All posts by romicortier@yahoo.com

Architecture, Art

The South Rose Window of Notre Dame

January 9, 2015 romicortier@yahoo.com 9 Comments

Rose South Window, Exterior, Notre Dame, Paris, Photo Romi Cortier — South Rose Window, (Lower Right) Notre Dame, Paris, Photo Romi Cortier

Notre Dame Interior, Paris, Photo Romi Cortier

South Rose Window, Notre Dame, Paris, Photo Romi Cortier

South Rose Window Detail, Notre Dame, Paris, Photo Romi Cortier

The Prophets, Notre Dame, Paris, Photo Romi Cortier

The South Rose Window of Notre Dame is a Jewel in the Crown of one the most well known Gothic Masterpieces in the world.

Constructed in 1260, yes it’s nearly 800 years old, the South Rose Window was a gift from King Saint Louis. Designed by Jean de Chelles and Pierre de Montreull, it’s the central element that thrones over the transept facade, and is the counterpoint to the North Rose Window. Who knew there was a second Rose Window, right? There’s actually 3 rose windows, but because the sun moves in the southern sky, it’s the South Rose Window that’s lit up by the sun during the day, thus casting it’s remarkable glow into the transept of Notre Dame. As you may or may not know, a gothic church, when viewed from above, is shaped like a cross. The long part is known as the nave, and the shorter part that crosses over it, is the transept.

Over 42 feet across (12.9 meters) this Rosette, as it’s sometimes called, is dedicated to the New Testament. Below it are the sixteen prophets representing the heavenly court. The four great prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel, carrying the four evangelists: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The South Rose Window symbolises Christ’s triumphance, reigning over heaven, surrounded by all of his witnesses on earth. The three rosettes of Notre Dame are considered to be one of the greatest masterpieces of Christianity.

So, what if you’re not a religious kinda guy or gal? It doesn’t matter. If you’re fortunate enough to ever visit this awe inspiring cathedral, I guarantee you’ll be moved. On one of my visits to Paris, I spent 8 days there during a very cold February. My hotel was just two blocks away, so I decided to start every morning with a little ‘quiet time’ or meditation at the Cathedral before beginning my daily adventures. It touched my soul in a way that I couldn’t possibly imagine. The soaring ceilings and the vastness of the space, combined with nearly 800 years of history, candles being lit in prayer, mass spoken in French… it was humbling to say the least. I feel honored to have touched a part of living history, and I make sure to return there with every visit to Paris. For the life of me I can’t understand the tourist who circle around the nave in a matter of minutes, taking photos and selfies, and then head back outside. The space needs to be felt and experienced. It’s not just a photo op to add to your instagram or facebook profile. It can truly be a life altering experience if you’ll give yourself the time and the opportunity.

Art

Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics

January 6, 2015 romicortier@yahoo.com Leave a comment

LUSH Handmade Cosmetics, San Francisco, Photo Romi Cortier

LUSH Handmade Cosmetics, Photo Romi Cortier

LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics don’t fit into my traditional scope of writings on Art, Architecture, Interior Design or Window Display… unless you think of their yummy products as art. And in that case, they certainly qualify.

I recently discovered LUSH while visiting San Francisco. Sure they’re here in LA, but I didn’t know that until a few minutes ago when I sat down to write this post. This year I’d decided to take a holiday from the holidays, and spend my Christmas driving the streets of San Fran looking for fun things to photograph. I decided to start with Union Square since I was vaguely familiar with the area. I parked my car, and started walking the streets in search of great buildings. As I was walking up Powell Street I smelled something wonderful that stopped me in my tracks. I backed up… should I go in? It’s not art or architecture, but what the heck. This was a day dedicated to getting lost in the city and being open to whatever gifts were put in front of me.

