Photo Courtesy of Eric SerraMusic mogul Eric Serra has a wealth of experience from composing his own music for his band RXRA to being the founder of the EuroVoice competition to, what he is most commonly known for, his long list of music scores for blockbuster films. From his studio in his home in Paris, I spent a day with Eric Serra curious about his beginning that led him down this path of success, and where it will taking him next!
It was the chance meeting of director Luc Besson (right) that launched Serra’s career in the movie industry. I should say sky-rocketed his career, with such titles as The Fifth Element (1997), The Professional (1994), and La Femme Nikita (1990), Serra has composed music for all but one of Besson’s films in his entire history as film director. Further impressive is that young Serra at that time did not consider himself a composer, explaining to Besson, as if almost not accepting the job, "well, I’m not a composer, I am just a musician." Luckily, Besson was so impressed with Serra that he encouraged him to give it a try, leading to this marriage made in heaven where the two have collaborated their film and music for well over two decades now.
"Luc knows exactly what role he wants the music to play in the movie, for each scene. And that is probably why we work well together, because he talks about emotions. The way I work with music, even the way I listen to music, to me is emotional," explains Serra of composing for director Besson. "That is my only concept of music. When I compose I am just expressing emotions."
Serra describes that when composing, he is responsible to create an emotion to enhance what the director envisions. Another example of this is the music Serra produced for the show Believe by Criss Angel and Cirque Du Soleil on stage at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas. The Cirque illustrates how "Serra takes the listener on a thrilling, dreamlike exploration beginning with sounds of vintage children-inspired melodies to rock and gothic moments with heavy, industrial, electronic beats to classical and operatic influences."
Serra has composed music for a variety of movie genre, such as action/adventure Golden Eye (1995) of the James Bond mega hit film series, or animations Arthur 3 and Tarzan where he had the opportunity to work with the legendary Phil Collins. "I’m good friends with Peter Gabriel, and so it was nice to meet the other Genesis," jokingly stating since he knows the two "now I know all the secrets of the original Genesis."
We sit in front of his monstrous digital recording soundboard and discuss how he has come a long way in his career, yet Serra is humble when reminiscing with me his fascination with music as a child. Serra is not sure when it all began for him as he does not have much memory before age seven, when his mother unexpectedly died.
"It is completely bizarre, I don’t have any memory of my mother," reveals Serra. I ask if she has influenced his music, at least on some unconscious level? Serra answers "probably yes," continuing as if talking about someone else, "losing your mom when you are a child is a big thing. That probably does influence you your whole life. Especially when you are an artist."
Serra walks me down the studio hallway of walls filled with guitars while elaborating on a few and their significance. One is his first guitars he received when he just was five years old. Then Serra’s first electric guitar he purchased when he was eleven. Serra pointed out a few that were gifts, like the one from Luc Besson purchased in Bora Bora. All I could think is if these guitars could speak words, oh the stories they could tell! For now, we can only try to translate the tunes Serra strums from them.
When I asked Serra what he prefers to do, compose music, lyrics or perform, without hesitation his answer was performing. "That is something I really love!" Serra describes performing on stage as a trance-like feeling, "when I play with my band, I close my eyes and we’re gone! The audience, they can feel this and they love it! It is my favorite thing in life!"
More recently as founder and president of EuroVoice, an interactive televised music competition, Serra has created this annual contest with a web site where new talent can be found and where musicians can simply share their music. EuroVoice 2010 Finale, televised from Athens, Greece, to over 20 countries, was hosted by Serra and Pamela Anderson, and included performances by contestants as well as special guest Enrique Iglesias. Launched just last year, it is quite a production with a bright future for the stars of the future. Registration is already underway for the 2012 competition.
Serra is looking forward to his next concerts with band RXRA, one scheduled November 18 in Avignon, France. Then off to the Ukraine where RXRA will be in Donetsk December 6 and Kiev December 7, with special guest Assia Ahhatt. Serra will also be starting to work on his new album for RXRA this year as well.
