Renaissance period. Scouring over 6,000 pages from da Vinci’s personal codices (notebooks), the Artisans deciphered hidden clues, intentional mistakes and mirror-image writing that da Vinci employed to keep his works top secret.

· An elaborate gift shop full of unique da Vinci souvenirs and memorabilia, such as mini replicas of his inventions, art kits and logoed merchandise. Serious art collectors can also purchase a limited edition of “Horse and Rider” in one of four different finishes: Leonardo Classic, Classic Bronze, Verde and Silver. A $1 million dollar donation from the sales of “Horse and Rider” will go to The Salvation Army Rehabilitation Program of Southern Nevada.

· Interactive touch-screen tablets which offer in-depth explanations about da Vinci’s theories and ideas while connecting them to modern inventions.

· Explorations of da Vinci’s most famous artwork, including three dimensional renderings and analyses of “The Last Supper,” the “Vitruvian Man and the “Sforza Horse.” Guests can gain new perspectives on incredible reproductions of “Virgin of the Rocks,” “The Annunciation,” the controversial new Leonardo discovery “Bella Principessa,” da Vinci’s anatomical sketches, and preparatory drawings of the “Anghiari Battle.”

Da Vinci – The Genius is open daily to the public between the hours of 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. You can purchase tickets at the Imagine Exhibitions Gallery box office or at www.venetian.com

Luxury hotels and resorts around the world continue to look for ways to offer their guests elegance, sophistication, and the best amenities available.

A new trend developing is hotels are adding art to their offerings, both inside their buildings and outside them.

Travelers will increasingly see a wide variety of art forms including art concierges, rotating displays, and even sculpture gardens for you to shop in.

The Wall Street Journal features an article on this exciting new trend titled, “The New Art of Hospitality” where readers get a glimpse of some of the world’s artiest hotels, high-end hot spots that not only offer the best luxury amenities but help you indulge your inner collector or watercolorist!

For art lovers, here’s a sample of what you can experience:

· Mandarin Oriental in Hong Kong has hosted record-setting auctions of Asian art and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s wine collection, and is now the official hotel of Art HK, which runs May 17-20.

· Royal Monceau-Raffles Paris is something of an exhibit itself, with the hotel’s permanent collection displayed in guest rooms, and includes works by photographer Guy Le Querrec and Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos.

· Auberge du Soleil in Napa Valley surround the Ma(i)sonry Sculpture Gallery, an outdoor collection that features 110 figurative and abstract works by California artists scattered along garden pathways and olive trees.

To read the entire Wall Street Journal article, please Click Here

Shattering the standards of modernism and post-modernism, artist Jurgen, Prinz von Anhalt was the first artist in the history of art to use airplane jet as a paint brush during the 1980s.  Since then, Jet Art, has become highly admired and sought-after art pieces worldwide.  The exhibits and performances of the art has always drawn crowds of enthralled admirers.

Since Prinz von Anhalt’s passing, his wife, Tarinan von Anhalt is making headlines for the von Anhalt name.  As the first woman in the world to have stood in front of the jet stream, braving forces several times greater than hurricane winds and 500-degree heat, and the only artist trained to carry on Jet Art, Tarinan von Anhalt inherited her late husband’s legacy by further pushing the exploration of Jet Art’s vast potentials and unexpected canvases.

Standing behind the jet engine, Princess Tarinan created 50 one-of-a-kind Luxury Original denim artworks, the velocity of the engine blending the colors and melding the painting in never-before-seen ways.

Her newest design is creating colorful art on denim canvases with a completely innovative twist: The Jet Engine.  Debuted in New York’s recent Couture Fashion Week, Princess Tarinan’s vibrant and colorful line of wearable art includes the most expensive premium denims ever offered.  Also included in her collection are extravagant silk scarves rendered from Jet Art Paintings, onto the finest silk chiffon.

Princess Tarinan von Anhalt describes the collection best in her own words, “you are not buying jeans, you are collecting art.”

Courtesy of: Manto Gallery

For an art aficionado or antique collector, Europe is a literal treasure trove of hand-crafted goods from centuries past, in addition to numerous masterpieces from contemporary talents.

But how do you find the right art pieces for you. The knowledgeable concierge teams at Europe’s Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts are your ticket for success.

