The Iowa State Fair will include butter sculptures of Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark and former Northern Iowa product Kurt Warner.
Caitlin Clark and Kurt Warner butter sculptures are a thing
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Destination Design: Welcome to the Jungle at NICO, Sayulita, Mexico
Situated along the jungle-lined coast just an hour north of Puerto Vallarta in the bohemian surf town of Sayulita, Mexico, Seattle-based architecture and development firm, HYBRID in collaboration with Mexico City-based architecture firm Palma, have opened a 3,000-square-foot architectural rental operating on numerous levels of luxurious comforts.
From street level, NICO Sayulita’s front facing impression presents itself as a two-level structure. Only after guests cross a bridge over the main pool does the entirety of the structure reveal itself with a tiered sunken site imprint designed to disappear into the canopy of tropical foliage.
Aimed at travelers seeking a refuge from loud luxury for intimate privacy, NICO’s open architecture is carefully planned for surprising seclusion.
A series of elevated suites and open-air common spaces are connected by floating staircases in Escher-esque style. Indoor and outdoor spaces intermingle into a concrete grid structure, maximizing the welcome cooling effect of the ocean breeze across both private and shared spaces.
The efficient grid-like design allows for a “gradient of privacy and openness.” Sections of the building can be connected or closed off in accordance of desired level of privacy, making the rental ideal for families or a large group of friends staying together.
NICO was conceived to offer a micro-boutique tropical getaway experience while retaining several hotel-style options to keep any stay north of just a typical home rental (suites can be rented in combination with the option to rent out the entire house). These include practical needs, including airport transportation, daily cleaning, and laundry services, but NICO’s owners also remember being on vacation means feeling pampered, so there’s also the option to hire the services of a bartender, chef, yoga instructor, massage therapists, surfing instructor, or a guide for local excursions.
NICO Sayulita’s Jungle suite resides on the floor level, with lush tropical foliage and its own built-in concrete tub for a spa-like experience situated indoors.
“The suites are generally calming tranquil spaces with views to the jungle environment,” says Robert Humble, Founding Partner and Design Principal at HYBRID. “A neutral color palette of concrete, steel, and wood imbues a sense of craft and refuge. The common spaces are more brightly colored and playful to excite the senses and create a memorable experience.”
An open air kitchen invites communal meal preparation and dining.
Loma Alta’s 5 bedrooms are furnished with either a king size bed or two individual beds. Two daybeds are also available for guests staying individually.
Every room is furnished in a serene organic-modern style, with pieces sourced from emerging Mexican designers.
Guests cross a small bridge over a small saltwater lap pool detailed with artisanal turquoise-colored tile and surrounded by greenery.
What: NICO
Where: Calle Loma Alta 7, 6373 Sayulita, Mexico
How much: Starting from $840/night for 5 bedrooms; 5-12 guests with 5-12 beds, 6 bathrooms
Highlights: A rooftop plunge pool offering spectacular views of the bay, and the Jungle suite’s built-in concrete circular tub.
Design draw: The NICO’s multi-tiered tropical modernist concrete structure interconnected by floating staircases is an inviting interplay between public and private spaces, the natural landscape in relation to its architectural imprint. Furnishings within are sourced from emerging Mexican designers.
Book it: NICO
Go virtually on vacation with more design destinations right here.
Comedy Pet Photography Awards: Pouncing kittens and diving dogs among the winners
A rescue kitten captured as it prepared to pounce on its unsuspecting sibling has been announced as the winner of the Comedy Pet Photography Awards.
The picture of black and white felines Max and Alex was taken by professional wildlife photographer Michel Zoghzoghi.
“Max and Alex form a lethally cute duo. I had more fun and surprises taking photos of these two characters, than during my most adventurous wildlife photography trips,” he said.
Other winners include Boudicca the ferret on her first outdoor walk, which was captured by Darya Zelentsova, who is originally from Kyiv in Ukraine.
Pic: Darya Zelentsova
Pic: Chris Porsz
Pic: .Klaus-Peter Selzer
A chance snap of a dog leaping in front of surprised onlookers in a New York park took home the People’s Choice Award which is voted for by the public.
The picture – aptly titled Barking – was shot by Chris Porsz, an amateur street cameraman from the UK.
The competition was created by professional photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam.
Pic: Gill Woodcock
Pic: Kenichi Morinaga
Pic: Kenichi Morinaga
The duo said they aim to promote positive awareness of animal welfare issues and “celebrate the incredible and hugely valuable contribution that pets can and do have on our lives”.
“This is still a very young competition in the whole scheme of things, but within a few short years we are already receiving some of the most uplifting, life affirming hilarious images of pets in the world,” Tom said.
