Art & Design

Polo in oil on canvas at Auction House Rotherbaum
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On 22nd September 2024, an exciting auction will take place at Auction House Rotherbaum OHG in Hamburg, where paintings with a polo theme will be auctioned. The two oil on canvas works, titled “Polo” (1996) and “Cartier No. 1 Blue” (1996), are each indistinctly signed on the reverse with “[…] Hey” and measure approximately 60 x 50 cm. The paintings are framed (63 x 53 cm) and offer a captivating depiction of the sport of polo.

For further information about the auction and the artworks, please visit the following link: https://www.ah-rotherbaum.de/auction/lot/lot-1359—unbekannt-20-jahrhundert/?lot=17140&so=0&st=&sto=0&au=17&ef=&et=&ic=False&sd=0&mc=14&pp=96&pn=2&g=1#.

Text: Ruth Yorke, Photo: Auction House Rotherbaum OHG

© Auction House Rotherbaum OHG
On 22nd September 2024, an exciting auction will take place at Auction House Rotherbaum OHG in Hamburg, where paintings with a polo theme will be auctioned. The two oil on…
The North is winning…
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For the first time, the awards “The 101 best hotels in Switzerland, Austria, South Tyrol and Germany” were presented for the first time. Celebrities and business leaders attended the exclusive “101 Soirée” at The Dolder Grand in Zurich. The Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Hamburg was named Hotel of the Year and thus the overall transnational winner. Other hotels from northern Germany also picked up top titles.

Zurich/Hamburg – A touch of Hollywood pervaded Zurich‘s The Dolder Grand hotel yesterday when the winners of “The 101 Best Hotels Switzerland, Austria, South Tyrol and Germany 2024” were announced at the “101 Soirée”. Numerous celebrities such as Kai Pflaume, Andreas Caminada, Nelson Müller, Elisabeth Gürtler, Julia and Nina Meise, Irina Cerutti and extreme mountaineer Thomas Bubendorfer took part in the exclusive “101 Soirée”, while Heiko Nieder (2-star Michelin Guide) accompanied the evening with fine culinary creations. Hotel of the Year – overall winner (transnational) and thus also Best Hotel in Germany is the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Hamburg. The BUDERSAND Hotel – Golf & Spa – Sylt won the Luxury Design Hotel of the Year title and Severin‘s Resort & Spa on Sylt was named Luxury Spa & Health Resort of the Year.

Ingo Peters, General Manager of the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Hamburg, was very touched by the award. “The prestigious award fills us with great pride. Together with our great team, we are committed to offering our guests service par excellence day after day.”

“The ranking shows what great hotels the north of Germany has – especially in view of the strong competition in the four countries,” said Carsten K. Rath, who created the ranking together with his son David. “The 101 Best Hotels” is the first independent and relevant hotel ranking in the German-speaking world. In addition to the opinions of a board of trustees, various criteria are incorporated into the ratings – the IU International University of Munich determines the final winners with maximum transparency, objectivity and expertise. The “101 Iconic Hotelier of the Year” was also chosen for the first time using the same strict criteria. The title went to the charismatic Marco Zanolari, CEO of The Living Circle hotel group, which includes Widder Hotel, Storchen Zurich and Castello del Sole Beach Resort & Spa. “Marco Zanolari is a direct contact for guests like no other, knows how to motivate employees perfectly and creates added value for the company,” says Carsten K. Rath. The “101 Best Hotels in Germany” awards were presented for the fifth time last fall. Next year, the “101 Best Hotels in Switzerland” will also be honored. “I am very pleased about the award and feel honored,” says Marco Zanolari, “especially as ‘The 101 Best Hotels’ is now the ranking of all hotel rankings.” Frank Marrenbach, Managing Partner of Althoff Hotels, adds: “The ranking is well on its way to becoming the Michelin Guide of the hotel industry.”

(from right to left) Ingo C. Peters and wife Christiane (HOTEL VIER JAHRESZEITEN / HOTEL OF THE YEAR - OVERALL WINNER / BEST HOTEL IN GERMANY), Kurt Dohle and son Klaus (Dohle Group), Kai Pflaume (TV presenter) ‘The 101 best hotels: Switzerland, Austria, South Tyrol and Germany 2024’ at Hotel The Dolder Grand in Zurich on 5 May 2024 Credit: AGENCY PEOPLE IMAGE (c) Michael Tinnefeld

The awards for “The 101 best hotels in Switzerland, Austria, South Tyrol and Germany 2024” have now been presented for the first time. The winners of the ten categories are:

HOTEL SACHER WIEN (A)
– Grand Hotel of the year / Best Hotel in Austria

The Dolder Grand, Zurich (CH)
– Luxury City Resort of the year / Best Hotel in Switzerland

Mandarin Oriental, Munich (D)
– Luxury City Palais of the year

FORESTIS, South Tyrol (IT)
– Luxury Alpin Resort of the year / Best Hotel in South Tyrol

BUDERSAND Hotel – Golf & Spa, Sylt (D)
– Luxury Design Hotel of the year

Spa & Resort Bachmaier Weissach (D)
– Luxury Family Resort of the year

The Alpina Gstaad (CH)
– Luxury Hideaway of the year

Park Hotel Vitznau (CH)
– Luxury Hotel in Historical Architecture of the year

Hotel Bareiss, Baiersbronn (D)
– Luxury Culinary Hotel of the year

Severin’s Resort & Spa, Sylt (D)
– Luxury Spa & Health Resort of the year

In a fascinating panel discussion on the future of hospitality in the luxury hotel industry, the CEOs of leading hotel groups in German-speaking countries, including Jörg Böckeler (Hommage), Urs Langenegger (Hospitality Vision Lake Lucern), Dr. Andreas Sanoner (ADLER Spa Resorts & Lodges), Matthias Winkler (Sacher Hotels) and Marco Zanolari (The Living Circle), spoke at the “101 Executive Summit – powered by Monoplan” in Zurich‘s Hotel Baur au Lac.

