Worlds of luxury

In a bold alliance between the automobile and architecture, Automobili Lamborghini joins the world of luxury real estate and makes its mark in Benahavis, near Marbella. The “Tierra Viva” project features 53 unique villas. Each evokes the emblematic Lamborghini design, offering panoramic views of the Mediterranean. The villas are categorized into three models: Diamante, Zafiro, and Esmeralda, each offering specific features, from wine cellars to garages for Lamborghini.

In 2024, the AlUla oasis will see an architectural feat emerge from its thousand-year-old rocks: the Sharaan by Jean Nouvel Hotel. Designed by the man behind the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Qatar National Museum, among others, the hotel is rooted in AlUla’s Nabataean heritage. The spaces, carved directly into the rock of the Sharaan reserve, pay tribute to the ingenuity of ancient civilizations. This eco-friendly establishment will comprise 40 suites, 3 villas, and 14 private pavilions, offering a sensory retreat in the heart of history.

From September 2, 2023, to July 7, 2024, MoMA in Manhattan, New York, showcases “Life Cycles: The Materials of Contemporary Design” where contemporary design harmonizes with the pace of nature. Featuring objects such as speakers molded from Indonesian cow dung, bricks made from agricultural waste and mushroom mycelium, and vases made from honeycomb: each object tells a story of sustainability, innovation, and elegance. Orchestrated by Paola Antonelli and Maya Ellerkmann, the exhibition highlights the regenerative power of design.

On August 25, 2023, as part of the Edinburgh Art Festival, SpiltMilk is hosting a workshop inspired by the “PAIN 2 POWER” exhibition by artist Haein Kim at the Leith Library. Led by Lauren McLaughlin, this event offers an exploration of artistic expression revolving around the modern woman’s psyche through drawings, paintings, and installations. Catering to those identifying as mothers or caregivers, this workshop invites a profound reflection on art and current society. Participants are beckoned on a journey that is both introspective and artistic, backed by SpiltMilk’s initiative supporting artists identifying as (m)others, active since 2018. Since 2004, the Edinburgh Art Festival has transformed the city into a living gallery, blending visual art, sound, moving images, and music.

The Fondation Beyeler is unveiling for the first time the “Modena Paintings,” a series of eight large-format canvases painted by Jean-Michel Basquiat in Modena in 1982. This long-hidden collection is a vibrant exploration of Basquiat’s talent, brought together thanks to loans from private collections worldwide. The exhibition will run from June 11, 2023, to August 27, 2023. With this exhibition, the Fondation Beyeler reveals a new dimension in Basquiat’s art, while other expressions of his work are also on show in Paris, notably at the Fondation Louis Vuitton.

In Chantilly, from September 14 to October 29, 2023, the TOTEM show unveils the history and culture of horse-riding peoples, from their Aztec traditions to the Mongols, Scythians, and many others. Created by Sophie Bienaimé, this artistic journey at the Grandes Écuries celebrates the horse, revered through the ages, with a mosaic of dance, music, and costume. Virginie Bienaimé’s stage direction and Monika Mucha’s costumes enrich this equestrian fresco.

Scheduled for 2024, Jeddah will welcome a new edifice by Four Seasons in partnership with Midad Real Estate. Located in the heart of the Corniche district, also known as the Jeddah Waterfront on the Red Sea, the venue promises a fusion of modernity and the city’s rich historical heritage. With 269 rooms and private residences, the “Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Jeddah at the Corniche” project is shaping up as a testament to the region’s architectural evolution. This hotel adds to Four Seasons’ growing collection in Saudi Arabia.

“Burma to Myanmar”: from November 2, 2023, to February 11, 2024, the British Museum in London will highlight Myanmar’s rich heritage, also known as Burma. Spanning 1,500 years, from superpower to dictatorship, the exhibition reveals its influence at the crossroads of Asia through the artistic production of its inhabitants. Historical links with Thailand, China, and Europe are displayed, as are the impacts of British annexation, where contemporary art bursts forth as a symbol of defiance and hope. Artifacts, such as a ruby-encrusted letter sent by King Alaungpaya, bear witness to the country’s past grandeur—an exploration of Myanmar’s little-known riches.

