New Religion Blanket, Damien Hirst, 2010 Wanna cuddle up with some modern art? This blanket by artist Damien Hirst features icons from his New Religion series and is large enough for a double bed.
Made in conjunction with Other Criteria, the luxury blanket is 100% cashmere, made in Scotland on a Jacquard loom and finished by hand. Each has a purled fringe and 2 New Religion labels.
Using techniques similar to those used 150 years ago, fabric and colour are built up in layers and given clarity and depth by the use of soft, pure Scottish water and cloth woven from the finest of fibres. Part of the finishing process involves air-drying and paper-pressing the blankets to ensure a lustrous surface.
materials: 100% cashmere with purled fringe, made on jacquard loom and finished with two hand-made labels dimensions: 1470 x 1830 mm Buy it here Or here.
As the foremost benefit event of The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA), the MOCA NEW 30th Anniversary Gala which took place on November 14, 2009, featured Ballets Russes Italian Style (The Shortest Musical You Will Never See Again), a commissioned work by international artist Francesco Vezzoli starring Lady Gaga and dancers from the Bolshoí Ballet.
above: Vezzoli and Lady Gaga
Artist Francesco Vezzoli invited renowned contemporary artists and creators Miuccia Prada, Damien Hirst, Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin, and Frank Gehry to engage in his MOCA NEW Gala performance showcasing the world premiere of Lady Gaga’s new release, Speechless.
Each contributed unique elements made especially for the one-night-only production, including the Steinway Grand piano customized by artist Damien Hirst:
The dress donned by Lady Gaga was designed by Prada along with Vezzoli:
Architect Frank Gehry created a hat for Lady Gaga in his signature angular style:
Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin designed ballet costumes and masks for the event.
And of course, the requisite art-loving celebs were there like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie (aka Brangelina):
Pharrell Williams and artist Takeshi Murakami, Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale: and lots more.
a little clip from Access Hollywood of the event for you:
If you missed the event, which of course most of us did, you can bid on some of the artist and designer contributed costumes and props from the Gala.
Here's all the images and details for you, including opening bids.
MOCA NEW 30th Anniversary Gala Benefit Auction November 14- December 20, 2009 MOCA is proud to offer these extraordinary MOCA NEW objects, in addition to the exquisite masks and costumes worn by the Bolshoi Ballet dancers, in this special MOCA online auction. All proceeds will support the museum’s exhibition and education programming.
Auction Items:
Lady Gaga Costume As the renowned headline performer at the MOCA NEW Gala, pop icon Lady Gaga was styled in an exquisite couture dress by Miuccia Prada and Francesco Vezzoli. A lyrical expression of the avant-garde, this singular design is an evocative reflection of the intermingling of theatrics and musicality that distinguishes the career of this eccentric songstress and a priceless remembrance of her one-night-only MOCA performance.
Costume Details: •Dress made of printed doubled satin. Black and white photographic print. •Chandelier overskirt. •Plex boots with black satin bordersand and black satin small buttons, chandelier heels. (Size 37)
Category: Lady Gaga Costume Value: $30,000 Minimum Bid: $20,000 Donor(s): Miuccia Prada and Francesco Vezzoli
Hat by Frank Gehry A remarkable architectonic accessory, the sculptural hat adorning Lady Gaga at the MOCA NEW Gala is a special creation by Frank Gehry, known worldwide for his extraordinary ability to confound fixed notions of space and form. As the first art piece of its kind at MOCA, this distinctive headpiece is a unique artwork that combines the excitement of Vezzoli’s baroque discothèque with Gehry’s visionary approach to architectural innovation.
Category: Lady Gaga Hat Value: $30,000 Minimum Bid: $10,000 Donor(s):Frank Gehry
Costumes for the Dancers from the Bolshoi Ballet, by Miuccia Prada and Francesco Vezzoli Miuccia Prada and Francesco Vezzoli contemporized the classical Bolshoi Ballet dancers for Vezzoli's MOCA New Gala performance with impeccable costumes that thoughtfully accentuated each movement, heightening the drama of the sensually refined yet subtly melancholic tale that unfolds on stage. Showing the designers’ theatrical side, these flawless fashions—limited in this auction to one male and one female garment—are stunning constructions made and worn exclusively for the MOCA NEW Gala.
Category: Bolshoi Ballet Costumes (Male and female costumes are auctioned separately) Value of each: $15,000 Minimum Bid for each: $10,000 Donor(s): Miuccia Prada and Francesco Vezzoli
Female and Male Mask by Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin Woven prominently into the dramatic narrative of Vezzoli’s Ballets Russes Italian Style, the magnificent facial masks guard the true identity of key characters while showcasing the creative sensibility of collaborating artists Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin. The signature pair of masks in MOCA’s auction—male and female—reflects the unconventional mode of performative contemporary works that capture the gala’s unexpected climactic moment.