Partner hotels for the major event in Zurich were The Dolder Grand, Baur au Lac Hotel, Mandarin Oriental Savoy, La Réserve Eden au Lac Zurich and the hotels of The Living Circle: Storchen Zurich, Alex Lake Zurich and the Widder Hotel.

Should you require further information, we will be happy to assist you. The first three places in the individual categories of “The 101 best hotels in Switzerland, Austria, South Tyrol and Germany” are as follows:

101 GRANDHOTELS

1. HOTEL SACHER WIEN (A)
2. Hotel Breidenbacher Hof, Düsseldorf (D)
3. GRAND HOTEL Les Trois Rois, Basel (CH)

101 LUXURY CITY RESORTS

1. The Dolder Grand, Zürich (CH)
2. Beau-Rivage Palace, Genf (CH)
3. The Charles Hotel, München (D)

101 LUXURY CITY PALAIS

1. Mandarin Oriental, Munich (D)
2. Hotel Sacher, Salzburg (A)
3. Baur au Lac, Zürich (CH)

101 LUXURY ALPIN RESORTS

1. FORESTIS, Südtirol (IT)
2. Schloss Elmau, Krün (D)
3. ADLER Lodge RITTEN (IT)

101 LUXURY DESIGN HOTELS

1. BUDERSAND Hotel – Golf & Spa, Sylt (D)
2. The Fontenay, Hamburg (D)
3. THE OMNIA, Zermatt (CH)

101 LUXURY FAMILY RESORTS

1. Spa & Resort Bachmair Weissach (D)
2. Sonnenalp Resort, Ofterschwang (D)
3. Familien Natur Resort Moar Gut, Großarl (A)

101 LUXURY HIDEAWAYS

1. The Alpina Gstaad, Gstaad (CH)
2. Hotel Eden Roc, Ascona (CH)
3. Alpin Resort Sacher Seefeld (AT)

101 LUXURY HOTELS IN HISTORICAL ARCHITECTURE

1. Park Hotel Vitznau (CH)
2. Widder Hotel, Zürich (CH)
3. Der Europäische Hof Heidelberg (D)

101 CULINARY HOTELS

1. Hotel Bareiss, Baiersbronn (D)
2. Hotel RIVA, Konstanz (D)
3. Gardena Grödnerhof Hotel & Spa, St. Ulrich (IT)

101 LUXURY SPA & HEALTH RESORTS

1. Severin’s Resort & Spa, Sylt (D)
2. Castello del Sole, Ascona (CH)
3. Grand Resort Bad Ragaz (CH)

For the first time, the awards “The 101 best hotels in Switzerland, Austria, South Tyrol and Germany” were presented for the first time. Celebrities and business leaders attended the exclusive…
Gut Seeburg am Champagnerberg: Interview with Wolfgang Weiss at Gut Seeburg in March 2024
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An interview with Wolfgang Weiss: Almost four decades of polo passion and the founding history of the Gut Seeburg Polo & Country Club.

An interview with Wolfgang Weiss, the founder of the Polo & Country Club Gut-Seeburg, who has been active in the sport of polo for 36 years and founded a polo facility at Gut-Seeburg near Berlin after the fall of the Berlin Wall. He has collected polo documents with over 100 years of German polo history from around the world, offering a fascinating opportunity to gain deep insights into this unique sport, his personal experiences, and the heritage of polo in Germany. Ten questions from POLO+10, covering a wide range of topics and addressing his experiences, challenges, achievements, and vision:

You have been involved in polo for 36 years. Can you tell us what originally brought you to polo and what was your greatest motivation to become active in this field?

My enthusiasm for polo began in 1987 in Berlin-Frohnau with the sponsorship of polo events. Even though I had no experience with horses or riding, the thrill and aesthetics of polo fascinated me from the very first second. My enthusiasm for the sport quickly led to my first riding lessons, the purchase of horses, and polo lessons in Germany, Argentina, Florida, and California.

After reunification, you founded two polo clubs in Seeburg near Berlin. What challenges did you face when founding the club, and how did you manage to overcome them? How did the former LPG site become today‘s Polo & Country Club with the affiliated Polo Park Berlin, which is now managed by Thomas Strunck?

The founding of the Polo Club Gut Seeburg was aimed at developing a social and sporting background for the game of polo at Gut Seeburg; the Förderverein des Polosports Berlin-Potsdam served as a commercial association for all events and youth work and as a contact point for sponsors.

Over the years, I have freed myself from the clumsiness and restrictions on freedom of action by having a say in the clubs and turned everything into a company, which I will transform into a foundation in the future.

My active sporting days are over, and in Thomas Strunck, I have found a committed tenant with excellent contacts in the polo scene who will continue to run the polo matches in Seeburg.

What personal achievements in polo are particularly important to you, and why?

For me personally, my greatest achievements are not necessarily sporting successes but the enjoyment of the game itself, the memories of a multitude of experiences, the people who accompanied me during this time, and the interesting contacts that I have been able to make in many places around the world as part of the sport from 1990 to the present day.