This summer, Swiss artist Claudia Comte redefines Basel’s urban scene with a superb installation that brings the Globus facade on the market square to life from June 10 to October 8, 2023. Her new work, “Waves, Cacti and Sunsets,” brings to life the first “Globus Public Art Project,” an innovative initiative promising to enrich Basel’s landscape through various artistic expressions on view to passers-by during the store’s three-year renovation. It invites the city’s inhabitants to take a contemplative break from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Set to open in 2024, Svart, the world’s first energy-positive hotel, will be nestled in the breathtaking Holandsfjorden fjord, near the Svartisen glacier in Norway. This collaboration between Six Senses and renowned architects Snøhetta features a striking glass-fronted, doughnut-shaped structure built from prefabricated capsules, elevated on stilts. Committed to environmental stewardship, Svart aims to generate more energy than it consumes, making it a pioneer in sustainable hospitality. Through innovative design, renewable energy sources, and energy-efficient practices, Svart will set new standards for eco-conscious hotels, inspiring guests to appreciate and preserve the surrounding polar region while demonstrating that luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand.

On selected dates throughout the year, fans of detective stories and Agatha Christie-style suspense will be able to participate in a game of enigmas on the Belmond British Pullman train departing from London’s Victoria station. Combining luxury and mystery, the adventure plunges travelers into a thrilling intrigue in the absolute comfort of Belmond trains. As the Kent coastline unfolds, one passenger on board will suffer an unexpected fate; each passenger becomes a piece of the puzzle. Actors from Private Drama Events bring the story to life, challenging guests to solve the mystery before they return to London. Dates: September 15, October 6, October 27, November 16 or November 30.

From October 20, 2023, to April 7, 2024, the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York presents “Going Dark: The Contemporary Figure at the Edge of Visibility.” This exhibition delves into the realm of semi-visible figures, blending mystery with artistic elegance and highlighting the work of many renowned artists. It probes the tension between visibility and obscurity, reflecting on enduring and pressing questions surrounding the potential and discontents of social visibility. The exhibit is curated by Ashley James and has garnered support from various institutions and patrons, including the Andy Warhol Foundation.

From September 23, 2023, to January 1, 2024, plunge into the universe of Marina Abramović, an icon of performance art at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. For 50 years, she has defied physical and mental boundaries, even risking her life for art. This major retrospective reveals her prolific career through sculptures, videos, and installations. Iconic works like ‘The Artist is Present’ are reinterpreted, and other performances will be embodied by the new generation of artists trained in her method. Each visit promises a unique experience, reflecting the ephemeral nature of performance art.

Started in 2017 and scheduled for completion in 2040, South Sabah Al-Ahmad City spans over 22 million square meters. Just 80km south of Kuwait City, this urban core anticipates a thriving population of 280,000 residents and offers a diverse range of industries, green open spaces, and unique neighborhood clusters. Drawing inspiration from desert dunes, the city blends modern urbanism with traditional living. Its commitment to sustainability is perceived through photovoltaic installations and eco-friendly practices. Here, luxury residences, bustling community centers, and a plethora of recreational activities, such as desert glamping, e-biking, and luxury shopping, ensure a certain quality of life.

A rare 1955 Maserati A6GCS Frua Spider will make its UK debut at the 2023 Concours of Elegance, to be held from 1-3 September 2023 in the Hampton Court Palace. The event will feature over 70 privately-owned classic cars from leading collections worldwide. The Concours of Elegance is an annual classic car event, established in 2012 and held at prestigious locations, featuring only high-quality cars from around the world, with a key objective of raising funds for charity.