Need more Serra? Visit EricSerra.com and EuroVoice.tv. For a show you have to see to Believe, go to Criss Angel Believe at Luxor in Las Vegas.
RXRA
You make my mind wonder, go astray
In a trance, I fade away
For Serra’s music, I am the prey
-Slavica Monczka
Reproductions From Bravo's 'Work of Art: The Next Great Artist' Up For Sale
Photo Courtesy of OverstockArt.comReality shows aren't generally a place for art shopping but there's something undeniably appealing about Bravo's competition program: "Work of Art: The Next Great Artist." 
The show, which is produced by Sarah Jessica Parker's Pretty Matches company along with the Magical Elves production team, features artists competing each week in challenges to create art which is then evaluated. The artists are vying for a solo show at the Brooklyn Museum and a $100,000 cash price. In the role of mentor to the young artists is the always charming Simon de Pury, chairman and co-founder of the art auction house Phillips de Pury & Company.
The idealistic young artists are full of braggadocio and passion and the show actually makes for some pretty entertaining television. OverstockArt.com is now selling a new line of artwork sourced from the artists participating in the second season of the show. The artwork featured in "Work of Art: The Next Great Artist" will be made available for purchase exclusively on OverstockArt.com following the airing of new episodes each Wednesday.
Reproduced artwork created by artists who competed in the first season of the show is also for sale. Prices are modest, starting at $119 and heading up over $1,000. These are canvas transfer art reproductions and don't appear to be limited editions. They are available unframed or in a variety of frame options. Check out the full line at OverstockArt.com.
Bayete Smith "Pause: Happa & Persian" $788
Dusty "Portrait for Kei" (Nice Meeting You) $219
Bonhams to Auction Rare T. Rex Tooth
Photo Courtesy of BonhamsIt's not often that an archaeological find goes from discovery to market within a matter of months, but at Bonham's Natural History Auction in Los Angeles on December 11, a dinosaur tooth which was just found this summer will be up for sale. 
The piece is one of the largest Tyrannosaurus rex teeth ever found, measuring 5 1/8 inches (linear measurement), from base to tip. It was excavated in late summer, 2011, in Garfield County, Montana. Thomas Lindgren, co-consulting director of the Natural History Department at Bonhams, said of the specimen: "The tooth is more massive than any of the teeth of the well-known T. rex Stan, and is possibly larger than those of Sue, the famous T. rex residing in the Field Museum, Chicago." The tooth is from the upper left portion of the mouth of the dinosaur, the first or second maxillary tooth — the area in the T. rex’s mouth with the largest teeth.
The piece was prepared by the Black Hills Institute. The only restoration needed was crack filling. The epoxy fill is pigmented so that black light shows the exact location of the restoration. This was done to maintain the integrity of this exceptional piece for scientific study while stabilizing the fossil and enhancing its aesthetic qualities, as well as increasing its monetary value.
The piece is estimated to bring $25,000–30,000. Other highlights of the December sale include one of the largest saber-toothed cat skulls ever offered at auction, estimated at $50,000-60,000. A fossil palm flower from the Green River Formation of Wyoming is estimated at $45,000-55,000. Check out the catalog at Bonhams.com.
Saber-toothed cat skull 
Fossil palm flower
Christie's Adds Online-Only Exclusives to The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor
Photo Courtesy of Christie'sThe upcoming auctions of The Collection of Elizabeth Taylor by Christie’s will feature an online-only portion that will run prior to and during its live back-to-back auctions in December.The separate sale of more than 950 items from the collection will be available online only for a two-week period from December 3-17, 2011. Pre-auction estimates of these lots range from $100 to $10,000. The live auctions in NYC, which will occur December 13-16, will present the higher-valued lots.
