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FROM THE NETHERLANDS
Remembering Sam Francis
Sam Francis (1923 - 1994) occupies a prominent position in post-war American
painting. Although associated with the Abstract Expressionist movement
and Clement Greenberg's Post-Painterly Abstraction, unlike many American
painters of he time he had direct and prolonged exposure to French
painting and to Japanese art which had an individual impact on his
work.
On leaving the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1944 owing to illness Francis
took up painting as a hobby. He decided to make this a serious undertaking
studying under David Park in 1947 and completed his BA and MA at the
University of California. He was greatly influenced by Abstract Expressionism
particularly the works of Clyfford Still and Jackson Pollock. In his
use of space on the canvas to allow free circulation of strong colour
and the sensitivity to light Francis developed his own style by the time
his studies had ended.
Francis moved to Paris in 1950 where he met Jean-Paul Riopelle who was
to remain an important influence, and study of Monet's Waterlilies had
a profound impact on his work. From a very muted palette of greys and
whites he returned to the qualities of light and colour producing such
works as Big Red 1953. He continues to develop the use of white space
and increased the dimensions of his paintings for greater emphasis. During
his period in Europe he executed a number of monumental mural paintings.
Francis returned to California in 1962 and was then influenced by the
West Coast School's preoccupation with mysticism and Eastern philosophy.
Blue had become a more dominant feature of his work since 1959 inspired
by personal suffering and the great joy of becoming a father for the
first time in 1961. This led to combinations of hard colour and more
disciplined structures with centrally placed rectangles during the 1970s.
Eventually these more rigid structures gave way to looser configurations
sometimes of snake-like forms with web-like patterns. Blue, sometimes
brilliant, remained an important part of many later works.
Sam Francis is the subject of a retrospective at
The Museum Jan van der Togt
Amstelveen, The Netherlands
From 8th November 2004 - 9th January 2005.
Remembering Sam Francis 1923-1994 For more information please contact:
Museum Jan van der Togt
Dorpsstraat 50
1182 JE Amstelveen
tel: 020-6415754
fax: 020-6452335
http://www.jvdtogt.nl
e-mail: jvdtogt@xs4all.nl
Gallery Delaive
Spiegelgracht 23
1017 JP Amsterdam
tel: 020-6221295/ 6259087
fax: 020-6204130
http://www.gallerydelaive.com
e-mail: gallery.delaive@wxs.com
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FROM NEW YORK
The Diane von Furstenberg by H.
Stern jewelry collection made its runway debut this season, adorning the wrists, fingers, and
ears of the models at the Diane von Furstenberg Spring 2005 show. The
jewelry collection, which incorporates dramatic shapes and avant-garde
craftsmanship, the hallmarks of H. Stern, provided the perfect compliment
to DVF’s
bold and breezy Spring looks. Crafted in 18k gold, diamonds, and precious
gemstones, the collection was inspired by the life, career, and personal
style of Diane, and will be available for customers at the H. Stern store
on Fifth Avenue, New York, in October.
Jewelry highlights from the show included the following: Pave Sutra
Bracelet in 18k White Gold with 59.59 carats of pave set diamonds ($120,000),
Sutra Bracelet with Colored Stones in 18k White Gold with pave set
multi-colored stones ($60,000), Bold and Classic Sutra Bracelets in
18k Yellow Gold ($9,600 and $2,200), Rock Crystal Bracelet of 4 crystals
set in 18k Yellow Gold ($6,300), Rock Crystal Ring in 18k Yellow Gold
($2,700), and Bold Heart Earrings in 18k Yellow Gold ($2,300).
For additional information or images please contact:
Lois Schrager Goodner
Paul Wilmot Communications
lgoodner@greatpress.com
Susannah Frank
Paul Wilmot Communications
581 Sixth Ave., 2nd Fl.
New York, NY 10011
Tel. (212) 206-7447
Fax (212) 206-9166
SFrank@GreatPress.com
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FROM PARIS
Dior Homme - First Time
Dior Homme is launching the first ever line of
men's watches, "Chiffre
Rouge" meant to compliment the formal and elegant vocabulary associated
with the label. Available in three versions with automatic movement,
the watches were designed in collaboration with Zenith.
Engraved lines are inserted onto the bracelet and
clasp, while a diamond is hidden on the back of the case. The movement
can be glimpsed behind black sapphire glass. Red, the ritual color
of Dior Homme, appears on the name, date and pushbutton, and the winder
on the A03 version. Prices range from 1500€ to 9000€.
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FROM CALIFORNIA
Buddy Guy at Monterey Jazz Festival
September 18, 2004
Photograph taken by Winston Swift Boyer
www.winstonboyer.com
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GO SEARS!
Beginning with the introduction of fall apparel, footwear and accessories
in mid-September, Sears is delivering its offering with new apparel items
every four to eight weeks to ensure new looks are available for consumers
who shop Sears or sears.com often. New apparel brands now available at
Sears in misses and special sizes include:
A Line – a casual to career lifestyle brand
exclusive to Sears from Jones Apparel Group
Azucar Bella – soft day into evening dressing for the classic woman
Curve – comfy, casual, updated active wear exclusive to Sears from
Liz Claiborne, Inc.
Russell Kemp – affordable, attractive career wear and separates
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NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
National Geographic-affiliated www.novica.com brings
international gifts and home décor to Internet users. It has just announced the launch
of its new World Peace division, featuring an extensive online "Paintings
for Peace" exhibit and hundreds of peace-themed gifts and home décor
offerings, created by artists worldwide. Launched at the behest of artists
around the world, Novica's peace project is believed to be the largest
of its kind, bridging races, cultures, religions and continents.
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