Latest news with #ClaudeMonet
Hypebeast
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Pas Normal Studios and JJJJound Reimagine Contemporary Cycling Culture
Summary In a highly anticipated union that seamlessly blends the rigorous tradition of cycling with contemporary design, Copenhagen-based premium cycling apparel brandPas Normal Studiosannounces its inaugural product drop with Canadian brandJJJJound. At the heart of this partnership is a striking co-branded jersey that features a sublimation print of Claude Monet's iconic Impressionist landscape. This lush, atmospheric artwork evokes the romantic, rural origins of cycling's visual language, creating a deliberate contrast with the often-concrete environments where modern cyclists train and ride. This artistic centerpiece is a testament to the collection's unique vision. 'What Justin and the team at JJJJound have built is truly impressive, and we've always respected how they navigate collabs with such precision and restraint. Their minimalist approach speaks volumes,' stated Karl-Oskar Olsen, creative director and co-founder of Pas Normal Studios. He further highlighted the defining inspiration, 'The emphasis on the Monet painting and the strong heritage feel just clicked with us. It challenged me, and that's when I got really excited, seeing the depth in it and the intention behind every detail.' The collection's branding masterfully balances expressive visuals with minimalist restraint, delivering a cohesive line that caters to the discerning rider. Key pieces include the featured jersey for both men and women, alongside men's and women's black Mechanism Bibs, a crisp white mesh Base Layer, performance-oriented Socks, and a matching Bidon. Each item is designed to embody the rich, expressive tradition of cycling while being thoughtfully reinterpreted for the modern rider. The Pas Normal Studios x JJJJound collection will be available globally June 19 at 8 a.m. ET.
The Advertiser
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
5 best travel deals of the week: fares from $826 Singapore-Melbourne return
NOW One of this year's biggest blockbuster art exhibitions, French Impressionism, has just kicked off at the National Gallery of Victoria, with more than 100 artworks by masters such as Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Camille Pissarro and Edouard Manet. WHEN: Until October 5; COMING UP From family-friendly food markets during the day to entertaining fire shows and pyrotechnics at night, Winter in the City will bring 15 days of fun and festivities to Canberra. A festival highlight is truffle hunts - followed by gourmet meals - at two of Australia's finest truffieres: Beltana Farm and The Truffle Farm. WHEN: July 5-19; LATER Planning a trip to the Queensland capital? Line up your dates with Brisbane Festival, when the city comes alive with cultural events, live performances and riverside fireworks. WHEN: September 5-27;
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Don Was Remembers Brian Wilson's ‘Mystical' Genius: ‘He Explored Creative Territory Where No Musicians Had Gone Before'
On June 11, leader of The Beach Boys legendary pop composer Brian Wilson died at the age of 82. Below, Grammy-winning producer and performer Don Was remembers Wilson, who he cites as 'the Claude Monet of rock and roll.' I bought the 7' single of 'I Get Around' in 1964 when I was just 12 years old. Back then, if you spent your whole allowance on one record, you played the A & B sides over and over and over. It wasn't long before I came to prefer the romanticism of the flip side, 'Don't Worry Baby.' I tried really hard to figure out the chords on the guitar and it blew my mind when he modulated from E to F# in the middle of the bridge—not just because it was such a cool thing to do, but because it ripped your heart out. More from Billboard The Beach Boys' 40 Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits How LadyLand, the Scrappy Festival That Could, Is Shaping Queer Culture & Live Music In NYC Shooter Jennings Reveals Three Albums of Unreleased Waylon Jennings Songs Are On the Way It was my first glimpse into the notion that if you put some soul and imagination into your chord choices and voicings, you'd have a bunch of new colors to paint with. In that respect, Brian [Wilson] was the Claude Monet of rock and roll. He was considered to be a genius, but I think it's deeper and much more mystical than that. Brian was plugged into some source that enabled him to see and hear things that most of us don't. The downside of that is the profound inner turbulence it can cause. The upside is that it enabled him to explore creative territory