Evocative Art Projection To Illuminate Iconic Downtown Atlanta Fountain on New Year's Eve

A 2-month art exhibition exploring the theme of water. Featuring three light-based landmark sculptures installed on the park's main lawn as well as a project...

To welcome 2021, Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) and Arts & Entertainment Atlanta (A&E Atlanta) have commissioned a special projection artwork by local artist Kris Pilcher to debut on New Year's Eve on the Woodruff Park International Peace Fountain water wall.

Pilcher's piece, "Perseverance," will be featured alongside projection artwork installations by Amelia Carley, NNEKKAA, and Joseph Peragine that are part of the PRISM: Winter Lights at Woodruff Park temporary exhibition curated by Dashboard.

PRISM: Winter Lights also features three light-based, landmark sculptures by MaDora Frey, Jason Sweet, and Ellex Swavoni installed on the park's main lawn. View the PRISM: Winter Lights exhibit guide here.

"Perseverance is a digital monument to the people of the second decade of the 21st century," said Pilcher. "We have survived a struggle unlike any in our lifetimes, and perseverance is a message of hope that we may break our confinement and close the distance between us in the New Year. This is a series of advanced particle generation and computer rendering techniques used to turn the numbers 2021 into alive and dynamic digital ephemera."

"Perseverance" will be on display December 31 through January 10. All other PRISM artwork will remain on display through January 31. Projection mapping artwork runs daily from sunset to 10:00 p.m. The park and exhibit are free and open to the public.

Park patrons are reminded that physical distance must be maintained between them and anyone outside of their party and are encouraged to follow the CDC's guidelines for visiting parks.

For more information about PRISM and Woodruff Park, including park hours and directions, visit www.WoodruffPark.com.  

PRISM: Winter Lights at Woodruff Park is made possible through the generosity of Delta Air Lines. Additional support has been provided by the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, Arts & Entertainment Atlanta, and the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation.

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The Wasteland: The Secret Life of T.S. Eliot

The Wasteland is a controversial new novel by Author Harper Jameson that puts T.S. Eliot's sexuality in the spotlight.

In The Wasteland, Author Harper Jameson brings readers into the extraordinary mind of T.S. Eliot as he rises from an obscure bank clerk to the world's most famous poet. The book explores his profound struggle to accept his sexuality. It weaves a narrative inspired by Eliot's poems, his letters, and his iconic characters, and is as much a meditation on art, intolerance, and demagoguery as it is a story about the poet's life.

T.S. Eliot's sexuality has never been settled, historically. In fact, Eliot publicly denied being gay, then burned nearly all letters that might have contradicted this. But on January 2, 2020, over 1100 letters written by Eliot were published by Princeton University. Emily Hale, the recipient of these letters, donated them with the instruction to publish them 50 years after she and Eliot died. They give insight into Eliot's true character, a side of him shut off from the public.

In The Wasteland, Eliot begins as a hollow man trapped in the dreary world of a London bank in the 1920s. One day Eliot intervenes to save a man being badly beaten. He discovers Jack, an out and proud gay man. Jack introduces Eliot to the gay underground and unleashes a torrent of creativity that begins to transform his life.

Meanwhile, lovable but naïve Vivienne is also falling in love with Eliot. Eliot finds that as his fame increases, pressure for conformity increases as well. Religious intolerance, increasing Fascist inspired anti-gay violence, and an ever brighter public spotlight push him to sacrifice.

The Wasteland is the untold story of T.S. Eliot.

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Get Stylish With Jenna Lyons on HBO Max

I’ve been glued to HBO Max the last few days. Stylish With Jenna Lyons is a must-watch tv HBO Max series / reality show sans the bullshit drama. It’s all about fashion, style, beauty and decor, trust me, there’s plenty of drama there.

My first introduction of Jenna Lyons came in 2010 via The Fashion Fund - a docu-series about the Vogue/CFDA Fashion Fund finalists. (This is another binge-worthy series!) Ever since then, I’ve had a slight fascination with Jenna - not in a weird, creepy way - she’s just a really cool chic. Seems pretty “real.” I like that, so when I learned of Stylish With Jenna Lyons, I put The Crown on pause and said hello to another queen.

After 27 years with J. Crew, Jenna left to create her own brand. Stylish With Jenna Lyons is fun, sassy, raw yet polished. Jenna’s team: fashion stylist / creative director Sarah Clary and Chief of Staff Kyle Deford play integral roles in the show and business (and are quite fabulous).

