The Artful Life: 9 Things Galerie Editors Love This Week

1. Geneva’s L’Appartement Touches Down in Antiparos with a Bold New Exhibition

Greece has firmly cemented its status as the ultimate summer epicenter for the global art set, with jet-setting collectors and esteemed curators flocking across the Aegean Sea for a mix of island-hopping, relaxation, and museum-worthy contemporary art. Joining the circuit this month is the Geneva-based gallery L’Appartement, which is making its off-site debut in Greece with “Melting Beauty,” a fascinating group exhibition presented on the island of Antiparos through August 31. “Greece’s contemporary art scene, rooted in a layered cultural history yet deeply engaged with the present, has long been a source of interest for the gallery,” says founder Thea Montauti d’Harcourt Lyginos.

The thoughtfully-curated exhibition, which is on view through August 31, brings together a lineup of both international and local Greek talents including the likes of Sean Scully, Yinka Shonibare, Amy Sillman, Arlene Shechet, Kennedy Yanko, and Alekos Fassiano, who are each exploring fluid notions of metamorphosis, materiality, and memory. “It reflects a belief that meaningful encounters with art can and should happen beyond the established centers,” adds Montauti d’Harcourt Lyginos. “The islands are becoming important sites of cultural exchange, and we are glad to be part of that movement.”—Lucy Rees

2. The Newt in Somerset Welcomes Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Members in Transatlantic Partnership

Beginning this summer, members of Brooklyn Botanic Garden can hop across the pond and enjoy access to The Newt in Somerset’s 2,000-acre working estate. The transatlantic partnership is an extension of The Newt’s robust programming with iconic gardens including Kew, Great Dixter, the Eden Project, and Chatsworth. “Gardening has never thrived in isolation—every great garden around the world is shaped by the ones that came before it and the people tending to them elsewhere,” says Harry Baldwin, Head Gardener at The Newt in Somerset. “It’s a joy to connect with Brooklyn Botanic Garden in this way, and there’s real inspiration to be found in what they’re doing on their side of the pond.” The sprawling estate offers the chance to roam through the main gardens, the Four Seasons Garden, and explore the Gardening museum on site. Members will also enjoy enriching programming including talks, workshops, and immersive experiences.—Alexandria Sillo

3. Elizabeth Roberts Reimagines a Storied Jackson Hole Mountain Inn

When Olympic skiers Hans and Nancy Johnstone founded Alpine House in Jackson Hole, they envisioned a boutique bed-and-breakfast inspired by the European mountain lodges they encountered while competing abroad rather than the grand Western ranch resorts that defined much of the valley. That enduring vision recently entered a new chapter through an extensive renovation by Elizabeth Roberts Architects in the Galerie Creative Mind designer’s debut hotel commission. Drawing on the intimacy of a family home and the character of European alpine inns, Roberts furnished the 20-room retreat with vintage finds, custom pieces, reupholstered seating, Pendleton textiles, and richly grained wood that lend each room its own personality. “We started by understanding what the existing building had to offer, then layered in a European alpine-inspired mix of color, pattern, vintage pieces, and custom furnishings to create something that felt fresh while respecting its character,” says Roberts. “I’m proud that the finished project feels elegant without being formal, and inviting without sacrificing design.” —Ryan Waddoups

4. Contemporary100 Launches First Set of Art Trading Cards

The act of collecting can come in many forms, whether it’s high-priced art from an auction house or trading cards of your favorite television show. Now, art aficionados and those seeking to own pieces from their favorite contemporary talents can truly “collect them all” courtesy of Contemporary100. Officially available on their website as one-pack, three-pack, or ten-pack bundles, Contemporary [Trading Cards] has reimagined the stereotypical trading card and transformed it as a new way to discover and collect today’s hottest artists. Each pack contains 10 randomized cards, which hold 9 “base” cards and one “foil,” where buyers can look forward to artwork cards from artists including Galerie Creative Mind Daniel Arsham, Felipe Pantone, Galerie Next Big Thing Rachel Youn, Hebru Brantley, Tyrrell Winston, Johnson Tsang, Mulgil Kim, Joshua Vides, Stash, Tanya Marcuse, Stickymonger, Vhils, Ludovic Nkoth, Joseph Lee, Brooke DiDonato, Josh Sperling, Gina Beavers, Xavi Bou, and others. While each card is a striking replication of famed artworks spanning multiple mediums, one treasured card awaits the lucky collector: 1-of-1 Artist-Signed Card. It’s time to start ripping. — Shelby Black

