ELYSIAN Women Inspiring Women
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Untitled #51420 Ink & Acrylic on Linen By Meighan Morrison
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Suzy Parker Kiss them for me . . .
56 BY KATE MCMULLEN
ELYSIAN 72 VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 3 • THE ARTS ISSUE / L’ÉDITION ARTISTIQUE • AUTOMNE 2023
The Artistic Splendor of Austria
The Crown Jewels
90 BY HELEN ARDEN
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Kim Kassas’ Crown Jewels, is a tribute to the strong and influential women who wield the power of royalty. BY SAMANTHA PAIGE
Mary Cassatt The original feminist. BY LAURA MORLAND
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Inspiring Women Alexandra Kauka page 130 Dr. Christina Rahm page 142 INTERVIEWED BY KAREN FLOYD
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arts&entertainment Mitsuko Uchida: Portrait of a pianist. BY MARCY DUBROFF
art&fashion
NehaDani: Redefining the boundaries of jewelry artistry. BY TILOTTAMA SHOME
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shopping
154 art&literature 160 166 philanthropy Art for reading. BY SINDIE FITZGERALD-RANKIN
art&artists
Marta Estrems: The power of Catharsis & healing through art. BY CARLA GROH
The fine art of poetry. BY DAINA SAVAGE
A Ground-breaking Fashion Experience to Benefit our Furry Friends.
200 back story BY CAROLINE RYAN
Team ELYSIAN and the ELYSIAN Circle set sail in Palm Beach for an unforgettable Summer magzine launch.
on the cover
Dr. Christina Rahm of DRC Ventures / Root Media photographed by Michael Paniccia.
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architecture&interiors Art matters. BY SONIA HENRY
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contributing writers
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w w w . r e a d e ly s i a n . c o m ELYSIAN Magazine is published four times per year by Palladian Publications LLC., 113 W. Main St., Spartanburg, SC 29306. For subscription information, call 864-342-6500. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.
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Artist Roger Sichel + Friends
ARTCOM Southampton / June 5 - August 28
M
CREATIVITY IS A WAY OF SHARING YOUR SOUL WITH THE WORLD.” —BRENÉ BROWN
With love,
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Karen Floyd Publisher
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PHOTOGRAPH BY ELISE RIMMER
uch like the romantic poets believed, I think the creative imagination is a spiritual force that has the capacity to change the world . . . In these complicated geopolitical times, the human condition is desperate for answers—how do we encourage more love and compassion and less hate and judgment? How can we explain our schizophrenic world . . . we land spaceships on Mars, send NFT’s to the moon, and invent cranial implants that interface with technology when we have rape and torture facilities, invasions and occupations, and children go hungry. How can we reconcile the distances we have both progressed and regressed? There will never be global reconciliation without human connection. Art is connection. Whether from telling authentic, personal stories or painting masterpieces on canvas, art is a conduit to peaceful coexistence. By way of example, two individuals who are at war can still love and appreciate the same work of art. That common denominator or art creates a relatability which in turn sparks an openness to receive and willingness to share differing perspectives. Because creativity is a foundational element to understanding one another, the artist in each of us must do more. I credit the inspiration for creating art as coming from the divine (artists use many names . . . God, Universe, Spirituality). Having interviewed hundreds of creators . .. from artists to authors, I have found two commonalities; first, many creators are intuitive and empathic, and second, most understand the responsibility that comes with these gifts. Both Inspiring Women Alexandra Kuaka and Dr. Christina Rahm realized at an early age their own path was unique and their responsibility to humanity was large . . . because they recognized the breadth of what they were bestowed. This Art issue examines Austria’s rich cultural history, and its place as a European power, which fostered an atmosphere conducive to artistic innovation. Austria’s love of art and music made it a thriving center for artistry that continues today. From nations to artists, ELYSIAN spotlights two exceptional women. The contemporary Indian-born Neha Dani’s use of unique gems and non-traditional metals which results in extraordinary one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, pushing the boundaries of design, and translating into poetic composition in jewelry. And finally, renowned Mary Cassatt, whose childhood visits to museums set her on a path that would give the world her title, the First Lady of the early Impressionist Movement in Paris. Hers was a self-reflective life, whose art allowed this great creator to see her own soul. Mary, like many artists, took an isolated journey, never marrying nor having children of her own, yet becoming an early advocate through her art for women. Mary ventured alone the path that she was uniquely called to follow. Creating art, from whatever the source . . . comes in many forms. Take for instance CatWalk FurBaby, where creative powerhouses, women change-makers, and animal welfare organizations joined forces to make the world better for our furry companions under the auspices of ELYSIAN Impact, ELYSIAN’s philanthropic arm. At the intersection of Philanthropy (Bissell Pet Foundation providing grants for participating Animal rescues), Designers (from around the world, Turkey, Great Britain, and the US), Models (newly discovered and world-renowned), Rescues (spanning the US coast to coast and beyond), and ELYSIAN’s Inspiring Women (who championed the event) in the iconic Sony Hall . . . was New York Fashion Week. In this issue the winners are lauded in full-page spreads. With this and more, it is my sincere hope that the definition of ELYSIAN . . . “creative, blissful and divinely inspired,” is found throughout our pages. And that perhaps you, the ELYSIAN reader, are inspired to reignite your purpose and create or experience something you find compelling. Most importantly I wish you the opportunity to truly recognize the power of the gifts that you have been given. Thank you for sharing the journey.
