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Showing posts with label Miami. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Miami. Show all posts

Les Lalanne in Miami

The lovely art of Claude and Francois-Xavier Lalanne is coming to Fairchild! 
Accredited by the American Association of Museums, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Miami, is truly a unique place. There you can walk garden paths surrounded by the wonders and beauty of nature, admire the tropical plants, view impressive art, and see butterflies and birds at every turn. This winter, Fairchild is presenting the largest outdoor exhibition of works by French sculptors Claude and Francois-Xavier Lalanne. " Les Lalanne at Fairchild " features over 20 sculptures displayed throughout the 83-acre paradise, including the couple's well-known flock of sheep and lambs " Moutons." The exhibit opens on November 30, to coincide with Art Basel Miami Beach, and runs through April 1, 2011.

Claude Lalanne (b. 1924) was born in Paris and studied architecture at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts and at the Ecole des Arts Décoratifs. François-Xavier (1927-2008) was born in Agen and studied painting at the Julian Academy in Paris. His first painting exhibition was in 1952 and in 1956 he began creating sculptures with his wife Claude. Known collectively as Les Lalanne, they developed a style that defines inventive, poetic and surrealist sculpture. Claude Lalanne is known for working with plants in her sculptures, while Francois-Xavier is known for depicting animals in his works. In this playful table, Mrs. Lalanne proves that while their styles were distinct, they husband and wife team clearly influenced each other.



Les Lalanne, Moutons ( 1988-1994 )

Moutons Transhumant ( Brebis ), 1998


Claude Lalanne, Dimetrodon II, 1998


Claude Lalanne, Pomme d'Hiver, 2008


Claude Lalanne, Nouveau Lapin de Victoire, 2010


Francois-Xavier Lalanne, Canard sur l'Eau, 2006


Francois-Xavier Lalanne, Vache Paysage, 2006


Francois-Xavier Lalanne, Singe Avise, 2008


Francois-Xavier Lalanne, Wapiti, 1996





Villa by Barton G, a jewel in South Beach

Forget going to the Islands this winter, instead destination South Beach......
Gianni Versace's former palazzo " Casa Casuarina " in Miami has been exquisitely restored and transformed into the Villa by Barton G, a 10-suite boutique hotel with five-star  amenities and British-trained butlers assigned to each room.
Purchased in January 2010 by Miami restaurateur, event impresario and philanthropist Barton G.Weiss, the Villa feels more like a private residence than a hotel. Weiss spared no expense in this ambitious, three-month overhaul of the property. Suites come with 24-karat-gold bath fixtures, ceiling frescoes, Kindle readers, cashmere and mink throws and more.... Despite the changes, Weiss respected the bones and the soul of the Villa, and kept much of the fashion designer's vision intact, right down to the Versace china used in the dining room.
Opulence, elegance and lush, you find them all in the Villa by Barton G.

Entrance of the Villa


Open courtyard


The pool with its 1,000 mosaic tiles lined with 24k gold




Hallways to suites


The Signature Suite




The Medallion Suite


The Azure Suite




The Aviary Suite


One of the several lounges


The dining room


A fresco


Mosaics and tiles in all the guest bathrooms


Rooftop


Images courtesy Huffingtonpost.com