Julian Schnabel + Old Homestead

Julian Schnabel is, once again, wearing his interior designer cap. The Artist/Director/Designer, who won praise for creating the magic that is the Gramercy Park Hotel's lobby, has now decorated a private dining room in the iconic Ninth Avenue steakhouse, Old Homestead. The first look, courtesy of Grub Street, reveals an intimate space piqued by rich blue hues and large black and white photos (shot by Schnabel himself) reminiscent of Old Homestead's days of yore. While the institution dates all the way back to 1868, the restaurant has undoubtedly hot-ironed its name on the hide of contemporary culture. The private 10 seat closet-cum-dining room, which opens to the public in March, has already hosted several previews for high profilers, such as Blake Lively, Will Ferrell, Susan Sarandon, Whoopi Goldberg and Philip Seymour Hoffman. With all of the hype, it sounds quite possible that the Schnabel Room is set to be the next hot spot for exclusive meatfeasts... no vegetarians allowed.

More Collaborations We Love: Murakami x West

While the creative love affair between Takashi Murakami and Kanye West is certainly nothing new we LOVE that the musician even tapped Murakami to design his website! To check out Kanye Universecity visit http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/.

AVAF for T Magazine

In case you missed it... Assume Vivid Astro Focus’ New York Times T Magazine cover from this Sunday’s (February 22nd, 2009) issue. To read about the artists' inspiration visit The Moment.

Greedier for Duchamp: Collection Yves Saint Laurent et Pierre Bergé

Turns out Natalie Portman and Michelle Williams aren’t the only ones GREEDy enough to fight over perfume. Yesterday, February 23rd, saw the start of the three day Collection Yves Saint Laurent et Pierre Bergé auction at Christie’s, Paris. Included in the sale was Marcel Duchamp’s inspiration for Francesco Vezzoli’s latest work on display at Gagosian, Rome. Commanding a price well over the €1 – 1.5 million estimate Duchamp’s handmade Belle Haleine: Eau de Voilette bottle complete with Man Ray label sold for an impressive €8.9 million ($11,236,407 US).

Congress: The Show Must Go On

Artists rejoice! On February 17, 2009 Congress preserved $50 million in funding for the National Endowment of the Arts in the final version of the recovery package. While the House version of the bill included the $50 million allotted, the Senate's version approved no arts funding at all. Conservative Republicans denounced the arts as "bonbons for a leftist elite with no place in an emergency bill stimulus". In their defense, arts groups rallied together to present some astonishing numbers. The arts culture provides six million jobs generating $30 billion in tax revenue and $166 billion in annual economic impact. Robert Redford even spoke out on behalf of his Sundance Film Festival, which brings more than $60 million to Park City, Utah, each year. "Ticket takers or electricians or actors-all the people connected with the arts are at risk just like everybody else." By preserving the $50 million allocation, the final bill eliminated the Senates' amendment that would have excluded museums, theaters, and arts centers from recovering any money. As read on Artforum.com

Hirst for Sale

While economic times are tough it hasn’t stopped the world’s wealthiest artist, Damien Hirst. This week Hirst’s publishing and merchandising company, Other Criteria, opened a second shop located at 14 Hinde Street in London's Marylebone district. Works for sale, some by Hirst himself, range from thrifty $5 key rings to high end $58,000 art prints on mirrored glass cabinets. For those in need of a last minute Valentine's Day gift try the "All You Need Is Love" t-shirt.

INSIDER PREVIEW: Doug Aitken

Rumor has it Doug Aitken's latest opus - a commissioned work in Brazil - is sure to be something extraordinary for the senses. The artist and his workshop have been laboring for months to create a hilltop pavilion amid the 5,000 forested acres of Inhotim, an edenic, international contemporary art destination now open to the public outside of Belo Horizonte. Created by Bernardo Paz, Inhotim, is curated by the powerhouse triad of Allan Schwartzman, Jochen Volz, and Rodrigo Moura. Inside Aitken's glass sculpture is a small hole 300 feet deep that reaches down to the depths of the earth's tectonic plates. A series of small sensors placed in the hole bring the sound of those shifting plates up to the surface, where visitors can listen while enjoying endless views of the wild landscape that extends to the horizon. Grab you Havaianas and start planning a field trip: Aitken's pavilion will be completed in just a few months. For more details, contact Inhotim's international girl Andrea Schwan at info@andreaschwan.com.

Greedy for Vezzoli

GREED, A New Fragrance by Francesco Vezzoli, opened Friday, February 6th at Gagosian Gallery, Rome. The latest work by Italian artist Francesco Vezzoli was inspired by Duchamp's 1921 Belle Haleine: Eau de Voilette for which Duchamp altered a Rigaud perfume bottle appearing on the label as Rrose Sélavy, photographed by Man Ray. Not only does Vezzoli's bottle feature the artist in drag, as photographed by Francesco Scavullo, but Director Roman Polanski created a :60 spot for the mock-launch staring Natalie Portman and Michelle Williams. Smells like another winning collaboration. To view the video or for further details visit Gagosian's website.

All Gone is All Good

It's February and although many New Yorkers will be occupied with Fashion Week and Valentine's Day fêtes, the coolest crowd might just be elsewhere: at the All Gone launch party and photo exhibition. The kick off party--complete with all the fixins like Belvedere Vodka and DJ turn tables--is February 13th from 8-10pm at Reed Space on Orchard Street. All Gone is the most recent annual to come from the collaborative efforts of Colette and LaMJC. This encyclopedic homage to streetwear features some of the juiciest limited edition products to have hit the market in 2008. Delicious photographs shot by renown photographers and interviews with today's most influential artists, designers and creatives pepper the pages of this must-have reference. Whether you party like it's 2008 at the opening, enlighten yourself through 200 pages of streetwear's best or simply revel in the fun that is the website, make sure you experience the hype before it's--yes--All Gone.

Calder's Crown Jewels

Alexander Calder may be known for his celebrated mobiles, stabiles, paintings, and objects d'art, but it's his lesser known jewelry that proves the true gem. An exhibition dedicated to the subject is on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art December 9, 2008 through March 1, 2009. Works included have graced the ears, wrists, and necks of Georgia O'Keefe, Peggy Guggenheim, and the wives of artists Marcel Duchamp and Joan Miró among others.

Cartoon Cosmetics

With the arrival of Hello Kitty's color cosmetics set to hit MAC stores February 12th, it seems the beauty world has caught on to the cartoon craze. Too Faced Cosmetics recently launched it's Smurfette collection in Sephora stores which celebrates the 50th birthday of the classic cartoon. As New York Fashion Week approaches, girls of all ages look forward to Barbie's big catwalk debut. Stila Cosmetics will sponsor the runway show and unveil their limited-edition Barbie collection later this month also available at Sephora. Celebrating your childhood never looked this good!