Get Ready to Have Your Mind Blown by Joana Vasconcelos’s Wedding Cake Pavilion
In the world of art, there are those who push boundaries and challenge norms. And then there’s Portuguese artist Joana Vasconcelos, who takes things to a whole new level with her larger-than-life sculptures that elevate everyday objects. Seriously, this woman knows how to make a statement.
You may have heard of Vasconcelos before if you remember her contribution to the Venice Biennale in 2005. She created “A Noiva” (The Bride), which was a chandelier made entirely out of…wait for it…14,000 tampons. Yes, you read that right. Tampons. Who knew feminine hygiene products could be so artistic?
But wait, there’s more! Last fall, at Maria Grazia Chiuri’s Dior fashion show in Paris, Vasconcelos unveiled “Valkyrie Miss Dior,” an installation made up of fabric-wrapped tentacles that took over the entire show space at Jardin des Tuileries. Because nothing says high fashion like giant octopus arms.
Now brace yourselves for her latest masterpiece: “Wedding Cake.” This nearly 40-foot-high three-tiered wedding cake pavilion is located on the grounds of Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire, England. Imagine your typical wedding cake – but supersized and covered in pastel shades of pink, green and blue ceramic tiles.
Commissioned by Lord Jacob Rothschild himself (because apparently billionaires have nothing better to spend their money on), this project has been five years in the making- which begs the question: what were they doing all this time? Trying to find enough dolphins and cherubs to stick onto a giant cake?
According to Vasconcelos herself: “Weddings are the most important moment in some women’s lives,” she says with sincerity that might be hard to believe. “It’s the transition from one identity to another.” Ah, of course. Nothing signifies a life-altering rite of passage more than an oversized cake covered in ceramic dolphins.
But don’t worry, she doesn’t expect you take any of this seriously. In fact, she begs the question: “Do these symbols still make sense?” Well, no Joana, they definitely do not make any sense at all. But we appreciate the effort!
“Wedding Cake” will be opening on June 18th and if you find yourself in Buckinghamshire with nothing better to do, it might just be worth a visit.
A Philippine Resort Reimagined After a Devastating Typhoon
Let’s go from giant wedding cakes to something slightly less ridiculous (though not by much). When a typhoon swept through the Philippine island of Siargao last year and wiped out most of it, Bobby Dekeyser – owner of Nay Palad Hideaway resort and founder of Dedon furniture company – stepped up like a true hero.
Not only did he help relocate residents affected by the storm and fund the rebuilding of their homes but he also decided that his resort needed some major changes too.
The previous design consisted mostly of wood and bamboo villas – clearly outdated materials for modern times. So what did Dekeyser do? He enlisted French architect Daniel Pouzet (because apparently Filipino architects were busy?) to completely rethink Nay Palad’s design.
Now we have new villas made with steel reinforcement because why would anyone want their vacation ruined by another typhoon? Instead they built multiple story villas with expansive terraces because who needs privacy when you can have tons of people staring into your outdoor space?
Oh! And let’s not forget about all the unexpected spaces throughout public areas that Pouzet designed. Because what screams luxury more than hidden rooftop lounge beds accessible only by ladder? Or U-shaped communal couches that face the sea? And let’s not forget about those open-air “nests” dangling from palm trees. Maybe they’re suitable for birds, but humans might have a bit of trouble.
But hey, at least you don’t have to worry about paying extra for activities like massages or cocktails. Because everything – and I mean EVERYTHING – is included in the daily rate. From boating excursions to guided surf outings, it’s all there for you to enjoy.
And all this can be yours for the low price of $890 per person a night! Who said luxury doesn’t come cheap?
A Beach Bag That Will Change Your Life Forever
Finding the perfect beach bag is a struggle we can all relate to. Well, maybe not ALL of us since most people don’t spend their days lounging on chaise longues followed by leisurely lunch breaks on idyllic beaches (weird, right?). But if you happen to be one of those lucky few who live such a charmed life, then listen up!
Melissa Morris has heard your cries for help and she has answered them with her latest creation – the Cala collection by Métier. These are no ordinary beach bags my friends; these are carryalls designed specifically with beach bums in mind.
Morris developed a checkerboard straw weave with artisans outside of Florence because clearly regular straw just won’t cut it anymore. It had to be lightweight yet still hold its shape – because lord knows nobody likes floppy straw bags.
Available in three styles (because why settle for just one?), each tote features leather trimmings in light or dark brown along with braided handles made in a fishtail plait pattern because apparently fishing references are what elevate fashion nowadays.