Beyond the overcrowded gallery trails, the Four Seasons local experts can arrange artful experiences for you to enjoy. View a private collection or attend a top auction. The options are endless.

The Four Seasons is offering the Cultural Capitals Programme to entice avid art and antique collectors off the beaten track to private galleries, artisans and auction houses in Europe’s most alluring cities.

In March, hoards of antique lovers flocked to Paris to the famous Parc des Princes (March 20 to 21), where some 250 exhibitors displayed one-of-a-kind furniture, silverware, artwork, jewelery and objects.

Novice collectors should put themselves in the hands of the concierge team at Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris, who will guide guests through the fair, offer tips on the best sellers and even arrange an expert escort.

In a tiny lane in Old Prague sits the brand new Manto Gallery. Visitors are encouraged to create their very own art pieces against the inspirational backdrop of Antonin Manto’s most striking works. Visitors learn the traditional art of glass painting before passing their designs through an 800°C (1,470°F) kiln and watching them come to life.

If you’d like to enjoy other secrets the city has to offer, the concierge team at Four Seasons Hotel Prague has endless tips for art lovers and can even arrange private tours of the Lobkowicz Palace’s private art collections with Prince Lobkowicz himself.

In Budapest, the Nagyházi Gallery on Járőr Street has been drawing international collectors since 1984. Hungary’s first auction house, this gallery has grown from a modest 60-square-metre (645-square-foot) space to a multi-storey gallery that spans over 200 square metres (2,150 square feet) and hosts 10 to 12 auctions every year.

Concierge staff at Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest, an exquisite Art Nouveau landmark, will arrange home delivery of guests’ precious findings, which may include fine art, sculptures, furniture, watches, jewellery, folk objects and china.

Visitors to Lisbon’s Tile Museum can see a collection spanning five centuries of the decorative tiles, called azulejos, that cover the city. Housed in the monastic building of the Madre de Deus Convent, this unusual museum has one of the most magnificent interiors in the city and is home to the largest collection of its kind in the world.

In addition to being another reflection of the fine nobility and charm of historic Portugal, Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon is home to the largest contemporary art collection in the city. In the 1950s, a group of local entrepreneurs committed to showcasing contemporary artists in a new hotel, which today represents the region’s rich history and its vibrant present.

Visit Four Seasons Magazine online for endless tips for travelers to help you get to the heart of your destination.

Ducati Official Art Collection – “Desmo” – ©Elizabeth Raab

“Desmo” is a beautiful photographic art collection by Elizabeth Raab presented by Ducati Official Art.

The intriguing Ducati Official Art Collection unites Ducati aficionados, bike enthusiasts and artists to give motorcycle design a new form of expression.

The “Desmo” art collection is an exploration of the aesthetical relationship between the female body and the mechanical body of iconic Ducati bikes.

The “Desmo” collection includes sixteen unique photographs, expressing abstract qualities of the organic and mechanical forms, highlighting both the complexity in design and the emotion of iconic Ducati motorcycles.

The art collection utilizes a unique color palette of the motorcycle that extends from the framework to the features of the model. The model is in an extension of the bike herself.

Elizabeth Raab is a photographic artist that specializes in automotive and creative portraiture imagery.

Raab’s unique images will often contain a visually strong emotional sensuality that crosses the boundary between her subjects and objects.

Elizabeth’s career in the arts started with her move to Rome, Italy in 1999 where she lived for two years working in creative portraiture before returning to her native North West in 2001.

Elizabeth Raab is a respected artist and her work has been featured in exhibitions and many areas of publication in the US and Italy.

The artworks from the “Desmo” Collection are reproduced exclusively in numbered editions.

Each artwork is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and limited edition, guaranteeing its collector value, and available exclusively at www.ducatiart.com

What is art? It’s a question that was been debated for hundreds of years, and the answer is as elusive as ever.

The definition of art is elusive, particularly since art also appeals to human emotions. It’s difficult and possibly impossible to come up with a single definition that will include all forms of art and please everybody.

Art or the phrase abstract art painting as defined by the dictionary is more of a form or an act of sorts. It is also defined as “a conscious esthetically meaningful arrangement of elements.” This definition is very confusing and if you pay close attention really does not give you much of a definition. In order to clear up some of the confusion lets do an analysis of the definitions and keywords.