ORANDO ENTRE FLORES -
PRAYING BETWEEN FLOWERS, 2023 Acrylic & charcoal on canvas
72 x 56 in
by RUBEN RODRIGUEZ MARTINEZ
EVEY FINE ART / PALM BEACH artevey.com
architecture&interiors
Art Matters BY SONIA HENRY
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Art is the centerpiece of this beautiful interior space designed by German born Interior Architect and Designer Victoria Maria. COURTESY VICTORIA-MARIA.COM
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in no place is art more meaningful, more intimate, and more inspiring than in our homes and personal spaces. It not only speaks to us but for us. And the art that we display can be an expression of who we are, a secretive glimpse at our inner selves, or a deeper inspection of whom we would like to be. Ivy Foster, a community activist, and self-proclaimed environmental warrior, would agree. In her warm and spacious living room, decorated in earth tones and enhanced by scores of plants, books by authors such as Jane Goodall, Bill McKibben, and Barbara Kingsolver, as well as dozens of photos of her family, a soaring painting hangs behind the sofa. The four-foot by six-foot work by mixed media/public artist Linda Cunningham, titled Regeneration, draws the eye into its swirling, uplifting imagery of beauty rising from the earth, and also invites visitors to look outward to experience the deep reds, browns, greens, and golds in Foster’s favorite room, all inspired by Regeneration. “The painting, which I purchased 30 years ago for a song because the artist was cleaning out her studio, has been at the heart of my home since it first made its way onto my wall,” said Foster. “To me, it represents life, hope, and a love of the earth that has been at the core of my work and my activism since I was young.”
Outstanding Upper Eastside New York townhouse by interior design company Apartment 48, located in Noho New York, founded in 1994 by Interior Designer, Rayman Boozer. COURTESY APARTMENT48.COM
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Designer Victoria Maria is based in Brussels with a solid network of suppliers throughout the World. COURTESY VICTORIA-MARIA.COM
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This bathroom features shaker-style pegs, wooden chest and a portrait of George Washington by ‘outsider’ artist Ike E. Morgan. ANDREAS VON EINSIEDEL / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO • Opposite: As part of her craft, Victoria Maria also recommends art pieces and original artworks to her clients to complement and elevate a room’s overall design. COURTESY VICTORIA-MARIA.COM
Art
has a long history of having a profound influence on interior design and has played a crucial role in shaping the overall aesthetic and ambiance of spaces. From Bauhaus’ quintessential modernist aesthetic to Pop Art’s abstract and geometric influences to classic Art Deco’s pomp and luxury, art has had the distinction of helping to synthesize architecture, furniture, and décor for both the famous (think Arts & Crafts home Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright) and your next-door neighbors (such as Ivy Foster). Interior design guru Martin Waller, the founder of design house Andrew Martin, has said that “paintings and photographs are the best way to inject color and character into a room. Statement pieces often contribute far more to the feel of a space than the furniture. Whether it is a brightly colored painting, a neon or a black and white photograph, the light reflected, produced or absorbed by its surface will impact the mood of a room.” Interior designer Victoria Maria, of victoria-maria.com, agrees. She recalls that she has been influenced by various artists throughout her career, including Gustav Klimt and German Otto Dix when creating spaces. She has also often worked with clients who have unique art collections of their own that they want to showcase in their homes, and she has had the pleasure of designing their rooms around these works. “It’s a fun challenge to work with these pieces, and to make them the focal points of rooms,” she said, bringing to mind that the art often influences the arrangement of furniture and the overall layout of the space. As part of her craft, Maria also recommends art pieces to her clients to complement and elevate a room’s overall design. “Artwork has the power to add depth, texture, and personality to a space, so it’s important to carefully consider each piece and how it fits within the design scheme,” she said. Maria believes that art is extremely important when decorating a home and creating an interior design. “Art can set the tone and mood of a room,” she said. “It showcases the personality and style of the homeowner, elevates the overall design of a home, and makes spaces feel more complete,” she said. Art can also inspire and guide the color palette of a room, much like Cunningham’s piece did for Foster. Designers, such as Kelly Hoppen, often pull colors from a painting or a piece of art to create a harmonious and cohesive look. “A beautiful piece of art can inspire an entire room and create a sense of harmony and balance
