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In The City: ST~GERMAIN Liqueur Debuts Fleuriste ST~GERMAIN with Multi-Hyphenate Artist Jameel Mohammed of KHIRY & Paper Floral Designer Zoe Bradley

by Tony Bowles
written by Tony Bowles

Last night on a perfect summer night in a very downtown New York City, ST~GERMAIN Elderflower Liqueur in collaboration with multi-hyphenate artist Jameel Mohammed of KHIRY and Paper Designer Zoe Bradley launched the 2nd Annual Fleuriste ST~GERMAIN — a veritable paper “fleuriste” or flower shop en français in response to the global flower shortage.

The multi-sensory paper flower shop sought to reimagine the joie de vivre of fresh florals by bringing their eternal joy to life with paper mediums, and spark collaboration and creativity through inspired conversations, exclusive jazz performances, one-of-a-kind bouquets, and whimsical cocktails.

“It’s been an honor to collaborate with Jameel on Fleuriste ST~GERMAIN,” said Zoe Bradley of Zoe Bradley Design. “Working alongside an artistic peer allowed me to endlessly leverage my imagination and create emotive installations that reintroduced the elation of fresh flowers. I hope guests delight in the pleasure and fantasy of our creations.”

The paper flower shop-cum-craft cocktail bar pop-up in the heart of SoHo buzzed, as an illustrious mix of cultural tastemakers, celebrities, musicians and industry innovators mingled and toasted with artfully crafted St~Germain cocktails inspired by Jameel and Zoe —the ‘Songbird’, ‘Fleur Savage’ and ‘Above the Clouds’. 

The intimate soiree previewed the second iteration of the limited-run Fleuriste St~Germain pop-up space, which will be open to New Yorkers from Friday, August 12 (2-8 pm) through Saturday, August 13 (12-8 pm), where they can enjoy exclusive performances by Jameel, spirited dialogues, and paper flower workshops by Zoe along with specialty craft cocktails.

We spotted Actress AnnaSophia Robb, who is set to tie the knot next month, arrived wearing in a stunning yellow Carolina Herrera dress and Mark Cross bag. She chatted with Jameel Mohammed on how her very first cocktail was one whipped up by her mom using a bottle of her favorite elderflower liqueur, St~Germain. Southern Charm star, Venita Aspen, made a surprise appearance, sipping on a ‘Fleur Savage’ St-Germain cocktail as she told fellow guests about her recent move from Charleston to New York just in time for the summer.

Multi-hyphenate artist and Fleuriste St-Germain Creator Jameel Mohammed of KHIRY entranced the crowd with his singing, performing two Ella Fitzgerald songs; ‘Blue Skies’ and ‘I Didn’t Know What Time it Was’.

The evening wrapped with AnnaSophia in the back of house snacking on the leftover hors d’oeuvres, including the miniature tempura rutabagas, and joking that this might be better than the post-event sushi date she had planned with Carrie Diaries alum Stefania LaVie Owen.

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Is Longhouse Reserve the Most Exciting Outdoor Space in America Right Now?

by Benjamin Schmidt
written by Benjamin Schmidt

Situated between the more suburban hamlet of Bridgehampton and the rugged, cliffy town of Montauk is East Hampton, last in the strand of Hamptons towns. Remarkably, as those places have changed, East Hampton has stood as a rock of resistance, committed to its farm-and-stock legacy- some aspect of high Bohemia in an otherwise summer colony scene.

Vast stands of trees, carpets of moss, tables of ferns, and busts of stray sand contain years of ecological history. The climate offers a calm humidity and the sun is intercepted by ocean mist, providing a glassy warm light making everything in view practically glow. Even to this day, some roads remain unpaved and unkempt in the most organic manner.

All of this in mind and it becomes clear why, in 1975 Jack Lenor Larsen, chose East Hampton to create a microcosm of what he treasured as a world-renowned textile designer. You can watch the PBS “Craft in America: Visionaries” series on Jack Lenor Larsen here. At the 16-acre LongHouse Reserve, there is a deep dive into an organic soul, with every inch of its territory not only preserved, but reconsidered and critically respected. LongHouse Reserve is a remarkable integration of nature, art, and design. Unpredictable, extensive, unlimited in inspiration, its gardens present entire landscapes as an art form.

EAST HAMPTON, NY – JULY 23: Atmosphere at LongHouse Reserve 2022 Summer Benefit at LongHouse Reserve on July 23, 2022 in East Hampton, NY. (Photo by Patrick McMullan/PMC)

While awe-inspiring scenes of stillness can define the experience of Longhouse Reserve, the Reserve tends to be bustling with activity on any given day. Under the leadership of interim director Carrie Rebora Barrat, a former deputy director at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and former president and CEO of the New York Botanical Garden, Longhouse Reserve has become a dynamic place to be, with all sorts of events take place all through the year.

