Two Modernist Icons Coalesce at Château La Coste, and Other News

Nov 09, 2023

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In 2010, two years before Oscar Niemeyer's death, the Brazilian visionary of tropical modernism designed his final work, a white pavilion gently threading its way through the Château La Coste vineyards of Aix-En-Provence. Unveiled this spring, his namesake auditorium is now engaging in a conversation with another Modernist icon: glamorous French functionalist Pierre Paulin.

Paulin's midcentury Pierre Paulin Program proposed a grid of dual layouts in six models of modular horizontal and vertical designs. The models, part of the Centre Pompidou's collection, were unrealized until 2014, and perhaps find their ideal setting in Niemeyer's curving structure. His Big C and Club C seating arc in counterpoint to Niemeyer's walls, while the topographic Ensemble Dune seems to rise naturally from the floor. Organized in collaboration with the family-owned business Paulin Paulin Paulin, the show runs until Sept. 3. –Jesse Dorris

The Oakland A's are closer to moving to Las Vegas, as new renders reveal their proposed stadium on the south end of the Strip, replacing Bally's Tropicana Las Vegas Casino Resort. Designed by Schrock KC Architecture, the 30,000-seat stadium features limited outfield stands, making it the smallest in Major League Baseball. The team's decision to move comes after unsuccessful discussions to replace the aging Oakland Coliseum, their current home since 1968, and amidst poor performance and low attendance. The move now awaits votes from MLB owners and the Nevada government's approval, with a proposed public-private funding model in place to finance the $1.5 billion stadium.

The Center for Architecture and Design in Philadelphia has awarded Herzog & de Meuron the 36th Louis I. Kahn Award, recognizing their significant contributions to architecture. Founded by Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron in 1978, the Swiss-based firm is known for major projects such as Tate Modern, the Beijing National Stadium, and the Elbphilharmonie concert hall. The award ceremony, featuring a talk by Jaques Herzog, took place at the University of Pennsylvania's Museum of Anthropology and Archeology last night.

After the departure of former creative director Rhuigi Villaseñor, Bally has chosen to promote Simone Bellotti, a seasoned designer from Gucci's studio, as its new creative leader. Bellotti, who joined Bally last October after a long tenure at Gucci, will showcase his debut collection during Milan Fashion Week in September. The appointment comes as Bally aims to sustain its brand turnaround efforts under CEO Nicolas Girotto and owner JAB Holdings following a successful sales increase of 20 percent compared to the previous year. Bally's objective is to create timeless and elegant products that uphold their legacy of craftsmanship and longevity.

Shigeru Ban has revealed his design for the Expo 2025 Osaka, a pavilion built from paper tubes, bamboo, and carbon-fiber reinforced plastic. Located in Osaka's Yumeshima on reclaimed land, the Blue Ocean Dome pavilion will feature a sinuous shape with a large central dome flanked by two smaller domes. Ban's innovative use of laminated bamboo and carbon-fiber reinforced plastic not only meets building regulations but also eliminates the need for concrete piles, making the construction more green and efficient. The pavilion will host an exhibition highlighting the ocean's significance and the issue of water pollution.

Paolo Portoghesi, a prominent Italian architect, theorist, historian, and professor, has died at 92. Portoghesi made significant contributions as an architect throughout his career, founding an architectural practice in Rome, creating notable works such as the Mosque of Rome and Quartiere Coppedè, and serving as president of the Venice Biennale's architecture section from 1979 to 1992. As an educator, he held the position of professor at the Sapienza University of Rome, shaping the minds of future architects with his teachings on architectural history and theory. Portoghesi's holistic approach to design, which emphasized the integration of nature and architecture, has influenced architects worldwide.

Daniel Elie Bouaziz, a South Florida art dealer, received a two-year and three-month prison sentence in Fort Pierce federal court for his involvement in a scheme selling counterfeit Andy Warhol paintings. Bouaziz, the owner of Danieli Fine Art and Galerie Danieli, pleaded guilty to a single count of money laundering in February, resulting in the dismissal of 16 other fraud and embezzlement charges. Prosecutors revealed that Bouaziz sold fake artworks to a customer, falsely claiming they were authentic originals by Warhol, with prices ranging from $75,000 to $240,000. The customer provided a $200,000 down payment, which Bouaziz deposited into his account before transferring the funds to other accounts.

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