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A Labrador Retriever lies in the entrance hall of this newly built contemporary Cotswolds home accented in the doorway with terracotta Chinese statues. PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDREAS VON EINSIEDEL / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
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Abstract artwork adorns this dining room in a contemporary London home. PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDREAS VON EINSIEDEL / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO • Opposite: A home showcasing the owner’s fine, yet eclectic taste in arts and crafts. PHOTOGRAPH BY TONY GIAMMARINO / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
within the space,” said Hoppen. The colors in a piece of art can provide a starting point for selecting wall colors, furnishings, and accessories that complement or contrast with the artwork. Rayman Boozer, founder and creative director of Apartment 48 Interiors, adds that “artwork can be the finishing touch that completes a room’s design. I always keep an eye out for unique and interesting pieces that could work well in a client’s space.” All of these designers believe that art provides a richness to a room and makes it feel more personal. Hoppen, in particular, feels that “art and interior design are inextricably linked. Each one can greatly enhance the other. When choosing artwork for a space, it’s important to consider the overall design scheme and how well the piece fits into it. A well-placed piece of art can really bring a room to life and make it feel complete.”
The
beautiful part of using art as an inspiration for a space is that the piece does not have to be expensive. Blogger and photographer Angela Cameron writes that art in interior design, often considered a luxury or impractical, does not have to be either. For instance, one form of art that has become popular in recent years is the photograph, and prints are often much more affordable than original paintings. What is most important, according to Cameron, is allowing the art to reflect the personalities and perspectives of the creators and the owners. “Art is used to express emotions, present ideals,
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The owner’s bold style and luxurious taste are reflected in this London apartment working room. PHOTOGRAPHY BY BAIKAL / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO
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Framed nudes surround a bath, by window, in this 16th century Elizabethan manor house, Suffolk, United Kingdom. PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREAS VON EINSIEDEL / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO • Below: Interior design featuring sculpture as a centerpiece in this luxury loft apartment in Moscow. Living room interior. PHOTOGRAPHY BY BAIKAL / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO • Opposite: Every interior has a story, Apartment 48 takes an organic approach to building the client’s narrative. Regardless of the project, the goal of Apartment 48 is to discover our client’s voice and to cultivate a design that enhances their uniqueness and style. COURTESY APARTMENT48.COM
or explore concepts, many of which are not possible with other mediums. Art is important because it changes the way you look at space . . . and it can create an environment where people can feel comfortable, happy, and relaxed.” Whether it is a traditional and formal atmosphere or a modern and edgy vibe, the art creates the mood that the owner wants to convey, and that makes a space more meaningful and personal. Ivy Foster most definitely agrees. “When I sit in my living room, reading, writing, or entertaining, I always find myself glancing up once or twice at Regeneration. Every time I look at it, I see something different in its depths, and every time I tell the story of how it was acquired, I feel a deep sense of gratitude for both the brilliant artist who created it and the generosity she exhibited by selling it to me for just a few hundred dollars. It has certainly made my living space more meaningful over the decades and has created a sense of connection for me with the earth and all its wonders.” “Art in the home can be so much more than decoration,” wrote Cameron. “It is a way for us to express ourselves, to feel validated, and to have a dialogue with our surroundings.” And Waller, who advocates for mixing, matching, and finding colors and palettes that make your heart sing, believes that nothing in art is off-limits when you are creating your space, “as long as you love it!” ■
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Kelly Hoppen, of Kelly Hoppen Interiors, feels that “art and interior design are inextricably linked. Each one can greatly enhance the other. When choosing artwork for a space, it’s important to consider the overall design scheme and how well the piece fits into it. A well-placed piece of art can really bring a room to life and make it feel complete.” COURTESY KELLYHOPPENINTERIORS.COM
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