Wow. Stunning, detailed, beautifully-executed beadwork over portraits, photographed by Alfred Cheney Johnston, of actresses from the 20′s and 30′s. Latvian bead-artist Binka Rigava was recently commissioned to create these pieces for the newly remodeled restaurant & bar at at Hotel Monteleone, in New Orleans’ historic French quarter. I got an email yesterday from a restaurant/hotel designer named Ashley Wilkins, who in partnership Lindsay Broad, {both of whom work at Puccini Group in San Francisco} were the amazing team on this project. They wanted to “commission art that would speak to the mystery and golden age of the hotel”… luckily, they found Binka’s work on Etsy, and the rest is history!
{Speaking of history: Hotel Monteleone is a Literary and Historic landmark. The hotel has been open since before the 1930′s and has been written about in novels from authors like Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, and many more. The carousel in the bar is existing and has been there for over 70 years. The carousel even slowly spins completing a full circle once every 15 minutes.}
Have a look:
Gorgeous.
These are just stunning! And the carousel? Unbelievable and so, so beautiful.
AMAZING!!! I can think of nothing else to say. Love!
aren’t they gorgeous?! and yes, i’d love to go for a drink beside that carousel!!! so romantic.
They’re not just beautiful – there’s something magic about them, as well! :O
This is fantastic! So mesmerizing! I wish I could see them in real life<3
Wow I wanna to and just stare at them all day! they are so beautiful!!!
love the stuff you share.
wow. great idea, love Binka’s work. and carousel in the bar – i’m fan of circus and this gets so close.
Please tell me where I can buy Binka Rigava’s works.
Thanks You, Judi Mottle
well, she has an etsy shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop/binkaminka) but the work on there is slightly different than these commissioned pieces. you can try contacting her directly through her etsy site ; ) good luck!
this is so so beautiful. also: i now want to read every single piece of literature that might mention/be set in the hotel monteleone. didn’t they have a carousel at the party the fitzgeralds threw in midnight in paris by woody allen?!
Are copies of the photographs for sale? I love them!!!
i’m not sure… i can look into it! hold tight!
Thank You so much for the feature!
It was pleasure to work with, very inspirational and tempting.
I haven’t seen how it looks in Carousel Bar, all finished and framed.. Well , place to visit soon..
oh you’re welcome – your work is absolutely stunning! and yes, a very good reason to visit new orleans! : )
these are fabulous!
Mmmf! Gorgeous! Thanks for the inspiration this morning!
Wow, I’m blown away here.
[…] & attached to the wall via Art Hound 3. Beadwork by Binka Rigava for Hotel Monteleone via The Jealous Curator 4. Sweet DIY macrame bracelets via Honestly WTF 5. Charming handmade ceramics by Atelier Stella via […]
Such luxuriously stunning pieces! Great find!
It’s really stunning! Color harmony’s is very successful and the result is very delicate, I’m very impressed. I rebloged a part of your photographies on my tumblr, with your link, I hope you’re agree.
Love your blog, it’s very interesting and inspiring!
of course! thanks kahina : )
[…] embargo, en los últimos años han surgido algunos artistas como la letona Binka Rigava, que colorea y añade multitud de pequeños detalles a fotos antiguas (especialmente bailarinas de […]
Awesome ! even more beautiful to see in situation.
It make me think (a little bit) about the work of a french textile artist, this one for exemple http://charlottecombe.com/index.php?page=photo&idg=3&id=1:figure
yep – i could see that : )
What is the name of the wall color?