If you are not too long,
I will wait here for you all my life.
so said Oscar Wilde.
photograph by Clifford Coffin of Leslie Caron
.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
more MRS POST
.
If only I could finish that thought- About Mrs Post, amongst other things. This may be part of the problem, too many thoughts-not enough time. But I continue to think about Mrs Marjorie Merriweather Post. Her HILLWOOD home is vast- a mansion, yet the house is approachable. I believe it is the innate personal Post charm that resonates throughout the rooms that gives me that sense.
She adored entertaining and hosting guests- She was house proud. You may say- well of course- Yet many collectors will collect to say I collect. For Mrs. Post, it was a passion that drove her to study , to acquire, to discern. She reveled in giving the Tour. Her hope was to create a living museum of a private nature.She must be pleased.
THE TOUR HIGHLIGHTS- but by No means everything I saw.
On the day I toured HILLWOOD the magnificent marble table that once graced her MAR A LAGO home was unadorned with fine linens and stood in dominance in the DINING ROOM. The table came to HILLWOOD after Mrs. Post's death, as stipulated in her will (foresight, MRS POST, indeed). Architect Joseph Urban helped with the design of the table- supervising Mrs. Post's commission from the Opificio delle Petre Dure in Florence, 1927. Seeing the opulent hardstone mosaic top on view was an unexpected highlight! Read a 2003 article in the MAGAZINE ANTIQUES about the saga of the more that 15 foot long Marble table here. The article by Rachel Layton Elwes tells the story with a glorious description of the table's top.(March 2003)
On to the kitchen. Yes, the HILLWOOD Kitchen quite took me by surprise. As I mentioned in my earlier HILLWOOD posting-I always look about on these tours for real details that can be translated in today's world. It may be odd to wax about the "kitchen at HILLWOOD" but I protest.
Take a Look-( of course the fine ladies were not present ) To me it was just perfection-if- I were to have a perfect kitchen. It is all beautiful, functional- and simple. The detailing on the linoleum floors alone constitutes a minor work of art- in short, some craftsman's own pietre dure. From all the best of 1950's design!
In 1937, Mrs. Post's husband, Joseph E. Davies, was appointed second United States ambassador to the Soviet Union, making the move to Moscow, where MMP immersed herself in Russia’s artistic culture & began collecting Russian objects- religious & fine and decorative arts. Here in the aftermath with the cold shadow of Russia's Revolution, Mrs. Post devoured all that Russia offered and established the major part of her collection.
How can one can begin to describe the treasures of the Russian Liturgical Room? I am only a mortal- I leave the task to some other more worthy mortal or to the gods, saints, and martyrs. Let me just say it is FULL- here- the gold chalice commissioned by Catherine the Great as a part of a communion set for a Saint Petersburg monastery, a pair of 16th century doors from an iconostatis (icon screen). What caught my eye? What couldn't I take my eyes off of- I should say-the vestments-ornate robes of metallic brocade worn by priests of the Russian Orthodox Church. Mrs. Post selected from vast stacks and stacks of vestments in commission shops-awaiting the fire to recover their gold and silver threads. Mrs. Post was a savior. One of the brocades was so extraordinary, I was very distracted by all thechatter about that gold chalice.
Of course the vestments looked nothing like this-but nothing I have found to show you devoted ones-looks remotely like MMP's collection of vestments. Nothing. It would be sacrilege to show something less inspiring- So here is the most heavenly Christian Lacroix gown- the pies de resistance from his last Couture Collection Fall 2009. It inspires devotion.
The Russian Porcelain Room was smaller than- size wise-but packed otherwise-with intricate incredible porcelains. I have to say porcelains for the most part allude my finer sensibilities. Mrs.Post was crazy over it-as witnessed by the beautifully built cabinets where the delicate and vast porcelains are enshrined.
from Christies A porcelain dish from the Service of the Order of St George by the Gardner Porcelain Factory, Moscow, period of Catherine II, 1777-1778-like those seen in Mrs. Post's Russian Porcelain Room. This one to my eye the most lovely.
