The Artful Life: 5 Things Galerie Editors Love This Week
From edible haute couture to Olafur Eliasson’s custom wine label for Château Mouton Rothschild
1. Olafur Eliasson’s custom wine label for Château Mouton Rothschild
Wine lovers will now be able to enjoy a bottle of Château Mouton Rothschild 2019 long after it’s finished thanks to a unique collaboration with celebrated artist Olafur Eliasson. The Danish-Icelandic talent has created Solar Iris of Mouton, an artwork divided into two horizontal stripes: the upper part representing daytime with its golden hues, and the lower part symbolizing the night with its deep midnight blue shades. The stripes that frame the oculus represent Château Mouton Rothschild. Co-owner of Château Mouton Rothschild, Julien de Beaumarchais de Rothschild, explains why he chose Eliasson to be the label’s creator: “I have been fascinated by Olafur Eliasson’s work for many years. His wonderful exhibition at Versailles in 2016 was a defining moment for me and I said to myself ‘One day, if he is willing, Olafur Eliasson will be one of Château Mouton Rothschild’s artists’.” —Lucy Rees
2. Opening of Inspiring Walt Disney: The Animation of French Decorative Arts at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
“Inspiring Walt Disney: The Animation of French Decorative Arts” will be the first-ever exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art to explore Walt Disney Animation Studios’ hand-drawn animation, much of it showcasing Walt Disney’s knowledge of European art and French motifs. Forty works of 18th-century European decorative arts and design will be featured alongside 150 Disney production artworks and works on paper from iconic films like Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast. The exhibition opens December 10 and will be on view until March 6, 2022.—Stefanie Li
3. Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkley
The Berkley’s annual event featuring edible haute couture is back for another sartorial season. Transforming afternoon tea into a runway extravaganza, the London hotel’s pastry team created a spiced biscuit that pays homage to fashion icon Iris Apfel’s 100th birthday while cult label Ganni makes its debut in a hazelnut dacquoise with salted caramel, encased in chocolate mousse, with a finishing touch of passion fruit crème diplomate and chocolate shard. Rounding out the decadent collection is a mandarin cheesecake and orange confit that nods to the style of Balenciaga; a turquoise treat that captures the spirit of Stella McCartney’s blue jumpsuit with cassis mousse, blackcurrant jelly, and sponge cake; a Pink Lady apple pavlova for Giambattista Valli; and a cinnamon chocolate blondie Fendi tote. The grand finale is a sharable red velvet and mascarpone mousse cake topped with a hand-painted galaxy chocolate dome that celebrates Gucci’s 100th anniversary.—Jill Sieracki
4. Bulgari Hotel Opens in Paris
After six years of construction, the newest location of the Bulgari Hotels & Resorts Collection opened in Paris on December 2, following the July debut of the brand’s revamped Place Vendôme flagship. Crafted by Italian architecture firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, the ten-story property is set in the eighth arrondissement and features 76 rooms, 57 of which are suites. In addition to the subterranean spa, the hotel boasts a restaurant helmed by Michelin-star chef Niko Romito, a state-of-the-art gym, and salon. Best of all is the duplex penthosue suite, which overlooks the Eiffel Tower and starts at $39,000 per night.—Geoffrey Montes
5. Van Cleef & Arpels’s “Sous les Étoiles” Collection
Revered for its exceptional craftsmanship and inimitable designs, Van Cleef & Arpels dazzles again this festive season with its astonishing high jewelry collection. Inspired by the cosmos, “Sous les Étoiles” features 150 creations demonstrating the maison’s savoir faire with many on display in their U.S. boutiques including the “Étoiles Mystérieuses” necklace, which is comprised of a 3.01-carat oval-cut diamond, Traditional Mystery Set sapphires, and diamonds set in 18K white and rose gold. As far as holiday gifts go, it’s definitely out of this world. —Jacqueline Terrebonne