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The Oscars: Rio Pickers Turn Trash Into High Art

by Anna Millman February 27, 2011 No Comments

While most people watching the 83rd Academy Awards tonight will be focused on Natalie Portman, her baby bump and whether she takes home the Oscar for Black Swan, I’ll be watching out for the nominees for Best Art Direction and Best Documentary. In particular, the feature-length documentary Waste Land. Co-directors João Jardim and Karen Harley have created a moving look at the power of art to transform people’s lives and the environment.

Waste Land - artist Vik Muniz at Jardim Gramacho

Artist Vik Muniz in front of Jarim Gramacho

“Waste Land follows renowned artist Vik Muniz as he journeys from his home in Brooklyn to his native Brazil and the world’s largest garbage dump, Jardim Gramacho, located on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. There he photographs an band of “catadores”— pickers of recyclable materials.

Waste Land - Marat Sebastiao - Pictures of Garbage

The documentary Waste Land

Muniz’s objective was to “paint” the catadores with garbage. However, his collaboration with these inspiring characters reveals both the dignity and despair of the catadores as they begin to re-imagine their lives.”

The Oscars: And the Winner Is…

by Anna Millman February 25, 2011 23 Comments

If the Oscars was a room, designer Candice Olson would win Best everything. So in honor of the 83rd Annual Academy Awards, here are three red carpet looks I’ve assembled for co-host Anne Hathaway (with help from 1st dibs) matched with three glamorous rooms by the divine Ms. Olson. What look/room get’s your vote?
♦ Number 1 ♦

Oscar De La Renta layered organza gown

• Oscar de la Renta gown ¦ Dining Room with black crystal chandelier and velvet banquette •

Candice Olson Designs - Dining Room

Cast Your Ballot

Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market: Part 2

by Brian Patrick Flynn January 27, 2011 7 Comments

Sometimes I impulsively buy this-is-so-amazing-I-can’t-pass-it-up furniture and accessories (a) even though there is no place in my house for them, (b) because I do not want other people to have them and/or (c) I think to myself, “This will be great for my client…once I meet and actually GET that client.”

Before heading to America’s Mart in downtown Atlanta for the January 2011 Gift & Home Furnishings Market (see part 1 of my post about the market), I had a pep talk with myself all about the art of not buying anything, instead simply going to look and photograph amazing finds for the Interwebs.

$475 later, I gave in; however, I actually have clients who needed things and therefore my trip was a major success. The money was, of course, spent but it wasn’t mine so it doesn’t count, so stop judging me, okay?

Take a stroll through a few awe-inspiring temporary exhibits packed with items sure to spark new trends within the design community, from poodle lamps to tables pairing polished glamor with woodsy rustic. Yes, I said poodle lamps. No, I didn’t purchase any….yet.

Chip Wade Atlanta International Gift and Home Furnishings Market

Natural textures were abundant in almost every design scheme. Upon entry, I was pleasantly surprised to see Curb Appeal: The Block’s Chip Wade had created an uber-gorgeous living room vignette. The transitional room sported tons of coastal modern flair with some Swedish influence. Oh, and the color scheme? While I’m a big fan, I also can’t help wanting to call Chip up myself and shout “Hey man, that’s the color scheme of my house! I did it first….so there.”

Poodle Lamps, Black Swan and More

Oscar Nominations: Art Direction Snubs & Shockers?

by Anna Millman January 25, 2011 7 Comments

The 2011 Academy Award nominations were announced today. Consequently, everyone’s talking about the snubs and surprises, mostly in the categories of Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Director. But what I want to talk about is Art Direction (aka Set Design).

Who do you think Oscar overlooked? Which of the five nominations are dead on?

The King's Speech - The Weinstein Company

These are the nominees:

Alice in Wonderland - Robert Stromberg (Production Design); Karen O’Hara (Set Decoration)
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 – Stuart Craig (Production Design); Stephenie McMillan (Set Decoration)
Inception – Guy Hendrix Dyas (Production Design); Larry Dias and Doug Mowat (Set Decoration)
The King’s Speech – Eve Stewart (Production Design); Judy Farr (Set Decoration)
True Grit – Jess Gonchor (Production Design); Nancy Haigh (Set Decoration)

I was excited to see this comment in The Washington Post: Sammy 328 – “Am I the only one surprised that Black Swan didn’t get a nomination for art direction?” I totally agree Sammy. I’m also disappointed not to see The Kids Are All Right and Julie Berghoff among the nominees, though not surprised. No shocker that The King’s Speech made the cut. This post from Curbed got me thinking The Social Network was overlooked. (And hopefully with the nod to Inception, Guy Henrix Dyas will reveal the location of the Arts & Crafts bungalow featured in the film. I want to live there. Or at least tour it.)

What movies do you think deserved more love from Oscar in Art Direction?