The Artful Life: 5 Things Galerie Editors Love This Week
From the new Raffles luxury hotel in Jaipur to the release of artist Louis Fratino’s first major monograph
1. Raffles Welcomes Guests to Opulent New Hotel in Jaipur
The vibrant Rajasthani city of Jaipur has a lavish new retreat befitting its treasure trove of architectural riches. Rendered in pure white marble—an anomaly in the sandstone-laden “Pink City”— the 50-key Raffles Jaipur blends exquisite local craftsmanship with the five-star service associated with the Raffles brand, founded in Singapore over 135 years ago. Artisans deploying age-old Mughal and Rajputana techniques have filled every inch of the resort with ornate details, sumptuous furnishings, and striking patterns, from the elaborately corniced ceilings to the bold marble floors. Among the plethora of luxuries are plunge pools in every guest room, dedicated butler service, a 6,700-square-foot spa, and a specialty cocktail called the Jaipur Sling, a fresh twist on the brand’s famed Singapore Sling. —Geoffrey Montes
2. Louis Fratino Launches First Major Monograph
Brooklyn-based painter Louis Fratino has released his first major monograph with Magic Hour Press. Meant to mimic 1930s avant-garde publications such as Minotaure and Verve, the large-format book is filled with over 50 of the artists vivacious works. With artworks gracing collections of major institutions such as the Hammer Museum and the Whitney Museum of American Art, Fratino shows tender moments drawn from personal experiences through his richly colored figurative paintings. This compilation of deeply intimate works is accompanied by texts from the Curator of American Art at the Baltimore Museum of Art, Virginia Anderson, and a conversation with American painter Carroll Dunham. —Stefanie Li
3. Submissions Open for 2025 Loewe Craft Prize
Launching in 2016 as a way for artists and appreciators to truly admire the intricate practice of modern craft, the Loewe Craft Prize has officially opened submissions for its 2025 edition. The judging panel, which has welcomed new additions including curator Michelle Fisher and as well as artists Ibrahim Mahama, Aya Oki, and Kevin Grey (Oki and Grey were 2024 finalists themselves), will carefully select 30 finalists while the winner is announced at the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid next spring. For the 2024 edition, winner Andrés Anza’s textured ceramic totem was displayed alongside his fellow finalists as part of an exhibition dedicated to the craft prize at the Palais de Tokyo, Paris in May. Submissions are open until October 30 and can be entered here. —Shelby Black
4. Jenni Kayne Unveils The Farmhouse in Upstate New York
Jenni Kayne is bringing West Coast serenity to the hustle and bustle of the East Coast with her latest venture, The Farmhouse. Located in the bucolic New York town of Tivoli, The Farmhouse is an evolution of the tastemaker’s 2022 Santa Ynez Ranch and invites guests to slow down and “live with intention.” Encompassing four bedrooms and three spalike bath, the property features a sauna, a pool that overlooks the scenic Hudson Valley, and a greenhouse offering services by the Oak Essentials Wellness Club including Pilates, yoga, and even treatments with an esthetician. The property is styled in Kayne’s signature aesthetic and outfitted with furnishings from the Jenni Kayne Home collection as well as vintage and antique ceramics. —Alexandria Sillo
5. Tory Burch Debuts Collaboration with Nikki Beach Saint-Tropez
Tory Burch is heading to the French Riviera in an exclusive summer collaboration with Nikki Beach Saint-Tropez. The setup will feature daybeds and cabanas on the beach outside of the pool area outfitted in Tory Burch prints and patterns, and includes a bar wrapped in the fashion house’s distinctive zebra design. Guests will be able to quench their thirst with an array of wines, mocktails, and healthy drinks while exploring a pop-up Tory Burch shop featuring swimwear, caftans, handbags, and leather slides. “This collaboration beautifully blends the elegance and sophistication of Tory Burch’s designs with the vibrant and luxurious atmosphere of Nikki Beach, offering our guests a unique and unforgettable experience,” said Celia Gumbau-Serra, President of Beach Clubs & Restaurants for Nikki Beach Hospitality Group. —A.S.