Symbolic handover of the contract between Thomas Strunck and Wolfgang Weiss, sealing a partnership for the next 10 years.

The polo exhibition you have put together covers over 100 years of polo history. What inspired you to create this exhibition, and what do you want to achieve with it?

The collection and preservation of historical documents began with my enthusiasm for the sport of polo and its aesthetics and my passion for preserving historical artefacts and antiques. I kept posters and brochures from decades ago without realising that this collection would become unique as documentation, as there are hardly any regional „event prints“ left today as future contemporary documents, a fact that is suitable for continuing the polo exhibition.

POLO+10 and the Hurlingham Polo Magazine are the only regular print sources of information about regional polo coverage.

Is there a particular exhibit or piece in your polo exhibition that you are particularly fond of? If so, could you tell us its story?

My favourite piece is a poster for a polo tournament in Frohnau from 1927, which I discovered on a trip to Argentina in Buenos Aires at the flea market in San Telmo, and the 1906 club flag of the Berlin Polo Club.

How did the political change in Germany in 1989 influence the sport of polo and especially the activities at Gut Seeburg?

Suddenly, major hurdles such as horse transport by GDR transit were no longer necessary, and rooms and areas were available that opened up new possibilities for spacious horse keeping and created space for polo. Fuelled by the presence of the English as pioneers of polo on the Maifeld and in the barracks in West Germany, our willingness to invest led to the establishment of a large number of polo clubs in a short space of time, e.g., in Hanover with Wolfgang Kailing, in Aspern by the Kirsch family, we at Gut Seeburg, and two further clubs in Phöben and Finkenkrug.

Without reunification, this development would not have taken place, and for 20 years we fought for land with the Treuhand, the BVVG, and the JCC (New York). The property would not have become what it is now without these efforts. Now we see the children of my polo partners from 1990 playing together with their own children and partners.

How has polo changed and how do you see the future of the sport?

Thanks to digital networking, players and clubs are more closely connected worldwide; contacts can be made more quickly, and appointments can be arranged. International networking creates independence for clubs from associations and manipulation within them.

Polo equals money and time, and nothing has changed in the last 120 years; the documents from the polo exhibition prove this.

How do you promote young talent and what importance do you attach to youth work?

Youth and junior work is the cornerstone of polo and is my absolute priority. From the very beginning, we developed a polo youth programme in conjunction with sponsorship and partnerships to reduce costs, to give children the opportunity to learn and practise the sport.

We still pursue this goal today by training children and young people in riding as basic work for the sport of polo. A golf school with a short course and driving range, flats, and guest rooms round off the country club concept. The work with children and young people, such as in Berlin at our Gut-Seeburg art school, therapeutic riding, and our pony farm, are important further mosaic stones in the further development of the club.

What are your future plans and visions for both polo activities and the polo exhibition? Are there any special projects or initiatives that you would like to tackle?

We will continue to develop and strengthen the sport of polo in Seeburg with the help of investments and a new 10-year contract with Thomas Strunck, thereby supporting Thomas with his openness to all polo players in Berlin and the polo environment at Ladies and Youth Cups in order to consolidate his previous work at Gut Seeburg.

I will continue to promote and support the sport of polo and guarantee this for the future through a foundation.

I will expand the polo exhibition by continually extending the documentation and continue to make the rooms available for company seminars, meetings, guided tours, and press events.

I would be happy to receive information on suitable objects for purchase.

These questions should not only emphasise the passion and achievements of the initiator and passionate polo player but also offer deeper insights into the culture and development of the sport of polo. Mr Weiss, thank you very much for this interview and all the best for the future development of your impressive polo exhibition.

By POLO+10
Photography Frank Altmann / unitedimages.com
An interview with Wolfgang Weiss: Almost four decades of polo passion and the founding history of the Gut Seeburg Polo & Country Club. An interview with Wolfgang Weiss, the founder…
One Wall Street Unveils Landmark Plaque in Downtown Manhattan
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Iconic Art Deco Skyscraper in the Financial District Celebrates Landmark Status with Official Ceremony in Collaboration with Macklowe Properties and the New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation

NEW YORK, NY (September 27, 2023) – Today, iconic Art Deco skyscraper One Wall Street celebrated its certification as a landmark by unveiling a plaque presented by the New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation. Originally built in 1931 as the Irving Trust Company Headquarters by “the Architect of the Century” Ralph Walker, One Wall Street represents one of the most ambitious examples of adaptive reuse to residential and retail in New York City‘s history while leading the Financial District‘s transformation into a world-class residential neighborhood.

To commemorate the occasion, Landmark plaques were unveiled at the Broadway entrance with a ceremony, with a reception following in the One Club private residential restaurant on the building’s 38th floor. Speakers included Harry Macklowe, developer of One Wall Street, Tom Krizmanic, Chair of the New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation, and Sarah Carroll, Chair of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Mayor Eric Adams also issued an official citation to celebrate the occasion.

One Wall Street is regarded as one of New York City‘s premier Art Deco landmarks. In 2001, the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission designated the original 1931 portion of the building as a New York City landmark, and in 2007, it was declared a contributing property to the Wall Street Historic District, a National Register of Historic Places district.

The plaque is presented by the New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation, which was established in 1980 to foster public awareness of preservation through educational outreach, including the creation of landmark plaques for historic buildings, and supports the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC,) which was created in 1965 through groundbreaking legislation in response to the losses of historically significant buildings in New York City.

