Thomas' take

Spring Has Sprung Summer Bamboo Collection 2014

2014-05-27T11:12:00.000-07:00

When one thinks of Bamboo they are heralded back to the iconic design in the American house hold of memories of bamboo themed home decor which evoke exotic holidays, relaxing scenes in foreign lands, colonial lifestyles of the early 1900's. The fact is Bamboo in the East has connotations of luck , strength and eco-friendly daily use.

In Modern day I have taken the concept of Bamboo and molded it in its most literal way of holding things together. Thomas Fuchs Creative Spring 2014 Bamboo Barware Collection, exclusively at Saks Fifth Ave, is a representation of hand made , hand hammered & hand tied barware collection that is not only beautiful but is a true representation of how bamboo is used in the Asian Continent.

We invite you to enjoy pictures of our collection and people who too have been inspired by bamboo in their design.

Thomas Fuchs Creative Bamboo Barware Collection at Saks.com

Hand Hammered Silver Plated Bamboo Ice Bucket

Mother of Pearl Inlay Cheese Board

2014-05-23T12:09:00.004-07:00

Venice

Where the entire Otium Collection is produced. Not a bad place to go for work.

Have a great Holiday weekend.

The Magnificent Masai

2014-04-27T20:35:00.001-07:00

On our recent trip to Africa Thomas and I were overwhelmed at the genuine joy and happiness of the Masai people. The Masai actually feel bad for us as a society as we have way to many variables and unknowns where they as a people are guided by ritual and custom to know at what age what happens when it should happen and how it happens.

Our trip the their village was a vibrant experience with a welcoming Jumping Dance that we all took part in followed by a tour of their village huts made from cow dung and ash approximately 5ft high ending with them adorning me with beautiful Masai wrist and ankle talismans.

The Maasai (sometimes spelled "Masai") are a Nilotic ethnic group of semi-nomadic people inhabiting Kenya and northern Tanzania. They are among the best known local populations due to their residence near the many game parks of Southeast Africa, and their distinctive customs and dress. The Maasai speak Maa (ɔl Maa), a member of the Nilo-Saharan language family that is related to Dinka and Nuer. They are also educated in the official languages of Kenya and Tanzania, Swahili and English. The Maasai population has been reported as numbering 841,622 in Kenya in the 2009 census, compared to 377,089 in the 1989 census.

The Tanzanian and Kenyan governments have instituted programs to encourage the Maasai to abandon their traditional semi-nomadic lifestyle, but the people have continued their age-old customs. Recently, Oxfam has claimed that the lifestyle of the Maasai should be embraced as a response to climate change because of their ability to farm in deserts and scrublands. Many Maasai tribes throughout Tanzania and Kenya welcome visits to their village to experience their culture, traditions, and lifestyle

Arriving at Masai Mara

Masai Beaded Ankle Talisman

The Masai Hut

Sitting inside the Masai Hut

Masai Mama

Jumping to The Masai Dance

Classic Masai Robes

Masai Women Welcoming Us

Tradition at its best

It's All About Polka Dots!

2014-04-06T13:11:00.003-07:00

From the artist Laure Hatchuel-Becker to Kusama to Valentino's latest collection to Pharrel Williams in April's GQ and George Clooney's W Magazine cover. We here at Thomas Fuchs Creative are too celebrating Polka Dots with our hand blown 22K GOLD POLKA DOT Glasses available at Barneys New York and Saks Fifth Ave. New York.

Enjoy the spring let it rain Polka Dots!

Available at Barneys, Thomas Fuchs Hand Blown
Amethyst Glass w/ 22K Gold Polka Dot

Laure Hatchuel-Becker

Available at Saks Fifth Avenue. Thomas Fuchs Hand Blown
Grey Glass w/ 22K Gold Polka Dots

Valentino 2014


Available at Saks Fifth Avenue, Thomas Fuchs Hand Blown Amber Glass w/ 22K Gold Polka Dots


Michou Mahtani at Kusama Art / Sculpture Preview at Fairchild Gardens

Pharrel Williams GQ April 2014

Roger Vivier Flat Spring 2014

Kusama Flower Sculpture at Fairchild Gardens

Africa Now

2014-04-02T11:41:00.001-07:00

Having just come back from Africa with Michou Mahtani, my vision of El Anatsui's show at the Brooklyn Museum is refreshed.

