Latest news with #Peanuts
Los Angeles Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
George Lucas' spaceship of a museum lands in L.A. with a wonderful surprise
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, rising on what used to be a parking lot in Exposition Park in downtown L.A., is devoted to visual storytelling: the comics of Charles M. Schulz ('Peanuts') and Alex Raymond ('Flash Gordon'), movie concept art by Neal Adams ('Batman') and Ralph McQuarrie ('Star Wars'), paintings by Frida Kahlo and Jacob Lawrence, photography by Gordon Parks and Dorothea Lange, illustrations by Norman Rockwell and N.C. Wyeth. So when George Lucas and wife Mellody Hobson chose Mia Lehrer and her L.A. firm, Studio-MLA, to design the 11 acres of landscape around — and on top of — MAD Architects' swirling, otherworldly, billion-dollar building, the driving forces behind the Lucas Museum made it clear that the landscape had to tell a story too. Lehrer and her team studied how directors, illustrators and painters use topography to help amplify, among other things, emotion, sequence and storyline. 'We looked at the landscapes of myths and movies,' said Kush Parekh, a principal at Studio-MLA. 'How do you take someone on a journey through space? How does the terrain change the story — and how can it be the story?' The result — which feels surprisingly grown-in even though the museum won't open until next year — is a sinuous, eclectic landscape that unfolds in discrete vignettes, all promoting exploration and distinct experience. Each zone contains varied textures, colors, scales and often framed views. A shaded walkway curls along a meandering meadow and lifts you toward a hilly canyon. A footbridge carries you above a developing conifer thicket. A plant-covered trellis, known as 'the hanging garden,' provides a more compressed moment of pause. The environment, like a good story, continually shifts tone and tempo. 'It's episodic,' Parekh said. 'Each biome reveals something new, each path hints at what's ahead without giving it away.' A key theme of the story is the diverse terrain of California — a place that, in Lehrer's words, 'contains more varied environments in a single day's drive than most countries do in a week.' Foothills and valleys, groves and canyons, even the mesas, plateaus and plains of the Sierra and the Central Valley — Lehrer calls all of it a 'choreography of place.' Another, more subtle, layer of this narrative is time. Plantings were laid out to bloom in different seasons and in different places. Bright yellow 'Safari Goldstrike' leucadendron, edging the meadow and canyon, come alive in late winter and early spring. Tall jacarandas, spied from a foothills overlook, emerge then quickly disappear. 'Bee's Bliss' sage, lying low in the oak woodland, turn lavender blue in the early summer. Something is always emerging, something else fading. 'Every month, every visit, feels different,' Parekh said. Even the alpine-inspired plantings cladding the museum's roof — colorful wildflowers, long sweeping grasses and coarse scrubs, all chosen for their hardiness, lightness and shallow roots — follow this rhythm. 'They're alive. They change. They move with the climate,' Lehrer said. Amazingly, the rest of the landscape is a kind of green roof as well, sitting atop a 2,400-spot underground parking structure — available to those visiting the Lucas or any of Expo Park's other institutions. Wedged between the greenery and the parking are thousands of foam blocks, mixed with soil and sculpted to form the landscape while minimizing weight on the building below. 'I wish I had invested in foam before we started this,' joked Angelo Garcia, president of Lucas Real Estate Holdings. 'It's everywhere. These mountains were created with foam.' 'It's full-scale ecology sitting on top of a structural system,' noted Michael Siegel, senior principal at Stantec, the museum's architect of record, responsible for its technical oversight and implementation. 'That's how the best storytelling works,' Lehrer added. 'You don't see the mechanics. You just feel the effect.' As you make your way through the rolling landscape, it becomes clear that it's also crafted to meld with MAD's sculptural design — a hovering, eroded form, itself inspired by the clouds, hills and other natural forms of Los Angeles. 