Female mask: Male mask: Category: Masks Value of each: $5,000 Minimum Bid for each: $1,500 Donor(s): Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin
Condition of Online Sales: Bids must start at the minimum amount stated on the individual artwork page. All bids are binding. Online bidding will close on Monday, November 30, 2009, at 11:59pm. The highest online bids will be confirmed by MOCA. All property is sold “as is”. Payment and Shipping Information: Artworks should be paid for and Shipping arrangements must be made by Thursday, January 8th 2009. Buyers are responsible for shipping and insurance charges. Purchases are subject to California state sales tax.
Louis Vuitton Celebrates 150 Years of Excellence in Savoir-Faire With a Special Tribute to the Red Cross
First off, throughout the month of November, Louis Vuitton, North America will be donating a percentage of sales on their US website of four iconic pieces; the Keepall, Speedy, Noe and Alma to the American Red Cross in honor of the 150th anniversary.
The Keepall was originally created as a back-up bag included in the Louis Vuitton trunk and quickly became the ultimate weekend tote. The Speedy was created in 1930 but became famous when it was redesigned specifically for Audrey Hepburn in the 1960s. The Noe was invented by Gaston Louis Vuitton to perfectly hold five champagne bottles. The Alma was originally inspired by the Art Deco movement and has become a recognizable symbol of Louis Vuitton. Shop for them now here thru Nov. and support the Red Cross.
The Six Special Collaborations:
In addition to the special offering on Louis Vuitton North America's website, Louis Vuitton is celebrating the anniversary worldwide through exceptional Special Order collaborations with six different artists and designers.
Since its creation in 1854, Louis Vuitton has offered customers the possibility of producing Special Orders to cater a specific need or to fulfil a particular desire. In order to celebrate over a century and a half of exceptional savoir-faire at Louis Vuitton’s first workshop in Asnières, France, Louis Vuitton offered six masters of savoir-faire the opportunity to create a unique Special Order that embodies their exceptional expertise in their respective professions.
The six personalities are the artist Damien Hirst, the chef Ferran Adrià, the photographer Annie Leibovitz , the musician and composer Gustavo Santaolalla, the designer Marc Jacobs and Patrick Louis-Vuitton, the head of Louis Vuitton's Special Orders department and a member of the fifth generation of the Vuitton family. Each piece was designed by Patrick-Louis Vuitton in collaboration with the personality.
Annie Leibowitz and her LV Monogram Nomadic Photographer's Bag: The bag being constructed in the Asnieres workshop:
Marc Jacobs' LV Monogram Dog Crate: The crate being constructed in the Asnieres workshop:
Ferran Adrià and his LV Damier Graphite Travel Luggage: The luggage being constructed in the Asnieres workshop:
Gustavo Santaolalla's LV Instrument Case: The case being constructed in the Asnieres workshop:
Patrick Louis-Vuitton and his Compartmentalized Case: The case being constructed in the Asnieres workshop: Damien Hirst's Medical Cabinet:
Uniting tradition and modernity, these pieces are testament to Louis Vuitton’s savoir-faire in the domain of Special Orders. Ranging from hard-frame to soft-sided, they are interpreted in a variety of materials, from Monogram and Damier Graphite canvas, to Nomade leather and alligator.
The Asnieres workshop (above) was the sole production facility for Louis Vuitton from 1859 to 1977 and is where all hard-frame luggage, special orders, exotic leather and limited-edition bags continue to be made today. For over a century and a half the workshop has been the living symbol of the company's unique combination of tradition and innovation.
In addition to the unique special orders created by the masters of savoir-faire, the auction will also include a limited-edition Red Cross medical trunk, crafted by Louis Vuitton to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Red Cross:
The LV Red Cross Medical Kit:
above and below: The hard-sided case in Monogram canvas, equipped with Louis Vuitton’s signature natural leather handle, brass S-lock and corners, opens frontally to reveal an array of red and grey aluminum medicine boxes arranged in such a way as to form the familiar emblem of the RedCross. The logo of the Red Cross is hand-painted on the front of the case.
The Special Order pieces will be offered in a charity auction held at Sotheby's in London on November 17th with proceeds donated to the Red Cross. The proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Red Cross for their Fight against Malnutrition program in Nigeria.
These Special Orders will have traveled the world to cities such as Mexico City, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Dubai, Seoul and New York between July and November 2009, for a series of exclusive viewings by clients of Sotheby’s and Louis Vuitton.
Discussing this charity auction, Yves Carcelle, President of Louis Vuitton said: “For over a century and a half, Louis Vuitton's Asnières workshop has been the living symbol of the company's unique combination of tradition and innovation. To mark this important anniversary, Louis Vuitton will celebrate ‘l’Excellence du Savoir-Faire’ through its heritage of Special Orders by partnering with some of today’s iconic figures who themselves possess a rare expertise.”
Cheyenne Westphal, Sotheby’s Chairman of Contemporary Art Europe, commented: “We are thrilled to host this gala dinner charity auction in November, the proceeds of which will benefit such a worthy cause. The auction will showcase pieces created by some of the most talented individuals in their respective professions and the sale of these limited-edition pieces will no doubt generate tremendous excitement and interest.”