There’s no short supply of eclectic public art in Detroit, MI, but none quite match the magnitude and message of MBAD’s African Bead Museum, more commonly known as Dabl’s Bead Museum—named for visionary founder and artist Olayami Dabls. Large-scale sculptural works and meticulously ornate building details define the appropriated landscape. And all of it was an afterthought, because what you’ll find inside happens to be …
While haute couture has, in recent years, moved toward displaying the textural qualities of embellishment through abstraction, Maison des Perles brooches, pins and necklaces are largely representational. Founding artist Môko Kobayashi uses classical haute couture embroidery techniques to create playful accessories that shimmer and enchant. Kobayashi approaches her subjects with a penetrating attention to detail. Each bead is reminiscent of a pixel; every one critical …
Scandinavian design house Marimekko, known for original prints and a geometric approach to shape and color, created the Valssi necklace in homage to dances at traditional Finnish summer parties (Valssi means waltz in Finnish). With clean lines and bold shapes, this Haldu wood and resin statement piece is whimsically sophisticated.