'There's a dialogue,' Garcia said. Paths bend instead of cut; curving benches — cast in smooth, gently tapering concrete — echo the museum's fiber-reinforced cement roofline. Bridges arc gently over bioswales and berms. Ramps rise like extensions of the building's base. Paving stones reflect the color and texture of the museum's facade. 'It was never landscape next to building,' Lehrer said. 'It was building as landscape, and landscape as structure. One continuous form.' Closer to the building, where a perimeter mass damper system that the design team has nicknamed the 'moat' protects the museum from seismic activity, landscape nestles against, and seemingly under, the structure's edges, further blurring the barrier between the two. Rows of mature trees being planted now will help soften the flanks. Vines will hang from the Lucas' floating oculus, right above its entry court. The topography was designed to minimize environmental impact. Hundreds of plants, mostly native to the region, are drought-tolerant (or at least require little watering). A rain-harvesting system captures water for irrigation. And on the north edge of the museum will be 'The Rain,' a waterfall that doubles as a passive cooling system, replacing traditional air-conditioning infrastructure. (Dozens of underground geothermal wells provide additional cooling.) In this part of South L.A., park space is egregiously scarce, a remnant of redlining and disinvestment. This space — set to be open to the public without a ticket, from dawn to dusk — is a game changer, as is a massive green space on Expo Park's south side that also replaces a surface parking lot and tops an underground garage. (That latter project has been delayed until after the 2028 Olympics.) 'It's hotter, it's denser and it's long been overlooked. We wanted to change that,' Lehrer said of the area. What was once a walled-off asphalt lot is a porous public space, linking Expo Park to the rest of the neighborhood via its four east-west pathways and opening connections on the north side to Jesse Brewer Jr. Park, which the Lucas Museum has paid to upgrade. The museum also funded the creation to the south of the new Soboroff Sports Field, which replaces a field that was adjacent to the site's parking lot. The Lucas' circular plaza and amphitheater with seating for hundreds, have the potential not only to host museum events but also to become popular community gathering spots. For Lehrer, the landscape is a convergence of civic and ecological ideas that she's developed throughout her career — really ever since a chance encounter with the intricate original drawings for Central Park while she was studying at the Harvard Graduate School of Design spurred her to pivot from planning to landscape architecture. At this point, she's created arguably more major new public spaces in Los Angeles than any other designer, including two vibrantly didactic landscapes at the adjacent Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, downtown's 10-acre Vista Hermosa Park and the artfully layered grounds and lake surrounding SoFi Stadium. 'This brings everything together,' she said. 'Design, ecology, storytelling, infrastructure, community. It's the fullest expression of what landscape can be.' Lehrer credits Lucas with not just permitting her to explore these ideas but encouraging her to push them further. Lucas supported the rare — and costly — installation of mature plantings. Usually the landscape is the last part of a building to emerge. The progress in the grounds is a bright spot for the museum, which has been grappling with construction delays, the surprise departure of its executive director and, most recently, the layoffs of 15 full-time and seven part-time employees, part of a restructuring that a museum official said was 'to ensure we open on time next year.' As the new building accelerates toward that opening, the vision outside is becoming more clear. 'To have an open-minded client, who gets landscape and also appreciates creativity, it's rare,' Lehrer said. Lucas, who grew up on a farm in Modesto, has been developing the vineyards, gardens and olive groves of his Skywalker Ranch in Northern California for decades. 'I have always wanted to be surrounded by trees and nature,' Lucas said. 'The museum's backyard is meant to provide a respite in a hectic world.'
First Post
13-06-2025
- Health
- First Post
Peanuts for wellness: 10 ways they support a healthy body
Rich in protein Peanuts are an excellent plant-based protein source, helping build and repair muscles, support cell function, and keep you feeling fuller for longer, making them ideal for vegetarians and athletes.
