DESIGN DISPATCH

Olafur Eliasson Plans a Mirrored Piece on England’s Coast, and Other News

Our daily look at the world through the lens of design.

Rendering of “Your Daylight Destination” by Olafur Eliasson. Image courtesy Copeland Borough Council

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Olafur Eliasson will create a long mirrored piece that will reflect England’s coastline.

Olafur Eliasson is set to create a new installation titled Your Daylight Destination on the coastline of Silecroft, England, which will reflect the sky at low tide. The 98-foot-long steel basin, designed in collaboration with writer Robbie Macfarlane, will act as an “elongated pool” that mirrors the sky above, viewable from a specially designed platform. “In a sense, it’s a humble reflection of what’s already there—the beach, the water, the sky, the plants and animals—reframed within a space that invites self-discovery in a deep-time perspective,” the Danish-Icelandic artist said in a statement. His previous works have attracted millions of visitors, and the Copeland Borough Council hopes the installation will boost tourism.

A new documentary about the rise of Milanese fashion left some insiders unimpressed.

The documentary Milano: The Inside Story of Italian Fashion focuses on the rise of Italian ready-to-wear designers, how they evolved, and how they achieved global success. The film, directed by Emmy winner John Maggio, features interviews with some of the Italian fashion industry’s marquee figures such as Domenico De Sole, Tom Ford, Giorgio Armani, and Santo Versace. Although some insiders feel the film didn’t fully reflect Italian fashion’s complex and multifaceted history, others hope the film will inspire younger generations. Submarine Entertainment will distribute the documentary to cinemas and then streaming services.

Snapchat introduces a chatbot powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT for paid subscribers.

Snapchat has introduced “My AI,” a chatbot powered by the latest version of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, which is available for Snapchat Plus subscribers for $3.99 per month. The move bets that AI chatbots will become a part of everyday life for more people, according to Snap CEO Evan Spiegel. My AI is more restricted in what it can answer compared to ChatGPT, adhering to Snapchat’s trust and safety guidelines, and not giving responses that include swearing, violence, sexually explicit content, or opinions about controversial topics.

Cartier 13 Paix boutique in Paris. Image courtesy of Cartier

Rumors are circulating that LVMH may soon acquire Cartier, but they hold little weight.

Luxury conglomerate LVMH is rumored to be interested in acquiring jewelry brand Cartier, according to reports circulating online. However, it is unclear why parent company Richemont would consider selling Cartier, which is currently its biggest subsidiary, and there is little evidence to support the rumors. LVMH is already engaged in a bidding war to acquire beauty brand Aesop, making the acquisition of Cartier seem unlikely at this time.

Plans to redevelop New York’s Penn Station and the nearby area have come to a halt.

Vornado Realty Trust has halted plans to redevelop Pennsylvania Station and its surrounding area, including the creation of 10 new office towers, due to high interest rates and a struggling real estate market. Steven Roth, the CEO of Vornado, stated the prospect of new construction is “almost impossible” at present. Plans for the 18-million-square-foot project, which includes apartments and hotel space, could be delayed for two to three years.

The Smithsonian’s American Women’s History Museum raises $55 million in donations.

The Smithsonian’s American Women’s History Museum has received more than $55 million in donations from major contributors including Tory Burch, Alice L. Walton, and Melinda French Gates. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the museum’s completion, it’s expected to feature outreach and educational programs for schools, digital education initiatives, oral history programs, and collections that will highlight the contributions of women in politics, entertainment, and science. Interim director Lisa Sasaki plans to make the museum inclusive by featuring transgender women and avoiding a singular narrative, prompting discussions on potential criticisms to ensure a long-lasting institution that serves the public.

“Rain, Steam, and Speed” (1844) by JMW Turner. Image via Wikimedia Common

Today’s attractive distractions:

A new technology can instantly 3-D print objects using ultrasound holograms.

Air pollution may have influenced famous Impressionist painters like Monet.

The latest Mercedes comes with a touchscreen, TikTok, and a selfie camera.

Robert Rauschenberg’s former New York home officially opens to visitors.

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