predator center finland

Of all kinds of bizarre art flourishing in the world out there,  this must be the most unbelievable: an artistic bear making paintings with his paws! What’s even more unbelievable is that the paintings are selling for 4000 Euros! So this incredibly talented animal is Juuso, a 17 year old, 930 pound brown bear who lives at the Predator Center animal sanctuary in the northern Finnish town of Kuusamo and uses his body, especially his paws as paintbrushes. His keepers discovered his talent when they found him playing with paint while redoing some of the facilities at their center, and since then he’s been catapulted to celebrity status in the world of art enthusiasts. Juuso favours blue and red colours, said Pasi Jantti, one of his keepers, adding that the paints used posed no health risk to the bear. The keepers at the Predator Center actually raised about 8,000 euros ($8,500) by selling 15 of his paintings. According to them, he’s quite the temperamental artist—if you ask him to do something, he won’t budge an inch. But if you just leave paint, plywood and paper lying around, the great brown bear Juuso happily paints away, “sitting and moving his legs on the paper.”  And now an exhibition of his artworks is opening at the Rupla gallery in Helsinki, featuring 11 pieces of original work, with some prints priced from 50 to 4,000 euros. Some of the paintings still feature bits of Juuso’s fur. Funds raised from the exhibition will be used to make a documentary about bears. What’s more, you can even the incredible artist live, creating his little world of art. Now isn’t that quite a treat.

harry potter restaurant

Great news for all Potterheads: Brooklyn is now going to have a Harry Potter-themed restaurant called PastaWiz, which serves customised pastas created to suit the taste of customers.  The décor is completely from the Potter universe with what appear to be spell books towering from floor to ceiling in one place. Oh, and let’s not forget—there’s the Sorting Hat too. So savour your personalised pasta in a very Potterised ambience. Heading out to Brooklyn already?

volkswagen

With their new Volkswagen I.D. Buzz Concept Van, Volkswagen is taking on the future. While incorporating the Modular Electric Drive Kit (MEB), the new concept van stretches out seats up to eight passengers while retaining two storage areas with modular seating layouts.  Boasting all-wheel 369 horsepower duel motor drive system with an average 270 mile range per charge, this van of the future also holds an I.D. Pilot autonomous driving mode that lets the I.D. Buzz do the driving. And that’s not all—the front seats can be turned to the rear to let the former driver interact with the other passengers—howzzat!  And it’s not too far away either, expected to arrive at the beginning of 2020. Now that’s truly visionary, we say!

luxury treatment

Mandarin Oriental, Prague is offering guests a new Spa Renaissance package, in their unique spa set within a former 14th century Renaissance chapel. Guests are treated to a morning yoga session followed by a 30-minute Signature Quintessence steam treatment and are given a specially created guide of ten traditional Czech rituals designed to bring a state of equilibrium. All of the ten rituals, from specially created treatments using products derived from the Linden tree; the national tree of the Czech Republic, to winter swimming in the Vltava River can be arranged by the hotel. The Spa Renaissance package is valid year-round and also includes luxury accommodation, buffet breakfast, morning yoga sessions in the Renaissance chapel along with spa treatments.

sidney garber

Chicago-born brand Sidney Garber has forayed into newer waters, with a collection for men—the first time they’ve ever done that in a 70 year history. Brooke Garber Neidich, who inherited the brand from her late father Sidney in 2008, created a 10-piece collection that debuted at Barneys New York. The bracelets and rings exhibit the jewelry house’s legendary attention to detail,but bring in a modern, minimalist aesthetic for that extra edge. Created in 18-karat yellow and white gold, robust sterling silver, stretchable steel mesh, and shimmering black pavé diamonds, these designs are made to wow. Prices begin at $1,300 for a single-link ID bracelet going on to $16,000 for a black-diamond rope bracelet. Interestingly, Sidney Garber’s jewelry sales prcoceeds would be donated to non-profits devoted to education, the arts, and mental health.

lamborghini coupe

For those who just love their Lamborghinis too much, here’s the news: the Italian super car maker is currently working on a lightweight, hardcore version of the Huracan which will carry the infamous Superleggera tag. The car is expected to make its official debut at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. Both the coupe and convertible version of the Huracan Superleggera have been reportedly viewed undergoing tests in northern Sweden. The Huracan Superleggera displays two outlets above the license plate, instead of quad tips that sit low down at the sides of the rear bumper and an extra set of air ducts on each side of the rear wheel case. The 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 is expected to develop as much as 640bhp. And it’s going slimmer too—the Superleggera is expected to shed about 100 kg of extra weight. The lean machine goes on sale for the 2018 model year. When launched, it will reel in those buyers who are looking for extreme driving machines like the Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

gigi hadid

Supermodel sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid, will be endorsing Moschino and Fendi’s spring 2017 campaigns. The Moschino campaign has been shot by Steven Meisel and the Fendi campaign by none other than Karl Lagerfeld. The sisters have previously been seen in the Balmain fall 2015 campaign.

kalashnikov

Artist Rainier Weber has created a 22K gold plated chair made up of genuine, formally still in service AK47 rifles that serve as the chair legs and armrests for the seat. The framework of the chair plus all dismantled parts were gold-plated and ultimately put back together. The chair which is priced at $127,000, is upholstered in luxurious hand woven fabric from London and Venice. The chair is pictured alongside a couple of accessories including an AK47 Falcon seat in gold, an original Russian steel helmet and even a cartridge belt with original AK47 cartridges. Apparently the artist got inspiration from a book about Michael Kalashnikov.

bottega veneta

Italian fashion label Bottega Veneta is celebrating its 50th anniversary and creative director Tomas Maier’s 15th year with the brand with its Spring Summer 2017 Campaign as part of its ongoing project the Art of Collaboration. The campaign is shot by Todd Hido in New York City’s Modulightor Building. Hido is famous for capturing urban landscapes and homes, and the Modulightor Building is one the city’s iconic modernist art structures, famous as the Building of Light. Designed by renowned American architect Paul Rudolph, the iconic structure features interwoven horizontal and vertical spaces with both large and small windows that offer depth. Actress Lauren Hutton and Puerto Rican supermodel Joan Smalls star in this new campaign shot by Hido. Introduced in 2001 by Tomas Maier himself, the Art of Collaboration project has earlier witnessed Bottega Veneta’s collaborations with artists like Viviane Sassen and Nobuyoshi Araki.

qatar luxury hotels

Curio – A Collection by Hilton has announced the opening of AlRayyan Hotel Doha, Curio Collection by Hilton, the brand’s first property in the Middle East. Located in the upscale neighbourhood of Al Rayyan, and directly connected to the Mall of Qatar, the AlRayyan Hotel Doha, Curio Collection by Hilton offers a choice of 201 guest rooms and suites. The Presidential Suite boasts two bedrooms, large living and dining areas, walk-in closet and a full-sized hammam in the marble bathroom. The hotel’s rooftop restaurant, Muy Vivo, provides delectable Latin American cuisine with an Argentinian flair from its lively open kitchen, with both indoor and outdoor seating. All-day dining venue Mezzo, located on the ground floor with direct connection to the Mall of Qatar, offers a blend of Italian, Arabic and International dishes.