Art Basel - Rainbow City

Rainbow City at Art Basel was wild! The psychedelic environment encouraged visitors to interact and discover while provoking childlike awareness. The forty piece environmental installation addressing ritual and play was fun and full of life.

The vibrant air-filled inflatable sculptures were intensely colored, and the giant structures towered over viewers as each form was ten to forty feet.

Oh, and to top it all off, Pharrell Williams and N.E.R.D performed at Rainbow City! They were a part of the art!

Art Basel - Miguel Paredes' Work at Miami Beach's National Hotel

Pop artist, sculptor and urban realist Miguel Paredes is one of the great artists I follow. I love his urban approach to Miami art with its street and pop art influence. The artist's Japanese animations are extremely funky and cutting-edge.

Paredes exhibited his work at the National Hotel in Miami Beach during Art Basel. This was Paredes' largest exhibition yet. There were two multi-colored canvasses that ran down the hotels outdoor facade. The Oval Room, interior walls and garden area were all converted into a beautiful gallery.

Paredes also hosted "Elements of an Artist: A New Series by Miguel Paredes" at his Wynwood Arts District solo gallery during Art Basel. Paredes' Pop-up Gallery on Lincoln Road was another viewing spot, which showcased more than 50 of his newest works. 

Art Basel - Pink Snails Invade Miami Beach

I am a Miami editor; I wanted to feature my favorite exhibitions and installations from Art Basel Miami in my interior design, art and architecture blog. One of the big draws this year was Pink Snails.

The Cracking Art Group's Pink Snails made its debut in Miami Beach. Fourty-six 48-foot-tall pink snails were set up at different public locations around the city. Brought all the way from Galleria Ca' d'Oro in Rome, the snails are made of recycled plastic from landfills. According to The Cracking Art Group, plastic can protect the environment and reduce exploitation of natural resources if used properly.

This is part of the REgeneration Art Project in Miami Beach, intended to bring about increased environmental awareness. Amazing - Pink is a great color!

Featured Artist: Pablo Ontaneda

At a recent home show I attended, I had the pleasure of meeting talented Ecuadorian artist Pablo Ontaneda. His work was extremely captivating, visually inspiring people to do positive things about the environment. Pablo uses recycled materials and dried leaves to create marvelous works of art. He finishes his art with a high gloss coat to preserve the dried leaves and give it a contemporary look.

Pablo Ontaneda was born to a creative family; his father was a well-known coffee exporter and entrepreneur from Ecuador who enjoyed painting and sculpture. During Pablo's childhood he spent much time visiting coffee and cocoa plantations; he felt a great connection with nature.

Pablo lived in Italy for two years and studied language and art history. Being exposed to centuries of architecture, sculpture and painting gave him a new perspective to art.

Pablo currently lives in Ecuador, a country filled with exuberant rain forests, majestic mountains and endless beaches. Nature is his main source of inspiration. "I believe art can be the most sensible way to change our relationship with nature. It can motivate us to get away from irresponsible progress to get closer to nature."

I have attached pictures from his most recent collection of art entitled "eARTh."

Nick Cave's SoundSuits - Art Basel 2010

Nick Cave's SoundSuit installation at Art Basel Miami 2010 was unbelievable! His richly patterned sound suits are creative and unique. Each piece truly sparks thought, wonder and conversation. Wow!

Designer Of The Day: Angie Hranowsky

I recently discovered Interior Designer Angie Hranowsky. I have read articles about her in several magazines and admired her work, but never did further research on her. Today, I saw a Lakeshore Drive residence she designed, and I had to learn more.

Angie was named one of the "Five Up and Coming Designers" by Metropolis Magazine and one of the "20 Designers To Watch" by Traditional Home. I love her eclectic style with her bold use of color and mix of vintage and new.

The living room has a front entry and den view. The freestanding fireplace is beautiful. The custom fretwork wall separates the den from the front entryway.

I love this bedroom!

The gallery of art on the wall extends into the living room as the space has an open floorplan. Angie found the chairs at a flea market in Miami and had them reupholstered in fuchsia silk. 

The Calcutta gold marble countertop is absolutely stunning. The floating shelves and lucite barstools complete the fabulous kitchen look.

Dress Boy Genius

Is your bedroom tightly spaced? Wouldn't you like a place for your clothes between wearing and ready for laundry. Laphoeff designed a dress boy that is innovative and modern, using the concept of a half chair as a clothes hanger. Some might have the luxury of a sitting area to place their clothes, some may have hooks, but this is a fun and functional way to hang your clothes if its not quite ready for the laundry. The half chairs make an extremely interesting showpiece.

To achieve the look, all you have to do is cut a chair in half and mount it to the wall with a cleat. The chairs should not be expensive as you are cutting them in half. 

Thanks to Ikea Hacker