John Baldessari: " The Giacometti Variations "

" The Giacometti Variations " is an original project of Californian artist John Baldessari and conceived specifically for the exhibition spaces of the Prada Foundation in Milan. The installation consists of nine sculptures made of resin and steel and sprayed with bronze. Inspired by the Swiss sculptor, the oversized and slender female figures are dressed in garments and objects designed by Baldessari himself. Arranged in a row, the huge mannequins recall a snapshot of a fashion show. Their look is inspired by a range of characters, from the Degas ballerina " La petite danseuse de quatorze ans," a cloth bodice and a white tutu, to the hot-pink bow in duchess satin - an ironic revisiting of the 1950s Hollywood glamour of Marilyn Monroe; from the nineteenth-century crinoline of "Gone with the Wind" to Humphrey Bogart's trench coat in "Casablanca," and more.....

The burning pyre of St. Joan of Arc

Rapunzel's long blond tresses

Dorothy's ruby slippers in "The Wizard of Oz"

Courtesy of the Fondazione Prada
John Baldessari
Photos by Roberto Marossi
" The Giacometti Variations " is currently on view Fondazione Prada, Milan from October 29 to December 26, 2010.

Pauline Bastard and her Recycled Art

French artist Pauline Bastard creates works as ephemeral as they are powerful, easily identifiable, which give new life to familiar objects and surroundings with a touch of humor and originality. In her latest series " Beautiful Landscapes," the artist creates collages of imaginary scenes using torn-up pages from old textbooks and photo albums.
 Her artwork is currently on view in a group show untitled REHAB, l'art de re-faire, the art of re-making, at the EDF Diversiterre Foundation in Paris. This exhibition focuses on the incorporation of recycled materials as "a rediscovered artistic practice and the symbol of the struggle against local environmental dysfunctionality," curator Benedicte Ramade said in a statement.

Beautiful Landscapes, 2008-2010

Images courtesy of Pauline Bastard

Kimiko Yoshida : " La ou je ne suis pas "

Based in Paris, Japanese artist Kimiko Yoshida self portraits sublimate a childhood marked by abandon and  wandering. Her costumes are nourished by fantasies, memories, dreams and legends..... Ghostly, travestied into a man or hermaphrodite, Kimiko Yoshida endlessly questions identity, wholeness. Her photographs let her face appear or disappear, disguised and made up.
" Everyone in the world tries to be unique, I want to be numerous, become universal."
" La ou je ne suis pas, " in English " Where I'm not, " is a retrospective of self-portraits by Kimiko Yoshida, from the early series " Brides " to her most recent work entitled " Paintings " shown for the first time in France, at La Maison Europeenne de la Photographie, Paris.

In this powerful series of 80 photographs, former fashion designer Kimiko Yoshida appropriates Paco Rabanne’s haute couture creations. She transforms dressed, skirts, accessories, trousers and shoes into Grand Siècle hairpieces, antique parures, and historical costumes. 

" La ou je ne suis pas "

Goddess of war Athena by Klimt, 2010

Courtesy Paco Rabanne

El Conquistador Hernan Cortes as El Dorado, 2010

Giovanni Arnolfini by Van Eyck, 2010

Queen of France Maria de Medici by Rubens, 2010

Warhol by Himself, 2010

Ophelia by Delacroix, 2010

Sioux Chief sitting Bull, 2010

Sultan Saladin the Great, 2010

Condottiere Micheletto, 2010

Suleiman the magnificent by Titian, 2010

All images, courtesy Paco Rabanne

To view more on the artist's work and future exhibitions, click on Kimiko Yoshida

Safari in Style

Explore Zambia, canoe alongside hippos and crocodiles, everything is possible on a safari trip at the Sanctuary Sussi and Chuma. The luxury safari lodge is located in one of the most beautiful parts of the Zambezi, in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, along the Zambezi River, and only 12 km from Victoria Falls. This stunning retreat includes 12 tree-houses connected by stilted wooden walkways and 2 Chuma houses. The tree-houses are built into the canopy of majestic ebony trees. Guests staying at the Chuma houses have their own private chef. Spa treatments featuring products from the Africology and Thalgo ranges are also offered.

The main lodge

The lounge area

The tree house

Tree house walkways

Tree house bedroom

Tree house bathroom

Chuma house

Chuma house bedroom

To view more, click on Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma