The title of this book makes you happy. “Spring Cannot be Cancelled” is the name of the painter’s current volume David Hockney, and even if the German translation doesn’t sound so light-footed (“It will certainly be spring again. David Hockney in Normandy”) – that much confidence is good in oppressive times. Especially when the cover is bright yellow and pastel tones, one of those typical Hockney color mixtures that give every picture of the Englishman an optimistic undertone. That’s why the 84-year-old, as Prestel-Verlag writes, is “perhaps the most celebrated artist of our time” – because the need for joie de vivre is so great. That was true during the pandemic, when the book was being written, and has been even more so since the start of the Ukraine war. Hockney paints against the blues with his bright palette as he extends his stay at his Normandy studio during lockdown, using isolation to celebrate spring, the green, the space, the high skies, the water. The book with partly unpublished works is not only something for the eye. The text by the critic Martin Gayford, who has been a friend of the artist for a long time, is based on conversations that the two had had together over decades and also in the farmhouse La Grande Cour: about Picasso’s love of storytelling, good food or the colors of the twilight in California and northern France . It’s amusing, often touching, witty, of course, and Hockney’s basic requirement for art is met on every page of image and text: to be entertaining (28 euros, penguinrandomhouse.de).
Now also making magical hair accessories: the Danish label Maanesten.
(Photo: manufacturer)
When things get out of hand on Earth, people often automatically look up: Hey stars, can you please explain that to us? Interest in astrology has been growing for years, and the pandemic has reinforced this trend. In addition to horoscope apps and tarot evenings, “magic” jewelery is in demand, like the Danish label Maanest designs: earrings, pendants and bracelets with sparkling stars, pastel planets and glittering clouds. Founders Henrik and Lotte Callesen started at their kitchen table in Copenhagen in 2010 and this week they opened their shop in Berlin. The label’s hair ornaments, also decorated with lots of little clouds and stars, have recently been particularly successful. Of course, people who consider themselves completely unspiritual can also wear them (maanesten.com).
Good mood in the morning: glass art by Sunnei.
(Photo: manufacturer)
Who the collections of the Italian brand Sunnei looks, immediately gets in a good mood: Lots of stripes, lots of oversize, lots of colour, it shines, it bangs, very obviously this is not a fashion for reserved people. It’s also no coincidence that the two founders, Loris Messina and Simone Rizzo, came up with the name for their brand when they heard the song “Sunny” by Stevie Wonder (if you get a catchy tune at this point: You’re welcome). As well as humor – yes, there’s even a collection for dogs with striped trench coats – Sunnei also has Italian craftsmanship. It is therefore very logical that, in addition to cheerful dresses, bags and earrings, there are now also colorful cups (each 80 euros) in the range, made by the Venetian glass artists from Murano. Is there anything better than ringing in the summer like this? (sunnei.it).
Jungle in the living room: a design by the English interior label The Romo Group.
(Photo: manufacturer)
Anyone who feels like giving their home a fresh look after a long winter with new cushions or classic English floral wallpaper is on the right track Munich fabric spring correct. Due to Corona, there was a two-year break at the interior trade fair for textiles, from May 12th manufactories for fabrics, paints, wallpapers and carpets will be showing their collections again. The fair brings together a small but fine selection of labels, such as Christian Lacroix Maison from Paris or Colefax and Fowler from London. Instead of at the exhibition center, the manufacturers traditionally present themselves at various locations in the city. There are free shuttle buses and rental scooters for visitors to travel between the exhibition rooms – and a city tour is included. In the showrooms you can feel the fine cashmere blankets, velvet curtains and silk cushions. This season, many interior artists are bringing flora and fauna into homes: tropical birds populate wall coverings and upholstery fabrics, for example at The Romo Group from Nottinghamshire. Carpets and curtains are decorated with flowers and palm leaves and wallpaper with entire forests (May 12-15, stoff-fruehling.de).
The proceeds from the sale of the t-shirts by Keinmusik and Highsnobiety go to UN refugee aid.
(Photo: manufacturer)
A T-shirt doesn’t end a war, unfortunately you have to be honest about that. But summer is coming, you need new T-shirts from time to time anyway, and the proceeds from the collaboration between the Berlin DJ collective No music and the streetwear blog High snobiety are donated to UNHCR, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The designers have not only given the peace symbol on the mini-collection’s cotton T-shirts (50 euros) and hoodies (already sold out) the colors of the Ukrainian flag, they have also softened the emblem so fluffy it looks like fleecy clouds formed in the sky to the message of peace. (highsnobiety.com).