D.S. & Durga’s new L.A. outpost by Woods Bagot. Photography by Jenna Peffley…
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D.S. & Durga Heads Out West
D.S. & Durga, the cult fragrance brand founded in 2008 by David Seth Moltz and Kavi Ahuja Moltz, has long felt quintessentially New York. Its home and personal fragrances are produced there, and, until recently, its only stores were located in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Earlier this summer, Woods Bagot worked with the co-founders to realize the brand’s first store in Los Angeles The team found inspiration in John Lautner’s desert modernism, as seen in the ceiling sculpture that emulates the architect and Frank Lloyd Wright apprentice’s Elrod House. Graphic prints of douglas fir wood grain and poured concrete nod to the brand’s New York boutiques, but channel a distinctly Californian warmth. —Jenna Adrian-Diaz
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame expansion by PAU. Rendering courtesy of PAU…
Practice for Architecture and Urbanism (PAU) is planning a 50,000-square-foot expansion for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, originally designed by I.M. Pei in 1995. The new scheme will seamlessly integrate into the existing glass pyramid, adding a variety of spaces including a lobby, exhibition areas, offices, an education center, and a 6,000-square-foot multipurpose venue. The expansion draws inspiration from Pei’s signature geometries, with a wedge-shaped building extending from the main structure. A central atrium unites the interiors of the old and new buildings, whose exterior will include a waterfront promenade clad in black steel and specular granite, contrasting with the original building’s white metal panels. The project aims to be completed by late 2025.
The 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair is mobilizing to support disaster relief efforts in Morocco following a 6.8-magnitude earthquake that resulted in approximately 3,000 deaths and 5,000 injuries. The quake also caused significant damage to heritage sites, including the medieval Marrakech Medina. The fair’s founding director, Touria El Glaoui, confirmed their network of galleries, artists, and partners are safe but noted that remote communities in the Atlas Mountains are most affected. Partnering with local organizations like the Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden and the Montresso* Art Foundation, the fair aims for long-term reconstruction in the region. Immediate fundraising plans include selling limited-edition prints by Moroccan artists.
Diebedo Francis Kéré. Photography by Erik Petersen, courtesy Tippet Rise Art Center…
Diébédo Francis Kéré and Olafur Eliasson have won the 2023 Praemium Imperiale awards in architecture and sculpture, respectively. Kéré, originally from Burkina Faso, is lauded for his community-focused, sustainable architecture that blends local materials with modern design. Eliasson is known for his immersive, environmentally conscious art that aims to alter perception and inspire awareness. The other winners include Robert Wilson in theater/film, Wynton Marsalis in music, and Vija Celmins in painting.
The estate of the late John Baldessari is currently embroiled in two separate lawsuits. First, it’s suing Marian Goodman Gallery and insurer AXA, alleging that 55 of Baldessari’s artworks were mishandled, resulting in damages like dents, scratches, and water damage. The gallery and insurer deny the claims and are seeking case dismissal. In another suit, Beyer Projects, an art production company, is suing the estate over ownership disputes of artworks, claiming a 50-50 ownership structure. This dispute led the Gagosian gallery to cancel a planned exhibition that could have generated millions. Both the estate and Beyer Projects are holding their ground, with the estate filing a motion to dismiss Beyer’s case.
Marilyn Monroe’s first home in Brentwood, which she purchased in 1962, was recently saved from demolition after the L.A. City Council intervened. Councilmember Traci Park filed a motion to have the home declared a historic and cultural monument, citing its significance to Monroe’s life and its reflection of her personal style. The motion received unanimous support, and the Cultural Heritage Commission now has 75 days to finalize the home’s status. Monroe’s advocacy for racial equality and LGBTQ issues, as well as her challenging upbringing and career struggles, were also highlighted as reasons for preserving the property.