The Landmarks Plaque reads: “Built as the headquarters of the Irving Trust Company Bank in 1929-31, One Wall Street is one of New York City’s finest art deco skyscrapers. The 654-foot limestone-clad tower, suggestive of a fluted column or draped cloth, is enlivened by subtle setbacks, chamfered corners, concave windows, and a crystalline crown that originally contained an executive lounge. It is among the most significant works of Ralph Walker, of Voorhees, Gmelin & Walker, whom the American Institute of Architects honored as ‘The Architect of The Century’ in 1957. One Wall Street was designated an individual landmark in 2001 and sensitively converted to residential and retail use in 2022 by Macklowe Properties.”

Architecture and Conversion:

The landmarked original 1931 building at One Wall Street was designed by Ralph Walker of the Voorhees, Gmelin and Walker architecture firm, reaching 56 stories at 654 feet tall, with a primarily limestone facade built in the Art Deco style. The southern annex, designed by the successor firm of the original architecture team, was completed in 1965, reaching 28 stories and 391 feet, and during the conversion was expanded during the restoration to expand to 36 stories and 494 feet, housing new residences and the One Club amenities spaces.

“New York City’s triumvirate of great Art Deco buildings would consist of the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and One Wall Street.” Ada Louise Huxtable, Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic

The exterior of the property was sensitively restored and the interiors completely reimagined, with SLCE Architects serving as the executive architect and interior architects including MdeAs, TenBerke, (formerly known as Deborah Berke Partners,) and Ashe Leandro. Robert A.M Stern Architects served as the architect for the master plan Landmarks approval, and Acheson Doyle Partners Architects served as the historic preservation consultant for the project. All escalators and elevators throughout the building were removed and centralized in the core of the building to best serve the residents and allow for more light and air to reach the interiors, offering residents natural light and sweeping views. New windows were added throughout, with limestone surrounds from the original Indiana quarry to ensure a seamless exterior. Acheson Doyle Partners Architects served as the historic preservation consultant for the project.

“One Wall Street presents a series of rhythmic motifs of different sizes and shapes.
This sense of rhythm becomes clear when one’s eye travels upward along the strongly vertical lines of the building.” Ralph Walker, Original architect of One Wall Street

One Wall Street Residences and Amenities:

One Wall Street was developed by Macklowe Properties in a remarkably complex and intricate restoration, comprising 566 condominiums complemented by 100,000-square-feet of amenities and a residential lifestyle previously unavailable in New York City.

The residences at One Wall Street maintain the elegance of the building’s coveted pre-war proportions and architecture, from which the team meticulously created modern layouts for the residences that reflect the way people live today with the best in contemporary craftsmanship and materiality. Residences feature soaring ceiling heights and breathtaking, unparalleled views of the Manhattan cityscape, New York Harbor, and New York City landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Trinity Church, and the New York Stock Exchange.

One Wall Street is the Financial District‘s first true luxury residential building with full-time door staff, porters, resident manager, and white-glove concierge service, offering The One Club residential amenities space that highlights amenities for wellness, entertainment, leisure and business. Amenities include a 75-foot, glass-enclosed Sky Pool with a wraparound terrace, and the only private residential restaurant in Downtown Manhattan, which offers a gourmet seasonal menu, espresso bar, and craft cocktails in the dining area designed by TenBerke, (formerly known as Deborah Berke Partners,) as well as on an adjoining 4,500-square-foot terrace with stunning views. The building also offers a transformative co-working space, One Works by The One Club, a tech-savvy, 6,500-square foot space that creates an effortless, multifunctional space to support residents with the option of working from home.

The building’s retail space was carefully reconfigured to create a residential center in the neighborhood akin to Rockefeller Center, including the Financial District‘s largest grocer, Whole Foods, and Life Time Fitness Resort, which offers a private entrance and complimentary membership to residents in addition to the 38th floor private fitness center in the amenities space. Luxury French retailer Printemps will open their first U.S. store in a 54,000-square foot space at the base of the building that encompasses the historic Red Room.

About One Wall Street

One Wall Street is a 56-story Art Deco landmark in Lower Manhattan located to the east of Broadway and adjacent to the New York Stock Exchange. Built in 1931 for the Irving Trust company and designed by architect Ralph Walker, One Wall Street has been transformed by Macklowe Properties into a condominium building in the largest office to residential conversion in the history of New York City. One Wall Street offers unobstructed views of New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty, comprising 566 studio to four-bedroom condominiums and a penthouse, in addition to 174,000 square feet of retail space and 100,000 square feet of amenity space. For more information and current availability, please visit www.onewallstreet.com

 

About the New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation

The New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 1980 that raises funds from private sources. The Foundation‘s mission is to support certain activities of the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Every Fall,  the Foundation sponsors a “Lunch at a Landmark” to raise funds for its programs and to foster a dialogue regarding preservation and architecture through educational outreach. For more information, please visit www.nylpf.org/.

Iconic Art Deco Skyscraper in the Financial District Celebrates Landmark Status with Official Ceremony in Collaboration with Macklowe Properties and the New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation NEW YORK, NY (September…
Ferenc Flamm: Equine Fine Art
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Ferenc´s passion is horses and to paint horses. He works throughout the international field, often on commissions. His objects are polo, harness racing and dressage.