So many rooms to see, NOW back to the Entry- marvelous. The staircase portraits are of Russian royals with a huge portrait of Catherine the Great reigning over them all. I can not tell you the comments from one fellow "tourist"-but here, as we paused on the staircase it went something like- Now who was she married to? & on to something like Maiden names, etc.etc-thankfully the words MRS. Romanov didn't come next-but I was honestly expecting it.
Mrs. Post's Bedroom is pure French-Louis XVI in every way. A table case in the room is filled with precious bloodstone objects-Mrs. Post's birthstone. Again, though opulent-the room seems to be personal. She filled them with her things- they were not museum rooms and none of the rooms take on that feeling.
This bloodstone table box in gilded framework is from the Hermitage
One of my favourite rooms was the PAVILION. I could easily imagine the lingering fragrance of Russian ambergris. This is a beautifully arranged large room encircled with heavy latticed moldings, pretty small French chairs and French settees with small tables extending from the arm- designed for setting after dinner drinks. This is the room that evoked the age of the last Romanovs. So much opulence, such a display of wealth, the color and the mood-blacks, mauves, lilacs- all dusted with a powdery sugar coating away from reality-but beautiful. Here-the Romanovs gather in personal photographs placed on a piano, Russian portraits, along with monumental Russian urns, Russian paintings & Russian ivory.
The Pavilion holds the massive Konstantin Makovskii painting A Boyar Wedding Feast. The work, painted in 1883, depicts Old Russia of the Boyar class uniting two influential Moscovy Boyar families. The painting -at first glance- is romantic, extravagant, ebullient- a second look reveals a miserable bride,the oblivious resigned faces of the women and the leering faces of the Boyar men. As an aside- I dated a first generation Russian for a bit- and he could easily step right in to that painting ( just there seated left of the bearded man raising a goblet).
Another painting in the Pavilion, Portrait of Countess Samoilova (1832-1834), was painted by Karl Briullov. Another story book portrait, at over 9 feet, the beautiful Countess is depicted with her young foster daughter and a servant. Dressed in the height of Paris fashion, Julia Samoilova entertained royals, revolutionaries, ruffians- incurred the Tsar's wrath-her story reads very differently from the lovely lady depicted in the portrait. Read indept about the artist and the Countess here in Apollo Magazine.
Last, but not least by any means, as I left the Pavilion ,Mrs. Post's collection of ivory stopped me. Though not highlighted by the docent, the collection is stunning- and I am guessing Russian in origin. I remember them as something like this.
Here from 1st dibs & Florian Papp is a early 19th century Russian Ivory filigree mounted octagonal box.
In reality though my own thoughts are full of Russian romanticism, Mrs. Post used the room to entertain large parties, to view movies and for the occassional square dance. It is nice to note that Mrs. Post treated her staff to the cinema when films were screeened,creating seating for them in the balcony area.
After the Pavilion- I seem to have been lost in Russia- everything else paled in comparison.
read more about HILLWOOD here
take a tour HILLWOOD ESTATE, MUSEUM & GARDENS here
.
If only I could finish that thought- About Mrs Post, amongst other things. This may be part of the problem, too many thoughts-not enough time. But I continue to think about Mrs Marjorie Merriweather Post. Her HILLWOOD home is vast- a mansion, yet the house is approachable. I believe it is the innate personal Post charm that resonates throughout the rooms that gives me that sense.
She adored entertaining and hosting guests- She was house proud. You may say- well of course- Yet many collectors will collect to say I collect. For Mrs. Post, it was a passion that drove her to study , to acquire, to discern. She reveled in giving the Tour. Her hope was to create a living museum of a private nature.She must be pleased.
Mrs.Post surveys the table of the dining room at HILLWOOD.
(from the pages of LIFE MAGAZINE)
THE TOUR HIGHLIGHTS- but by No means everything I saw.
