Sun, Oct 1, 2017
Yves Saint Laurent had become the biggest star of French fashion in the sixties, when he opened his own haute couture house after a three year stint at Christian Dior. He and his partner Pierre Bergé were vacationing in Morocco when they both fell in love with the country's culture and people. They immediately purchased a house in Marrakesh, where Saint Laurent said he "discovered the magic of color." Over the years, he continued spending time in Marrakech and drawing inspiration from Moroccan culture for his collections. After his death in 2008, his ashes were spread at Jardin Marjorelle, a park that Saint Laurent restored and opened to the public as a gift to Morocco.
Sun, Sep 10, 2017
As one of the world's most respected architects, Tadao Ando has defied many stereotypes in the field. From small houses that explored radical viewpoints to iconic major museums and public projects, he left a mark in many places, influencing an entire generation of architects worldwide. After making a name for himself with a variety of projects, Ando was invited by the Benesse foundation to deisgn a contemporary arts center on the island of Naoshima, Japan. His radical vision for a series of museums built since the 1990's helped transform the remote island into one of the world's leading arts destinations.
Sun, Oct 22, 2017
At the young age of 19, German dancer/choreographer Pina Bausch was awarded with a scholarship at Juilliard, in New York City. This formative period, where she worked as a dancer at the Metropolitan Opera and collaborated with names like Paul Taylor and Paul Sanasardo, resonated throughout her whole life. It was in another visit to the U.S. in the seventies that she met some of her most loyal collaborators. During the 1980's, her relationship with the Brooklyn Academy of Music, where many of her works had their American premiere, created a permanent platform that helped Tanztheater become one of the most prestigious dance companies in the world.
Sun, Sep 17, 2017
Georgia O'Keeffe was the most important American painter in the 1940's, when she decided to move to New Mexico and radically change the themes in her work. The stunning desert landscapes changed the way she painted - and inspired her for the next 50 years. Isolated at her beloved ranch, she discovered a new color palette and fresh technique, inspiring a whole generation of new artists along the way. Her life story is one of courage and resilience. A museum dedicated to her work became the most visited attraction in the town of Santa Fé.