Latest news with #ArtNouveau
NZ Herald
3 hours ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Feats of clay: New book pays tribute to a supreme collector and the items he gifted Te Papa
Walter Cook was a determined collector. In 1965, aged 24, the BA student bought an Art Nouveau tea set at a Wellington second-hand shop. It would be the start of 25 years of collecting ceramics, glass and metal objects, mainly those made in Britain and Europe, particularly Scandinavia, but also
Vogue
4 days ago
- Business
- Vogue
Why Mosaics Are Suddenly on Every Interior Designer's Mood Board
If ever there were a sign that minimalism is over, it might be the red-and-gold interiors at the recently opened Printemps in New York. With its Red Room featuring a glittering 'red river' mosaic floor, the new department store draws visitors in with its opulent, maximalist luxury. To design the space, interior designer Laura Gonzalez was tasked with reimagining One Wall Street into a shopping experience luxurious enough to tempt shoppers down to the Financial District. So, she commissioned long-time collaborators and mosaic masters Pierre Mesguich and Kautar Larif of MesguichMosaik KLD to embed the floor with a winding collage of ruby and crimson to match the walls originally designed by muralist Hildreth Meière in 1931. The project—years in the making—was ambitious. The result? Well, let's just say that ever since it opened in late March, images of the Red Room and its elaborate mosaics have flooded social media feeds and interior design websites alike. The mosaic-clad Red Room designed by Laura Gonzalez for Printemps New York. Photo: Gieves Anderson Of course, mosaics haven't always been met with such enthusiasm. 'When I started 40 years ago, mosaic was not popular,' Mesguich notes. 'It was considered old-fashioned.' What's behind the sudden interest, then? Perhaps the increasingly technological world has something to do with it. Mesguich compares our current craving for craftsmanship to the way Art Nouveau emerged in the early 1900s as a response to the Industrial Revolution. 'Today we have the same huge progress in technology.' Francis Sultana, a London-based interior and furniture designer who recently completed a villa in France with eight mosaic bathrooms in partnership with Mesguich, puts it this way: 'Mosaics are more than decoration; they can be artisanal and yet be art.'
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Move over Paris and Switzerland: 4 top European destinations that offer more than just sightseeing
Summer in Europe is more than just a visual treat - it is a gateway to immersive journeys that engage all the senses. For the modern traveller, especially from India, the desire to go beyond surface-level tourism is stronger than ever. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Karan Agarwal, Director at Cox & Kings, revealed that Indian travellers exhibit a growing interest in destinations that offer rich local experiences, deep cultural engagement and meaningful interactions. He suggested: Portugalis one such place where history and hospitality merge seamlessly. The Douro Valley invites guests into vineyard estates where wine-making is a living tradition. Beyond the cityscape of Lisbon or Porto, travellers can connect with artisans, taste regional cuisine at family-owned estates and take part in intimate storytelling sessions that reveal the heart of the region. In Slovenia, nature and community offer a slower, more grounded rhythm. The lush landscapes of the Julian Alps and the serene beauty of Lake Bled create a backdrop for activities such as guided foraging walks and stays in mountain lodges. Visitors here often return with a renewed appreciation for simplicity and sustainability. Georgia stands out for its deeply rooted customs and generosity of spirit. A traditional supra, or feast, is not just about food it's a ritual of hospitality, toasts, music and shared memory. The experience offers an authentic window into the soul of the Caucasus, often leaving a lasting emotional imprint. The Azores Islands are ideal for travellers seeking a balance of relaxation and eco-adventure. With volcanic trails, crater lakes and thermal springs, the islands encourage disconnection from fast-paced routines and reconnection with nature. Karan Agarwal shared, 'We've seen a noticeable shift in traveller preferences. More individuals are seeking meaningful itineraries staying in boutique properties, engaging with local guides and exploring places at a slower pace. Whether it's learning bread-making from a fifth-generation baker in aTuscan villageor discovering the architectural secrets of Art Nouveau inRiga, these are the kinds of experiences that shape enduring memories.' Sightseeing will always have its place. Yet what stays with travellers long after their return is the depth of connection they forge with a destination. Europe, with its layered history and living cultures, offers endless possibilities for such enrichment.