On the day I toured HILLWOOD the magnificent marble table that once graced her MAR A LAGO home was unadorned with fine linens and stood in dominance in the DINING ROOM. The table came to HILLWOOD after Mrs. Post's death, as stipulated in her will (foresight, MRS POST, indeed). Architect Joseph Urban helped with the design of the table- supervising Mrs. Post's commission from the Opificio delle Petre Dure in Florence, 1927. Seeing the opulent hardstone mosaic top on view was an unexpected highlight! Read a 2003 article in the MAGAZINE ANTIQUES about the saga of the more that 15 foot long Marble table here. The article by Rachel Layton Elwes tells the story with a glorious description of the table's top.(March 2003)
an example of pietre dure
On to the kitchen. Yes, the HILLWOOD Kitchen quite took me by surprise. As I mentioned in my earlier HILLWOOD posting-I always look about on these tours for real details that can be translated in today's world. It may be odd to wax about the "kitchen at HILLWOOD" but I protest.
from LIFE
Take a Look-( of course the fine ladies were not present ) To me it was just perfection-if- I were to have a perfect kitchen. It is all beautiful, functional- and simple. The detailing on the linoleum floors alone constitutes a minor work of art- in short, some craftsman's own pietre dure. From all the best of 1950's design!
from LIFE
Mrs Post Davies & Mr.
Of course the vestments looked nothing like this-but nothing I have found to show you devoted ones-looks remotely like MMP's collection of vestments. Nothing. It would be sacrilege to show something less inspiring- So here is the most heavenly Christian Lacroix gown- the pies de resistance from his last Couture Collection Fall 2009. It inspires devotion.
image from Style.com
The Russian Porcelain Room was smaller than- size wise-but packed otherwise-with intricate incredible porcelains. I have to say porcelains for the most part allude my finer sensibilities. Mrs.Post was crazy over it-as witnessed by the beautifully built cabinets where the delicate and vast porcelains are enshrined.
from Christies A porcelain dish from the Service of the Order of St George by the Gardner Porcelain Factory, Moscow, period of Catherine II, 1777-1778-like those seen in Mrs. Post's Russian Porcelain Room. This one to my eye the most lovely.
Mrs. Post's Bedroom is pure French-Louis XVI in every way. A table case in the room is filled with precious bloodstone objects-Mrs. Post's birthstone. Again, though opulent-the room seems to be personal. She filled them with her things- they were not museum rooms and none of the rooms take on that feeling.
This bloodstone table box in gilded framework is from the Hermitage
Just beyond the bedroom is a gorgeous silver and pale blue Dressing Room. The wall are filled with family portrait photographs in beautiful frames. There was no- matching of frames with all the family photographs here. Mrs Post must have selected the frames or received them as gifts- mother of pearl, intricate inlay, mirrored, eglomise- all lining the walls with portraits of daughters, especially her glamorous movie star daughter Dina Merrill- one by Milton Green, with Dina posing in an Estevez black gown the photo-a tribute to the Sargent painting-MADAME X.
Originally published in LIFE in 1960
from NYSD
Another room where Mrs. Post showed off many personal photographs was the First Floor Library. The library was a room where Mrs. Post spent time with an intimate group of friends & family. An English-style paneled room with 18th century carved English pine, this is one of the prettiest rooms in the mansion. One I would really love in a home of my own. It is warm, personal and displayed her photographs in Cartier and Caldwell frames. For me, seeing this room ends the on again- off again topic of - do you or don't you display personal photographs in rooms- other than bedrooms or the like? YES, if Mrs. Post did it- go ahead. I do. It is truly ridiculous to set up rules that might have applied to decorating and design in some terribly staid book about the subject written years ago-or worse in the recent boat load of decorator how to decorating books. Why deprive yourself of the faces of loved ones? How often do you have a photography crew from HB or Elle Decor popping in to shoot for their next magazine?
image from HILLWOOD MUSEUM & GARDENS
One of my favourite rooms was the PAVILION. I could easily imagine the lingering fragrance of Russian ambergris. This is a beautifully arranged large room encircled with heavy latticed moldings, pretty small French chairs and French settees with small tables extending from the arm- designed for setting after dinner drinks. This is the room that evoked the age of the last Romanovs. So much opulence, such a display of wealth, the color and the mood-blacks, mauves, lilacs- all dusted with a powdery sugar coating away from reality-but beautiful. Here-the Romanovs gather in personal photographs placed on a piano, Russian portraits, along with monumental Russian urns, Russian paintings & Russian ivory.