where no musicians had gone before — pushing and dramatically expanding the harmonic and textural boundaries of popular music. A great example is his song 'Till I Die.' I worked it out on the piano: it's quite complex, not in any one key. There's no real pattern to the changes. The movement of the chords vividly evokes the feeling of being forever adrift on an ocean of uncontrollable emotions. Yet, despite the intricacy, a 10-year-old can easily sing along with the melody that Brian put on top. It's extremely difficult and rare to be able to walk that line between experimentalism and universal accessibility. Nobody's done it with more seamless grace than Brian Wilson. In 1996, I directed a documentary about him called I Just Wasn't Made For These Times. The intended purpose of the film was to explain to non-musicians why he was considered to be a genius. It took a whole film to spell it out, but one thing became evident — everything Brian originally envisioned has now become ingrained in the fabric of contemporary music. I hope that future generations realize how radical it is that he came up with these things before anyone else and without a roadmap or digital electronics to lean on. Despite his much-publicized inner-turmoil, Brian was a very strong, sweet, innocent guy with a heart full of love and music. He was on a mission to create songs that would bring comfort and understanding to the whole world. He succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. Below is Was's playlist with some of his favorite Wilson/Beach Boy tunes. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
Globe and Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
2025 Oppolia's Whole-House Solution – Monet Series Wins Double International Honors
Oppolia's 2025 Monet Series won Silver at both the MUSE Design Awards and A' Design Award, recognizing its fusion of artistic elegance and functional innovation. We proudly announce that Oppolia's 2025 whole-house solution, the Monet Series, has secured Silver awards in two globally prestigious design competitions: the MUSE Design Awards 2025 (Residential Interior Design) and the A' Design Award & Competition 2025 (Furniture Design). This dual recognition from institutions representing the pinnacle of creative excellence — the MUSE Awards, curated by the International Awards Associate (IAA), and Italy's A' Design Award, renowned as one of the world's most rigorous and diverse design accolades — validates Monet's revolutionary fusion of artistic inspiration and functional innovation. Inspired by Claude Monet's impressionist masterpieces, the series translates the ethereal interplay of dawn light across forest lakes into residential spaces through a masterful balance of poetic sensibility and Italian light-luxury principles. At its core lies a meticulously crafted color narrative featuring light gray as its foundational tone, harmonized with tranquil accents of delicate green, where low-saturation sophistication evokes serene elegance while matte and lustrous surfaces layer to create dimensional depth reminiscent of Monet's brushwork, transforming light itself into a tangible design element that redefines ambiance. Beyond its artistic merit, Monet addresses the complex realities of urban living for discerning homeowners through fluid architectural intelligence: sweeping arcs replace sharp edges to soften transitions between living, social, and leisure zones, enhancing both safety and visual continuity. The modular cabinetry systems, including modern minimalist TV units and storage cabinets, integrate residence, partying, and self-leisure within compact footprints through adaptive configurations that maximize utility without compromising grandeur. Grilles with ambient lighting and metallic details elevate these functional elements into gallery-worthy artistry, while sustainable E0-grade cabinet panels underscore Oppolia's commitment to responsible luxury. By seamlessly merging the dreamlike color aesthetics of Monet's paintings with space-optimizing ingenuity, the collection delivers curated living experiences that resonate profoundly with modern urbanites seeking both beauty and purpose. It simultaneously meets sophisticated lifestyle demands and advances the evolution of the home design industry. Judged by 200+ international experts at MUSE and 316 design professionals, academics, and press members at A' Design amid thousands of global entries, these awards testify to Oppolia's decades-long legacy of transforming houses into deeply personal, art-infused sanctuaries. Every contour, texture, and transition invites residents to become protagonists in their aesthetic narratives.