El Anatsui (born 1944) is a Ghanaian sculptor active for much of his career in Nigeria.
Anatsui was born in Anyako, and trained at the College of Art, University of Science and Technology, in Kumasi, in central Ghana. He began teaching at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1975, and has become affiliated with the Nsukka group.^[1]
Anatsui's preferred media are clay and wood, which he uses to create objects based on traditional Ghanaian beliefs and other subjects. He has cut wood with chainsaws and blackened it with acetylene torches; more recently, he has turned to installation art. Some of his works resemble woven cloths such as kente cloth. Anatsui also incorporates uli and nsibidi into his works alongside Ghanaian motifs.

2014-01-17T16:43:00.000-08:00

Gaultier

There is still time to see the AMAZING Jean Paul Gaultier

Exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum. The attention to detail in his work is mind boggling.

2014-01-07T06:32:00.002-08:00

Venice

I think it is time to start planning my next trip to Venice, for work, REALLY. I need to dream my way out of this 2 Degree weather here in NYC.

Private Pier, photo © Aman Canal Grande Hotel, Venice, Amanresorts.

2014-01-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

Water

These images are from an amazingly visual blog I recently discovered called Moniquetdany. I have to brush up on my French to get the entire story but the images are enough to make my create mind wonder.

End Of Day Glasses

2014-01-03T06:34:00.001-08:00

Over the Holiday walking around our home I marvel at Thomas' art on a daily useable basis. Washing the glasses, gifting the glasses , touching the glasses, catching a glimpse of the glasses on our set table while entertaining and the mere sight of them makes me dream. There are very few products in today's world that are hand blown and are available at an attainable price point that one can track back to an artist.

The End of The Day Glasses are exactly that, they are made at the end of the day. This is when Maestros, on the magical island of Murano, Italy, have finished making all the Chandeliers, Lamps and Accessories for Otium are able to use the excess glass and blow them into magical drinking glasses which Thomas has designed ensuring there is no glass left behind creating beautiful product that ensures sustainability.

2013-12-20T09:02:00.001-08:00

OTIUM'S BOLLICINE CHANDELIER

OTIUM'S BOLLICINE CHANDELIER DETAIL

OTIUM'S BOLLICINE CHANDELIER IN CLEAR

OTIUM'S BOLLICINE CHANDELIER DETAIL

2013-12-19T07:35:00.002-08:00

Otium's new Bollicine Chandelier being professionally photographed today!! It will be here in NYC for the New Year.

Restoration Hardware and Luxury...

2013-12-16T19:45:00.000-08:00

Last Friday Michou and I ventured over to the new Restoration Hardware. Restoration Hardware, which has reinvented it self twice since launching is really staying ahead of the curve by offering attainable art in an uber luxurious setting, begging us to question:

We are hoping the ambiance does not alienate the customers they are intending to lure.

Please visit their website:

WWW.RHCONTEMPORARYART.COM

437 West 16th Street

New York, New York 10011

212-675-4200

RH Contemporary Art

Toby Christian

Samantha Thomas

The Roof

Screening Room

David Webb and the Zodiac

2013-12-10T12:40:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday, Dec 5th Michou and I were invited to Doyle Auction House for a book signing for the legendary jeweler David Webb. All I could think about is how Art imitates life. Currently I am taking a class on jewelry making. In class we are at the point of enameling which is the forte of Mr. Webb so this event came upon us at the most auspicious of times.

Below I have given a hint as to my project of depicting the zodiac and to David Webb's Book and talk.

Enjoy!