Conscious the first word to be examined literally means intentional. After that comes the word esthetically which is a reference to something in the beautiful realm. The third word “entity” which is the most prominent can be translated into an entity of sorts.

After careful calculation we can now translate the definition a bit further in saying that art is executed deliberately, that art can be organized in a particular manner, and that there has to be some sense of beauty to it.

Beauty is a word that can be interpreted in many different ways this is because it can be used to define anything, a noun, a time period, or even an act. Here we recognize a conscious effort to unveil the beauty in something.

There are many art authors who all recognize 3 major characteristics in all art pieces. Some of these authors list more than this, but we will for now we will only go over 4 of them.

The first and most obvious characteristic of art is that it is man-made and also that it is intentional. Whatever the medium be it painting, sculpture, film, dance, or theatr it was created for the purpose of being a work of art. Art is made out of something (elements) be it paint, words, waves of sound which are all formed through a type of expression

Another characteristic of art is that these works of art always exhibit the artists attitudes, feelings, and thoughts. Through these pieces or compositions expressions are then able to be communicated and instilled into the general public.

The third and most exciting characteristic of art is that it is original. Every piece or play or song that has ever been created is done from scratch, it is the result of the culmination of experiences that artist has had in their lives. Artists have the ability to take things apart, then take those pieces and reform them into something new.

The last common characteristic of art is that people accept that it is art. If art is to be art then people must believe so. Art does not require that it be appreciated, it can even be considered disgraceful as long as society recognizes it as art.

As technology continues to advance, the end result can often times be as overwhelming as it is amazing. Using Google Earth, beyond just looking at where you live, you can now actually study art.

I visited a museum in Spain today. What is very neat is that I reside in North America and did not need to fly there! That’s correct. Thanks to the smart people at Google, Google Earth can help you visit special and historic locations around the world.

When first introduced, this satellite imaging tool was credited with helping adversaries of the Iraq War be successful by giving real time access of sensitive information to the wrong element. So it went from a real time visual resource to some pictures stored at sometime into a database.

It was still a fun tool if you wanted to take a look what your own back yard looked like a few months ago, but not really that interesting for exploring every day.

Google Earth offers a flight of discovery and I used it to fly to the Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid, Spain. Housed within its immense collection, The Prado houses many of the world’s largest painting with more more than 1,300 of them are on display. The Google Earth tour of the Prado exemplifies how art, history and technology have reached a nexus in the modern world.

On display in high definition are:

Artemis “Rembrandt Self Portrait” Albrecht Drer The 3rd of May 1808 in Madrid “Goya The Nobleman with his Hand on His Chest” El Greco The Cardinal ” Raphael Descent from the Cross “Roger Van der Weyden Emperor Carlos V on Horseback” Titian The Garden of Earthly Delights “Hieronymus Bosch Jacobs Dream “Jos de Ribera Inmaculada Concepcin” Giambattista Tiepolo The Annunciation” Fra Angelico Crucifixion “Juan de Flandes Las Meninas — Diego Rodrguez de Silva y Velzquez The Three Graces” Peter Paul Rubens

Google Earth technology allows the viewer to zoom from one country to the next, down to a street view that includes traffic and then up to a 3-D rendition of buildings and places. Zooming into the Prado was interesting. I didn’t have to wait in line and I was able to be at my chosen destination in seconds.

Unlike being at a real museum where the visitor still stands many feet away from the exhibit, I was front and center and so close to the pictures that I could see the brushstrokes and the cracks on the restored canvases. Digitally photographed at 1,400 megapixels, I could see the finest details of The Cardinals face, and the minutia tucked inside The Garden of Earthly Delights. I can return tomorrow or next week and make another discovery again and then again.

A virtual tour can never replace the feeling of visiting a museum in person. To digitally capture art requires incredible effort but is worth the results of allowing everyone else to be able to enjoy them in the future. Learn all about the artist and their work from a new and different point of view. It will offer art and culture to all even if just a few enjoy it. Other people will try to get more.

Inspired by the joy they see online, some people go to see the originals in real life. People that work hard and accomplish the right things become symbols for future generations to enjoy. Infinite accessibility to art will only aid in advancing humanity. It is a possibility they only will write down the failures.   Author: The Art Fanatic