MYGEMPICTURES (December 16, 2022) – Taormina is a hilltop town on the east coast of Sicily. It sits near Mount Etna, an active volcano with trails leading to the summit. The town is known for the Teatro Antico di Taormina, an ancient Greco-Roman theater still used today. Near the theater, cliffs drop to the sea forming coves with sandy beaches. A narrow stretch of sand connects to Isola Bella, a tiny island and nature reserve.
Due to the picturesque landscape, mild climate and numerous historical sights, the city developed into one of the most important tourist centers in Sicily in the 19th and 20th centuries. I only had about half a day to capture with my camera the many sights and the atmosphere that was unique to me.
Among other things, I was thrilled by the great views, the old town and the many palaces, decorated with Arabic style elements. The visit to the Greek theater is the highlight of my video. It is the second largest ancient theater in Sicily, built in the 3rd century BC.
Taormina was defined by Goethe “The greatest masterpiece of art and nature”, and the historical French travel writer Guy de Maupassant called the city a “painting in which we find everything that seems to exist on earth to seduce the eyes, mind and imagination”. But just see for yourself – in my video.
National Geographic – James Cameron is diving into the deep: this time, into the oceans of an alien world. The director shares how Earth’s oceans inspired The Way of Water—and his hope it will motivate viewers to protect our own planet.
National Geographic recently spoke with Cameron from New Zealand about the science and technology of The Way of Water. What inspired these creatures, and how did Cameron and his team bring them to life?
4K Urban Life – A 4K walking tour of Antibes, France. Filmmaker Anius Narkevicius decided to create a real virtual tour with a guide to show you the most iconic places of the ancient city of the French Riviera.
Meet Cedric, a talented guide who will reveal the secrets of Antibes to you! You will walk along the ancient streets, see the fortress and the magnificent city port. Cedric will tell you many interesting facts and stories about the city and show you the incredible beauty of the Mediterranean coast.
Antibes is a beautiful city on the azure coast of France, located in the middle between Cannes and Nice. The ancient walled city of Antibes is one of the liveliest and most beautiful on the Riviera. It has a relaxed beach vibe all year round, a thriving superyacht port and a gorgeous old town with narrow cobbled streets, markets and cafes. The city is also known as the home of the Spanish artist Pablo Picasso.
The Local Project (December 16, 2022) – Inside one of Melbourne’s most modern architectural homes, the house tour of Hawthorn House showcases Edition Office’s timeless design. Working with Flux Construction, Edition Office plays with light and shadow to reveal the form and characteristics of the home.
Video timeline: 00:00 – Introduction to the Most Brilliant Architectural Home 00:26 – Playing with Light and Shadow 00:44 – Creating a Family Home 01:47 – Filtering Through the Concrete Shroud 02:00 – Views From Each Living Space 02:24 – The Original Brief 02:59 – A Quick but Complex Build 04:14 – Emulating A Sanctuary with Other Worldly Vibes 04:30 – The Skin of the Building 04:46 – A Balancing Act with The Materials 05:05 – Returning to the Project 05:26 – Proud Moments
Over an 18-month building process, Flux Construction and Edition Office have created a house unlike other modern architectural homes. First seen from the outside, Hawthorn House appears as a monolithic structure yet, on the inside, the family home becomes a private sanctuary for its owners. Similar to other modern architectural homes, Hawthorn House suffered from lack of privacy in its suburban location.
To respond to this need, Edition Office has pushed the skin of the building out from the glass line, which allows for both privacy and the softening of light. Upstairs has been provided more privacy through light volumes, a structural choice between the buildings form and glass line that open up to the sky. Furthermore, the light volumes also provide advantageous views and the experience of seeing the seasons as they change.
Employing unique interior design choices that allow for ease of living, the architect and interior designer have configured downstairs as one singular platform. Offering different experiences, each living area has a differing focus. From the front pavilion, the homing in on the northern light and established lemon gum tree offers the owners a space to connect with their surrounds. Experienced in the more intimate rear pavilion, an inward focus of the home brings a soft and warming essence to the interior. Celebrating the structural form of modern architectural homes, Edition Office and Flux Construction operated with a concise approach when completing the house.
Through the connection of materials, the home is a celebration of concrete, timber and glass, which is observed immediately from the exterior shell. Equally as important as the home, the evolving landscape offers a place of cognitive restoration. With a mixed use of exotic species and natives, the green life helps to provide a comforting space that will continue to grow in place. Over the modern architectural home’s form, Edition Office has provided its clients with complete privacy through a humble material palette and lush landscaping.
It’s our final podcast of 2022 and so, as ever, we’re looking back at the worlds of art and heritage over the past 12 months.
Ben Luke is joined by three members of The Art Newspaper team: Louisa Buck, contemporary art correspondent, Kabir Jhala, acting deputy art market editor, and Ben Sutton, editor in the Americas. Among much else, they discuss the effects of the war in Ukraine,
Just Stop Oil’s activism, unionisation in US museums, the restitution of African and Native American (and Greek) objects, and the NFT crash. They also look at the big art shows and, finally, choose a work of the year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Video timeline:00:00 – Inspiration: “It’s imperfect perfection” 02:00 – Living Room: “It’s where the real Christmas moment happens!” 05:20 – Kitchen: “I love the way that food brings people together” 07:50 – Breakfast Room: “It feels like a chocolate box…” 08:53 – Dining Room: “It feels very ramshackle”
Skye McAlpine’s Venetian sanctuary maintains plenty of the palazzo’s original details, such as the 18th-century fresco in the living room and the decorative flowering of rocaille in the breakfast room. As we’re guided into the light and airy kitchen that is set apart by its high-beamed ceilings, Skye McAlpine reveals a staple festive treat… a snowy panettone cake from her cookbook ‘A Table For Friends’. In the grand dining room, Skye’s dinner table is layered with a mixture of small plates over larger plates from her ‘Tavola’ tableware collection, which is inspired by ‘la dolce vita’ or ‘the sweet life’. The snowy panettone takes centre stage as it is served on a cake stand which towers above the rest of the festive treats, to complete her “over-the-top” Christmas table.
“Life is slower here. It’s unchanged, it’s like a time capsule,” McAlpine explains as she contrasts between her life in London and the Venetian way of living. “I think that’s part of the charm, it really is like stepping back into a different era”. Watch the full episode of Design Notes with Skye McAlpine, as we tour her slice of an Italian palace that is expertly decorated for the Christmas holidays.
Boomers Daily 