Buzz Feed
09-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Buzz Feed
Sorry, But IDK If You Can Handle The Cuteness Level Of All The Things In This Post
Itty-bitty, collapsible storage crates in soothing pastel colors to give your knickknacks the vinyl record treatment. Listen, you don't have to throw away your mountain of pilfered condiment packets, but they'd look a lot nicer in one of these. A charming waterproof shelf liner to protect your fridge from stains and give it a little glow-up. Who knew the inside of a fridge could be And a roll of scented liners offering a wonderful sensory experience every time you pull out a drawer. The linens will smell good! The junk drawer will feel elevated! Your guests will be impressed by this extreme level of detail! A giant pack of *100* Welly fabric bandages with the amazing ability to change colors in the sunlight! Watch in awe as a scrape becomes a magical work of art. 😎 Enchanted Creatures — a coloring book from the illustrator Autumnalwood. The storybook-like collection features sweet mushrooms, wizard frogs, cute flower couples, and more images that feel like they jumped straight from Alice in Wonderland. A pair of darling ice cream bowls with squeal-worthy, flower-shaped bases. Warning: Your ice cream might melt into soup as you take one million photos of the bowls in action. A beaded tote bag featuring fun, travel-ready designs that I dare say is the *perfect* farmer's market companion. Stroll through the stalls with this number on your arm, and you'll feel like the bell pepper of the ball. A Peanuts cup charm blind box that sits atop your mug or tumbler and keeps you company while you force yourself to stay hydrated. (WHY is it so hard to drink enough water?) There are eight styles in total — I hope you get the one you want! A set of vintage-inspired spoons — if these aren't cottagecore, I don't know what is. Set them out at your next tea party and let the compliments roll in. Praise for your good taste? Sweeter than two lumps of sugar. A magical Disney sun catcher to make your home the happiest place on Earth — because rainbows = happiness, duh. A set of cowboy straw toppers that add a little "don't mess with Texas" vibe to your water bottle by protecting the drinking straw from strangers bumping into it. Look how cute this bottle looks with a lil' hat on! It thinks it's people. :') A wind-up toy shaped like a cat riding a robot vacuum. We've all seen the videos — it's time to recreate it at home. A silly goose badge — congrats on your promotion! Now that you've been deputized, let's hit the streets and start pieing people in the face. A cutie pie planner to help you be a busy bee, or more likely a take-it-slow sloth. There's room for appointments, errands, and people to in due time. A mini Bob Ross paint-by-numbers kit that comes with three different numbered canvas designs, seven paint pots, a mini brush, and an easel to display your tiny masterpieces. It's perfect for adults and teens looking for a quick project and kids working on their fine motor skills. A sweet little fish who swims around in your humidifier tank, inhibiting the growth of buildup for up to 30 days. Now you can go longer between washes and maybe avoid the dreaded brown sludge that appears in some humidifiers. A clay charm kit that, sure, is technically geared toward children, but is honestly perfect for any fashionable DIYer. The set comes with all the materials you need to make 35 different charms! Little heart-shaped grippers to help with glasses that keep falling down your nose. They're 100% adjustable and oh-so-cute. A bookmark that doubles as a book tracker, so the next time someone asks you what you've been reading, you can actually answer. The dark academia illustration will look so good in between the pages of your next mystery novel! And a set of mushroom bookmarks because I know I'm not the only one who wants to live in a fairytale home. Since the silicone mushies are flexible, you can even pop them in the middle of your book to save your spot mid-page. A pair of fruit-shaped hand towels that reviewers say are super soft and dry quickly. Personally, I'm eyeing the peach variation, but the orange and pineapple versions are super cute too. A fanciful mushroom kitchen timer, which is so much more endearing than using your phone or screaming at Alexa. It also has a glowing 4.5-star rating on Amazon, which is kinda unheard of for novelty timers. A Lego cherry blossom kit for decor you can build yourself. The 430-piece set comes with everything you need to build two stems, and at less than $10, it's a steal compared to most Lego kits. An outrageously silly Sonny Angel