Refreshing. Stimulating. Uplifting. Witty.  Native New Yorker Hester Diamond had a serious art collection, but was afraid of it being taken too seriously. She was determined to create a design for her Upper West Side apartment that accomplished showcasing her impressive art collection in an approachable way.

Hester Diamond is the mother of Michael Diamond, otherwise known as Mike D of the “Beastie Boys“. Little did we know, she is also an original, a talented interior designer and quite the visionary. Seeing the fresh approach to this interior, you can see now where Mike D got his ground breaking style.

Hester and her late husband Harold began collecting art in the 50s and became addicts. She continued her art habit after becoming a widow and then remarrying the former Dean of New York University in 1982. Their collection grew to consist of Mondrians, Kandinskys, Picassos, Veroneses, Brancusis, Pontormos, and Legers. She and her now-late husband got to the point where they started trading some of their other possessions for iconic works of art they fell in love with. They were in fact, serious about collecting their art.

After years in a career of social work, Hester decided to take a shot at interior decorating. Not surprisingly, with her innovative taste, she was a natural. After retiring from the industry in the late eighties, she came to a place in her own home where she wanted a change. She then evolved through phases of Mid-Century Modern and Neo-Classical/Renaissance styles in the home. She felt compelled to be, at regular intervals, refreshed and inspired. A few years ago she decided to again take on the redesign of her home and called on the assistance of her son’s friend Jim Walrod, a New York based interior designer and art consultant. Mike D referred to Jim as his ‘furniture pimp’ in a Rolling Stone article in the 90s and the nickname stuck.

Walrod co-owned the modern lifestyle store Form and Function in the 90s, specializing in Mid-Century Modern furniture with Fred Schneider of the B-52’s and song writer Jack Feldman. Jim has collaborated with designers and hoteliers on innovative interior concepts for hotels and restaurants such as The Standard in Los Angeles and The Park and The Thompson LES in New York. Hester hired him to help her bring her growing Renaissance art collection to life in a vibrant, modern setting.

The two collaborated and came up with a fresh, colorful concept. The look is totally original. Hester’s big drive was to find a color palette that was inspiring and happy, and brought her artwork to the forefront. Walrod and Diamond chose modern furniture pieces from Marcel Wanders, Tord Boontje, and Dune, setting them against citron painted walls and a candy colored patchwork carpet. The result is lively and cheerful, yet refined. In Hestor’s words, “It’s the most joyous place to live. It’s impossible to be depressed in this room.”

We’ve never seen anything like it, and that’s a quality we love. Pushing boundaries always results in something extraordinary, and kudos to Hester for being fearless. We have to say, she’s crafty. Enjoy these sumptuous photos filled with light, color and culture.

HighStreet. New York

photo courtesy of secure.artgallery.nsw.gov.au

E Pluribus Venom is a compilation of much of the impressive work produced by Shepard Fairey that was presented at the Jonathan Levine Gallery in the summer of 2007.

Literally translating to “Out of Many, Poison”, E Pluribus Venom is an evident play on the U.S Governments motto E Pluribus, Unum (Out of Many, One), which appears on U.S. dollars and coins.  According to Fairey, a society will only decline as many become one and individual power is loss.  The artwork of E Pluribus Venom is designed to question the symbols and methods of the American machine and the American dream.

Faireys enigmatic use of metaphor, humor, and stimulating graphics through paint, screen print, collage, and stencil reveal an intriguing yet exquisite conclusion.

Come see it for yourself.  We’ve got them at HighStreet (signed copies while they last!).

HighStreet.Cincinnati.

We don’t care what the critics say. Vampire Weekend is just plain fun, and sometimes that’s all we’re really asking for in our music. The New York four member band has blown up in the last few years. Influenced by Paul Simon, Talking Heads, traditional African music, reggae, and hip-hop, we find their sound irresistible. Sorry, we can’t help it.

We love their new album, Contra. A great follow up to their 2008 self titled debut. Pick it up at Shake It Records this week and check out the brand new Shepard Fairey mural on the side of the building while you are there.

Here is a brand new video featuring a slew of stars: RZA from the Wu-Tang Clan, Jake Gyllenhaal, Lil’ Jon, and even a Jonas Brother.

Alexander McQueen 2010 ad campaign via refinery29.com

Great things come from being under pressure. The dark, elegant beauty that the late Alexander McQueen produced for the fashion world we now understand came from a place of passion, creativity and personal affliction. His work was so inspirational and original. He pushed boundaries and made you think beyond the clothing. We were great fans of his art, thus we found it necessary to acknowledge his genius. A tribute to Lee Alexander McQueen.