Oh! And did I mention that each bag comes equipped with Métier’s signature arsenal of perfectly shaped pockets? Because what says luxury more than having designated spots for your phone, SPF, and other “valuables”? I don’t know about you, but nothing screams wealth like an organized beach bag.
So if you’re ready to revolutionize your beach experience (and have $1,250 burning a hole in your pocket), then head on over to métier.com and pre-order one of these bad boys. Your chaise longue will thank you.
RF Alvarez’s Paintings: The Odyssey Meets the American West
When you think of queer tenderness, what comes to mind? If it’s the Greek Odyssey mixed with the ruggedness of the American West, then boy do I have a show for you!
RF Alvarez is an artist who knows how to take traditional myths and turn them on their heads – all while celebrating queer love and intimacy. His solo show at SoHo’s Alanna Miller gallery is appropriately titled “Eros,” because what better name for a show that explores themes of love than the Greek god himself?
As a son of Texas cattle ranchers going back seven generations (which honestly sounds exhausting), Alvarez never thought he’d return to his home state after leaving for college on the East Coast. But life works in mysterious ways! When his husband got into medical school in Austin and they moved back to Texas, Alvarez found solace in painting.
His current exhibition features 10 works that reinterpret Homer’s famed tale with a modern twist. In one piece titled “Dinner with the Phaeacians,” we see friends cozily gathered around a table wearing cowboy hats – clearly because no meal is complete without accessorizing!
Other pieces delve into more intimate moments such as couples in bed with poppers and PrEP bottles casually strewn about their nightstand. Because hey, nothing says romance like drug paraphernalia!
Alvarez makes it clear that he doesn’t necessarily feel welcomed or accepted in the American West – but that doesn’t stop him from existing. As he puts it: “There is no place for me in the West, but multitudes can exist.” So let that be a lesson to us all: you don’t need acceptance or approval to live your truth. You just need some paint and a whole lot of creativity.
If you’re curious about Alvarez’s work (or simply want to support a good cause), check out the T-shirts released by queer-owned swimsuit brand Sean & Val earlier this year. Two of Alvarez’s paintings were printed on these shirts, with proceeds going towards the Hetrick-Martin Institute – an organization that supports New York City’s queer homeless youth. Because nothing says fashion like making a statement for a good cause!
A Boutique Hotel That Will Make Your Jaw Drop – But Not for Good Reasons
Athens may not be at the top of everyone’s travel list when it comes to Greece – I mean those beautiful islands have the monopoly on vacation destinations. But if you find yourself in Athens one day looking for somewhere quirky to stay, look no further than Apollo Palm hotel.
Located in Psyrri, one of Athens’ most artistic neighborhoods filled with open-air galleries and trendy bars (because who needs beaches when art is clearly more important?), Apollo Palm promises to give you an experience like no other. And by “like no other,” I mean prepare yourself for some seriously questionable design choices.
You see, the interior designer Mariette Sans-Rival has a background in set design – which totally makes sense considering her decision-making skills are straight out of Alice in Wonderland crossed with The Twilight Zone.
Sans-Rival opted for whites and creams as her color palette because clearly hotels should resemble sterile hospitals rather than fun places where people go on vacation. Oh! And let’s not forget about touches of brass because nothing screams luxury like shiny metal accents reminding you how broke you are compared to Greek gods.
The guest rooms feature bespoke furniture created by none other than Sans-Rival herself because why hire professionals when you can just make stuff yourself? And let’s not forget about the communal spaces with a garden courtyard and rooftop cocktail bar – clearly designed for those who enjoy drinks garnished with insect remains from nearby trees.
And guess what’s coming soon to Apollo Palm? A music venue and sound bar called Studio Olala! I know, it sounds too good to be true – but trust me, you’ll want to sit back with a drink in hand while amateur musicians serenade you poorly. It’s a treat for all the senses!
If any of this sounds appealing (or if sanity isn’t your thing), rooms start at $170 per night. But hey, don’t say I didn’t warn you about the questionable design choices.
Step into Japan’s Psychedelic Poster Art Scene
The words “psychedelic” and “Japan” may not typically go together, but at New York’s Poster House museum they are an unexpected match made in heaven. The museum is currently showcasing 73 striking works that explore Japan’s poster art scene throughout the 20th century.
From Tadanori Yokoo’s trippy-collage style posters promoting everything from Beatles concerts to Suntory whisky (clearly two peas in a pod) to Hiroshima Appeals project posters advocating for peace through iconic images like burning butterflies or Mickey Mouse covering his eyes –