Euronews
5 days ago
- Business
- Euronews
Bolhão Market: ambitious renovation safeguards cultural identity
We are in the centre of Porto, at the Bolhão market. The shoppers here know they'll find fresh regional produce from friendly and cheerful stall holders. The structure has been renovated from the ground up: today the market is modern and functional, yet retains the architectural beauty that draws tourists in from far and wide. Every day it is visited by about 20,000 people, indeed it is called the heart of the city. Rui Moreira is the mayor of Porto. He has always known the market, which he used to visit as a child with his grandmother: "If you imagine Porto as a tree, I would say that the Bolhão market is one of the main roots. It is located in the centre of the city, characterised by its monumentality and the monumentality of the people who work there. It is the mayor who demanded that the market be renovated in these terms: that is, it is Rui Moreira who sought to preserve the Art Nouveau monument while opening it up to modifications that would make it functional for those who work there. After four years of renovation work, the Bolhão reopens in September 2022; renovated from the ground up, it is now at the forefront of health and hygiene standards. Francisca Carneiro Fernandes, board member of Go Porto, the public company that manages the market, and head of Market management, explains that 'The renovation of Bolhão was a process supported by the city. It was a complex and difficult task, but the citizens wanted it to happen'. The project was conceived by young architect Nuno Valentim. He faced two major challenges: to design the product counter area in compliance with health and hygiene regulations and to imagine the loading and unloading of goods in an underground space so as to make the operation easy. "Designing the whole logistical part", he emphasises, "everything that cannot be seen, that makes the market functional, lets it 'breathe'... That was the great transformation'. The goods are delivered to the underground car park, the traders pick them up themselves. There are cold rooms, refrigerators and lifts. Everything is new and modern.** Sara Araújo works in the fish market that used to be her mother's. The market is a mission for her: 'Thousands and thousands of people come every day. After the renovation, those who no longer came, came back and from all around, from Boavista, Maia, Porto; absolutely everyone came back'. Maria Teixeira is a florist who has worked in the market her whole life and cannot imagine herself anywhere else: "The market is my life; I have been working for 54 years: I started as a young girl and this is what I love to do'. The renovation cost 28 million euros, of which 22 million euros was financed by the European Union and 6 million euros came from public funding, partly national and partly regional. 'The relationship between customer and seller is much more direct, much closer', Francisca Carneiro Fernandes concludes. 'We often see these women teaching customers how to cook their products, which helps to understand the history of the city and the Portuguese way of life. Social and cultural value is incredibly important for this market'. Many sacrifices have been made but it was well worth it; the market remains a crucial node for the city's economy and it is also the cradle of the city's cultural identity. The European Conservatives and Reformists group in the European Parliament is set to expel Luxembourgish MEP Fernand Kartheiser from its ranks for arranging a trip to Moscow. Kartheiser, a former diplomat and ambassador to several European countries, is currently in Moscow where he was invited by the Russian Parliament, or Duma, to discuss bilateral relations, Russia's relations with international organisations and the current situation in Ukraine. 'Given that the European Parliament is blocking MEPs' diplomatic efforts to meet with the Russian Federation, I am funding this mission to Moscow myself,' he told Euronews before the two-day trip to meet members of the Russian government and Parliament. But fellow MEPs from the right-wing group were unimpressed. "By travelling to Putin's Russia, Fernand Kartheiser has crossed a red line for the ECR Group. We will take decisive action to terminate his group membership as soon as possible,' said ECR co-Chairmen Nicola Procaccini and Patryk Jaki in a statement shared with Euronews. Kartheiser could be formally expelled as soon as next week during a group meeting, according to a source familiar with the party, as few MEPs are in Brussels this week. An absolute majority of votes among the group's members is required to exclude him. The ECR group has a firm stance on the Russian war in Ukraine, condemning the invasion and demanding full support for Ukraine for as long as it takes. 'We continue to emphasise our backing for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, defence and independence of Ukraine,' an ECR spokesperson told Euronews in a written statement on the matter. Kartheiser is not the first MEP to embark on a trip to Russia since the invasion of Ukraine. While the European Parliament has suspended any ties with its Russian counterpart and no official delegation has been sent to Russia since the invasion, some of its members have travelled there in a personal capacity. For example, five MEPs took part in the Victory Day's parade in Moscow on 9 May: Michael von der Schulenburg and Ruth Firmenich from Germany's radical left BSW party, Ľuboš Blaha from Slovakia's ruling Smer party, Czech independent MEP Ondřej Dostál and Cypriot independent MEP Fidias Panayiotou. Slovenia's president Nataša Pirc Musar called for renewed dialogue between the EU and Russia in a recent interview with Politico, saying that EU Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen is 'working on that'. On the matter, a spokesperson from the Commission said on Monday: "We are interested in bringing all the parties concerned together at the table, and to discuss a ceasefire, in view of achieving peace".