-Thomas Fuchs

David Webb's Book

http://www.doylenewyork.com/events/eventsNY.asp

David Webb, The Quintessential American Jeweler, Ruth Peltason

Slide Presentation and Book Signing Reception with Ruth Peltason

David Webb, The Quintessential American Jeweler (Assouline Publishing) by Ruth Peltason is the first monograph on this important designer who redefined 20th century American jewelry. Opening shop in 1948 at the age of 21, David Webb became the indispensable jeweler for society swans and Hollywood stars alike. He understood that women wanted one-of-a-kind pieces, and his jewelry offered bold shapes and exuberant color. Published on the company’s 65th anniversary, this richly illustrated book details Webb’s evolution as an artist and identifies his major collections. The pieces are accompanied by Webb’s drawings, editorial from leading fashion magazines, and photographs of the many women who adored his jewelry, including Diana Vreeland, Elizabeth Taylor, Brooke Astor, Gloria Vanderbilt, Barbra Streisand and Gwen Stefani. Ruth Peltason is also the author of Living Jewels and editor of Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry.

Rsvp: 212-427-4141, ext 600, or Events@DoyleNewYork.com

Making a Murano glass leaf

2012-09-19T09:24:00.000-07:00

I just returned from visiting my glass factories in Italy and I thought I would shed a little light on part of the hand made, mouth blown, magical process of making glass objects. I will do a couple of postings of other processes I find fascinating. I hope this gives a renewed interest in the fascinating world of hand made, mouth blown glass. I believe it is a little bit of magic and passion in our high tech world.

The molten glass is poured into a metal leaf form or shape. This form will stop the now liquid glass from running all over and this will keep the thickness at the authentic voluptuous level.

The molten glass is scored to make the leaf veins.

The form is removed and the leaf is examined and begins the process of being curved.

The molten leaf is slid onto the warmed form.

The leaf will stay for a very short time here before it goes into to oven so that it can cool slowly, avoiding any cracks.

The finished piece.

I hope you find this as amazing as I do. I have been working in the factories for longer then I would like to say and it never gets old.

TFC NEW PLACEMATS

2012-09-01T18:56:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of our newest additions to the Thomas Fuchs Creative collection and an entirely new departure from 3D objects. It has been an amazing experience to work with our new manufacture and the exciting new material of glass beads. As you may know by seeing my previous designs, in glass, wood, metal, etc., I love texture. I am just getting my feet wet but soon you will see a lot more in an array of beaded placemats utilizing the depth and texture (and COLOR) you can get from this new medium for me.

These will all be available at Barneys New York in early Fall.

Photograph be David Diesing

http://www.daviddiesing.com/

Portraits

2012-07-13T07:51:00.001-07:00

Character

Being photographed is sometimes an enlightening moment. A moment captured in time. Is this how others see us?

Although there were probably 200 pictures taken at these photo shoots I believe that these photographers really did capture their muses character.

Dali

Bruce Lee

Darwin

YSL

Ian McKellen - Nadav Kander

Isamu Noguchi with Undine (Nadja), 1925

Oscar Wilde

Truman Capote

Calder

Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2012

2012-07-11T08:45:00.000-07:00

Louis Vuittom Fall/Winter 2012

How could you not be inspired by Louis Vuitton’s Fall/Winter 2012 collection? The richness and elegance was beyond compare this season. Look to the Fall to see if I was able to capture this richness in my own collection.

All of these above images are from “The Sartorialist” blog, one of my favorites. Click here to see more images.

2012-07-10T14:26:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have been a little out of touch but my New Years resolution is to Blog more. That was a joke, kind of. So I will begin again, with trepidatious steps.

I have been very fortunate in my career(s) and life to be in very grand and stunning interiors. I often wonder if the full time inhabitants ever feel intimidated by the building and their surrounds. Although we all probably have our grand days, everyday life sometimes asks us for humility.

