november fixations

by clé tile | published: Nov 02, 2023

Jacob Elordi in Saltburn film standing in robe looking at party aftermath

Emerald Fennell’s Saltburn (source)

we may have started to receive holiday gift guides (really? quite this early?) but we’re firmly in the here-and-now and reveling in the bounty of design, art, and culture on tap. from the big events to the more intimate and idiosyncratic moments, it’s quite the cornucopia.

 Floral shaped lights in botanical garden at LA Arboretum

LA Arboretum lightshow

visit

Los Angeles. the other City of Lights gets its own lightshow just for the (LA) winter for kids of every age. plus it’s a great excuse to wander through the LA Arboretum at night.

Chicago. chi-town is one of the most architecturally vibrant cities in the US. Only fitting that their Architecture Biennale is a whole-city takeover.

Warped and curved white landscape art installation titled memory place, by Es Devlin

Es Devlin

New York + North. leaf peep your way up to Connecticut to see the watercolors of Sharon Stone (yes that one). the backstory is a good one. we’re finally getting around to going to “now then” and we couldn’t be more excited. and only partially because of the Chocolate Room. you’ll also find us at Mood of the Moment: Gaby Aghion and the House of Chloé (yes, there was a Chloé before Karl, Stella, and Phoebe). can’t wait to see it. speaking of fashion, here’s a major retrospective on the work of Es Devlin (the queen of the fashion show spectacular) at the Cooper Hewitt.

artist ed ruscha holding his screen-printed chocolate sheet

ed ruscha

man installs screen-printed chocolate sheets

London + North. catch it before it’s gone on November 5th: the British Ceramics Bienniale at the birthplace of modern ceramics manufacturing: Stoke on Trent. a major Banksy exhibit on Regent Street. Marina Abramovich’s greatest hits (and we do mean great) at the National Gallery (listen to a smart interview here). Gucci Cosmos designed by the legendary Es Devlin (she’s everywhere this month, and once again further down this post) also unmissable? The color, drama, and humanity you’ll experience here. and make sure to check out the still running exhibits we highlighted last time in our October Fixations.

Mark Rothko's abstract oil painting on canvas

Mark Rothko

Paris. you know how we feel about color — or, in this case, couleur — so you can imagine how we feel about Mark Rothko. this exhibit at Fondation Louis Vuitton is what critics and fans alike calling the best Rothko exhibit ever.

Miami. did you know that Miami Fashion Week is the second biggest fashion event in the states? it is, and it’s moved from spring to autumn this year. smart, we could definitely use some coast with our couture.

Hear

Iceland Airwaves Festival: indie music with a laid back vibe… and the ultimate in chill. Can’t get to Reykjavik? Listen here — as we’re doing all day. and if you’re looking for an easy-on-the-psyche under-the-radar artist with a downhome feel, there’s Kacie Hill.

Transitional kitchen with large window above sink

The deVOL Kitchen

book on 21st century architect zaha hadid

Zaha Hadid: Complete Works

Read

Perfect reads for this liminal season. Your dream kitchen awaits (hint: it involves deVOL). A maverick and her work: the ultimate retrospective on Zaha Hadid. Then our very human and very universal desire for beauty and spectacle: Forever Valentino. And speaking of spectacle… an Atlas of Es Devlin.

Joaquin Phoenix seated as Napoleon Bonaparte for the film Napoleon

Napoleon (source)

Watch

we’re in the run-up to the serious season (finally). Saltburn from multi-hyphenate writer/director/actor Emerald Fennel. sumptuous, decadent, British. and who wouldn’t want to see the likes of Richard E. Grant, Rosamund Pike and the moreish Jacob Elordi? What do you envision when you think of these three names: Ridley Scott. Joaquin Phoenix. Napoleon. We think epic, twisted, must-see (and we can think of no more genius casting). And, oh yes, finally, there’s Sofia Copolla’s Priscilla… the reviews are great by the way.

Japanese cookbook with octopus on front cover from Izakaya restaurant in San Francisco

Rintaro

Japanese cookbook with skewered appetizers

Taste

anything from San Francisco’s legendary Rintaro. Now, you can do it at home (kind of) courtesy of chef Sylvan Brackett’s book… appropriately named, ah… Rintaro. yes, please. oh, and if you are like us, planning turkey day but thinking of the more important menu items: get into these cocktails inspired by the Met Gala (we will have an empress red carpet, please).

Myrrhe Mystère eau de parfum in brown glass bottle

Tom Ford Myrrhe Mystère

Smell

in time for the season: the amber, resinous, woody Tom Ford — Myrrhe Mystere. And while this isn’t exactly something to smell, it’ll deepen your pleasure in scent (yes, including myrrh) — the latest from natural fragrance master, Mandy Aftel.

Shop

triptastic: who doesn’t adore a lava lamp, all those sinuous shapes and mesmerizing moves? the company that created the lava lamp is celebrating their 50th anniversary with limited editions designed in collaboration with… Duran Duran. What’s in your periscope?