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Sotheby’s opening soon in Dubai

Sotheby’s has just announced that it will be opening an office and a gallery in Dubai run by Katia Nounou.
Katia Nounou Sotheby's Dubai
Katia Nounou

Sotheby’s Dubai Office will be run by the amazing Katia Nounou, who recently moved to Dubai after being part of the Sotheby’s private client group in London since 2008. Katia’s focus has always been that of generating new Middle Eastern clients as well as nurturing a new generation of collectors globally. With her Iranian and Iraqi background, in-depth knowledge of the market and contacts in the region, Katia has been central in cultivating Arab and Iranian Contemporary art at Sotheby’s.

As the head of Sotheby’s new office in Dubai , Katia will now focus on developing a comprehensive new calendar of events to build on Sotheby’s numerous travelling exhibitions across the region. Her role will encompass liaising with the Sotheby’s network of clients, as well as organising exhibitions and lecture series to showcase myriad highlights from Sotheby’s worldwide sales.

To coincide with the official opening , Sotheby’s has arranged one of the largest and wide ranging exhibitions which will open to the public on the 14th March. This exhibition will be led by a preview of Modern and Contemporary Arab and Iranian artworks from the London 20th Century Art / Middle East auction.

Dubai

Bringing together worldwide highlights from Sotheby’s international auction calendar spanning the forthcoming season, the exhibition will star highly sought-after masterpieces by celebrated artists from the region alongside myriad pieces of historical importance and a selection of extraordinary jewellery and watches.

The view will take place at Level 1, Gate Village Building 3, Dubai International Financial Centre, UAE from Tuesday 14 – Sunday 19 March 2017. The exhibition is open to the public from 10am – 8pm (please note an early closing time of 5pm on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19) with events ranging from gallery tours to a book launch with Rose Issa and Juliet Cestar.

Dubai International Business centre - photo credit Jackardsiffant
Dubai International Business centre – photo credit Jackardsiffant

Located in the DIFC, Sotheby’s Dubai will present an expanded programme of year-round events, including selling and non-selling exhibitions, events and talks, reflecting the spectrum of Sotheby’s international sales and extensive client services. The office will complement the existing network of offices across the region.

This article first published on Wild Free Innocent by Olivia Innocent Buckley

Dubai International Business Centre image by Jackardsiffant (own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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Enjoying White Turf St Moritz 2017

Since 1907 White Turf has taken place in St Moritz; where the international horse racing community gathers around the frozen St Moritz Lake for three February weekends of horse racing and winter fun.

White Turf St Moritz 2017
White Turf St Moritz 2017

With 35,000 spectators the White Turf set up is really incredible with huge tents set up on the lake around the racing track offering everything from food, alcohol and entertainment. One can either purchase a normal ticket for just CHF 20 and is free to browse around and bet on the horses, or you can be invited into one of the VIP tents.

BMW (one of the 3 main sponsors alongside Longines and Credit Suisse) kindly invited us into their amazing VIP tent overlooking the tracks and hosted us for the day. The set up of their tent was outstanding, offering incredible foods paired with some of the best wines. Additionally they had an oyster bar, a caviar stand and a beautiful cheese display.

Oysters at the BMW VIP tent White Turf 20-17
Oysters at the BMW VIP tent

The atmosphere was intimate, exclusive and we were able to see the races in pole position. Next to their VIP tent BMW also had a separate tent showcasing their latest models including the new M3 and M6 in a new super cool frosted tint .

We really encourage you to experience the White Turf as it makes the perfect day out to enjoy with family and friends.

White Turf 20-17

If you are in the area you have one last day to enjoy the White Turf this year and that is this coming Sunday 26th February, so hurry and get your tickets today!

Full Details about White Turf 2017 here

PPM St Moritz

Olivia Innocenti Buckey of H. Barnes & Co associate Wild Free Innocent says  “Our visit to to this year’s White Turf was arranged by PPM St Moritz – a property management and concierge service operating in the St Moritz valley. PPM are definitely are the go-to people when you are in St Moritz and their team is fantastic! Visit their website and ask to speak to Oli, Florian or  Severin and they will look after you!”

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Jean Pigozzi : Pool Party in The Snow

Last weekend Joshua Buckley of H.Barnes & Co accompanied the luxury lifestyle blogger Wild Free Innocent to the opening of a fantastic solo exhibition in St Moritz at the renowned Galerie Gmurzynska showcasing the photographs of Jean Pigozzi.

Some of Jean Pigozzi's photographs on display
Some of Jean Pigozzi’s photographs on display

Influenced by Helmut Newton, William Klein and Robert Frank, Johnny Pigozzi’s photographs are snapshots of his close friends and companions which range from pop stars to musicians that he met on his extensive travels around the world.

