Unusual Art and Technology Symbiosis: Skull-ptures by Hedi Xandt

Now that Halloween is closing in, it’s the perfect time to take into consideration some intriguing designs that showcase macabre inspiration. German-born Norwegian artist Hedi Xandt imagined four interesting sculptures representing the image of a human skull in one shape or another. Using different materials to shape the images in his mind, the artist came up with a series of sculptures that combine the appearance of naturally shaped bone with modern and experimental production technologies and techniques.

“I believe in diversity.”

This artist statement presents a childhood spent in “a family composed of painters, illustrators, draughtsmen and writers as well as skilled craftsmen.” Seen in each piece, this curiosity led to the creation of these filigree sculptures depicting the human skull in different variations.



“My Die-Cast Soul” is part one of the skull-ptures series, showcasing an expression captured by a mold via explosion. This thin metal layer was later galvanized and plated with 24k gold, then placed on slim tubes on a custom-made marble platform.

“The God Of The Grove” is a gold-plated brass, polymer, and marble sculpture with a distressed black finish. The third part in the series is named “The Longer You Last” – a gold-plated 18th century skull pinned in nails, supported by a custom-made black-red perspex fixture. The last one – Apollo Rey – is cast in all-gold and marble, combining the precious metal with the beloved stone.

I’m sure you already have a favorite – which one is it?

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Cave-Like Traditional Villa with Impressive Views in Santorini, Greece

The peaceful and spectacular Imerovigli, having a privileged location on the island of Santorini in Greece, is home to some of the world’s most appealing holiday villas. Influences of classical Cycladic architecture blended with modern functionality, exquisite terraces with sea views and traditional interiors spiced up with color are the main elements embraced by Villa Gaia, a three bedroom luxury retreat, available for rent at $1,033 during high season.



According to the official description, Villa Gaia consists of two cave houses set on two levels. The house on the upper floor, Villa Nefeli, can be rented separately or together with the house on the lower level. Moreover, “both units have whitewashed interiors with a smooth transition from one room to another, which resembles cave houses with minimalist design and airy aesthetics. The outdoor Jacuzzi tub on the lower floor, with breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea, offers relaxing moments.” Enjoy the photos!

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The Macallan in Lalique V: The Spiritual Home is valued at $25,000

The Macallan in Lalique V: The Spiritual Home is the latest work of art resulted out of the collaboration between the two renowned brands.

Harping ‘home is where the heart is’, the fifth decanter created for the six-series collection has been inspired by the Easter Elchies House on Macallan’s Speyside Estate in Scotland. Parisian art blends well with Scottish flavor to launch the rare 62 years old Macallan single malt whisky encased in beautifully engraved crystal.

The rich cherry colored whisky has a strong treacle toffee opening leading into raisin and blood orange. This is followed by notes of sweet ginger figs, cigar leaf and woody oak flavors. Till now, the Lalique Macallan collection included 50-, 55-, 57-, 60-years old whiskies. Claimed to be the second oldest Macallan ever released by their distillery since its foundation in 1824, this 62 years old Macallan was originally filled in American oak sherry seasoned casks in November 1950.

Lalique’s Marc Larminaux matched the sandstone walls of Easter Elchies House to the three sides of the decanter by creating a textured frosted surface. Also one of the frosted sides features the bold initials, JEG, replicating the initials which are incorporated in the original date stone. These initials belong to Captain John Grant, who oversaw the building of the Jacobean manor house in 1700.

The Scottish whiskey distiller states that ‘This collection has inspired interest from connoisseurs and collectors since its inception in 2005, representing a marriage of the finest and rarest Macallan single malt whiskies and bespoke designed decanters, interpreting our Six Pillars, from the master crystal craftsmen at Lalique’.

Valued at $25,000, the The Macallan in Lalique V: The Spiritual Home will be exclusively limited to 400 decanters only. Following the success of the first four editions from The Macallan in Lalique Six Pillars Collection, this fifth decanter is sure to surge up the tide as the most coveted collectible.

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The Porsche Macan gets its global reveal

Porsche has unveiled the new Macan, its second SUV and fifth model on sale overall. The company claims that the car will set new “standards in the field of driving dynamics and enjoyment.”