shelf you can use to display your favorite lil' naked babies — or any other small figurines. I wonder who you'll pick for the coveted cloud swing spot. A paw-shaped chair cushion, because who doesn't want to be lovingly cradled in a kitten's paw? A box of macarons that — hey! don't eat those. These macaron SOAPS may smell good (I'm talking pink sugar, peach sorbet, lemon pie, cucumber splash, and toasted coconut) but they're better for displaying in your bathroom than as dessert. A hummingbird lamp with three brightness levels and a touch sensor that doubles as an aroma diffuser if you add 3–4 drops of essential oil to the top of its head. Name something that would make you feel more like Cinderella! A "Gracula" garlic crusher that ironically helps you with one of the most tedious chores in the kitchen. Just throw in the peeled cloves, twist, and feel grateful you Let the Right One your kitchen. A sad duck night-light ready to cheer you up — because at least you've never felt so down you've melted into the table. A fruit tart bed because your little blueberry needs the perfect place to rest their head — a kiwi pillow! You gotta love pet products that double as decor. A darling strawberry vase you can fill with flowers, pens, kitchen tools — or, if you wanna go for realism, a leafy houseplant. A decorative tray with sweet gilded bows to turn even the cheapest of jewelry and cosmetics into something worthy of royalty. Yes, those rings turn your fingers green, but look at their fancy little home. A pretty tea cup set that looks like your mug is floating on a cloud. How delicate! How dreamy! Time to make an elaborate latte and take 100 photos of you drinking it. A flower-shaped dish brush so cute, you'll actually get excited to clean. Everything is going to be fresh as a daisy from here on out! A set of ceramic apple knobs you might find in Apple Dumplin's home. Swapping out knobs is one of the easiest yet effective methods for sprucing up your home. And who doesn't want a fruit-themed kitchen? A set of toilet bolt caps when you're super serious about having a home that's chock-full of whimsy. Just unscrew the boring caps and screw these on in their place. Folks, even the toilet is gonna be cute.
Tatler Asia
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
Creative director Cally Chan on weaving the tales of Mother Nature into her textile work
Roots of creativity One of Chan's cherished childhood creations was a magazine cover she drew when she was eight, and which earned her an award at school. It featured several drawings of Snoopy, the beloved beagle character from the Peanuts comic strip, sheltered by a large tree, symbolising how the school supported its students. Her interest and confidence in illustration grew the more praise she received for her work, but the craft remained a hobby. Only after moving to the UK in 2006 for secondary school did she begin exploring the possibility of turning her interest into a career when her paintings caught the attention of a teacher, who later encouraged her to develop her talents further. Chan decided to intern with interior design firms during the summer holidays and found herself drawn to the industry. While the profession is distinct from the traditional art industry, she saw similarities in how both are about 'crafting narratives through the careful combination of materials, colours and elements'. Photo 1 of 3 A meeting space at Coltex Furnishing's 4,000-square-foot studio in North Point (Photo: Cally Chan) Photo 2 of 3 Racks of fabrics featuring patterns designed by the Coltex Furnishing team (Photo: Cally Chan) Photo 3 of 3 Shelves display a selection of fabric and material samples in a corner of the studio (Photo: Cally Chan) After graduating from Chelsea College of Art and Design with a bachelor's degree in interior and spatial design in 2012, Chan worked at two design firms—Aedas and AB Concept. The experience gave her a crash course in this line of work, teaching her the basics and leading to her developing her soft furnishings niche. She also worked on projects for Four Seasons hotels in London and Kuala Lumpur, where her knack for abstract design started to shine. Read more: Discover how Johor architect Razin Mahmood is redefining Malaysian architecture with tropical modernism Designing beyond boundaries In the early days of Coltex Furnishing, Chan and her co-founder and husband, Jacky Hung, approached their business as potters approach a lump of clay. 