The Pavilion holds the massive Konstantin Makovskii painting A Boyar Wedding Feast. The work, painted in 1883, depicts Old Russia of the Boyar class uniting two influential Moscovy Boyar families. The painting -at first glance- is romantic, extravagant, ebullient- a second look reveals a miserable bride,the oblivious resigned faces of the women and the leering faces of the Boyar men. As an aside- I dated a first generation Russian for a bit- and he could easily step right in to that painting ( just there seated left of the bearded man raising a goblet).
Another painting in the Pavilion, Portrait of Countess Samoilova (1832-1834), was painted by Karl Briullov. Another story book portrait, at over 9 feet, the beautiful Countess is depicted with her young foster daughter and a servant. Dressed in the height of Paris fashion, Julia Samoilova entertained royals, revolutionaries, ruffians- incurred the Tsar's wrath-her story reads very differently from the lovely lady depicted in the portrait. Read indept about the artist and the Countess here in Apollo Magazine.
Last, but not least by any means, as I left the Pavilion ,Mrs. Post's collection of ivory stopped me. Though not highlighted by the docent, the collection is stunning- and I am guessing Russian in origin. I remember them as something like this.
Here from 1st dibs & Florian Papp is a early 19th century Russian Ivory filigree mounted octagonal box.
In reality though my own thoughts are full of Russian romanticism, Mrs. Post used the room to entertain large parties, to view movies and for the occassional square dance. It is nice to note that Mrs. Post treated her staff to the cinema when films were screeened,creating seating for them in the balcony area.
After the Pavilion- I seem to have been lost in Russia- everything else paled in comparison.
read more about HILLWOOD here
take a tour HILLWOOD ESTATE, MUSEUM & GARDENS here
.
Monday, November 09, 2009
if this table could talk
.
Photograph of Truman Capote and Andy Warhol
Amongst Brigid Berlin's porcelain collection
Photograph of Truman Capote and Andy WarholAmongst Brigid Berlin's porcelain collection
elle decor Dec/Jan 2000 photographed by Fernando Bengoechea
Sunday, November 08, 2009
Giving Garden & Gun OR touting the South
.
.
One of my favourite magazines to come out in the past year or two is GARDEN & GUN. It brings so much of the Southern aesthetic to Southerners, curious Northerners-& humour aside- honestly, anyone who appreciates tradition with a SLANT (emphasis on the slant). All the pretty photographs are there, the good writing- but it is the top notch substance that makes GARDEN & GUN special.
When the magazine first appeared on a clients coffee table- my eyes and hands went right to it. Though I am certain my client was saying something immensely important-It went something like this "blah blah blah."
I was distracted.
THAT Magazine?
I reached.
I needed to see what was inside- I needed to subscribe.
Several months later- I mention the magazine to a friend- her reply went something like this "I can't believe You have already subscribed to that magazine? I thought I would beat you to it and sent you a subscription."
Oh well- You'll have to think of something else.
Since its inception some pretty great endorsements and honours have come GARDEN & GUNS way. It has buzzed about the internet. Its title? All the info is out there in the blog annals.
Last year I sent an old (in the sense that we have known each other since grade 1) friend and her husband a gift subscription for Christmas. When I mentioned it-Her comment went something like this-" I saw a copy in my dentist's office-It looks great." I know she loves it- how could it miss. She lives smack dab in Virginia hunt country.
One of my friend's appeared in the magazine as one of 50 people that make us proud in the feature BEST OF THE NEW SOUTH.
The magazine has had its share of struggles. It has been the year of magazines demise. You miss them too. GARDEN & GUN can't slip away. It would be a doggone shame! One funny story about the magazine's placement in a noted book chain store- the Magazine was shelved with the Guns and Ammo publications. Funny-but sad too. Obviously said store does not know or understand its content.