5. Somerset House Stages a Summer Takeover of Amagansett’s Galerie Sardine

Somerset House has settled comfortably into its Long Island City gallery, yet this summer the vintage furniture dealer is also making itself at home in the Hamptons. Through the end of August, founders Alan Eckstein and Haley Loewenthal have transformed Galerie Sardine’s 18th-century Amagansett farmhouse with a rotating selection of vintage furniture, lighting, and decorative objects that evolves alongside the gallery’s exhibition program. A Pierre Jeanneret daybed upholstered in white cowhide, a Pierre Chapto tête-à-tête, a Hans Agne Jakobsson ceiling light, and a rare Poul Henningsen pendant join works by Georges Jouve, Jacques Adnet, Gae Aulenti, and Maison Desny, each available for purchase. Somerset House will recompose the interiors for every exhibition, from ceramist Jane Yang D’Haene and painter Allen Gandhi to Japanese-born Brooklyn-based artist Susumu Kamijo and the collaborative ceramics of Sam and Erin Falls. —R. W.

6. Kohler Enlivens Its Minimalist Bath Collections with Restorative, Spa-Level Technology

As more homes become equipped like full-service spas, Kohler continues to meet the demand by exceeding expectations when it comes to technologically advanced wellness components. Now, Kohler’s Ceric and Evok freestanding bath collections are being offered with Heated BubbleMassage, which gives the benefits of hydrotherapy in the home by using humidified air through a network of air jets to surround the body in soothing bubbles. With their minimalist forms, both tubs are design statements as much as they are oases of restoration, which perfectly complement Kohler’s complete range of saunas, steam, aromatherapy, and ice baths. —Jacqueline Terrebonne

7. Rado Launches True Round Open Heart Limited Edition Captures the Beauty of Light

Swiss watch brand Rado has long been celebrated as a pioneer of high-tech materials, but its newest release is one of it’s most awe-inducing thanks to a dynamic, mesmerizing light effect. Rendered in a romantic pale rose hue, the new True Round Open Heart Limited Edition pairs monobloc ceramic construction with an interactive, photochromatic dial that shifts color when exposed to ultraviolet light, transforming for a soft blush color to a hyper-saturated, vibrant magenta.

At the dial’s center, a stylized openwork cutaway outlines the number eight–considered a universal symbol of good fortune–which dissolves into an infinity sign depending on oe’s vantage point. The wearer can observe the beating heart of Rado’s automatic R734 movement, which boasts an antimagnetic Nivachron™ hairspring and a robust 80-hour power reserve. The Rado True Round Open Heart Limited Edition is produced in a run of just 888 pieces worldwide, and each timepiece features a titanium case back individually engraved with its edition number. —L.R

8. Dior Introduces a Tableware Collection Inspired by a Jules Verne Classic

Fantastical childhood tales, from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland to the Chronicles of Narnia have inspired countless designers’ imaginations. A new array of tableware taps into the legendary couturier Christian Dior’s love of Jules Verne’s whimsical adventure Around the World in 80 Days. Conjured by Dior Maison artistic director Cordelia de Castellane, the Fantastic Journey collection features six dinner and dessert plates and two oval serving dishes made of the finest Limoges porcelain, as well as two earthenware trinket trays, all adorned with a selection of expressive hot air balloons coupled with classic Dior motifs, such as stars, bees, roses, and other botanicals. Adding to the collection’s dreamlike sense of adventure is the poetic name of each work, like Survol au Siècle des Lumières, bringing a little taste of wonderland home.—Jill Sieracki

9. BlackStar Film Festival Marks 15th Anniversary with Dynamic Lineup

From August 6–9, BlackStar Film Festival returns to Philadelphia for its 15th annual celebration of the visual and storytelling traditions of Black, Brown, and Indigenous people from around the world. With in-person screenings at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Wilma Theater, and the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, the dynamic programming will feature 91 films representing over 43 countries. “For 15 years BlackStar has endeavored to bring both new films and a small selection of repertory ones to Philadelphia that not only meet ht emoment we are in, but deepen our collective understanding of it,” says Nehad Khader, Festival Director. “With this festival lineup we have continued that tradition.” Highlights include the North American premiere of Haile Gerima’s Black Lions—Roman Wolves, and the world premieres of Dr. Fahamu Pecou’s The Store, Iyabo Kwayana’s Old Man River, and more. All access passes for the festival are available for purchase here.—A.S.