While the prominent auctioneer has featured real-time, online bidding for live auctions since 2006, this is the first time that Christie’s is adding a complementing online-only availability feature to a private collection. Apparel, accessories, decorative arts, film memorabilia, and both cosmetic and fine jewelry are included in these lots.
More than 950 pieces from the design houses of Chanel, Dior, Halston, Hermès, Oscar de la Renta, Tiziani, Valentino, and Yves Saint Laurent will be available online only. "At over 2,000 items strong, this is a collection of the highest caliber, from Elizabeth Taylor’s magnificent collection of one-of-a-kind historic jewels, to her haute couture and ready-to-wear fashions, and her exceptional collection of fine and decorative arts," said Marc Porter, chairman and president of Christie’s Americas.
"To ensure the full breadth of the Collection is accessible to collectors worldwide, Christie’s has taken the innovative step of adding this special, online-only component to our live auctions, so that bidders from around the world can participate in this landmark two-week-long event."
A sneak peek of various online-only offerings is available now at the website of luxury-fashion retailer Moda Operandi. All of the online-only lots will be presented on Christie’s website beginning November 18.
THE ELIZABETH TAYLOR DIAMONDA Rectangular-Cut Diamond Ring of 33.19 carats D color, Potentially Internally Flawless, Type IIa
Estimate: $2,500,000 – 3,500,000
A SAPPHIRE AND DIAMOND SAUTOIR,BY BVLGARI
Circa 1971
Estimate: $600,000 – 800,000
THE BURTON WEDDING BANDSGiven to Elizabeth Taylor by Richard Burton upon their marriages in 1964 and 1975
Estimate: $6,000 – 8,000
TWO SATELLITE SUITCASES, A NICE BEAUTY CASE AND A DEAUVILLE BEAUTY BAGLouis Vuitton, 20th Century
Estimate: $2,500 - 3,500
VINCENT VAN GOGH (1853-1890)Vue de l'Asile et de la Chapelle de Saint-Rémy
oil on canvas
17.3/4 x 23.3/4 in. (45.1 x 60.4 cm.)
Painted in Saint-Rémy in autumn 1889
£5,000,000-7,000,000
Diva Songstress, Emma Shapplin on Her New Album, Life in Paris & More
The young and talented phenomenon, Emma Shapplin, has been attracting fans all over the world with her dramatic, operatic pop performances. This French songstress has evolved through many styles and has recently come into her own with the release of Macadam Flower, an album entirely written and composed by Shapplin. 
One wonderful day in Paris, I had the privilege to meet with Shapplin to discuss her experiences as a performer, her creative music, and some personal aspects of her life off stage, giving me a deeper appreciation for this accomplished artist.
"It’s part of me," Shapplin says of Macadam Flower. "It represents emotions that I had in one period of my life." This vocal prodigy went from training in the classical tradition of opera, then moved to rock, eventually creating her own unique style of music. Completely different from her previous albums, Shapplin describes this self-made diverse style of music on Macadam Flower with "influences including opera, lyric poetry, modern trance, rock and synth-pop."
A little bit of everything for almost everyone, Shapplin sings and composes in several languages on her new album including French, English, and ancient Italian. "The language is very important," she explains, "it is like material for dreams." This allows her to properly express the emotions and sensibility she is trying to portray in the song through the lyrics. It also explains why Shapplin’s music transcends cultural borders and continues to grow an international fan base.
Shapplin’s tour this year has taken her to Germany, Russia and the Ukraine, and also to Latin American countries such as Colombia and Argentina. "I had a chance to meet my fans there for the first time," Shapplin says of her tour in South America. She describes the lively audiences with a big smile where "fans rushed the stage! It was really wonderful!" Gifted Shapplin is called upon by dignitaries to perform at gala events across the globe, and has had the privilege of singing with several other artists such as Paulo Conte and Placido Domingo.
On stage, Shapplin’s performances are theatrical and dramatic. "What happens on stage is not very conventional." Shapplin choreographs the performances with her dancer and explains how almost every concert is different. She loves her freedom of expression and being involved in that aspect. "There is so much beauty in life and incredible things," states Shapplin about what inspires her. "Not only in art and nature, which is God’s art, but all around us. So many things to try, to experiment, to taste, to touch, to look at, and to feel. So on stage I try to bring back those emotions." Validated by over 2.5 million worldwide album sales, Shapplin is getting her message across.
Home for Shapplin is just outside Paris where she lives with all her animals. It is a serene place where she can enjoy her private life, explaining her need to be surrounded by peace, and kind beings. "Animals help me to relax. I love all kinds of animals," Shapplin admits "they are very important to me." However, the only lucky one that gets to go to concerts with her is the dog. "Oh la la! She hides under a coach back stage until I am done performing," Shapplin laughs about her little dog she takes on tour with her. "Sometimes when I do a sound check, she sits by my feet looking up at me."
Feeling like I'm in a dream myself, I must say that I greatly enjoyed meeting Shapplin, who is as lovely off stage as she is on stage performing. She has this grand singing voice, but is soft-spoken and petite, with the most delicate demeanor. "Life is wonderful," Shapplin says enthusiastically. "I can never be bored!" Currently, Shapplin is studying opera with Irina Bogacheva at the Mariinsky Theater in Saint Petersburg, Russia, is learning to play the cello, all while learning to speak Japanese. A phenom indeed.
The Art Prophets | The Artists, Dealers, and Tastemakers Who Shook the Art World
Photo Courtesy of The Other PressWho are the art prophets? They are the ones who see, and help create a shift or a changing moment in the art world. In his latest book, PopArt chronicler Richard Polsky rounds up some of the great visionaries of the art world—the dealers, artists, writers and others who had that rare ability to sense the beginning of a movement and birth it into existence. From Ivan Karp, who helped pull together the beginnings of PopArt to concert promoter Bill Graham to Stan Lee who forever changed the way we view superheroes and helped inspire the rise of the graphic novel, Polsky's prophets are game changers across all of popular American culture.
Revolutions are sequential; each generation is inspired by the previous one, adding new ideas and ways of doing things to the mix. Take for example, artist Shepherd Fairey—his lineage could be traced through Ivan Karp (right) to Andy Warhol, but you could also argue that the concert posters of Bill Graham and Stan Lee's superhero iconography also played a role in his evolution. Both artist and businessman and the 1980s career trajectories of Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat showed how art could exist both on the street and in the gallery. Over time what we consider art changes too, as photography and ceramics take their place in the galleries and auction houses.
Polsky has great affection not just for the artists but for the dealers, thinkers and critics. Although he has spent his life in the art world, he seems far from jaded and his enthusiasm and respect for the creative process is evident. But creativity isn't just in the art itself, it is in the culture surrounding it. What the book clearly shows is that it takes more than just a beautiful or provocative object to start a revolution; it takes a charismatic figure to move things forward.
As an art dealer, Polsky's view of art success is naturally a commerce-centered one; influence is measured in price. But as Polsky points out late in the book, "an art movement is only as good as its artists." Art movements are always changing and transforming, but what remains is the relationship between the art and artist. Visit Amazon.com to learn more and purchase this book.
Miami Art Week | Artists Show the Eclectic, Bold, Gaudy and Brilliant
Photo Credit: Brickhead Please Stop by James TylerA dozen upright pianos play peek-a-boo in Miami’s public spaces, sprouting wings and sporting the words "Bling-Bling" above googly-eyed cartoon faces. Next-level graffiti goes three-dimensional in the Midtown Rotunda — one single piece towering 30 feet high, crafted from 12,000 fragments of contemporary furniture. The Miami Airport has given one of its main passenger walkways to an interactive audiovisual installation entitled "Harmonic Convergence." It looks like a rainbow tunnel and sounds like the Everglades.Miami Art Week is back and it’s bigger, weirder, gaudier and more fascinating than any tabloid or socialite coverage might suggest. While most people are only vaguely familiar with the jet-set Vogue-favored social scene of Art Basel, this is actually a vibrant, city-wide affair that encompasses a dozen art fairs and has transformed Miami into a breeding ground for contemporary art.