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- General
- Express Tribune
Power lines threaten Mukhi House
A month after a formal request was made, no action has yet been taken to remove hazardous electrical wires hanging from the historic Mukhi House Museum in Hyderabad. The museum's curator and administrator, Naeem Ahmed Khan, submitted a letter to the Chief Executive Officer of the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) on April 21, 2025, requesting the relocation of electric wires entangled with the museum's structure. The letter highlighted the architectural and cultural significance of Mukhi House, which was declared protected heritage under the Sindh Cultural Heritage (Preservation) Act, 1994, in 2018. Mukhi House was later converted into a museum and opened to the public in 2021. Located in a densely populated residential area, it now faces a serious preservation challenge: electricity to nearby homes is supplied via cables that run across and hang from the museum's outer walls, some even strung across windows and fastened to its original iron grills. The letter warned that these power lines not only compromise the visual integrity of the site but also pose a serious threat to the building's structure - particularly its wooden doors and windows - in the event of an electrical malfunction. Copies of the letter were also sent to the Deputy Commissioner of Hyderabad, the Deputy Director (Heritage/Admin), and the PS to the Director General of the Sindh Culture, Tourism, Antiquities, and Archives Department. Yet, despite the passage of a full month, officials have taken no action. Restoration work is currently underway at Mukhi House after years of delay. Museum staff caution that if the hanging wires are not removed soon, a large portion of the museum's outer wall may remain unrestored and unpainted, defeating the purpose of ongoing renovation efforts. Window to past Also known as Mukhi Mahal, the building was constructed in 1920 by Mukhi Jeth Anand, a prominent member of Hyderabad's Sindhi Hindu community. The architecture of the mansion combines Renaissance, Art Deco, and Art Nouveau styles, featuring stained glass windows, intricately carved wooden details by Indian artisans, and marble accents. The house comprises 12 rooms, two grand halls, and a spacious central courtyard along with a smaller rear courtyard. In a notable moment of pre-Partition history, India's future Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru stayed at Mukhi House with his family - a visit now commemorated with a rare photograph on display at the museum. After Partition, the Mukhi family remained in Hyderabad until 1957 before migrating to India. The building was subsequently occupied by various government departments, including the Settlement Office and a girls' school. It also suffered damage during periods of political unrest in the city. It was not until the tenure of former District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil that a decision was made to preserve the site. In 2008, the Mukhi family relinquished formal ownership under the condition that it would be preserved and opened as a public museum. Restoration began in 2009 under the Sindh Government's Department of Archaeology, and by 2013 the museum opened its doors to the public. Mukhi House today hosts a collection of personal memorabilia, historical photographs, and cultural artifacts donated by the Mukhi family - an effort to preserve not only their legacy but the broader cultural history of Hyderabad. The building, located near Chaari at Homestead Hall, remains a popular attraction for both local and visiting tourists. However, the entangled power cables, particularly at the rear of the building, continue to mar the structure's historic charm and pose an ongoing threat to its preservation. Unless immediate steps are taken to address the issue, a vital piece of Sindh's heritage may face further degradation.