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“We couldn’t be more excited to share these with you all. Pets have played a fundamental role during the COVID years, and to be able to laugh out loud with these loveable creatures is the reason this competition exists.”
El Paso airport showcases El Paso photographic talent in new exhibit
Thu, 10 Aug 2023 21:03:30 GMT (1691701410131)
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El Paso airport features photography of El Paso photography club (credit: KFOX14/CBS4)
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Three Bolts of Lightning Simultaneously Strike the Chicago Skyline During a Wild Summer Storm
Image © Barry Butler, shared with permission
Lightning might never strike the same place twice, but in Chicago this last week, it did strike three spots at the same time.
During the early hours of July 29, a volatile storm rolled into the Midwestern city, and photographer Barry Butler hunkered down west of the skyline to watch the action. “The skyscrapers in our town were getting battered with lightning. I thought it was just a matter of time before all three of the main skyscrapers in Chicago got it simultaneously,” he told PetaPixel. “The storm was too active for not to happen.”
Around 12:30 a.m., Butler was proved right and snapped a photo of the bolts illuminating the summer sky and hitting the city’s three tallest buildings, including the John Hancock Center and Willis Tower. While capturing three strikes in a single shot is already rare, this photo is even more stunning considering that, due to Lake Michigan, most storms wane or change direction before reaching downtown.
Find more images from the storm on Butler’s Instagram.
Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Three Bolts of Lightning Simultaneously Strike the Chicago Skyline During a Wild Summer Storm appeared first on Colossal.
The Empírea Series Capitalizes on Opposites
The Empírea series chair and table found their design inspiration in one of the most recognizable symbols in the world: the cross. A mark that can bring together culture, religion, and spirituality can also add structural strength and character to objects. Designed by Ogmma, a Mexico City-based design studio, the Empírea series looks to the emblem as a reflection of opposites that are connected: earth and sky, day and night, good and evil, as well as the fusion of male and female.
“We find important similarities among verticality, which can be the history and knowledge in an artisan’s lineage, and horizontality which allows us the use, application, and learning of contemporary technologies,” the studio added.
The Empírea series is their take on the ideology of opposites converging, as seen in the cross-shaped bases of both the chair and the side table. Constructed using vine for the backrest and table legs that are fused to metal, both furniture pieces stand out for their soft curves and sharp angles. A bold gradient cascading downward seems to be the final point of two things joining together – white and pink.
To learn more about the Empírea Series chair and table, visit instagram.com/ogmma_mx.
‘Art at the Grill’ celebrates summer in Maine
A new show opens Aug. 21 at the Damariscotta River Grill featuring seasoned artists Sandra Leinonen Dunn, Susan Tilton Pecora and Kimberly Skillin Traina. Three distinct styles and mediums explore a number of themes, each capturing a unique viewpoint depicting the natural beauty of Maine. The “Art at the Grill” opening reception is Thursday, Aug. 24. Art is on display through Oct. 16.
Join us for a special Prix Fixe three course menu that will be offered for $29, with a choice of wine pairings for $10, or choose a selection from the regular menu, from 4 to 8:30 p.m. and celebrate the artists. A portion of the dinner proceeds will be used to fund a scholarship for a Lincoln Academy student pursuing an art education. Please call ahead to make a reservation. Stop in to enjoy beautiful art and delicious savory food offerings.
Native Mainer Sandra Leinonen Dunn is a prominent Maine artist. Her works are part of collections throughout the U.S, and abroad and she is represented by several galleries in Maine and Massachusetts. Using her intuitive sense of color, and her lyrical brushwork, Ms. Dunn creates paintings which express both her passion for beauty as well as her interest and respect for classical painting techniques. She shares, “ I am a traditional painter working mainly in oils. Painting for me is like mediation. When I am working on a subject, I am in my right brain where logic and words do not exist, and where the world becomes only nameless shapes and infinite shades of color. I want my paintings to contain a little bit of something beautiful frozen in time. The only thing certain in this life is change. Through painting, I can capture, (and hold onto) a moment, a bit of light, a splash of vibrant color, which I can then share with others.” She has a studio at her home in Chelsea.
Susan Tilton Pecora N.W.S., was raised in Marblehead, Massachusetts. In this seashore community she grew to appreciate the quality of light and the intrinsic beauty of New England, painting the streets and seaports of New England since she was a child. “I have been painting the harbors, farms and factory towns of New England since childhood. I have made a living as an artist for over 40 years. I work in watercolor, egg tempera and oil. My paintings begin with a pencil or ink sketch then a watercolor or underpainting in oil on location. I finish the piece in my studio. New England is so beautiful and diverse.”Susan exhibits and sells her work through galleries and art associations throughout the country and is a signature member of The New England Watercolor Society (NWS).
