Diamond Art

(Eika Dopludo)

Art can be inspired by anything that strikes the mind as beautiful, unique or profound. Art is everywhere. 

You couldn't pick a more perfect muse than diamonds. Not only are they lovely in their own right, but when combined with a creative idea and perhaps a splash of color, they truly shine.

Check out some of these works of art that take their inspiration from the worlds most precious stone.

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Rihanna's £100,000 Marilyn Monroe Mosaic

My favorite Rude Gal Rihanna recently decked out her LA pad with a sparkling new piece of artwork inspired by the eternally fabulous Marilyn Monroe. The "Birthday Cake" crooner commissioned British artist Claire Milner to work closely with her interior designers for this 5 foot masterpiece made with 65,000 Swarovski crystals. The price of this piece that truly fit for a diva, is reportedly around £100,000 although the artist says that she has not disclosed an actual number.

Check out the artist Claire Milner inside.

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Dots, On Dots, On Dots: Damien Hirst Exhibit

Explaining to a friend why I would spend my evening staring at dots is a bit challenging. 

"They're *bleeping* dots, what's the big deal?"

I was at a loss. At the time, all I knew about the famous "Spot Paintings" by Damien Hirst was exactly that. They were just effin dots. In some cases, million dollar dots. I rushed over to the Gagosian Gallery to investigate. I needed to find out what was so special about these paintings and why on earth anyone would spend fortunes on something that you can't drive, wear or experience. Even as a Hirst fan, I needed to be able to answer with something more substantial than "it's ART".

Follow the dots inside to see more from my night at the museum for the opening of the "Complete Spot Paintings Collection 1986-2011".

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Herb Ritt: The Archives

The brilliant work of late photographer Herb Ritt lives on through these newly released images found tucked away in his archives. The California native is famous for shooting some of the most memorable and visually stunning photographs of Naomi Campbell, Johnny Depp, David Bowie, Cindy Crawford, and many others.
NOWNESS.com has presented a selection of these images leading up to a highly anticipated exhibit at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles featuring a collection of 69 unreleased photos in the spring of 2012. Check out some of Ritt's stunning work after the jump.
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Old School Jewels on Exhibit at the Getty Villa

I recently took a mini field trip with some girlfriends to the Getty Villa in Malibu, CA, a museum famous for its remarkable Greek and Roman art and its breathtaking grounds. 

We came to enjoy the sights (and the wine) when I stumbled upon a treasure trove of ancient jewelry!

I couldn't resist the tourist moment that followed as I snapped photos of everything I could get close to.

Here are a few pieces from the collection of B.C. bling... READ MORE

Karl Lagerfeld x Doettling- "Narcissus"

Naturally you would want to house your jewelry it in a safe that is just as impressive. Now you can.
German luxury safe maker Döttling has partnered up with Karl Lagerfeld to design this handsome six foot safe with enough innovative features and style to rival the goodies kept inside.

"Döttling’s newest creation was developed throughout 2009 on paper in Paris, designed by Lagerfeld. Then the Narcissus was made by Döttling’s specialists. Seeming much like a purist room installation at first glance, it reveals its true spirit when it identifies its owner upon activation — at which point two handcrafted interior cabinets containing watch winders and jewelry drawers automatically emerge from the steel body sheathed in high-gloss, chrome-plated aluminum weighing 800 kilos."
Source: WORLDTEMPUS
Döttling is only producing 30 Narcissus safes; the first going to Lagerfeld himself of course.
"I am not interested in what people want." Lagefeld says. "I’ve designed a safe that I would like to own and which will stand in my home. Markus Döttling built it for me..."

Trust me, the people want it. ~vK

Jay Z Million Dollar Portrait

Rewind.
The Piece: This portrait of Jay Z, crafted by Gemstone Creative, that is reportedly worth one million dollars.
The Argument: Why would anyone drop a cool mil to have a picture of H to the Izzo hoisted over their mantle? (Some have questioned whether or not Hov himself would even buy it)
The Answer: Because we are blessed to live in a society where there are guys who wouldn't flinch over writing a 11.7 million dollar check for a picture of a torn can Campbell's Soup (See Warhol.)

It would look great in my living room. Hi haters ~vK

Damien Hirst "The Blue Paintings"

Hate him or love him, Damien Hirst has returned to bless us with his 25 piece collection of eerie artwork, The Blue Paintings. Known for creating shocking pieces with dissected animals, maggots and dead sharks, Hirst's latest installment is already receiving mixed reviews.
His work is now on display at the Wallace Collection from October 14- January 24, 2010.


You may remember a little piece called For the Love of God; a platinum cast of an actual human skull encrusted with 8,601 diamonds (that's 1,106.18 carats folks, do the math).
I always thought this piece was stunning despite all the flack Hirst caught for creating something with such an alarming price tag. Hey, if you've got it...

Check out the vid below for more on The Blue Paintings. ~vK