The Star
12-06-2025
- The Star
An impressive tourism palette in Normandy, France
Normandy (or Normandie), with its ever-changing skies and rugged coastline, initially appealed to local French holidaymakers before becoming a top spot for artists seeking to capture the fleeting moments of nature's beauty. In the late 19th century, the coastal region became a pivotal backdrop for the Impressionist movement, influencing artists to step outside their traditional studios and embrace the nuances of natural light on the landscape. Normandy was, for many Impressionist painters, their birthplace and home. The term 'Impressionism' originated from Claude Monet's 1872 painting, Impression, Sunrise, which depicted Le Havre at dawn. Monet was born in Paris but raised in the port of Le Havre and frequently returned to his hometown to paint its ever-busy port, and the interplay of light on coastal waters. His works from this period emphasise transient moments, capturing reflections and atmospheric conditions. The port city's proximity to Paris and its growing number of fashionable seaside resorts like Dieppe, Honfleur, Deauville and Trouville-sur-Mer meant that artists could simply travel to Normandy by train, and then incorporate a palette of colours into their artistic works. Many stayed to paint an artistic legacy that is hard to rival in any other part of the world. For over half a century, these seaside resorts and the historic riverside city of Rouen inspired the Impressionists. Breaking away from the more formal, classical themes of the early 19th century, the Impressionists were revolutionary in their preference for painting en plein air – or in the open air/outdoors – in natural light. Landscapes, towns, and scenes of daily life were their subject matter. While Monet's paintings are housed in numerous galleries and collections around the world, a remarkable number of Impressionist works can still be admired in Normandy. These paintings, where they were painted, and many other essential elements of French life provide good reasons for visiting Normandy. Road to Rouen My journey of discovery began in Giverny, beside the river Seine, 75km northwest of Paris. It was an excellent place to start my discovery of Normandy, as it was just a short drive from Paris. This is where you can enjoy the fresh air of the French countryside. Not only is the small town an important part of the Impressionist jigsaw puzzle, but its villagers also happily welcome visitors. The beautiful Rouen Cathedral and the city's half-timbered buildings inspired Monet. Monet's home and gardens here were his lifelong inspirations, which lead to his iconic Water Lilies series. The Fondation Claude Monet preserves his house and gardens, allowing visitors to experience the outdoor setting that inspired his creativity and imagination. The place was a magnet for other painters until Monet's death in 1926. While some took advantage of his hospitality, others stayed at the Hotel Baudy. In the late afternoon, I travelled to Rouen to enjoy dining on the open square of Place du Vieux Marche (Old Market Square), taking in the markets, walking along the river, and visiting the famous cathedral. Monet's paintings of Rouen Cathedral, depicting the structure at different times of the day and under varying light conditions, exemplifies his exploration of light and perception. The Musee des Beaux-Arts has a compelling display of Monet's cathedral series. The cathedral was built in two phases and two distinct styles. Work started on the Roman-inspired section in 1030, and in 1145, the Gothic-inspired section commenced. At 150m high and 145m long, it is France's highest and most asymmetrical cathedral since the reconstruction of its cast iron spire in 1876. For me, simply strolling along Rouen's medieval streets past half-timbered buildings was a highlight of this historic city. Village life in La Bouille Rouen is a large, bustling riverside city that offers many tourist activities and facilities, but it was Normandy's smaller towns and villages that were in my sights. Impressionists Alfred Sisley, William Turner and Paul Gauguin all painted here in the village, which dates back to the 13th century. Helpful signs aided my understanding of the sites and attractions around the walkable town. La Bouille, a small riverside village, was my base for two days. I wanted to enjoy village life while exploring the region. As an indication of expenses in a village compared to a big city like Rouen, my off-peak accommodation for two at the Hotel Le Bellevue in La Bouille was €77 (RM373) a night, and breakfast was €14.50 (RM70) a head. Meanwhile, a three-course dinner in the adjoining restaurant, La Table d'Hector, was €39 (189) per person without beverages. During my stay in La Bouille, I visited the nearby Museo Seine at Rives-en-Seine to learn about the history of the region and the importance of the river to everyday life across the floodplain. Honfleur is arguably the most picturesque fishing village along the Normandy coast. If you can't paint it, then at least take a picture of the place if you ever visit. Riverside Honfleur Honfleur is the quintessential seaside fishing town fronting the Atlantic Ocean where it meets the Seine. Apart from exploring the quaint seafront with its fishing fleet, the Musee Eugene Boudin, with paintings by Eugene Boudin and Monet, isn't to be missed. Boudin, an influential Impressionist from Honfleur, was known as the 'king of the skies'. He introduced