Ferenc Flamm grew up in Budapest and from an early age fell in love with the horses that are so much a part of the Hungarian noble traditions. His interest continued to mature during his education at The Fine Art College of Budapest and The Hungarian Academy of Fine Arts where he closely studied the horse’s anatomy, muscular structure and movement. He often visited the Hungarian countryside and the classical horse breeding farms so he could study his favourite objects in their genuine and natural habitat.

In 1976 Ferenc moved to Sweden, married and formed a family, while at the same time finding his feet as a graphic designer and artist. Over the past ten years he has returned increasingly to his artistic roots; painting portraits and accomplishing his own art projects. His work has been displayed at art galleries on Broadway, in Soho and in the City Hall, New York, at the U.S. Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., in Orlando and Fort Lauderdale in Florida, at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas and on Long Island. He also participated with his paintings in the Annual Exhibitions of The Society of Equestrian Artists at the Mall Galleries in London.

Contact:

flammferi@gmail.com
www.flamm.se
Ferenc´s passion is horses and to paint horses. He works throughout the international field, often on commissions. His objects are polo, harness racing and dressage. Ferenc Flamm grew up in…
The new issues of POLO+10 German and POLO+10 WORLD will go to press in just 4 weeks
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POLO+10 offers the best opportunity to present your business to the niche market of the global polo community and their luxury lifestyle living fans and followers. 

Contact POLO+10 now to explore the options of sharing about your high-end lifestyle serving products and offers, your club insights or tournaments to the exclusive polo market. With POLO+10 you can flexibly combine print and digital media advertising to maximize your reach. Deadline for print advertisements is April 4th, 2022.

The covers of the next POLO+10 issues are dedicated to Adolfo Cambiaso and Barto Castagnola.

Check out the front cover of the next German POLO+10 issue: Barto Castagnola arriving at La Natividad’s palenque, celebrating after winning their semi-final game against RS Murus Sanctus and securing a place in the Argentine Open HSBC final, December 2021.

Adolfo Cambiaso himself is shown on the cover of POLO+10 WORLD. Iconic player of La Dolfina, smiling at someone in the audience while changing poneys mid-field during the Argentine Open HSBC, December 2021. 

Many thanks to Wendy Falourd who shot both covers © wfldphotography

As always, we will share the latest news from the international polo community: a review of the most important events, new polo formats in the USA, new impulses in Africa, interviews, personalities, opinions and interesting lifestyle and travel topics.

Do not miss out: Subscribe to POLO+10 WORLD for Spring and Autumn 2022 here:  subscription@poloplus10.com

All media data for corporate publishing and PR can be found at 

Download Media Kit POLO+10

POLO+10 offers the best opportunity to present your business to the niche market of the global polo community and their luxury lifestyle living fans and followers.  Contact POLO+10 now to…
Gianfranco Brignone (1926-2022)
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It is with profound sadness that the Brignone family announces the passing of Gianfranco Brignone founder of Careyes, at the age of 95 years surrounded by his loving family.

We honour his vision, creativity, passion and perseverance which allowed for Careyes to develop into one of the most important architectural wonders of the pacific coast, resonating for all times to come: the true Magic of Careyes!

He is survived by his children Emanuela, Giorgio and Filippo and the younger generation who will in unison honour respectfully his legacy. 

Born in 1926 in Turin (Italy) and one-time banker, Gianfranco flew over the jagged cliffs and jungle hills of Careyes on the Pacific Coast of Jalisco in 1968, and immediately decided to make this unique place his own personal frontier and utopia. Careyes was blessed to meet Gianfranco and he was, in return, exceptionally privileged to discover Careyes.

Deploying some of the world’s most talented and imaginative architects beginning with Marco Aldaco, Alberto Mazzoni, Diego Villaseñor and Jean-Claude Galibert — together with summoning skilled local artisans — in harmony enthusiastically embraced and realized his vision with the pivotal obsession that the landscape is essential and to be preserved: ‘I am not an Architect, but a framer of Nature’. 

He developed many important architectural landmarks such as the houses Mi Ojo, Tigre del Mar with its Casa del 3000, together with the mirroring houses Sol de Oriente and Occidente amongst many others, always designing without any straight lines, as they don’t exist in the environment and utilizing mathematical measurements based on the number twenty-seven.

 

 

`I have given my life for my dreams and my dreams have given me life.` — GFB

 

 

 

‚One eye to see and one to feel’ he once said and, on this hue, he designed and built beautiful land interventions such as the Ojo de Venado, Arbol de Corazón, and Copa del Sol of which images have circulated all over the world as a result of their strength and vibrancy.

 For over 50 years, Gianfranco has closely guarded and preserved the 15km of coastline and beaches of Careyes, which encompasses a wild, virtually uninhabited area, stretching along the Pacific shoreline, and includes about 2000 hectares of jungle, mangroves and cliffs. 

Together with the Careyes Foundation established to catalyse innovative programs in education, sports, ecology, and the arts to improve the well-being of local communities along the South Pacific coast of Mexico. The Sea Turtle Protection & Conservation Center was opened in 1983 releasing over 1.9 million new-born sea turtles safely into the ocean.

Careyes has now become one of the rare sustainable and socially responsible communities in Mexico counting more than 42 different nationalities and 287 Caballeros y Damas del Sol. 

In September of 2006, he was honoured the “Orden Mexicana del Águila Azteca” from Mexican President Vicente Fox, the highest achievement for a foreigner in recognition his work over the years. 