Typically I’m the kind of guy who can’t tolerate fragrances as they trigger my allergies. But this place was divine. One of the sales associates spent a fair amount of time showing me products and educating me on their ingredients. Products with names like: Luxurious Creamy Fig Soap, Fabulous Fruity Mango-Mandarin, Meditative Patchouli Soap, Carmel and Honey Soap, Lime and Lavender Seaweed and Sea Salt Scrubber, Mushroom Jasmine and Ylang Ylang Soap… you get the picture.

I could’ve easily spent several hundred dollars in this store because so many of their items spoke to me… and my nose. Even though I didn’t spend a dime this time, I walked away feeling refreshed, invigorated, and intrigued. Having done some research on the company, I understand why I felt the way I did. They use whole, fresh ingredients from fresh fruits and vegetables, to essential oils and herb infusions… and yes, the occasional safe synthetics. They could go cheaper and use synthetic alternatives as opposed to fresh ingredients, but you wouldn’t have the same kind of product that affects you in such a positive way on a cellular level. That’s why my nose drew me into their store, it knew the difference. There’s an old adage, you get what you pay for. And with this company it’s a reduced carbon footprint, pure fresh ingredients, ethical buying from suppliers, reduced packaging and no animal testing. It’s truly the way of the future. I hope you’ll find a store near you and see if it’s right for you. I for one can’t wait to go back!

www.lushusa.com

Art

Elena Kalis Photography, my New Obsession

January 3, 2015 romicortier@yahoo.com Leave a comment

The Elena Kalis Photography exhibit at the Duncan Miller Gallery in Bergamot Station is my new Obsession. Titled Ocean Song, the exhibit charts the relationship of mother and daughter in the open ocean off the coast of the Bahamas where they live. With mother as photographer and daughter as model, they’ve co-created surreal and otherworldly images. I’ve seen a lot of underwater photography over the years, but these images take me to a whole new world of tranquility. Innocent. Elegant. Explosive. Haunting. Just some of the words that come to mind when I savor these remarkable photos. I can’t imagine the countless hours these two have spent in the ocean together, not to mention the hours spent choosing and editing the final images.

On Ms. Kalis’s web site, the images are broken down into 3 major galleries, with multiple subheadings. Alice in Waterland, Gallery III, is such a brilliant riff on the classic story of Alice in Wonderland. I look at the images and It’s nearly impossible to understand how she created them, let alone which way is up or down. If you can’t afford a holiday vacation this holiday season, go to her web site, explore her images, turn up the volume, and watch some of the video compilations of her work. The video I’m sharing below makes me think of “O”by Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas, one of the favorite stage shows I’ve ever had the privilege of seeing. The powerful worlds of water, music and movement come together in a way that taunts me, begging me to return to the bottom of my own pool in my Palm Springs home. When I’m alone there, I’ll spend hours holding my breath, floating in and on the water, or sitting on the bottom of the pool watching the sun filter through the ripples above me. Truly the happiest moments of my life. I suppose that’s why these images of Elena Kalis resonate with me so much. I’m adding her photos to my Christmas wish list.

Show closes January 10, 2015.

www.elenakalisphoto.com

Art

Saying goodbye to 2014

December 31, 2014 romicortier@yahoo.com 3 Comments

Pagoda, Santa Monica Beach, Winter 2014, Photo Romi Cortier

Umbrella at the Beach, Winter 2014, Photo Romi Cortier — Umbrella, Santa Monica Beach, Winter 2014, Photo Romi Cortier

Tourists on the Beach, Winter 2014, Photo Romi Cortier

Santa Monica Beach, Winter 2014, Photo Romi Cortier

Saying goodbye to 2014, as we prepare to for the New Year.

2015 is almost here, so I thought I’d take a little time to reflect on this past year. For those of you who don’t know my story, I lost my mom to Lung Cancer in early January of this year. Last year our family Christmas was spent in hospice, holding our mom close and saying our good-byes. If you’ve ever lost anyone to Cancer, you know how painful the long good-bye can be. You pray for god to take your loved one home, releasing them from their pain and suffering. It’s bitter sweet once the moment arrives, because you can never see, touch or feel them again.