This from the magazine's NEWSLETTER just Friday-
I don’t have to tell you that this has been a tough year for magazines and media companies. We have seen some great ones go down, including Gourmet and Southern Accents, among others. But we have built something special at Garden & Gun, and we’ve been determined to weather this financial storm by being nimble, creative, and aggressive in securing our future, and in continuing to deliver this great publication.
To help shore up our business for 2010 and beyond, we recently made the difficult decision to skip our October/November issue. This was a painful thing for the G&G team, and we hate to disappoint you, our loyal subscribers. However, please rest assured that you will receive the full number of copies you ordered when you subscribed or joined one of our club levels. (We will handle that for you, so no need to call our customer service.) And know this: We will never compromise on the quality of the writing, the photography, or the beautiful paper that Garden & Gun is printed on.
The next issue you receive will be a December 2009/January 2010 issue (above, right) that will be mailed to subscribers in late November (and that will appear on newsstands December 8). It’s an issue we’re very proud of, and it will be loaded with great writing, great photography, and timely content, including a special Southern holiday gift guide. In 2010, you (subscribers and club members) will receive a full run of six issues. And if you have joined the Garden & Gun Club at any level, you will receive all of the benefits and privileges for which you signed up.
We hope you understand the necessary steps we’ve taken to move into 2010 in a strong position, and we trust you’ll stay with us as we strive to capture the Soul of the New South in print, on the Web, and through an expanding array of auctions and events. Thank you for believing in the mission of Garden & Gun, and for your commitment to preserving the best of Southern culture.
Rebecca Wesson Darwin
President and Publisher
I applaud their decision. I can not say enough good things about this magazine. Along with the magazine- the GARDEN AND GUN website is chock full of content: Two great blogs-Belle Decor and Big Bad Chef , podcasts, videos, magazine articles and archives & amazing Luxury Auctions. I know this magazine will survive.
It could not miss as a surprise gift subscription in any friend's mailbox. I am giving it to a list of friends.Do the same.
& one more thing-here's a story about Chapel Hill, just down the road a piece.
& another thing- 100 things you simply must eat before you die
here are a few takes on the mag from fellow bloggers
Cote de Texas
Lucindaville
An Aesthete's Lament
.
.
One of my favourite magazines to come out in the past year or two is GARDEN & GUN. It brings so much of the Southern aesthetic to Southerners, curious Northerners-& humour aside- honestly, anyone who appreciates tradition with a SLANT (emphasis on the slant). All the pretty photographs are there, the good writing- but it is the top notch substance that makes GARDEN & GUN special.
When the magazine first appeared on a clients coffee table- my eyes and hands went right to it. Though I am certain my client was saying something immensely important-It went something like this "blah blah blah."
I was distracted.
THAT Magazine?
I reached.
I needed to see what was inside- I needed to subscribe.
Several months later- I mention the magazine to a friend- her reply went something like this "I can't believe You have already subscribed to that magazine? I thought I would beat you to it and sent you a subscription."
Oh well- You'll have to think of something else.
Since its inception some pretty great endorsements and honours have come GARDEN & GUNS way. It has buzzed about the internet. Its title? All the info is out there in the blog annals.
Last year I sent an old (in the sense that we have known each other since grade 1) friend and her husband a gift subscription for Christmas. When I mentioned it-Her comment went something like this-" I saw a copy in my dentist's office-It looks great." I know she loves it- how could it miss. She lives smack dab in Virginia hunt country.
One of my friend's appeared in the magazine as one of 50 people that make us proud in the feature BEST OF THE NEW SOUTH.
The magazine has had its share of struggles. It has been the year of magazines demise. You miss them too. GARDEN & GUN can't slip away. It would be a doggone shame! One funny story about the magazine's placement in a noted book chain store- the Magazine was shelved with the Guns and Ammo publications. Funny-but sad too. Obviously said store does not know or understand its content.
This from the magazine's NEWSLETTER just Friday-
Hanging Tough
Dear G&G Friends, Fans, Subscribers, and Club Members,I don’t have to tell you that this has been a tough year for magazines and media companies. We have seen some great ones go down, including Gourmet and Southern Accents, among others. But we have built something special at Garden & Gun, and we’ve been determined to weather this financial storm by being nimble, creative, and aggressive in securing our future, and in continuing to deliver this great publication.