Episode 1 sets the stage, so to speak, and the design show / competition introduces the creatives - a group of young, unique, emotional characters who are competing for a stylish space in the Lyon’s den. Sarah and Kyle oversee Jenna’s design challenges for the aspiring associates. By the final episode, you’ve formed tv-relationships with the cast and the show takes an unforeseen turn. I watched, with empathy and thought: “WOW…” I won’t spoil it - you’ll just have to watch. It’s that good!

Jenna Lyons and her team are inspiring and refreshing. The show feels unscripted, at least for Jenna’s precious pup Popeye who steals the spotlight by pooping on it and barking at everyone - you can’t script that! Jenna offers useful design advice in a segment called Just The Tips and we learn of yet another business she’s started that sells fabulous faux lashes, Loveseen. Watch Stylish With Jenna Lyons on HBO Max, you’ll love it and if you’re still feeling stalkerific and just can’t get enough, this New Yorker interview will tell you way more about Jenna than I have : ‘Afterlife…’

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Moissanite is Here to Stay

Gone are the days where the old adage is only applicable to diamonds! Humans have been using diamonds as precious stones for hundreds of years, and from the more famous applications, such as the Crown of England, to everyday applications, like engagement rings, diamonds have been the stone of choice to denote stability, prosperity and hope. But diamonds come at a far higher cost than just being expensive. Their history is also rooted in blood, conflict and corruption, as natural areas are decimated for their mining, and poor workers exploited and abused for below minimum pay. This major ethical consideration is driving more and more people to a kinder alternative.

Goodbye diamonds, hello moissanite

Moissanite is a mineral compound that was discovered by a scientist named Henri Moissan, from whom the stone takes its name. However, the initial site of discovery was near a meteor impact site, and the original silicon carbide crystals could not be used as moissanite directly. A series of scientific interventions must occur in order for the silicon carbide to be usable in the form of moissanite as we experience it. Visually, there are several significant similarities between diamonds and the more affordable moissanite such as the fact that they are of similar brilliance and hardness.

Advanced laboratory processes ae used to manufacture moissanite jewels. Although far cheaper than diamonds they provide a high-quality, ethical alternative, which not only benefits those with restricted budgets, but also those with ethical objections to the use of diamonds.

Getting the best Moissanite Gemstone

A great stone does not come into its own without a great setting. Its neutral color allows the band to be set in almost any color metal, such as yellow, rose, or white gold. Like diamonds, the right cut is also crucial to get the right degree of fire from the stone. Moissanite is well known for its refractive abilities, creating a rather spectacular rainbow effect. It also has a far higher sparkle value than a diamond, making it appear far more radiant. Buying a moissanite will also have you considering weights and measurements, which is similarly measured in carats. The big difference comes into the price to weight ratio. For a stone of equal size, you can expect a significant and pocket-pleasing difference in price.

Taking the first step

Engagements, birthdays, anniversaries – you can be sure that there is a moissanite out there that will meet your needs. I cannot reiterate the value of the correct setting enough – remember that you are not dealing with a cheap diamond replica – you are dealing with a significant jewel in its own right, and the money you spend will be wasted if the setting is poor. Make sure that you go through your buying process in the right way and get the full value of the money you spend. All that remains is to enjoy the extreme sparkle and beauty of your new purchase. Because there are no ethical considerations attached to them, you can breathe easy and know that you are not contributing to anything sinister through your purchase.

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Atlanta Jewish Film Festival Reimagines 2021 Festival Experience + You’re Invited

The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) is thrilled to announce the return of its annual festival, the 21st edition, to be held as a hybrid event across 12 days from Feb. 17-28, 2021. In response to the ongoing pandemic, AJFF has reimagined the festival experience to combine at-home virtual screenings with select drive-in movies, expanded conversation with filmmakers and special guests, as well as other unique components that prioritize the safety, comfort and convenience of audiences.

The 2021 AJFF film lineup, to be announced over the coming weeks, will include over 30 narrative and documentary features plus short film offerings, representing a diversity of genres and subjects. Powered by CineSend, the festival’s Virtual Cinema will allow audiences to access the very best in international cinema from a smart TV, home theater, computer, tablet or other mobile device.

In addition, thanks to an exclusive partnership with Mercedes-Benz Stadium, AJFF will also offer a limited number of drive-in screenings in the 11-acre The Home Depot Backyard greenspace, a spectacular backdrop for a physically distanced but shared moviegoing experience.

Always core to the festival’s mission of fostering dialogue, AJFF will continue its commitment to community conversation with enhanced guest programming, including speaker introductions and extensive Q&A panels that further explore the themes and topics presented onscreen.