In that moment of loss, comes great clarity. What’s important. Who’s important. How you want to live your life. What kind of legacy you want to leave behind. The baton is passed. Familial responsibilities shift from one generation to another. The next generation of children must be made to feel special, cared for, encouraged. They must also know their history. Thanks to Ancestry.com I was able to present my great niece who was born this summer, with 8 generations of women who came before her… her moms moms mom and so on. Each generation will have their own struggles and obstacles to face. It is my prayer that she will draw strength from and also stand on the shoulders of the great women who came before her, especially when times are tough.

As my bio states, this Design Diary is my way of focusing on what’s right in the world. There is so much to be celebrated, especially in regards to the creative spirit and the creative process. While the resilience of the human spirit varies from person to person, I for one cannot bare to read the daily headlines on the web, engulfing myself in the negativity that seems to feed the 24 hours news cycle. It’s not denial on my part, but rather selective focus. To some it might seem trivial or pretentious to talk about some of the major brands and labels that I’ve written about here on the Design Diary. But as an artist, I understand what it takes to start with a sketch or an idea on paper, and then bring it to fruition. It can take many sets of hands, time, money etc., which translates to jobs and employment for thousands if not millions of people. Creative vision is part of what drives this world forward, as we aspire to greater versions of ourselves. Is it wrong to want nicer things in our homes or drive nicer cars? I don’t think so if it’s kept in balance with the bigger picture.

My mom was the kind of woman who could go out ‘Junking’ at a garage sale and find a fantastic silver ice bucket for 5 bucks, or a vintage piece of crystal for a dollar. It was the thrill of the hunt that made it fun for her. She had the gift of thrift and the ability to create something from nothing. We call it creative vision, and that is the gift she passed on to me. I’m proud to say that I’m a 4th generation self taught artist… that is her legacy to me.

In Loving Memory of Connie E. Day

Tribute Video

Decorative Arts, Interior Design

Lalique… the gift you give yourself!

December 27, 2014 romicortier@yahoo.com Leave a comment

Lalique Perfume (about $300), Beverly Hills, Photo Romi Cortier

Lalique, Beverly Hills, Photo Romi Cortier

Lalique Humidor, Beverly Hill, Photo Romi Cortier — Lalique Humidor (About $8,000), Beverly Hills, Photo Romi Cortier

Lalique Bar, Beverly HIlls, Photo Romi Cortier — Lalique Bar (About $51,000) , Beverly HIlls, Photo Romi Cortier

Lalique… the Gift you give yourself!

In the event that Santa didn’t bring you everything you were hoping for this holiday season, there’s still time to make things right. For as little as $300 you can head to Lalique in Beverly Hills and pick up one of their new Fragrances in a gorgeous black bottle. There are 5 fragrances in this new line, each named for a special year that is important to the company’s history… 1977 got my vote.

Also new in the store, which drew me in from the street, were the stunning new Midnight Blue Crystal pieces. Remarkably deep and sensuous, they’re the perfect color for the guy who wants to collect Lalique. Masculine. Moody. Elegant. And the matte finish just begs to be touched.

And for the man, or woman, who has everything, there’s a collectable humidor that comes in 4 variations. The one featured above is part of a numbered collection and holds up to 100 cigars. From what I was told at the boutique, gold is used in the making of the crystal, which accounts for the red color of the dragon. As you view the dragon from various angles, the tonality of the red crystal shifts.

The ultimate show stopper in the boutique was this stunning black lacquered art deco inspired bar. I was speechless when I laid eyes on it. Part of their new Lifestyle Brand, Lalique Maison features numbered pieces such as this, as well as the humidor, and an array of other goods for the ‘savvy shopper’ who appreciates refined craftsmanship. Lalique recently unveiled a new show room on Manhattan’s lower 5th Avenue within the historic 19th century building that also hosts the company’s headquarters. Available by appointment only, the showroom features everything from linens to beds and chairs, to couches and tables. I’d love to see the showroom the next time I visit Manhattan, but I’m wondering if a credit check is required to gain entrance.

Where Art Inspires Beauty