The range will initially consist of three models, the entry-range S1 (3-liter V6 biturbo engine, 340bhp); S Diesel (3-liter V6 turbo diesel and 258bhp); and the top of the line, spills and thrills Turbo which has a 3.6-liter biturbo V6 engine that can churn out 400bph and a 0-100km/h time of just 4.8 seconds.

Impressive stuff on flat surfaces, but if the Macan is to hold its own, it had better be good off road as well as on the track or the highway.

In this regard, all models have permanent four-wheel drive, a seven-speed paddle shift gearbox, and something called Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus which as a cost option will vary the amounts of torque to each of the rear wheels and works with the rear-axle differential lock.



Standard kit keeping the wheels turning when the going gets tough includes traction management, automatic brake differential (which limits the speed of individual wheels) and anti-slip regulation. Simply hit the off-road mode button and the car should turn from a racer and into a jeep.

However, the emphasis is still on performance; the cabin is best described as elegant yet sporty thanks to body-hugging seats, a multi-function steering wheel not dissimilar to that found in the 918 Spyder and the addition of a Sport Mode button.

The base Macan S is expected to cost €57,930 in Europe ($52,000 in the US) and the Macan Turbo €79,826 ($75,000 in the US). The first European deliveries will take place on April 5, 2014.

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Alpina unveils B4 Biturbo at Tokyo Motor Show

Legendary BMW tuner Alpina has debuted the B4 Biturbo at the Tokyo Motor Show. The B4 Biturbo is based on BMW’s new 4-Series (specifically the 435i model). It sports a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six. But Alpina has modified the engine to boost the power out to 410 hp. It can go from 0-60 in just 4.2 seconds – and has a top speed of 189 mph.

Alpina has stocked the vehicle with upgrades to improve performance, such as a high-performance braking system, 20-inch Alpina wheels with Michelin tires, upgraded cooling system and custom turbochargers. Inside you’ll find Lavalina leather and Alpina badging.

The Alpina B4 Bi-Turbo is expected to go on sale in May of next year.

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Daily Dream Home: Casa do Boi

Open, naturally lit spaces make this residence designed by Brazilian architect Leo Romano a place where modern furniture and art can be beautifully displayed. Named Casa do Boi, this modern home showcases its volumetric architecture on a perfectly manicured green lawn. Playing with colorful accents both indoors and outdoors, architects aimed at creating a cheerful living environment.

The glass railings decorating the stairs allow light to flow through the home up to the mezzanine level. Modern wooden furniture decorates the interiors, visually connecting indoors with the natural outdoors. Entertaining spaces are stretched outdoors via large sliding doors. A swimming pool under the cantilevered second floor supported by columns offers owners stress-free moments when water and air is all they need. Minimalist and colorful, this home is inspiring for people who want to move freely through an uncluttered space.

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LED Studded Pumps By Cesare Paciotti Kicks Off The Festive Season

This season, along with lighting up homes and Christmas trees, divas can also light up paths with every step they take wearing the LED-studded footwear. The fast-forward fashionable heels from Cesare Paciotti moves past the time-tested crystal-studded variations to illuminate the trend this season. Aptly christened, Absolute Lumiere, brightens up with hundreds of LED bulbs fitted to deep black calfskin leather.

These blinky-twinkly heels delightfully come to life with a battery powered switch which is neatly placed under the insole. This gives an option to wear it without the glow too! I wish the designers could have upped the techie quotient by providing a remote which can be discreetly kept in a bag/pocket to play with the illumination. Though these shoes showed up at Paris Fashion Week, they have hit the shelves right in time for the season of lights in the City of Lights for €1000 ($1,400).

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Luxury Winter Vacation Retreat in the French Alps: Chalet Cyanella

Winter vacation means dynamic winter sports and cozy interiors, so if you’re planning a trip to the French Alps, you should definitely check out Chalet Cyanella. Located in Megève, this inviting 5 bedroom chalet is prepared to offer you an inspiring collection of warm and welcoming interiors to enjoy during this year’s ski trip. Part of French interior architecture studio Bo Design‘s portfolio, the new luxury chalet was completely revived with carefully chosen shapes, textures and colors.

No need to say that the interior design has been created to surround you with the warm presence of luxurious details within an open floor plan.What you need to know about this unique chalet is that it’s swimming pool can easily transform into a dance floor complete with disco lighting. Besides this amazing feature, there are also a gym, a sauna and massage room, a bar ensuring your stay here is not only comfortable, but it also showcases visual appeal that will make your memories of this place stick with you.

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