 

 
It is with profound sadness that the Brignone family announces the passing of Gianfranco Brignone founder of Careyes, at the age of 95 years surrounded by his loving family. We…
Rolls-Royce motor cars announces first fully electric car
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29th September, Goodwood, West Sussex

In an historic announcement, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announced today, that on-road testing of its first fully electric motor car is imminent. In announcing this seminal moment for the marque, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Chief Executive Officer, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, said:

“Today is the most significant day in the history of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars since 4th May, 1904. On that date, our founding fathers, Charles Rolls and Sir Henry Royce, first met and agreed that they were going to create ‘the best motor car in the world’.  

“Using the most advanced technology available to them at the time and by applying their remarkable engineering minds, these two pioneers elevated early internal combustion engine cars, from noisy, uncomfortable and rudimentary means of transportation, by setting a completely new benchmark of distinction.  

“The cars they created, introduced to the world a true luxury experience and secured for Rolls-Royce the ultimate pinnacle position that it continues to occupy, unchallenged, to this day.  The marque has continued to define the very best in internal combustion motoring for more than a century. 

“Today, 117 years later, I am proud to announce that Rolls-Royce is to begin the on-road testing programme for an extraordinary new product that will elevate the global all-electric car revolution and create the first – and finest – super-luxury product of its type. This is not a prototype. It’s the real thing, it will be tested in plain sight and our clients will take first deliveries of the car in the fourth quarter of 2023.”

  • CEO, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, announces Rolls-Royce’s first fully electric car
  • Finished product will come to market in Q4 2023
  • New product named ‘Spectre’
  • Electric Rolls-Royce fulfils the 1900 prophecy of the marque’s founder, Charles Rolls 
  • A promise kept by CEO, who pledged to bring an electric car to market this decade
  • Global testing will cover 2.5 million kilometres – a simulation of 400 years of use 
  • By 2030 all Rolls-Royce products will be fully electric
  • Spectre underpinned by Rolls-Royce’s own spaceframe architecture
 

A PROPHECY FULFILLED

“The use of electric motors is not a new concept for Rolls-Royce. Sir Henry Royce was fascinated by all things electrified, and his first venture, named F. H. Royce and Company, created dynamos, electric crane motors and patented the bayonet-style light bulb fitting.

“However, it was Charles Rolls who truly prophesied an electrified future for automobiles. In April 1900 he experienced an early electric motor car named the Columbia and declared its electric drive to be ideal.

“Rolls said, ‘The electric car is perfectly noiseless and clean. There is no smell or vibration, and they should become very useful when fixed charging stations can be arranged. But for now, I do not anticipate that they will be very serviceable – at least for many years to come.’

“Charles Rolls’ prophecy has been the subject of constant consideration during the marque’s Goodwood era. But we have not been satisfied that available technology could support the Rolls-Royce experience. Until now.

“Now is the time to change the course of the future of luxury.

“We embark on this bold new future with a huge advantage. Electric drive is uniquely and perfectly suited to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, more so than any other automotive brand. It is silent, refined and creates torque almost instantly, going on to generate tremendous power.  This is what we at Rolls-Royce call ‘waftability’.

“At Rolls-Royce, we have been experimenting with an electric powertrain for some time. In 2011 we revealed 102EX, a fully operational all-electric Phantom. We followed this in 2016 with our fully electric 103EX, which represented our vision for the marque several decades into the future.”

 

A PROMISE KEPT

“These extraordinary products prompted a huge amount of interest in electric powertrain technology amongst our clients. They considered it as the perfect fit for Rolls-Royce. And, over the past decade, I have been repeatedly asked, ‘When will Rolls-Royce go electric?’ and ‘When will you produce your first electric car?’

“I answered with an unambiguous promise: ‘Rolls-Royce will go electric, starting this decade.’ Today, I’m keeping my word.”

 

A REMARKABLE UNDERTAKING

“Charles Rolls’ prophecy and my promise have led us to a seminal moment for the marque. Rolls-Royce has embarked on an historic and unique undertaking, which today becomes a reality. Our designers and engineers have worked relentlessly to bring us here: we are now ready to commence road-testing of the first all-electric Rolls-Royce in history. 

“This fundamental change in our powertrain technology requires that we challenge every single aspect of the product before we offer it to the most discerning and demanding individuals in the world – our Rolls-Royce clients. 

“To do this, we have conceived the most demanding testing programme in Rolls-Royce’s history. We will cover 2.5 million kilometres – a simulation of more than 400 years of use for a Rolls-Royce, on average – and we will travel to all four corners of the world to push this new motor car to the limit.  

“You will see these test cars on roads, around the world. Look out for them – they will be in plain sight. They will be tested in all conditions and over all terrains on their multi-million-mile journey – that will literally accelerate Rolls-Royce into the future.”  

 

TRULY FLEXIBLE ARCHITECTURE OF OUR OWN

“In 2017, we debuted Phantom, and with it the marque’s proprietary aluminium architecture: a scalable and flexible spaceframe that would underpin all forthcoming Rolls-Royce motor cars. This unique technology – developed for Rolls-Royce by Rolls-Royce and reserved for the marque’s exclusive use – was created to form the foundation of not just different internal combustion engine models, as it now does with Cullinan and Ghost, but models with completely different powertrains.

“To this end, our forthcoming electric car benefits from the Rolls-Royce architecture and therefore the extraordinary experience of a Rolls-Royce on the road. Free of any group platform sharing strategy, we were able to integrate our plans for an electric powertrain into the architecture’s initial design and ensure that this extraordinary new product meets the extremely high expectations of our clients.”