Monet to plein-air painting, urging him to capture the changing skies directly. Honfleur's picturesque harbour, with its wooden houses and shifting light, became a frequent subject for both artists. I enjoyed a leisurely seafood dinner overlooking the port, which becomes quieter after the day-trippers have moved on. Not surprisingly, Honfleur is one of the most popular tourist sites in Normandy, attracting many who dine in seafood restaurants after wandering the historic streets. This charming port town, with its cobblestone streets and historic architecture, captivated many Impressionists. Cliffs and gardens of Etretat A natural stop on my way north from Honfleur to Etretat was Le Havre, as Monet's early works were painted in and around the port. The Musee d'Art Moderne Andre Malraux (MuMa) houses an extensive collection of Impressionist art, including Monet's works (Water Lilies) and those of his contemporaries. Further north, the dramatic cliffs and natural arches of Etretat provided a stunning backdrop for painters like Delacroix and Courbet. Courbet, like other Impressionists, was fascinated by the dramatic geological formations, the quality of natural light, and the clarity of the air. He appreciated that the composition of the sea, the land with its cliffs and rocks, and the sky was well balanced. In 1868, Monet lived in Etretat with Camille Doncieux, whom he was to marry two years later. He visited the seaside resort town on many occasions in the 1880s to work on numerous paintings depicting the cliffs under varying light conditions, and capturing their ever-changing appearance. The chalk cliffs at Etretat inspired many Impressionist painters including Monet who lived nearby. He, too, was fascinated by the dramatic cliffs and rock arches and was constantly looking for somewhere with outstanding natural beauty that he could paint. He sought sites to observe the effects of natural light on the sea and the limestone cliffs of what is known as the Alabaster Coast. He would move from one position to another, continually looking for the best natural lighting across the landscape. This explains why Monet painted so many pictures of the same scene. He wanted to capture the changing light at various times and during ever-changing weather conditions. As such, it was not only the beauty of the coastline that appealed but also its changing weather, including its tempestuous ferocity. In 1883 Monet completed a work entitled Stormy Sea In Etretat, which is currently housed in Lyon's Musee des Beaux-Arts. Like other visitors, I walked the clifftop paths that Monet once did, admiring the same vistas that inspired his masterpieces. However, it was the evocative art in the manicured gardens at Jardins d'Etretat that fascinated me most. Perched high on the cliffs above the seaside town, the Jardins d'Etretat are a striking blend of nature, contemporary art and architectural landscaping. The gardens were created in 1905 by actress Madame Thebault, who was inspired by Monet's paintings depicting the local seascape. After decades of obscurity, the gardens were restored and reimagined in 2017 by Russian landscape architect Alexandre Grivko. He designed modern topiary gardens that pay homage to the original Belle Époque spirit while combining avant-garde sculpture with environmental themes. The gardens at Etretat are a living cultural canvas that challenges the senses at every twist in the pathways that weave through them. Small towns like La Bouille along the Seine are ideal for enjoying French daily life. Visitors to the gardens can explore a series of distinct spaces with names like Impressionist, Emotion, and Aval, where immaculately sculpted foliage undulates in harmony with the cliffside. The experience is deliberately immersive, with art installations by global artists interwoven into the landscape to challenge the boundary between gallery and garden. In the town, Le Donjon – Domaine Saint Clair offers accommodation and refined Norman cuisine with sea views and accommodation. Normandy's landscapes, with their interplay of light and natural beauty, continue to resonate with artists and visitors alike. By following in the footsteps of the Impressionists, visitors to France can gain a deeper appreciation for their paintings and the environment that inspired them. Normandy also provides a wonderful French experience that is close to the air gateway of Paris. Even visitors with a limited appreciation of the Impressionists can travel to Normandy to appreciate it in a different light. The destination's tourism infrastructure and interpretation facilities make it easy for visitors to travel here to take in the beauty of the land and all that it has to offer. n The Normandy Impressionist Festival is staged annually throughout the province from July 1 to the end of August. Travel Notes How to get there: Fly into Paris (Orly or Charles de Gaulle airports) and hire a car to Normandy, or take the train to Rouen. Trains operated by SNCF depart from Charles de Gaulle, with the fastest direct connection taking about four hours (train changes at Arras and Amiens). Trains from Paris to Normandy depart from Saint-Lazare Station and cover the 135km distance to Rouen in just 75 minutes. Alternatively, join a multi-day river cruise from Paris that includes stops in Honfleur and Rouen. CroisiEurope operates boating tours of Normandy along the river Seine departing from, and returning to Paris. More info: Explore France ( and Normandy Tourism (