The thirty black and white photographs accurately document the gathering of the jet set around the famous “blue pool ” in Cap D’Antibes during the Cannes Film Festival , all shot between the 80’s and the 90’s. Some of the celebrities shot by Pigozzi include Elle Macpherson, Michael Douglas, Bono and many more.

Johnny Pigozzi with Catherine Deneuve at the event
Johnny Pigozzi with Catherine Deneuve at the event

Son of the French carmaker Simca, Johnny was born in Paris and now lives between NY, London, Paris and Antibes.  Johnny is one of the most colourful individuals you will ever meet! From wearing Bart Simpson shirts to hating kale with a passion, Johnny is charming, funny, intelligent and super creative. Aside from his artistic endeavour Johnny Pigozzi is an avid collector, having one of the largest collections of African Contemporary Art.

Lovely decorations at the Pigozzi event
Lovely decorations at the Pigozzi event

The event was fun, packed with great people and incredible decoration. All the crème de la crème of St Moritz attended and the night was a huge success . Wild Free Innocent said “I think one of the things that made this event so great is the juxtaposition of the colourful and playful pool decoration against the 30 black and white photographs – and on the upper floors against some of the gallery’s great pieces ranging from Yves Klein to Picasso.”

Pigozzi’s photographs, which have also have been shown at Gagosian – and are all an edition of one, with two artists proofs, and costing around $4,000; so very reasonably priced.

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To buy or not to buy unmodernised property

The idea of buying an unmodernised property can be attractive, offering potential to add value and put your own stamp on a property, making a handsome profit when it comes to selling.

Simon Barnes says: “Renovating a house well pays you in the long run because you can do it exactly as you want.  And you’ll have the certainty that the quality will be of a higher standard because you will have overseen the work, rather than a developer, who will not have as lavish a budget.

Upgrading unmodernised property

From a seller’s point of view, it is much better to purchase from someone who has renovated by themselves for themselves.  However, it is important to know what you are letting yourself in for.  People think things will be straightforward to do and they end up being far harder. For example, if you live in a small terrace or narrow street with limited or no space for trucks or a skip, building work can prove a major headache and logistical nightmare.

Skip outside Upgrading unmodernised property

Equally, if you’re in a terraced house without direct access from the road to the garden, building a rear extension can turn out to be a big problem, requiring hand digging in the absence of proper machinery.  A top floor flat requiring scaffolding will mean you will need to pay for it to be erected to go up the entire building.  If you’re certain you want an unmodernised property, make sure the first step you take is to get a survey done ahead of making an offer.

It simply isn’t worth waiting until you have instructed solicitors and had your offer accepted, because haggling post offer can be tricky and unsuccessful.  However, if you present a survey with proof of all the work that’ll need doing when making the initial offer, you are far more likely to secure a better more reasonable price from the off, saving time and money for everyone down the line.  Whether it’s underpinning a house to correct subsidence, getting a new roof or rewiring the whole place, everything can be done.

The key thing to remember is that building work always takes longer and costs more than you anticipate.”

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Biodynamic Wine: no hangover alternative?

“Ladies and gentleman let me introduce you to your new lifesaver : biodynamic wine !” says Olivia Innocenti Buckley of the Wild Free Innocent lifestyle blog.

Biodynamic Wine Production

What is Biodynamic?

Biodynamic refers to a particular type of farming that doesn’t use chemical fertilizers, herbicides or pesticides. Biodynamic agriculture is based on the work of Rudolf Steiner who aimed at the ecological self-sufficiency of farms as cohesive, interconnected living systems.

Biodynamic wine essentially means that no chemicals or fertilizers are allowed , which in turn makes the wine sulphite free and that is the good news as it is the sulphites which give us those horrid hangovers !

The Production of Biodynamic Wine

There are only about 620 biodynamic wine producers in the world as it is very difficult to achieve the biodynamic status. Prices of these are also a bit higher than your typical bottle due to the complex production process but totally worth it.

First of all you really feel you are drinking a cleaner more refined wine, secondly you can smell and taste the fruity hints much more and last but not the least you will not have a sore head the next day. This has been tried and tested by yours truly on several different occasions and never once did I feel bad the next day after drinking biodynamic wine !

It is slowly but surely finally becoming more popular so you can find some at your local supermarket (Waitrose has about 20 different types) and ask for some biodynamic wine at restaurants.

More than Organic

Make sure it is not only organic – it has to fully be biodynamic !

The Biodynamic Wine process : a holistic view of agriculture.

  • Fruit Days – ideal for harvesting
  • Root Days – ideal for pruning
  • Flower Days – ideal for resting
  • Leaf days- ideal for watering plants

Try it for Yourself

If you want a real taste of excellent biodynamic wine, head to 40 Maltby Street in London which has an incredible selection of chemical and pesticide-free wines and a delicious kitchen serving rustic organic food.

Contact H. Barnes & Co – Tel: 020 7499 3434

Our service will be committed, impartial and utterly discreet; and it can also be tailored to suit any requirements you might have.
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