Kimberly Skillin Traina is a graphic designer, photographer and pastel artist living in Edgecomb. Kim creates her pastel paintings utilizing the pure pigments of soft pastels and her fingers to layer many colors on top of an underpainting, creating depth and luminescence. Her work is a spiritual interpretation of nature, light and atmosphere. “Making art is how I make sense of, and honor, both my challenges and joys in this life,” said Traina. “I love being outdoors, observing and connecting with nature, creating in my studio, losing all sense of time and place. Whether I’m painting “plein-air” or from a photograph, the end result is always it’s own story, conveying my passion for this beautiful place I call home.”
The Grill is located at 155 Main St., Damariscotta. For more information, call 207-563-2992; find us on Facebook or check www.damariscottarivergrill.com.
‘Jellyfish Chicken’ singers to perform at Alexandria’s Saturday Art Market
ALEXANDRIA — Musical goofs Todd’n’Tina will perform at the Saturday Art Market stage at
on Saturday, Aug. 12, 10 a.m-1 p.m.
The Minnesota-based family-friendly music duo is known for making fun, goofy, and ridiculous music that appeals to kids and anyone else who likes silly music. Their titles include “Tennis Racket Guitar,” “Jellyfish Chicken,” and “Pirates and Parrots,” and they have a website,
, and have released two albums: “Kaboom!” and “Dynamite!”
The
is adjacent to the
at Big Ole Park on the north end of Broadway in Alexandria. Local artists will be on hand to visit and offer their work for sale. Coffee and food items will be available nearby, and every weekend showcases live music. New this year, the second weekend of every month will feature events and music for younger visitors.
The Art Market runs every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. through Sept. 2.
Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “staff.” Often, the “staff” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.
Alumni at Work: Jared Ash, Collection Development Librarian at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
How family ties and a museum exhibition ignited a lifelong passion:
I started studying Russian in high school, after having studied French for many years. My family comes from different areas within the Pale of Settlement—what is now Belarus, and Austria or Poland—and I always enjoyed listening to the Russian language, even though it had been multiple generations since any of my relatives spoke it. My family had also been involved in Russian resettlement in our community in the 1980s, when waves of Soviet Jews fled to the US to escape anti-Semitism and persecution. I continued studying Russian in college and became increasingly interested in Russian art and culture. Freshman year, I saw an exhibition at the Guggenheim titled “The Great Utopia,” which celebrated art of the Russian avant-garde—a dynamic period from the 1910s to the 1920s, when you had these really brilliant artists, architects, poets, and others coming together to create completely new forms of art. After the Revolution, they were quite literally tasked with transforming their world and replacing all traces of Imperial Russia, and the more I learned about them, the more I wanted to learn.
Following a love of books all the way to the Met:
Since middle school, I’ve always loved gathering information and resources for research. I have really clear memories of thumbing through the card catalogs in my local and county libraries, and even some specialized indexes. I completed my undergraduate degree at Brown University, graduating with a double major in Russian Studies and Anthropology. I spent a semester abroad in St. Petersburg during my junior year, and knew that when I graduated, I wanted to do something Russian-related. I had pretty much accepted that that would likely mean working for a consulting firm in Moscow, even though I had minimal interest in that sphere of work.
After graduation, I went to see a Russian avant-garde photography exhibition at a gallery on the Upper East Side. I started asking the gallery director questions about the work, and she said, “Wait, you know this stuff?” I told her I had just written about the artists in my honors thesis, and I wound up getting offered a part-time job doing translation and cataloging for them. It had never occurred to me that a gallery specializing in Russian avant-garde books and photographs might even exist, or that I would ever actually be able to work with material that I was really passionate about. I stayed in the city and began to carve out a niche career doing cataloging and research for dealers and collectors who were buying and selling Russian avant-garde books, posters, and photographs, but didn’t speak or read Russian. That eventually led to an opportunity with the Judith Rothschild Foundation, where I got to serve as the curator of a major collection of Russian and Ukrainian avant-garde books that was donated to MOMA and featured in an exhibition there in 2002. I completed my Master’s degree in Russian Studies at NYU while I was working with the foundation, and then got an MLIS degree in library science at Rutgers University. I spent six years as Special Collections Curator and Librarian at the Newark Public Library in Newark, New Jersey, which I will forever love dearly, before joining the Met as a Slavic Language and Special Collections Librarian. That was nearly eleven years ago, and I’ve been in my current Met role a little over a year.
Everett library installs new community-inspired art piece based on COVID-19
The Evergreen Branch of the Everett Public Library has a new art installation, a COVID-19 pandemic reflection art piece.