 

A NEW NAME: A NEW LEGACY

“This Rolls-Royce is the fulfilment of a prophecy and it represents a promise kept as we embark upon a unique undertaking. It is the beginning of a new legacy for our brand. In that spirit, we have decided on a completely new name for this car. A name that is as powerful and evocative as the nameplates that have served us so perfectly for the past century – names like Phantom, Ghost and Wraith. It’s a name that perfectly fits the ethereal and other worldly environment within which our products exist – a name that we have reserved especially for this moment: Spectre. 

“Spectre is a name given to otherworldly beings synonymous with great power and apparition; creatures of an alternative realm that make their presence felt through fleeting manifestation. A spectre forces the world to pause. It dominates the space it occupies. Then, as quickly as it appears, it dissipates, leaving a wake of exhilaration, energy, and intrigue. 

“This name perfectly matches the extraordinary Rolls-Royce that we are announcing today – a motor car that makes its presence felt before disappearing into a world inaccessible to all but the very few. As a quintessentially British brand, we have selected the British spelling, however the meaning is universal. 

 

AN EXTRAORDINARY FUTURE

“With this new product we set out our credentials for the full electrification of our entire product portfolio by 2030. By then, Rolls-Royce will no longer be in the business of producing or selling any internal combustion engine products.

“Spectre is the living fulfilment of Charles Rolls’ Prophecy. My Promise, made on behalf of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, is kept. Now we begin a remarkable undertaking. I am proud that we will continue to propel the world’s most progressive and influential women and men into a brilliant, electrified future.”

  To watch the launch film please visit www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com  
29th September, Goodwood, West Sussex In an historic announcement, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announced today, that on-road testing of its first fully electric motor car is imminent. In announcing this seminal…
Contemporary Art Exhibition Louvre Abu Dhabi Art
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INTERNATIONAL JURY PANEL FOR LOUVRE ABU DHABI ART HERE 2021 AND THE RICHARD MILLE ART PRIZE UNVEILED

• Comprising esteemed art experts from around the world, the jury will select the artists to be featured in the Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2021 exhibition from 16 November 2021 to 27 March 2022

• The call for proposals for UAE-based artists is open until 11 September; proposals can be submitted via Louvre Abu Dhabi’s website

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 18 August 2021: Louvre Abu Dhabi and Swiss watchmaking brand Richard Mille have revealed the jury for the inaugural edition of their contemporary art exhibition Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2021 and The Richard Mille Art Prize. Composed of four members, the jury has been drawn from diverse artistic spheres including curatorial, architectural and institutional. The distinguished panel will first select a shortlist of artists to participate in the upcoming exhibition, from the ongoing open call for proposals, and following the exhibition launch will award a $50,000 cash prize to the 2021 recipient of The Richard Mille Art Prize. 

The 2021 jury members are H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman of UAE Unlimited, an art collector and patron of the Centre Pompidou, the British Museum, Sharjah Art Foundation, and an honorary patron of Art Dubai; Christine Macel, the Chief Curator at the Musée national d’art moderne, Centre Pompidou and an art critic; Hala Wardé, founding architect of HW Architecture, long-term partner of Jean Nouvel and the lead of the Louvre Abu Dhabi project; and Dr. Souraya Noujaim, Louvre Abu Dhabi’s Scientific, Curatorial and Collections Management Director. 

“Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2021 breathes new life into the role of the museum by not merely celebrating the past, but rooting and contextualising contemporary art in its present setting through interactions and links with contemporary artists,” said Dr. Noujaim. “We are happy to launch this new chapter in collaboration with Richard Mille, marking Louvre Abu Dhabi’s continued extension into contemporary art and highlighting our ever-present dedication to local artistic talent. For this first edition, we are privileged to have the support and expertise of our esteemed jury members, who have demonstrated their commitment to Louvre Abu Dhabi and their strong interest in the local contemporary art scene.”

The artists shortlisted by the jury will showcase their work in the Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2021 exhibition, on view from 16 November 2021 to 27 March 2022 in the museum’s Forum, a space of interaction and exchange dedicated to contemporary art. From among these shortlisted artists, the jury will select the recipient of the first edition of The Richard Mille Art Prize.

For this inaugural year, UAE-based artists are invited to submit proposals around the theme of ‘Memory, Time and Territory’, with the exhibition and prize shining a spotlight on local talent as part of the UAE’s wider 50th National Day celebrations. Proposals from the open call may be submitted until 11 September 2021 via the Louvre Abu Dhabi website.  

For more information about Louvre Abu Dhabi Art Here 2021 exhibition and The Richard Mille Art Prize, please visit www.louvreabudhabi.ae. 

For 2021 jury members’ biographies, please click here.

www.richardmille.com

INTERNATIONAL JURY PANEL FOR LOUVRE ABU DHABI ART HERE 2021 AND THE RICHARD MILLE ART PRIZE UNVEILED • Comprising esteemed art experts from around the world, the jury will select…
The Taycan updated: more range, more connectivity, more colours
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The Taycan and Taycan Cross Turismo will start the new model year in September with extensive changes.