“Cinematic stories feed the soul at a time when we need the help of film artists to make sense of our world, to be inspired, and to reignite our shared sense of humanity. Our festival staff and volunteers have gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure the core tenets of the festival – community, representation, storytelling and experience – are preserved in our 2021 hybrid edition,” says AJFF Executive Director Kenny Blank. “It’s gratifying to see that, despite the pandemic, the pipeline of new films on Jewish themes is as strong as ever. We look forward to being ‘together through film’ in February, our motto for these COVID times.”

Additional details on films, virtual screenings, programming, and drive-in dates to come soon.

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Zalando Partners With Fashion Industry Names To Release Never Before Seen Images On The Theme Of Human Connection

This holiday season, Zalando, Europe's leading online platform for fashion and lifestyle, is partnering with some of fashion's biggest names to bring the feeling of a million virtual hugs across Europe. The campaign features Brooklyn Beckham, Diane von Furstenberg, Jeremy Scott and Munroe Bergdorf sharing candid images showing the ultimate expression of human connection and solidarity: the hug.

Against the backdrop of a challenging year of uncertainty and separation, the collection comes with the inspirational rallying cry - 'We Will Hug Again' - an optimistic message of a more positive future and a reminder of the importance of personal connection this festive period. Images used in the campaign can be downloaded here.

The campaign also features friend of Zalando, model and activist Rain Dove.

The image collection is an extension of Zalando's Holiday Campaign, 'We Will Hug Again', which launched in November with the heart-warming film, '100 Years of Hugs' and a series of images - Hug Portraits - of real people embracing.

As part of the efforts to celebrate the power of human connection, Zalando is also supporting the Red Cross to help those who may be isolated and lacking that connection at this time. While many of us cannot hug at this moment in time, together they are looking forward to a time when we can. They are calling on consumers to pick a favourite picture of a hug memory from their camera roll and share it on social media. For each post tagging @Zalando and using #WeWillHugAgain, Zalando will donate €5 to the Red Cross.

Photographer Brooklyn Beckham, whose emotive imagery made him the perfect fit for the campaign features, said of the partnership: "Human connection and physical embraces are so important in life. At a time when many of us are apart from loved ones, it felt right to partner with Zalando to spread a message of optimism that we will hug again. These images are deeply personal to me and show moments I don't often share, but now is the time to be thankful for the great moments we've had and look forward to creating many more sometime soon."

Model and activist Munroe Bergdorf, who shared an image of a tender hug between herself and friend and model Billy, added: "My camera roll is full of so many gorgeous cuddles and hugs with family and friends that I was spoilt for choice. It's lovely to look back on past moments and know that, even while things can be challenging right now, we will create many more memories like these in the future. Our loved ones are our support systems, they allow us to feel seen, heard and understood. I'm going to miss seeing so many of them over the festive season but I know we have so many amazing times to come. I'm glad to be part of spreading a bit of positivity and part of a campaign that is helping support those that need human connection the most."

Natalie Wills, Global Director Social Media & Consumer PR remarked: "We're delighted that so many of the industry's most well-known faces have lent their voices to share this positive message. The images they've shared celebrate the beauty of human connection, and we want to inspire the feeling of hope and optimism in these challenging times. It was also important to us to use this campaign as another opportunity to give back to the community and the support Red Cross on their mission to bring connection and support to those that need it most during this period."  

#wewillhugagain @Zalando 

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Vitra and Virgil Abloh drop limited edition "Virgil Abloh c/o Vitra: US Edition" collection on Basic.Space

Swiss design company Vitra and Virgil Abloh have collaborated to drop three limited edition "Virgil Abloh c/o Vitra" products, available to U.S. consumers for the first time via online marketplace Basic.Space. Products will be available for sale globally through the site's digital storefront, which will livestream the collection and a special DJ music performance by Pedro Cavaliere from a 6-day pop-up installation in Miami's Design District. The installation was created by Abloh's London-based studio Alaska Alaska and is powered by Cash App as part of the company's ongoing efforts to support the creative community. Additional, Abloh and Vitra CEO Nora Fehlbaum will have a conversation about the collection that will air on Abloh's IGTV channel.

"Virgil Abloh c/o Vitra: US Edition" explores the urgent need for inclusivity in design, and invites people of all generations, races and backgrounds to have conversations about both social issues and design topics. Virgil Abloh is known for pushing boundaries and using creativity to communicate socio-political messages while Vitra has a long history of undertaking experimental projects with designers, architects and artists that test the limitations of design's predicted norms.  Driven by the new mindset of Generation 'Next' – a forward-thinking psychographic that transcends age, gender, race, ethnicity and income – Basic.Space provides forward-thinking brands such as these with an innovative approach for reaching new audiences, turning the traditional retail model on its head. The Basic.Space community of creatives makes it possible for brands to speak and connect with this new generation that is changing the way we see the world.