Lee Alexander McQueen 1969-2010

McQueen’s shows were legendary; shocking and dramatic. Seats at his fashion shows were highly coveted due to the unexpected theatrics the audience would experience. McQueen liked to push the envelope, try things no one else had attempted before, and often with dark, psychological undertones. Some of his most memorable moments include creating a live human game of chess, sending a model down the runway with a pair of wolves on leashes, and orchestrating a thunder storm complete with rain, soaking the models and their couture garments.

Check out this interview that took place only 18 months ago. McQueen describes his vision behind his shows.

We thought we would leave you with some of our favorite McQueen looks from over the years and a behind the scenes video of his Fall 2008 collection. Also check out this link to a retrospective on his work.

We are sad to see his time come to an end so soon.

Katherine Tyznik.HighStreet.New York

photo courtesy of tuxedotee.wordpress.com/

From February 20th until August 22, 2010 all fans, foes, and unknowing Cincinnati commuters will get a chance to experience phenomenal and political art from one of the world’s most influential graphic,street artists – Shepard Fairey.  In conjunction with his twenty year retrospective, Supply and Demand, which will be displayed at the Contemporary Arts Center, select building facades (with permission) will showcase the now-famous artist’s wheatpaste murals in the Cincinnati area.

Perhaps you are familiar with some of his iconic campaigns, such as Obey Giant, Rock the Vote, and Hope?

Fairey’s work is known to pull together into relevance elements of pop culture, politics and marketing. The patterns and backdrops are familiar and pleasing. The style is that of propaganda art, graphic and current but the iconic imagery and tantalizing text imposed onto the scenes tell his story.  Fairey believes one should “question everything” and this is felt when you experience his work. It poses questions.

On his website obeygiant.com, Fairey states as their mission an ideology based on phenomenology, the purpose of which is to reawaken a sense of wonder about one’s environment. Fairey believes he accomplished this with his OBEY campaign.  Launched in the 1989, while a student at the Rhode Island School of Design, it was a phenomenon and people did respond in near-frenzy to gain for themselves the popular but unexplained sticker.

Starting as primarily a street artist and ascending into the serious art world through the increasing credibility awarded to the outsider and skateboard art scene, Shepard has since gone on to produce works of fine, graphic and commercial art along with high-impact guerilla marketing campaigns. He has additionally produced book covers and album covers for bands from the Black Eyed Peas to Led Zeppelin and film posters for the film Walk the Line with the help of his wife Amanda Fairey, through their design agency, Studio Number One.

Barack Obama “Hope” Poster

His most famous work to date however, is the compelling Obama HOPE poster, which has now been acquired by the US National Portrait Gallery and received a personal letter of thanks from the President that stated:

I would like to thank you for using your talent in support of my campaign. The political messages involved in your work have encouraged Americans to believe they can change the status-quo. Your images have a profound effect on people, whether seen in a gallery or on a stop sign. I am privileged to be a part of your artwork and proud to have your support.

— Barack Obama, February 22, 2008

The New Yorker art critic Peter Schjeldahl called the poster “the most efficacious American political illustration since ‘Uncle Sam Wants You.’”

Shepard Fairey is also an accomplished DJ and product designer.  He has worked with the likes of Chuck D (of Public Enemy) and friend Z-Trip, and DJ’s under the name DJ Diabetic and Emcee Insulin (referring to the fact that Fairey is living with Diabetes). His OBEY Giant clothing is sold at Nordstrom department stores.

Needless to say, this is an exciting exhibition to hit Cincinnati. Shepard Fairey stands to be the Warhol of his generation (known affectionately in the media as Generation X). His fortieth birthday was the day after Valentines Day, a very snowy Monday in Cincinnati, and we are pretty jazzed that he spends this time here with us.

It will begin at 8pm, Friday, February 19, following the Artist’s lecture at 7pm.  Fairey will be spinning a DJ set for the event.  It promises to be quite an evening to be in Cincinnati.

Limited-edition CAC poster

To commemorate the opening the CAC will be releasing a hot, exclusive screen print poster edition. Edition limited to 450, Signed and Numbered, and only available at the CAC.

For More information please visit http://contemporaryartscenter.org/ShepardFairey

Supply and Demand: 20 Year Retrospective
February 20, 2010 – August 22, 2010, Cincinnati, Ohio

At HighStreet, we are inspired by anything worthy – regardless of genre. Movies, music, history, nature, events, people, whatever catches the eyes or ears in a given day. But as we’ve mentioned, one of the fastest ways we get our fix is through the imported periodical . And certainly, flipping through a new copy of British interior design magazine Livingetc every month is quite the delight.

As you know, we are totally inspired by the Brits. They like to play and experiment… they are not afraid to have fun with design. Every issue is fresh, vibrant and colorful, full of lavish imagery. Mixing high-end products with inexpensive pieces is an area where the English excel. The Livingetc writers are always featuring clever do-it-yourself projects for you to try at home.

Next time you come to visit us at HighStreet, pick up a copy. We have not been disappointed by an issue yet.

HighStreet.Cincinnati.