Hasta La Ideas

Double-Dip Bench is a unique bench and storage designed by Fishtnk. The frame is made with Birch ply-wood and the felt cushion weaves itself through t..

Like Christmas and National Teddy Bear Day (which happens to be today), the Moss Warehouse Sale happens just once a year. Dear UnBeige readers, it is almost upon us. This Saturday, September 11, design-minded bargain shoppers will make their way to Soho (133 Greene Street, to be precise), just across the street from Moss’ perpetually full-priced design emporium. At the stroke of 11 a.m., usually calm, placid, black-garbed urbanites wearing all manner of interesting eyewear will jostle their peers for selected items from the Moss warehouse (which we always picture like Willy Wonka‘s chocolate factory, complete with Comme des Garçons-clad Oompa Loompas) priced at up to 80% off. We’ve been told to expect chairs, sofas, tables, lights, assorted small goods, and “many special items of particular note.” The sale runs through Sunday at 6 p.m., but note that it’s a first-come-first-served situation (translation: get there early), and all sales are final. We’re bringing along a Ted Muehling candlestick to fend off the hoards!

New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.

Darren Aronofsky’s chilling film on a ballerina’s crumbling psyche

Having already made a strong debut at the Venice Film Festival and ran as a sneak preview at Telluride this past weekend (where I saw it), Darren Aronofsky’s new picture Black Swan virtuosically mixes ballet, dark psychological drama and a standout performance by Natalie Portman to great cinematic effect. Shot by Matthew Libatique, viewers will recognize the harsh blue light and overall eerie look to the film from his previous work with Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream and The Fountain). The camerawork recalls the director-cinematographer team’s previous collaborations too, as it follows the careening choreography or zeroes in on characters’ anxiety with short jerky movements.

Jarring photography and other bold moves like these generally divide filmgoers into fans or foe of Aronofsky’s ambitious projects, and this work similarly polarizes audiences. Unlike his last film, 2008’s lauded Wrestler (which saw the director playing it relatively safe with the blue-collar story of a past-his-prime wrestler), Black Swan’s similar story of intense physical struggle is instead couched in the world of the New York Ballet. The setting’s stunning visuals and the high stakes of the professional dance world lend themselves well to Aronofsky’s over-the-top style—the costumes by Rodarte alone perfectly and gorgeously express the rapidly-unraveling mental state of Portman’s character.

Similarly, many are already whispering “Oscar” regarding the actress, who so far has only been nominated (for her 2004 role in Closer). To focus solely on Portman however is to miss some other excellent casting, namely Winona Ryder as the scorned ballerina and Barbara Hershey as an overbearing mother. Coupled with Aronofsky’s masterful direction (Oscar-winning or not), Black Swan makes for the kind of ultimately satisfying cinematic experience that can only be achieved by a scope as grand as the director’s. It’s best seen in theaters when it comes out 1 December 2010.

In the meantime, check out the trailer on iTunes.

French designer Philippe Starck has completed the renovation of a former wine cellar in Bilbao to create a new culture and leisure centre for the city.

Alhóndiga Bilbao Cultural and Leisure Centre comprises three main buildings within the existing structure, which was originally constructed in 1909.

A six thousand square-metre indoor plaza on the ground floor is punctuated by 43 pillars that support the three new buildings: a media library, complimentary activities centre and physical education complex.

The centre includes leisure areas, cinemas, an exhibition hall, a theatre, shops, restaurants and an auditorium.

The roof houses a sun terrace and enclosed swimming pool, with transparent roof and floor that can be viewed from the plaza below.

All of the photos above are copyright © Iñigo Bujedo Aguirre/View

Under the Gran Plaza is a basement that houses cinemas, exhibition spaces and a theatre for four-hundred spectators.

Here’s some more from the designers:

THE BUILDING

“AlhóndigaBilbao is going to revolutionise the human energy that moves this city”

Philippe Starck, author of the project

AlhóndigaBilbao comes alive as the result of the work of the reputed French industrial designer.

It is a completely open space for the creation of ideas, movement and tendencies; an exceptional space for citizens to create the necessary energy for the artistic-cultural growth of our city.

The new Alhondiga is located on the framework of the former wine cellar that Ricardo Bastida designed in 1909 to revitalise the Albia area. The young architect created a great industrial building, both functional and pioneer for its time.

Its foundations bear witness to an eternity that Philippe Starck now turns into a space which is intended to be the neurological centre of Bilbao culture.

An ambitious challenge which Starck fulfils thanks to simple interior design yet full of surprises; architectural metaphors that will surprise professionals and amateurs in the field alike and which has suceded in breaking, once and for all, the failed remodelling projects for a building that was declared a Cultural Monument Site in 1998.

INSIDE ALHÓNDIGA BILBAO

Those who cross the AlhóndigaBilbao ‘s threshold will be received by the “Gran Plaza Central”, an area of 6,193 m2 surrounded by a colonnade with 43 pillars with the task of supporting the internal buildings in the shape of a cube.

These three themed buildings (knowledge, well-being and leisure) make up a multi-purpose area of almost 40,000 square metres, each divided into three floors.

The basements are accessed from this meeting point, to reach the leisure area, cinemas, exhibition hall and the theatre and an auditorium for 400 spectators. To round it off, the visitor can go up to the magnificent “Sun Terrace”, where the Alhóndiga’s urban spa is located,.

This will be the admiration of visitors entering from downstairs, thanks to the transparent bottom of its swimming pools. An enormous projection screen hangs in the centre of the Alhóndiga universe, where young artists will be able to display their creations sharing space with an enormous virtual sun, a star that will illuminate the interior and provide the energy and heat required for the perfect genesis of the Starck project.

THE THREE CUBES

Media Library

(3,800 m2 surface area, 3 floors). A ‘new’ concept of libraries understood as the fabric of social space.

A meeting point for cultural tendencies in which it is possible to enjoy audiovisual presentations, attend training workshops, listen to music or simply have fun, as well as making bibliographic consultations.

Physical Education Building

(2676 m2 surface area, 2 floors with a double height). This is an ideal space for relaxation, health and physical development. The corridor to the upper swimming pools and changing rooms leads off from here .

The gym has the most modern equipment and is flanked by perimeter monitors with live broadcasts for the enjoyment of users, who will be able to exercise whilst watching their favourite TV programme.

Complementary Activities Building

(3.800 m2 surface area, 3 floors). The first two floors of this building are for public use, whilst the third floor is solely for facilities.

The Higher Centre for Stage Arts of the Basque Country will be housed h ere , which shares space with the leisure area, led by the Yandiola restaurant-buffet and the Alhóndiga shop, where an important selection of objects designed by Philippe Starck can be found.

See also:

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Palazzina Grassi by Philippe Starck	Taschen store London by Philippe Starck	Philippe Starck at Driade