2011-08-17T14:25:00.000-07:00

Summer Dalhia

Here is my new Thomas Fuchs Creative Ombre glass used as a vase for my late summer Dalhia. They would also be beautiful votives with the dark lower area covering the candle and the flame in the lighter color above.

Here are some Ombre glasses without flowers.

Chocolatier

2011-07-11T18:15:00.000-07:00

CHOCOLATIER

Could someone please explain to me how Paris is filled with such amazing chocolate shops, bakeries, cheese shops and cafes and still the French are thin.

Even with the mercury hitting 100-degrees in Paris, I could still eat chocolate. I have a long list of chocolate shops I love in Paris but the 2 that stood out to me on this trip are the artisans that used their incredible talents to create art in the form of chocolate. I have to admit it puts our little waxy chocolate Easter Bunnies to shame.

Chef George Larnicol is known for his whimsical chocolate sculptures, don’t be surprised to see Lady Bugs, shoes, cars, etc. His average sculpture, from what I could tell, is a very good scale, measuring about 8 to 10 inches tall. Chef Larnicol also sells wonderful salted caramels, buttery kouign-amann (breton pastries) and colorful macarons at his store. He has 2 locations that I know about,132 boulevard Saint-Germain and now on the Rue de Rivoli.

Maison Georges Larnicol 

132, boulevard Saint-Germain

75006 Paris 

Tel. +33 (0)1 43 26 39 38 

Métro: Odéon

Patrick Roger, self proclaimed "chocolate artist,” seems a bit wonky and fun for a successful French businessman. I did not have the opportunity to meet him on this trip but maybe in the Fall when I return. I am enamored with someone with such talent that can take a seemingly basic and fragile material and create monumental artwork. And if the 200-pound orangatang is not practical for your carry on luggage try some of his beautifully executed and elegantly displayed smaller creations. He has several locations but I always seem to end up at the Saint-Germain or Victor Hugo locations.

Patrick Roger

108 boulevard Saint-Germain

75006 Paris

Tel: +33 (0)1 43 29 38 42

Métro: Odéon

The sign, much to my surprise, was not chocolate.

Chocolate flower creations by the Chef George Lamicol

How do you eat such pretty creations?

So cute and edible....no more comment

Pride in Chocolate, 2011.

Delicious and kind of healthy

Tasteful Chocolate and packaging

Chocolate Artist Patrick Roger...need I say more?

Photo from his site

Such a sophisticated pallet, in chocolate

SERIOUSLY, stop monkeying around, I really am a life size chocolate Orangutan.

Belle Epoque

2011-02-05T10:34:00.000-08:00

Lot 466

Lalique Molded Opalescent Glass Lausanne Plafonnier

A great price if you can get it in this range.

Doyle New York's "Belle Epoque" Auction is very heavy in Glass offerings this year. My advise, jump at the deals. Preview starts today. What a great way to get out of the rain.

Lot 316

Group of Three Glass Canes

A rare find since these canes are usually broken for fun at parades and festivals for good luck.

Lot 436

English Gilt-Silver Mounted Wheel Engraved Cameo Glass Perfume Flask

Attributed to Thomas Webb & Sons, the mounts by Sampson & Modern, London, circa 1884

The cratesmenship is definately worth taking note.

Lot 441

Unsigned Loetz Glass Vase

Circa 1900

Beautiful colors.

Lot 456

Unsigned Art Deco Style Molded Glass Vase

Color and cratesmenship.

Lot 497

Tiffany Favrile Glass Cabinet Plate

signed 1957 L.C.T. Favrile.

I love the six variously sized molded cobalt colored glass scarabs.

HAPPY BIDDING!

2011-01-25T15:25:00.000-08:00

A Gift from an Artist.

Art that can take you away, make you uncomfortable, make you daydream, want to hold or caress, feel pity or helplessness, or a need to help or save is something I found in one artist installation recently.

On my first visit to Art Miami this past December there were a handful of artist that even after a few months I am still contemplating their work.