To help shore up our business for 2010 and beyond, we recently made the difficult decision to skip our October/November issue. This was a painful thing for the G&G team, and we hate to disappoint you, our loyal subscribers. However, please rest assured that you will receive the full number of copies you ordered when you subscribed or joined one of our club levels. (We will handle that for you, so no need to call our customer service.) And know this: We will never compromise on the quality of the writing, the photography, or the beautiful paper that Garden & Gun is printed on.
The next issue you receive will be a December 2009/January 2010 issue (above, right) that will be mailed to subscribers in late November (and that will appear on newsstands December 8). It’s an issue we’re very proud of, and it will be loaded with great writing, great photography, and timely content, including a special Southern holiday gift guide. In 2010, you (subscribers and club members) will receive a full run of six issues. And if you have joined the Garden & Gun Club at any level, you will receive all of the benefits and privileges for which you signed up.
We hope you understand the necessary steps we’ve taken to move into 2010 in a strong position, and we trust you’ll stay with us as we strive to capture the Soul of the New South in print, on the Web, and through an expanding array of auctions and events. Thank you for believing in the mission of Garden & Gun, and for your commitment to preserving the best of Southern culture.
Rebecca Wesson Darwin
President and Publisher
I applaud their decision. I can not say enough good things about this magazine. Along with the magazine- the GARDEN AND GUN website is chock full of content: Two great blogs-Belle Decor and Big Bad Chef , podcasts, videos, magazine articles and archives & amazing Luxury Auctions. I know this magazine will survive.
It could not miss as a surprise gift subscription in any friend's mailbox. I am giving it to a list of friends.Do the same.
& one more thing-here's a story about Chapel Hill, just down the road a piece.
& another thing- 100 things you simply must eat before you die
here are a few takes on the mag from fellow bloggers
Cote de Texas
Lucindaville
An Aesthete's Lament
.
having a dress up moment IV
.
Shall be a caban overcoat and cape, of dark blue beaver or pilot cloth, lined throughout with dark blue flannel; skirt to extend four inches below the knee; cape to be ten inches shorter; double breasted, with pockets in side seam, and buttons arranged as for frock coat; the cape to be made so that it can be removed at pleasure, and provided with an extra cloth collar to detach, so as to from a separate garment.(1864 United States Navy)
New
my Elizabeth & James Cape
Friday, November 06, 2009
about an Aesthete, Sitwell Sitting
.
.
Sacheverell Sitwellphotograph by Snowdon
'Er, well . . . I was going to say myself.'
...the shrill, high note of the aesthetes determined to masquerade as geniuses whatever the evidence to the contrary. At least it can be said in Sacheverell Sitwell's defence that numbers of other people, principally members of his family, were keen to abet this delusion. As a poet, his sister Edith thought he was 'one of the greatest that our race has produced in the last 150 years'. (from the article by DJ Taylor linked above)
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Ivan Terestchenko-through the photographer's eye
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.
On Ivan Terestchenko's website a simple bio states-Born in England and educated in France, Ivan Terestchenko studied history of Art at the Ecole du Louvre and was a painter until the age of 30 when he switched to photography and landed his first assignment with french Vogue. Of course there is more than meets the eye-
Reloading my Rolleiflex in a cafe in Venice and the Pentax 6X7 in Paris. This routine is part of the charm which you miss with digital and one never runs out of battery!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43tqQhOTCgQ&feature=player_embedded
Fortunately for Us Ivan Terestchenko has his own blog & shares his incredible work every day. His point about buying photographs is well taken. I can not imagine what our lives would be like without photographs.
All photographs Ivan Terestchenko has graciously shared are his.No images may be used without his permission.
IVAN TERESTCHENKO PHOTOGRAPHY his blog here , his website here , his books here
.
On Ivan Terestchenko's website a simple bio states-Born in England and educated in France, Ivan Terestchenko studied history of Art at the Ecole du Louvre and was a painter until the age of 30 when he switched to photography and landed his first assignment with french Vogue. Of course there is more than meets the eye-
When did you know that You were a Photographer?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always thought I’d be an artist and I was a painter until the age of thirty. I found out that to make a name in the world of contemporary art would request compromises I wasn’t prepared for and I hated the solitary life that comes with it.