'You're never quite sure what the final form will be,' she says. They began by offering a kaleidoscope of design styles—Chinese, east-meets- west and abstract—allowing clients to explore and define their aesthetic preferences. Quickly, the abstract designs emerged as the studio's signature. Chan also ensures that its furnishings tell a story that resonates with both the brands it works with and their customers. Some of her approaches include adding elements that provide context based on the venue's history and align with its purpose. It's even more rewarding when her products are used in unexpected ways, as it broadens her perspective. For example, at Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong's British bar The Chinnery, her classic basket weave pattern—typically suited to casual settings—is transformed into sophisticated upholstery by adding a leather trim. Despite the popularity and success that Chan and her team have enjoyed over the last nine years, she says they always prioritise focusing on the present instead of chasing expansion or accolades—and this has led to their creating exceptional work and finding joy. 'What if the world ended tomorrow?' she asks. 'It may cost you a lot to get to the place you think you want to be. Focusing on small pieces can lead to big steps, and it might just take you somewhere.' Read more: School tour: Architect Hoang Thuc Hao's humanist vision at Phieng Mut Kindergarten Quick takes Here, we ask Chan a quickfire round of questions to discover more about her artistic preferences and inspirations. Do you prefer hand-drawn or digital design? Cally Chan (CC): Hand-drawn design. It's easier for me to review what I've drawn. What is your favourite pattern scale: tiny or large? CC: Large. If you could collaborate with any historical artist, who would it be and why? CC: Claude Monet because I can stay at his place with a beautiful garden. What is one trend in fabric design that we should pay attention to? CC: Geometric abstraction. What do you do when you hit a creative roadblock? CC: I would talk to my friends. Most of them are in the interior design space, and we can bounce ideas off each other. Meet more Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow from the Architecture & Design sector. NOW READ 'Bro-chitecture': Jesse Armstrong's Mountainhead and the rise of male-coded luxury homes Designers discuss how lighting shapes space, emotion and narrative at Sol Luminaire's new 397 showroom Brutalist by Design: M Residences Katipunan's homes are stunningly versatile
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jason Momoa Is Done With Peace in Apple's ‘Chief of War' Teaser
Jason Momoa seeks peace. But today, he wants a war. Apple TV+ released the teaser trailer for its upcoming 'epic historical drama' Chief of War on Wednesday. Momoa is not just a pretty face and burly body in this one — he co-created the series with Thomas Pa'a Sibbett (who also has Hawaiian heritage), writes the show, executive produces and directs the season finale. (Momoa and Pa'a Sibbett wrote the pilot and finale; Doug Jung joined them in writing episodes 2-8, The Hollywood Reporter is told.) More from The Hollywood Reporter Apple TV+ Sets First Peanuts Musical in 35 Years U2 Legend Bono on Why the World Has Forgotten What Freedom and Democracy Mean The Baltimore Ravens Spoofed 'Severance' for Their Schedule Reveal. They Just Forgot to Make It Funny The nine-episode series is 'based on true events,' per Apple. It follows warrior Ka'iana (Momoa) as he tries to unify the islands before Western colonization in the late 18th century. Chief of War will premiere with its first two episodes on Friday, August 1; new episodes will follow every Friday through September 19. Chief of War features a predominantly Polynesian cast, also starring Luciane Buchanan, Temuera Morrison, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Cliff Curtis, Kaina Makua, Moses Goods, Siua Ikale'o, Brandon Finn, James Udom, Mainei Kinimaka, Te Kohe Tuhaka and Benjamin Hoetjes. Watch the teaser here: The series is produced for Apple TV+ by Fifth Season and Chernin Entertainment. Doug Jung serves as showrunner and executive produces along with Sibbett, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Tracey Cook and Brian Mendoza. Justin Chon directed the first two episodes and serves as executive producer. Anders Engstrom, Jim Rowe, Molly Allen, Francis Lawrence and Tim Van Patten also executive produce. Hans Zimmer wrote the theme music and co-produced the score for all nine episodes with composer James Everingham. Momoa previously starred in Apple TV+ series See, which ran for three seasons. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 'The Studio': 30 Famous Faces Who Play (a Version of) Themselves in the Hollywood-Based Series 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise
