Rottet Collection Opens an Airy Manhattan Showroom, and Other News – SURFACE

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Rottet Collection opens a Manhattan Showroom in the Airy, and Other News

Lauren Rottet envisions the expressive yet understated furniture, lighting, and accessories in her home collection as an array of functional art objects “designed to endure and be passed down from generation to generation,” she says. That’s because the award-winning architect, who launched her influential interiors firm in 2008, is a rigorous student of the arts, particularly the Light and Space movement. 

Each piece is imbued with movement and character, from the energetic Walking Bench’s askew legs to the Aurora Table’s luminous bronze and cast amber glass panes. They take pride of place in Rottet Collection’s newly opened Manhattan showroom, a light-filled Nomad loft that presents an array of pieces within welcoming vignettes, all unified under Rottet’s deft hand. —Ryan Waddoups

Christie’s will auction the estate of late fashion editor André Leon Talley next month.

André Leon TalleyBlack fashion editor and well-known personality, he was known for his lavish taste and love for luxurious items. The death of, in January this year, sparked speculation. The fate of the collections He amassed over time and kept in White Plains and Durham, NC, artifacts that represented a certain type of luxury in both the second and first half of the 20th century. Christie’s recently unveiled “The Collection of André Leon Talley,” a 448-lot auction featuring items such as designer caftans, towering fur hats, and Louis Vuitton trunks. The collection will be touring three cities: first in Palm Beach, FL. Next, it will move to Paris during Couture Week and then New York during Fashion Week. On February 15, Black History Month, the sale will end with a live auction that includes 68 lots. 

England joins Scotland and Wales in banning single-use plastic cutlery, plates and cups.

England confirmed that there is a ban on Single-use products Like plastic cutlery, plates and polystyrene trayware. It’s not clear when the ban will come into effect, but it follows similar moves made by Scotland and Wales. This move is intended to protect the environment for future generations. Campaigners welcomed the ban, but called for a more extensive plastic reduction strategy.

Artists filed a class action lawsuit against three AI image generator giants.

Artists Kelly Mckernan and Sarah Andersen filed for a class action lawsuit against three companies—Stability AI, Midjourney, and DeviantArt—that have released AI-powered image generators that can transform simple text prompts into convincingly rendered images. The artists claim the companies violated copyright laws by using their images—along with those of tens of thousands of other artists—to train image generators and produce derivative works, infringing on 17 U.S. Code § 106, exclusive rights in copyrighted works, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and the Unfair Competition law. The plaintiffs claim that these copied images are then used to create “derivative works,” a work that “incorporate[s] enough of the original work that it obviously stems from the original.”

The country’s first 3-D-printed 2-story house with 3D printing is being built layer by layer in Houston. 

In Houston, a giant printer is building what designers claim is the country’s first 3D-printed two-story house. To create a home measuring 4,000 square feet, the machine pours concrete from a nozzle. 3D-printed home construction has been around since more than a decade. However, the technology only entered the U.S. market in the last few years. This collaboration of two design firms resulted in the three-bedroom home. It took them two years to create. Hannah, Peri 3D ConstructionAnd CiveLocal engineering company. The team plans to make use of the technology to address a wide range of construction issues, including labor shortages as well as building more resilient homes to natural disasters.

Vivienne Westwood is launching a foundation to uphold the late designer’s activism.

The Vivienne Foundation is launching this week in order to continue and protect the legacy of the late fashion designer’s life and activism. Founded by Westwood in 2019, the foundation’s goal is to create a better world through tangible action in four key areas: halting climate change, stopping war, defending human rights, and protesting capitalism. The foundation will partner with individuals and non-governmental organizations to promote awareness and encourage positive change. Its main objective is to reduce carbon emissions and preserve and restore wildlife and biodiversity. The foundation works towards a sustainable and equal economy by standing against war and arms trade, protecting human rights and freedoms of speech.

Peter Doig wins $2.5 Million judgment for a painting he didn’t make.

Peter Doig was awarded a $2.5 Million judgment A former corrections officer, gallery and their lawyer argued against Doig, claiming that Doig had created a landscape they wanted to sell. The judge ruled in Doig’s favor in 2016 and in December 2020, supported the sanctions because the parties had pursued the case even when it was clear it would not succeed. This case follows a 2013 suit by the former corrections officers who claimed that Doig bought a painting of him for $100 in prison. Doig however denied authorship, saying it was created by another man.

Today’s attractive distractions:

Scientists have discovered how scientists can do this. steer lightning bolts using lasers.

Orient Express is planning to launch the world’s largest Sailing ship. 

Gabe Lau from Hong Kong designs timepieces Out of cardboard.

The creator of the “this is fine” dog wants us to collectively Continue on.