Photography was an option only that gradually became a passion and thank God, I'm not bored with it.
Decoration photography, which is what I’m known for, has little to do with PHOTOGRAPHY and I always wonder if one doesn’t confuse a beautiful room with a beautiful photograph.
My life as an artist in the mid Eighties’. A rather tormented work is in progress. It couldn't last for ever.
My new life as a photographer. Here, arranging a still life or photographing a peony field in Connecticut for the book The Garden Room. Suddenly the world is wide and bright.
When you go in to photograph a home, be it a shack or chateau, how do you distill the essence of its owner?
I am much more interested in the personality of the owner than the place itself. After the general view,a necessary routine, I focus on relevant details, may it be photos, books, unpredictable tokens of intimate life. Sometimes, I even open the fridge. You are what you eat.
At Martin Grant's. Martin is an Australian fashion designer. His home was very orderly but he couldn't guess I would inspect the fridge.
I haven't touched a thing.
Are your interiors photographs styled-Or should I say- are you assisted by or do you find styling is needed?
As a general rule, too much style kills the style.
When it was the fashion in some decoration magazines to bring props, I was always fiercely against. If one has to style a place, then it shouldn't be photographed in the first place. I am a nightmare for stylists, I don’t let them do anything and if I want to move something, I do it myself, not that I’m a control freak but it goes faster and if I sign a photo, I sign everything that is in it and will, if it comes to it, take the blame.
Who are your mentors? your favorite artists?
As for interior photography, Bruce Weber is by far my favorite photographer and a constant inspiration because I can relate to it. He has a way of making people and places look casual as there had never been a camera at all. Simply irresistible. There are lots of photographers I admire. Irving Penn is number one, but also Cartier Bresson. I favor those who never thought of themselves as artists.
Tell me about your illustrations? Do you ever combine your photographs with them?
I used too and even published a book, “The Garden room” were photos are mixed with watercolors and sketches as you see here :
This is a portrait of Horst P Horst. I met him in his home in Oyster Bay. Wouldn't dare to photograph him, so I sketched him instead.
We had a fascinating chat about his relationship with Conde Nast. He went through hell which I found very reassuring.
There are some of the most beautiful images in your Portraits of Interiors blog entry dated Sep 1 09- Vas Blue, Vanite? When will we see an IVAN TERESTCHENKO book with these slightly decayed haunting images?
I’m strongly thinking about it but it’s a difficult book to edit. Pages after pages of decay could end up being a bit depressing, no ?
I have to find the right balance.
I love your images of Maxime de la Falaise, what joy and beauty! As I looked through your editorial work I saw the gorgeous photographs of Carolina Irving's rooms in House & Garden-one of my favourites that I had misplaced. I am so happy to be reunited with the photographs & know that you took them. Do you have a favourite project where you just fell in love with the home and the owner?
There would have been lots of book opportunity… its always books… because I always think of images in a serie, with a story to tell but publishers are difficult to convince and often misguided by their marketing department. I don't know what the next will be about but something in the US would be great. If you have an idea, Please let me know.
Have you ever tried to limit your subject matter? I am so captivated by your interiors- and then I see the flower images you have on your blog and am instantly loving them even more. I sense in the advertising print work your love for creating a still life-Could Irving Penn be your influence? You posted some of his work recently upon his death-Talk about his incredible career a bit.
One has to limit one's subject matter. Certain places are so rich that there would be many different ways to look at them. It needs a strong discipline not to get carried away and focus on the substance.
The Chateau de Versailles can be looked upon with a magnifying glass, and it’s big. This picture was taken in Marie Antoinette's Bedroom at the Petit Trianon, yet it looks so modern.
Still-life is where photography meets painting. It’s almost inevitable.To create a still life that will be evocative of a whole world in one picture is a big challenge. When I photographed the adverts for Farrow and Ball, I had to say: classicism, British country life, traditional quality and sophistication.I had no plans but I went to the company's owner's farm and started working in the yard with what was around. That days, the angels were with me.