Sound and Silence led by Adrianna Barone at LongHouse Reserve

To this end, Longhouse Reserve has become a meeting place for creative people who appreciate the environment and arts. The events schedule this summer is extremely robust, including a well-received conversation series which has included the likes of Lee Skolnick, Bjorn Amelan (whose work is now on view at LongHouse Reserve), and Michele Oka Doner, whose Florida-based childhood was the fuel for a lifelong study and appreciation of the natural world. The talks, situated under a shade tree and near a pond, offer an inspiring sense of clarity and ritual to attendees.

Just this weekend, LongHouse Reserve supporters celebrated with ONWARD, LongHouse Reserve’s annual summer benefit which managed to raise over half a million dollars for the garden. The likes of actor Nathan Lane, sculptor Alice Aycock, fashion executive Fern Mallis came together to support the East Hampton institution with dancing, food, and an opportunity to experience the LongHouse Reserve after hours.

EAST HAMPTON, NY – JULY 23: David “Mr. Starcity” White and Duo Lin attend LongHouse Reserve 2022 Summer Benefit at LongHouse Reserve on July 23, 2022 in East Hampton, NY. (Photo by James Bayrami/PMC) *** Local Caption *** David “Mr. Starcity” White;Duo Lin

The summer benefit is LongHouse Reserve’s largest event of the year, with all proceeds going towards the mission of teaching living with art in all its forms; including diverse educational outreach, community programming, and maintenance of the grounds.

“Botanical gardens across the country have invested huge resources over the past 10 years only into bringing art to their properties because they recognize that the combination of arts and nature draws more people.”

– Carrie Rebora Barrat

Global travels and art defined Larsen’s legendary practice (with works now in the collections of MoMA and the Louvre, among so many others) and they are fully reflected in the territory of Longhouse Reserve. Today, it includes the house, a tranquil and human-oriented interpretation of an A-frame design, and the extensive grounds filled with roughly 60 contemporary sculptures, a combination of pieces on loan and permanent works, including Buckminster Fuller’s “Fly’s Eye Dome” and Yoko Ono’s giant, monochromatic chess game, “Play It by Trust.” The Pavilion is set at the end of Peters Pond, which accepts the sun with joy and lily pads stage against grand Dale Chihuly works.

LongHouse Reserve

The grounds are intentionally divided by privet hedges, offering “rooms” to explore, with some areas featuring human-made art (particularly immersive is the Sol LeWitt sculpture) while others indulge in the beauty of the environment (The Dunes and Grass Garden, for example). Wherever you walk, elements of surprise and amusement are baked into the experience. Less anticipated is the sense of oneness and control in the environment, delightfully rare by today’s standard. And that’s just in the daytime. LongHouse Reserve can be illuminated to provide an entirely new experience by night.

LongHouse Reserve is located at 133 Hands Creek Road, East Hampton NY 11937. Learn more and reserve tickets here.

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Issa Rae and HBO Max’s ‘Rap Sh!t’ is a Game Changer

by Jonathan Tolliver
written by Jonathan Tolliver

HBO Max’s ‘Rap Sh!t,’ which premieres tonight, is a lot of things: It’s incredibly funny, it’s rousing,  it’s gorgeous. But it’s also one of the most visually innovative shows on television.

Director Sade Clacken Joseph, who is a dear friend, creates a visual language here that’s all about immediacy. We see shots from the perspective of a phone, entire scenes feature IG Live overlays and some transitions are so deft you’ll miss them if you blink.

This approach makes for a show that feels like you’re living inside it. You’re the 21st century fly on the wall, not only a viewer but a participant in the fascinating thrall of these characters’ lives.

HBO’s premiere event at The Hammer museum proved that the abundant charm and camaraderie present in the show is no farce; I couldn’t tell you how many times I turned to see the cast bursting out in laughter, having heart to hearts, or posing for photos radiating star power.

We took in the first two episodes and I was so upset by the end. They were both so enthralling I needed more. Play the next one, damn.

Our leads Shawna (Aida Osman) and Mia (Kamillion) are an odd couple who somewhat reluctantly join forces to take on the world, musically speaking.

Their chemistry is effortless, even when their characters are at odds. I also already know this show is gonna spawn real-life bangers; strap in for their first collab, because it will never leave your brain. Sorry!

The premiere wound down and nobody wanted to leave; the dj was cuttin up, the drinks were flowing and the joy was palpable. Turns out friendship is the hottest bar of all.

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Bodvár House of Rosé Throws Lush, Pastoral National Rosé Day Event

by Jonathan Tolliver
written by Jonathan Tolliver

Photo: Julie Logan

I ponied up to the bar as soon as I arrived, ready to try both the signature cocktail and the frozé, each served in Godinger National Rosé Day glasses.

Both were as crisp as the sky was blue; lovely, light yet piquant notes matched the picturesque yet gaudy environs.

Photo: Julie Logan

CEOs Ann and Bodvár Hafstrom raised a toast to their elegant dinner guests, thanking us for coming and wishing us well.

Lunch was divine, a summery blend of watermelon salads, ostentatious fruit flights and perfectly cooked meats. It felt like being on a film set, except we were allowed to eat the food. Thank heavens.

DJ SUNNFORS took us toward dusk with some of finest mixes I’ve heard outside of a techno club. They delivered a sensational mix of alternative r&b, post-punk and house, a winning combination if there ever was one.

 

Photo: Julie Logan

We danced the night away, I had more charcuterie, and we all left with a limited edition Bodvár Basket Beach Bag, featuring items from partners like Alice and Olivia.

Let’s do it again this weekend?

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THIS WEEKEND: What to Do and See at Frieze New York 2022

by Benjamin Schmidt
written by Benjamin Schmidt

Bringing together the world’s best galleries and today’s most talked-about artists, Frieze returns to The Shed for its tenth year in New York City and there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Get tickets here.

Tracey Emin’s You Never Should have Loved Me The way you did at White Cube, A8

You Never Should have Loved Me The way you did, 2014 by Tracey Emin at White Cube. Image: White Cube

Jumping off the wall, Tracey Emin’s neon wall pieces have hung above the beds of Miley Cyrus, Elton John, Justin Bieber, and many others. And that’s fair game as there is a strange intimacy to these works, despite the bold presentation. Maybe it’s the handwritten script or the message itself: one of resentment, pleading, charm, or something else altogether. See the work for yourself and enjoy the stable charm of neon. There is a sting of the message along with an aesthetic ideal, almost reinforcing the intensity. Tracey Emin continues to go deeper into a study of the dynamic relationship between message and presentation.

The Maestro Dobel Artpothecary – Level 8

Maestro Dobel Artpothacary at Frieze New York Image: Angela Pham

Step into a world of fine Mexican design with the official tequila of Frieze North America, Maestro Dobel. The brand, with design collective Clásicos Mexicanos, has brought out selection of furniture pieces celebrating the Mexican Golden Age as part of their Artpothecary series, including chairs and tables by Ricardo Legorreta, which are making their debut at the fair. The pieces are playful, warm, and deeply organic in feeling (and not bad to sit in, either). Along with fine furniture and a great view over Hudson Yards, guests can sample a variety of cocktails including a floral-forward Rosa Bugambilia or a classic margarita, both of which use Maestro Dobel Diamante tequila. Learn more here.

Kate Mosher Hall’s Mirror Mirror at Hannah Hoffman, FR9

Mirror Mirror, 2022, by Kate Mosher Hall at Hannah Hoffman, Image: Hannah Hoffman

Take a moment to absorb this interesting work from a step back, with it fully in view. With its archival tendencies, forgive yourself if you doubt its complexity. Bring yourself closer to the work and encounter amazing relationships between layers upon layers of paint, dots of unusual scale- you cannot predict it. There is a magnification along with a negative distance by way of the actual scale of the prints’ layers. Hall finishes it off with hand-painted strokes, drags, and smears to give it a fully organic character. As for an initial encounter, these works can feel digital and maybe even simple. But you leave with high respect for the technical requirement. FR9

Ruinart Champagne Lounge – Level 8

Ruinart Blanc de Blanc & Ruinart Rosé Image: Ruinart

This year, Ruinart has entrusted installation artist Jeppe Hein to interpret the story of the Maison in its Carte Blanche series. Jeppe Hein’s interpretation, entitled Right Here, Right Now places the viewer at the heart of the experience and the physical terroir of the oldest champagne house. This joyful installation appeals to the senses with an unpredictable but amusing series of interactions in which you’ll literally leave your mark and enjoy an invitation feel fully aware of the unexpected and wonderful possibilities afforded by the senses. After exploring the art, guests can enjoy Ruinart Champagnes, including the Ruinart Blanc de Blanc & Ruinart Rosé in the space.

Albert Oehlen’s Kafftee/Cofftea at Gagosian, B8

Albert Oehlen’s Kafftee/Cofftea vending machine at the Gagosian booth at Frieze New York 2022. Image: Taylor Dafoe

Who doesn’t love a comment on the art world? Gagosian has placed a vending machine dispensing a new hybrid coffee-tea beverage—dubbed Kafftee/Cofftea—conceived by the German artist Albert Oehlen. The machine and drink required FDA approval, a new reality for the iconic gallery. “This is a project he did with a friend of his in Munich who has a drink company, Aqua Monaco,” Stefan Ratibor, a director at Gagosian London, told Artnet News. “We thought it’d be cool at an art fair, which is a very commercial event, to have a vending machine.” The art by Oehlen does incorporate motifs of drink advertising from Spanish billboards. The drinks are limited to 3,800 samples, offered for free.

Get tickets to Frieze New York here.

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Moleskine Detour: Sky High Creativity for Social Change

by Megan D'Souza
written by Megan D'Souza

Against the stunning backdrop of the Manhattan skyline from One World Observatory, the Moleskine Foundation presents its groundbreaking installation: Detour. Featuring artists from across the globe, including several alumni of their educational programs, Detour pushes the boundaries of what notebooks can be used for through artistic exploration of sculpture, mixed media, and drawing.

 

On Wednesday evening, we had the chance to catch a preview of this incredible traveling exhibition, now in NYC after stops in Paris and Shanghi. Delicious passed apps were served alongside platterns of sparkling wine, as attendees took in the views and artwork.  We spoke with Moleskine CEO Daniela Riccardi, and Moleskine founder and Foundation CEO Maria Sebregondi about their relationships with the brand and purpose. 

 

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Moleskine has fostered the creative spirit for so many years. How does this exhibit take that one step further?

Daniela: The collection of these amazing pieces of art is the best way to illustrate our mission, that it’s a tool to unleash the power of ideas and creativity. When you see what the artists, but also normal people, have been able to do inspired by Moleskine, you see the story of their life, the idea of their future. 

Maria: The collection here is one of the most important assets of the Moleskine Foundation. It’s unique because all the artists are donating their work, sharing the idea of a collective creative relay that is traveling the world, inspiring international minds and pioneers, and generating agency among young people. We have 70 notebooks displayed here, but the collection is 1000+ from the most important architects, musicians, artists, chefs… any kind of creators around the world, together with the artwork of the students from our workshops. Big artists are [showcased] together with young, emerging artists. Now the collection is in the highest location in the city.  

 

What does the Moleskine brand mean to you?

Daniela: Many things. First of all it’s an Italian brand, and I’m Italian. I worked many years abroad, but when I was offered this opportunity I was fascinated by the idea of trying to do something good for a brand that is an icon all over the world and that has inspired so many people. So it means a lot to drive this brand to an even brighter future. Part of that is to give the world the opportunity to learn more about Moleskine, many people think that Moleskine is just a notebook. Maria (the founder) told me that we tell people, “this is the book yet to be written.” It’s not only for designers and big artists, it’s the book of each of us – of empowerment and creativity for everyone. We also believe in creativity for social change… we work together with the foundation to promote this mission.

Why did you choose this venue, and what is the relationship between the brand and NYC?

Daniela: Of course the US in general is one of our biggest markets. This place (the One World Observatory) is an iconic place for an iconic brand. I wanted to bring the exhibit to the sky and to the stars, and I think closer than this is probably impossible. There are thousands of pieces in the collection, and this is only a fraction. 

What is the mission of the Moleskine Foundation?

Maria: Our mission is creativity for social change. We transfer the values that are at the base of Moleskine in a social domain in order to make creativity the driver of positive social change. We do this by creating unconventional educational formats for young talents, especially coming from underserved communities. Groups of 20-25 young people gather for a week of profound questioning, developing critical thinking, debating each other… At the end they create something representing the process of this workshop. One project is wikipedia articles on Africa. Africa currently has fewer articles than the city of Paris, so we are developing moments and gathering people to write articles and stories and create a new narrative on the African continent, in native languages that are not represented online. 

 

Do you have a favorite piece in the collection shown today?

Maria: I have a lot, and I love them all. In this moment, I like the Leilah Babirye notebook. She’s here, and she started with us in a workshop in Uganda. She’s an activist in the LQBT+ community, and then she moved over to the US because of the hostile environment in her country.

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A few of the artists attended the opening event. Brooklyn artist Leilah Babirye, Chinese artist and urban planning activist Ou Ning, Program Director of Lower East Side Girls Club Erikka James, industrial designer Scott Henderson, and NYC graffiti artist FAUST all attended the event showcasing their work. Here are some of our favorite pieces:

But these incredible pieces are only a fractionof the insight into moleskine’s versatility and the creativity of humanity showcased in the exhibit. For a trip to the skies of NYC and breathtaking art installations, learn more about Moleskine Detour New York here.

 

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