"My mission has not changed. My hopes for this collaboration are to further strengthen this bond with the new generation, providing them with further inspiration, as well as room for thought and a sense of inclusion. This collaboration invites the new generation into the conversation – my work is meant to open doors for them," says Virgil Abloh.

"What I find particularly inspiring about Virgil Abloh is that he comes to the table as an outsider, with a fresh look at our collection and a different pace, free of constraints," says Nora Fehlbaum, CEO. "I'm interested in the way that he structures knowledge and passes it on to a new generation in such a condensed manner. He manages to shift the topic of design classics away from the discourse of an intellectual elite to make them accessible to a wider public."

"We're excited to partner with Virgil Abloh and Vitra on this thought-provoking collection, one that embodies inclusivity and design, while inviting a new audience to experience something unique.  This collaborative release captures the essence of Basic.Space where brands and creatives can manifest their vision effortlessly both online and offline," said Jesse Lee, founder of Basic.Space.

"Basic.Space offers a unique shopping experience that seamlessly integrates our digital and physical worlds. The platform is authentic, socially conscious and design-centric -- traits that are inherent to our company and important to our customer. This partnership allows Vitra to interact with a new audience and the opportunity to meet the next generation of young design collectors," says Melissa Shelton, Vitra North American President.

The "Virgil Abloh c/o Vitra: US Edition" collection is a spin-off to an earlier collaboration that dropped in 2019 on Vitra's Campus in Weil am Rhein, Germany during Art Basel alongside a futuristic exhibition TWENTYTHIRTYFIVE. The three pieces – a Ceramic Block, along with the Petite Potence lamp and Antony armchair originally designed by Jean Prouvé, are reimagined in baby blue that Abloh intends to stand alone as an object with a function. The "hacked" Prouvé pieces represent the power of design to evolve in order to speak to a new generation.  

"Jean Prouve worked as a craftsman, designer, manufacturer, architect, teacher, and engineer - he truly was a multifaceted designer and not limited to one "discipline". His many talents translate through his work – intertwining art with social consciousness. I feel interconnected with Prouve in light of, I too, work within many worlds; art, fashion, music and philanthropy– meshing my ideas from these many realms together for a greater message to the world," says Virgil Abloh.

"Practicing and welcoming inclusion – I created the "Post Modern" Scholarship Fund in effort to do just that. The mission of the Fund is to foster equity and inclusion within the fashion industry by providing scholarships to students of academic promise of Black, African-American, or African descent; recipients will not only be provided with funds, but will also be given access to vital career support services and mentoring. Art and good nature can change the world, I refuse to believe otherwise," says Virgil Abloh.

"The teenager of today has become a creative doer who transforms his memories and experiences, all of the cultural and social influences, into his or her own products, thereby finding a personal field of activity,' says Fehlbaum.

The "Virgil Abloh c/o Vitra: US Edition" installation takes place at 140 NE 39th Street in the Miami Design District, and is open to the public December 3-7, from 11am EST to 7 pm EST, limited to five visitors allowed into the exhibition space at a time, in accordance with city guidelines and enhanced safety measures in place. Visitors can purchase limited edition and numbered pieces and enjoy live and digital experiences at the space.

Ceramic Block 
In the installation, the visitor's gaze is directed to the future with a wall of consecutively numbered bricks: the Ceramic Blocks. These glazed ceramic objects are not just a structural element but also take on a life of their own as storage objects in Virgil Abloh's concept. The limited exhibition edition comprises 999 Ceramic Blocks, in baby blue, each with a noticeable numeral that makes it unique, and can be purchased directly at the Basic.Space "gallery," modifying the structure of the installation, or on the curated online marketplace Basic.Space from December 3 to 7.

Petite Potence
Jean Prouvé created the Potence wall lamp for his home in Nancy in 1942, and the design was soon produced in a range of sizes. Virgil Abloh is fascinated by the industrial clarity of this concept and integrates the smaller Petite Potence in his installation. He has accentuated the 'industrial DNA' of the design with a baby blue lacquer finish that gives it a new visibility, while a striking LED bulb in an oblong cage further enhances the appearance. Virgil Abloh's version of Petite Potence is available in a limited and numbered edition of 150 pieces. 

Antony 
The armchair Antony was developed by Jean Prouvé in the early 1950s for the university halls of residence in Antony near Paris. With its dynamically curved wooden shell and characteristic metal base, this small armchair was one of the French designer's last furniture creations. Virgil Abloh pays tribute to the iconic design with an updated version in his installation, he has transformed the armchair by giving it a frosted plexiglass shell, which is further accentuated by a baby blue lacquer finish. This version is available in a numbered edition limited to 150 pieces.   

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