Irving Penn was the indisputable master at this. Though he was not a direct influence, I greatly admire his photographs for their economy and graphic power. It takes a life to value simplicity and Penn is the Matisse of Photography.
Do you surf?
I do. Apart from the sport itself, I have a romantic approach to surf. I see surfers as modern knights, with a code, a quest, a strong esthetical identity, and bonds between self dedication and love for nature highly appealing and photogenic.
Talk about your moments in Front of the camera. Are there any secrets you can share that put a sitter as ease?
Love or at least friendship. The photographer must convey : I am your friend, I will never take a bad picture, what I see is your bright side, relax and shine.
This a portrait of Peter Lindbergh and his wife during a dinner party. Even with his mouth full, the worst possible time, they look wonderful.
In the digital world, what will happen to the art and craft of photography? Will great photographers be elevated to the world of great painters and their works only affordable by the very wealthy?
I don’t think so simply because the digital technique has its merits and when it comes to printing on large scale, digital is just as expensive as the traditional way. More importantly, a true artist will tame his tool to his needs. Cameras don’t take photographs, only photographers do. Though I dislike the feel of pixels, I found the use of digital very liberating.
Is there some yet unseen hybrid publishing model that will allow photographers to be fairly compensated for their work so that all of us who revere their magic can continue to view their art?
An unseen mode ? Not any that I can think of alas but the surest way to support photography is easy: buy photographs. The blogosphere doesn’t pay for bread and butter. However it remains a wonderful way to show and share. The compensation is not financial but still highly rewarding.
Does digital photography enhance in anyway the photographer's tool bag?
It most certainly does. It’s cheap and the result is instant. You don’t have to question the use of a costly film whether it is worth the trouble. You do it and if it’s no good, you delete it. In this sense, it's very liberating. The true limit however is that I have always thought that a photographer’s style defines itself more by its “mistakes” than by its perfection. I tend to favor a certain smoothness due to the relatively poor quality of the lenses I use as a choice. Digital lenses don’t allow that, they are often too sharp for my taste. For the same reason I never really liked Hasselblad, I much prefer the Pentax 6X7, or the good old Rolleiflex, which belonged to my grand father and still use. I call it my Stradivarius.
Reloading my Rolleiflex in a cafe in Venice and the Pentax 6X7 in Paris. This routine is part of the charm which you miss with digital and one never runs out of battery!
one last-What would your dream project be?
The only project worth dreaming is one that will reconcile human beings with humanity.
If I still had the vast wealth my family once enjoyed; before the revolution, they were the greatest art patrons of Ukraine; I would create an art academy in which the first year would sponsor nothing but a tour around the world. The basic material of art is life itself.
“Go and see the world and come back with your experience and a story.”
The most remarkable project is happening in Venezuela with El Sistema created by Prof Abreu. If you don’t know about it, I urge you visit this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Fortunately for Us Ivan Terestchenko has his own blog & shares his incredible work every day. His point about buying photographs is well taken. I can not imagine what our lives would be like without photographs.
All photographs Ivan Terestchenko has graciously shared are his.No images may be used without his permission.
IVAN TERESTCHENKO PHOTOGRAPHY his blog here , his website here , his books here
personality contest
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farewell to the past
Clarence John Laughlin
1946
of course ultimately, I think that the ideal critic should not, in any way, be prejudiced-either favorably or unfavorably-by personal idiosyncrasies of the man whose work he judges. This is a condition which I think should be aspired to-and I have long tried to make it apply to my own judgments, and I know that in some cases, at least, I like the work of certain artists whom I did not like as persons. It is too bad-and in some cases unjust-that people will allow habits of the artist which seem personally unpleasant to them-to imbalance their judgments about the work-because in the end, the artist, and his work, are two entirely distinct things.
(Clarence John Laughlin, photographer to Minor White, photographer, editor of Aperture)
(Clarence John Laughlin, photographer to Minor White, photographer, editor of Aperture)
farewell to the pastClarence John Laughlin
1946
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