"Miami is a young, fresh, gritty community," says gallery owner Fredric Snitzer, who has been involved with Art Basel Miami Beach since its inception and is presently the only Miami-based member of the Basel selection committee. "It’s a complicated community of visual arts associates."
Asked to elaborate on just what "complications" made Miami so appealing that, 10 years ago, the famously jaded contemporary art elite passed over all other U.S. cities to anoint it the wintertime counterpart to Art Basel in Europe; Snitzer says succinctly, "It’s politically complicated, scratching to become noticed, and culturally extremely diverse."
Just 15 years ago, the creative works most strongly associated with Miami were the cop drama Miami Vice, the underworld epic Scarface and Will Smith’s hit single "Welcome to Miami." Half retirement destination, half Latin American expat hangout, the city would never have made it onto anyone’s list of United States cultural hubs. But beneath the South Beach revelry and the disco-samba was a small but growing community of international art collectors who were inspired to base their collections in its vast, empty industrial blocks and tucked-away tropical haciendas. It was simultaneously welcoming an influx of young creatives from Cuba and Puerto Rico and further-flung South American locales.
"The visual arts community was evolving in the late 90s and began to have a strong life of its own. The Rubell Family Collection set up shop, Marty Margulies opened to the public, and the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami started showcasing the local artist community," remembers Snitzer. "Basel was looking for a winter venue, a counterpoint to the long-established art fair in Basel, Switzerland...and all of this made Miami seem like an interesting kind of place for a counterpoint affair."
The first Art Basel Miami Beach was held in 2002, and since then, a dozen other events have begun to occur in conjunction, including SCOPE Miami and Design Miami. Blue chip artists and billionaire collectors coexist with unknown artists and groupies who hitch-hike to Miami just for the parties. And perhaps because the whole scene is so new and rough around the edges, there’s not much of a hierarchy.
"We have worked with several established galleries and artists, and it’s always been positive," says Herman Leyba, whose Ideobox Artspace has participated in Miami Art Week since opening in 2008. "It’s great to be able to exchange with traditional and established galleries and artists."
Though the list of names and brands participating in Miami Art Week features one bold name after another (works by Damien Hirst at the Fountainhead Residency; Philippe Starck collectibles in the "Liberty, Equality and Fraternity" exhibition at the Wolfsonian; hip-hopper Nas performing live at the Spotify "Music Loves Art" party featuring works by James Franco), the masterminds behind Miami Art Week almost seem to dismiss the socialite, celebrity element.
"Maybe 1500-2000 people participate in the parties," estimates Fred Snitzer. "But the celebrity, party atmosphere is really only skimming the top of the event. The core is a really huge audience of people interested in looking at contemporary art."
Colombian artist Rodrigo Echeverri typifies the Miami Art Week mindset. Gearing up for his first-ever U.S. solo exhibition at Ideobox Artspace, while simultaneously prepping a piano for the public art installation Popup Pianos, Echeverri seems almost more excited about painting a piano for a non-profit than being seen by big-money collectors.
"I thought it was great. My work is not related, but it’s another way to express a new idea," he says. "Some people don't go to museums or to galleries, and when you put art in the public spaces and the street, it gives them a great opportunity to experience it."
On the eve of the 10th anniversary of Art Basel Miami Beach, there’s no doubt that artists like Echeverri are playing for much higher stakes than mere public enrichment. Careers are made at Miami Art Week. However, the city’s rapid metamorphosis from seedy beach playground to international art capital creates a different canvas for an artist who wants to play here. It’s ready for anything, in any neighborhood. From Midtown to South Beach to the airport, Miami welcomes whatever is new and exciting. It’s up to the attendees to determine what’s best.
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