Beth Cavener Stichter shown at Claire Oliver here in NYC is definitely on the top of my list of Artist I am following. Her installation in Miami "The Four Humors" was beyond moving.

"There are primitive animal instincts lurking in our own depths, waiting for the chance to slide past a conscious moment. The sculptures I create focus on human psychology, stripped of context and rationalization, and articulated through animal and human forms. On the surface, these figures are simply feral and domestic individuals suspended in a moment of tension. Beneath the surface they embody the impacts of aggression, territorial desires, isolation, and pack mentality."

Beth Cavener Stichter

"I want to pry at those uncomfortable, awkward edges between animal and human."

"Something conscious and knowing is captured in their gestures and expressions. An invitation and a rebuke."

Take a look at Beth's website, particularly the "Materials and Techniques."

Beth's passion for the material and the "sensitivity to touch," shows in her work and inspires you to look a little longer and maybe even feel the need to caress the form. I believe one of the best gifts from a sculptor or one of the best compliments too a sculptor is when one feels the need to reach out and touch the creation.

BRIGHT IDEA

2010-08-20T10:03:00.000-07:00

BRIGHT IDEA

Here is a new fun Light Bulb to add some fun and glamour to your lamp or chandelier.
.

Swedish graphic designer Eric Therner has created this energy efficient 15-watt halogen bulb encased in an elegant diamond shaped clear glass.

Distraction

2010-08-18T11:26:00.000-07:00

Distraction

In regards to doing business in Italy for Otium, in theory, this is my slow time since the glass factories on the island of Murano are closed for Summer Holiday. Imagine being out of the office for the month of August. I can't decide if that is a good thing or bad. I genuinely love what I do and I don't want to stop but this inability to call or email the factory everyday gives me time and piece of mind to focus on, or be distracted with, some creative projects as well to a catch up on unfinished tedious office projects.

Here are a few of my summer sketches (distractions).

Enjoy.

2009-10-11T14:25:00.000-07:00

Fear of design Commitment

On a recent downtown trip to SOHO to explore some of my favorite shopping treasures of NYC like Ted Muehling, Moss, de Vera, Etc. I started to notice a lot more graffiti then on my last visit. At first I was a little concerned remembering the Pre-Giuliani days in NYC when graffiti was everywhere with little regard to New Yorkers that had to survive here. Covering all the subway maps, or any sign in the subway for that matter. When a taxi horn brought me out of my daydream of old NYC, I became fascinated with the concept of Design (or art) without commitment. You have an idea, do it on the wall, and walk away, done!

What a wonderful way to do Design (or create), no commitment to production, no clients to appease, no shipping, no quality control, no estimated taxes to pay, no design drift, just raw design. Wow, no overhead other then the cost of the can of paint. But of course no income either, but let me have my fantasy. Just design from the Gut, guttural design, like when I am sitting at the drawing table with a big piece of paper and lots of tiny inspirational sketches. Treasure this moment before you turn it into production. Who could ask for more?

Be sure to check out this months issue of Interview magazine to read about Brian Donnelly a.k.a KAWS a street artist's life. Or to see a video on Mr. Donnelly click KAWS.

Thomas' take

Spring Has Sprung Summer Bamboo Collection 2014

The Magnificent Masai

It's All About Polka Dots!

Africa Now

End Of Day Glasses

Restoration Hardware and Luxury...

David Webb and the Zodiac

David Webb, The Quintessential American Jeweler, Ruth Peltason

Making a Murano glass leaf

TFC NEW PLACEMATS

Portraits

Truman Capote

Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2012

Chocolatier

Belle Epoque

Doyle New York's"Belle Epoque" Auction is very heavy in Glass offerings this year. My advise, jump at the deals. Preview starts today. What a great way to get out of the rain.

BRIGHT IDEA

Distraction

Doyle New York's "Belle Epoque" Auction is very heavy in Glass offerings this year. My advise, jump at the deals. Preview starts today. What a great way to get out of the rain.