| 25/07/09 - SA Design Lights Up the White House |
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 In a true rags to riches tale, plastic bottle tops and other discarded items have been transformed into magnificent chandeliers that are lighting up the private residence of Barack and Michelle Obama in the White House.The chandeliers were made by the Magpie Collective, an arts collective based in the small Klein Karoo town of Barrydale. They were selected by Michael Smith, a celebrity Los Angeles-based decorator, who has been hired by the Obamas to redo their private quarters. “We are very proud, very honoured and extremely excited at this,” said social entrepreneur Shane Petzer, who makes up the Collective together with designer Scott Hart, artist Sean Daniel and administrator Richard Panaino. Erica Elk, executive director of the Cape Craft and Design Institute, said: “Well done to the Magpie Collective, this is another great accolade for South African design. The work of local creative industries is increasingly recognised internationally for its fresh approach, individuality and resourceful use of materials. We hope this success story will inspire other creatives and also raise awareness of how great South African craft and design can be.” Petzer takes up the story: “We received a call from our agent Trevyn McGowan of Source (a South African sourcing agent for the international retail market) telling us the wonderful news. Trevyn has been facilitating our pieces into Anthropologie (high-end US outlets selling apparel, accessories and home furnishings) for some time now. “Anthropologie has purchased four of our chandeliers over the past two years and, recently, Michael Smith has been very interested in Magpie’s work displayed at the One of a Kind Anthropologie Gallery at the Rockefeller Centre in New York. He has bought two which have been installed in the White House.” These chandeliers, one named the Princess and the other La Riche Ella, are both six armed, Regency-inspired creations. Both have been produced from an assortment of recycled plastic trinkets and coloured plastic “doppies” (bottle lids), interwoven with glass beads and crystal drops and illuminated by candles. Michael Smith has designed the homes of household names such as film director Steven Spielberg, actors Dustin Hoffman and Michelle Pfeiffer, model Cindy Crawford and media mogul Rupert Murdoch, according to NBC News. “The family's casual style, their interest in bringing 20th century American artists to the forefront and utilising affordable brands and products will serve as our guiding principles as we make the residence feel like their home,” he said on his appointment to the White House. Trevyn McGowan, director of Source, said: “It is a true recognition of the extraordinary beauty and relevance of Magpie’s work that two of their pieces have been selected for the home of one of the most forward-thinking and inspirational men in the world.” According to the Wall Street Journal, the Obamas have a long-standing interest in modern art and design and President Obama included $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts in his economic stimulus package. Leading American museums and private collectors have been swift to loan bold, abstract art works for the public and private rooms of the White House as the new occupants wish to round out the collections which have been dominated by 19th century still lifes, pastorals and portraits. Magpie Collective: 028 572 1997 / www.magpiehomefineware.mfbiz.com Addition sources: Obamas choose interior designer for White House http://www.msnbc.msn.com Wall Street Journal Changing the Art on the White House Walls 22 May 2009 Issued by: Judy Bryant Communications Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / 0832867168 Magpie Collective: 028 572 1997 / www.magpiehomefineware.mfbiz.com Richard Panaino of the Magpie Collective: 082 218 3163 |