Thanks to technological developments, the day-to-day range of the electric sports cars will be improved. Further significant upgrades include the deep integration of Android Auto in the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system, as well as the availability of Remote Park Assist for the first time on the Taycan. With this new optional assistance system, the process of parking the car can be controlled via a smartphone, without the driver needing to be at the wheel. With the new Paint to Sample and Paint to Sample Plus options, unusual and personal colour choices can now be realised. For example, the Taycan can now be painted in the ‘90s classic Rubystone Red, or in bright Acid Green. “The latest generation of Taycan impresses with seamless smartphone connectivity, which now includes Android Auto,” says Kevin Giek, the Vice President Model Line Taycan since April. “Our all-electric Taycan range is growing and thriving. The new Cross Turismo, which was added to the line-up in the spring, is proving extremely popular with our customers, as has been shown by the excellent number of orders being taken for it.”

Technological enhancements: more range in practice

The new Taycan model year will not be homologated separately, so there will not be any new WLTP range values. However, the real-world range of the latest versions will be greater in day-to-day use. Extensive technological developments have been implemented to achieve this increase. In Normal and Range modes, the front electric motor is almost completely decoupled and de-energised in the partial load range in the all-wheel drive models. Furthermore, no drive is transmitted to either axle when the car is coasting or at a standstill. This electric freewheel function reduces drag losses. The motors are switched on again within milliseconds only when the driver requests more power or changes the driving mode. The thermal management and charging functions have also been further improved. With the Turbo Charging Planner, the high-voltage battery can now be heated to a slightly higher temperature than before. This means that fast charging is possible earlier and at a higher charge level. In addition, the waste heat from the electrical components is used to an even greater extent for battery temperature regulation.

Remote Park Assist: remote control parking

With the new Remote Park Assist option, it is possible to remotely control parking manoeuvres via a smartphone when driving into and out of parking spaces1) without the driver needing to be behind the wheel. Automatic control is possible for both parallel and perpendicular parking spaces and garages. The system automatically detects parking spaces and measures them using the vehicle’s ultrasonic sensors and camera systems. If there is enough space, the driver can start the parking process via the Porsche Connect app and then get out of the vehicle. The driver continuously monitors the parking process by pressing and holding a button on the smartphone’s app interface. The Remote Park Assist function independently takes over steering and control of the forward and reverse movements of the vehicle. If the button is released, the Taycan immediately stops the parking manoeuvre.

Android Auto: now also integrated into the infotainment system

The sixth generation of Porsche Communication Management (PCM) has been fitted to the Taycan since its introduction. The all-electric sports car has always been a connectivity pioneer, starting with the seamless integrations of Apple Music and Apple Podcasts. Android Auto is now also integrated in the PCM, along with Apple CarPlay support for iPhone. This means that smartphones with the Google Android operating system are now also supported. Selected phone functions and smartphone apps that do not adversely affect driving safety can therefore now be operated via PCM 6.0 or the Google Assistant voice commands. The Voice Pilot voice assistant now also understands instructions in everyday language even better. The satellite navigation system calculates more quickly, primarily uses the online search for points of interest (POI) and also displays its information more clearly. The layout and operating system have also been revamped slightly: there are now five menu options instead of three on the left side of the central display and the icons can be arranged individually.

The cult colours make a comeback: even more individual paintwork

In the ‘90s, Porsche introduced a number of highly colourful paint finishes to its range. These quickly achieved cult status among fans of the brand and are especially popular today on classics like the 964-generation cars. These eye-catching colours are now making a comeback. As part of the continually developing personalisation strategy of Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur, the Taycan is now also available with Paint to Sample and Paint to Sample Plus in addition to 17 standard paint colours. The first option allows painting with 65 additional colours, at present. This includes the Moonlight Blue Metallic, Acid Green, Rubystar Red, Riviera Blue and Viola Metallic colours that are so characteristic of the brand. Paint to Sample Plus gives customers almost complete freedom in their choice of colour, even permitting them to match their Taycan to their favourite accessory.

Porsche Charging Service with almost 200,000 charging points

The Porsche Charging Service offers access to the worldwide charging points of numerous networks, with central billing being handled by Porsche. There are currently almost 200,000 charging points in more than 20 countries across Europe, including nearly 6,500 50 kW-plus DC charging stations. A further highlight is Porsche Destination Charging. With this exclusive service, customers can charge their electric or plug-in hybrid Porsche models free of charge at particularly popular destinations. It already offers more than 2,000 AC charging points in over 50 countries at locations such as selected hotels, restaurants, airports, shopping malls, sports clubs and marinas – and further expansion of the network is in full swing. All charging operations with the Porsche Charging Service are carbon-neutral.

Bestselling Taycan

The Taycan has been particularly successful during recent months. With approximately 20,000 vehicles delivered in the first half of 2021 alone, the year-to-date number is only slightly below the total for 2020 as a whole. Sales of the latest member of the model range are therefore on a par with those of the sports car icon, the 911.

Change in management for the Taycan

Kevin Giek has been Vice President Model Line Taycan since April 2021. He replaced Stefan Weckbach, who is now responsible for the Cayenne product line. Giek has worked for Porsche AG for more than 18 years and was most recently Head of Procurement for new vehicle projects. In this role, the 42-year-old has been involved with the Taycan project right from the start as part of a 190-strong team. Tasks that his team undertook included the procurement of the equipment for the new factory installations in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. He is continuing a family tradition in his choice of employer. As a young boy, Giek was allowed to accompany his father at the weekend during inspection tours of the test rigs for the Porsche aircraft engines, for which his father was responsible. Giek studied at the University of Design, Engineering and Economics in Pforzheim and is a graduate industrial engineer.

The Taycan and Taycan Cross Turismo will start the new model year in September with extensive changes. Thanks to technological developments, the day-to-day range of the electric sports cars will…
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