ISSUE NO. 42

A June Issue

There’s a familiar phrase: if you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything. It’s often said to root yourself in a principle or philosophy—but I’ve always questioned it. What if falling is part of the process? We talk about standing as a symbol of strength—of having conviction or identity. But standing for something too soon, or too long, can be just as dangerous as falling for anything.

ARCHITECTURALLY CURIOUS

Heart & Seoul

South Korea has witnessed a growing movement in architecture and interior design that seeks not to replicate the past—but to reinterpret it. Inspired by the layered structure of traditional Hanok houses, this residence in Seoul was designed as an extension of the owner's personal values—a kind of emotional map written in walls, light, and materials.

Grounded Within

Untreated wood, matte stone, and handcrafted terracotta—all chosen for their texturized richness and organic presence. Sliding bamboo-woven doors create fluid transitions between rooms and offer both visual openness and flexible boundaries.

Towering Above

Looking out, one sees the energy of the city; looking inward, one enters a quiet emotional landscape centered on belonging and memory. Every detail, from the arrangement of rooms to the subtle flow of light, supports this introspective journey.

GLOBAL GLIMPSE

Pasadena: Patina Principles

Tucked away in the tree-filled streets of Pasadena, California—an area known for its early 20th-century architecture—stands a 1908 residence that has a stunning charm. Surrounded by historic homes and shaded by a magnolia and sycamore tree—it carries the kind of character that only comes with age.

Historic Hues

Carefully preserving key features such as intricate millwork and finish carpentry like crown molding, window casings, and built-in shelving, the design approach subtly introduces contemporary materials. The color palette is guided through rich tones—blues, greens, ochres, and deep reds—paired with tile detailing, vintage light fixtures, and custom furnishings.

Vintage Details

Stepping into the residence, there’s a feeling of calm that gradually unfolds. The light filtering through vintage glass casts soft patterns across the floors. Every detail—whether a carved wood panel or a subtle shift in color—is intentional and offers a sense of belonging that only grows over time.

VISUAL COMFORT

Art Basel in Basel

As the original edition, Art Basel in Basel, Switzerland—held each June—is widely known as the most prestigious and institutionally rigorous of the Art Basel fairs. It sets the tone for the global art market and brings together over 200 top-tier galleries and 4,000 artists. Below are some artists and installations to look out for this year.

(The edition many are most familiar with is Art Basel in Miami Beach—held each December—which is vibrant, cross-cultural, and trend-setting. It’s best known for its immersive atmosphere, strong Latin American presence, and integration with fashion, music, and lifestyle. There are 5 Art Basel fairs in total: Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, Paris, and Qatar.)

Elsewhere

Kuwaiti-Puerto Rican artist—Alia Fari—presents Elsewhere, a series of sixteen embroidered rugs made with weavers in Samawa, Iraq. They depict Palestinian businesses and Arabic signage in Puerto Rico—highlighting migration routes between the Middle East and Latin America. She challenges institutional silences by remembering marginalized stories, showing how history lives on through material culture and everyday symbols.

Opaque Spirits

Peruvian artist—Arturo Kameya—presents his installation Opaque Spirits, which explores the use of physical education in 20th-century Peru as a means of social control. It reveals how education was started by elites to assimilate and discipline the population—while critiquing the role of institutions in shaping collective memory and identity.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE

What I'm Listening to in June

Maybe the real challenge isn’t to stand or to fall, but to stay open long enough to tell the difference—without rushing to call either the truth. It’s the space in between that teaches us the most—I’ll see you next week, my friend.

Warmly,
/shane