Fitzcarraldo Editions has, in ten short years, garnered a reputation for publishing authors who subsequently win Nobel Prizes (most recently, Jon Fosse and Annie Ernaux). The London-based small press publishes a mix of contemporary fiction and long-form essays, some of which are works in translation, as well as older texts through its recently launched Classics series. Across the board, the books are beautifully designed in the spirit of Éditions Gallimard, with minimalist covers that feature white text on a rich blue ground, or the inverse. To mark its first decade, Fitzcarraldo Editions has released a deluxe, limited-edition set of ten of its books, complete with marbled endpapers and autographed book plates. Split between fiction and nonfiction, the covetable bundle features titles by authors including Claire- Louise Bennett, Brian Dillon and Fernanda Melchor; it would make an excellent addition to any bookshelf.
I prefer to splurge on experiences rather than possessions, since I tend to have less buyer’s remorse that way. As someone who is privileged to travel a lot, I take cooking lessons in every new country I visit, because I think food is the best way to learn about people and culture. One of the great things about living in New York is that I can continue this learning at the Institute of Culinary Education. Taking a class is a wonderful activity to do on your own or with a loved one. A highlight is the American Regional Favourites course, which focuses on different cuisines from around the country, all influenced by our immigrant populations.
There are so many places and things in the world I could mention, but it would be remiss of me not to suggest a simple, yet perfect, day in my hometown of Chicago. Enjoy breakfast at Lula Café before touring our leading art galleries, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Art Institute of Chicago, and taking an architectural boat tour (www.architecture.org). In the evening, dine at the original Avec West Loop and finish with a late-night jazz set at the historic Green Mill cocktail lounge.
I’ve long dreamed of indulging my night at-the-museum fantasies with a stay at Benesse House Museum on Naoshima Island in Japan - an exclusive location dedicated to the fusion of contemporary art and nature. Designed by acclaimed architect Tadao Ando, Benesse House is not only a museum but also a boutique hotel, allowing guests to wander its halls after hours and even wake up to a Sol LeWitt silkscreen print in their room. Across the island, you’ll discover works by renowned artists like Yayoi Kusama and James Turrell seamlessly integrated into the landscape. This is truly a unique experience for the devoted art lover.
The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has meant that treats like going to the cinema have become harder to justify. By buying a Mubi Go membership for your loved one, you’re not only giving them the chance to see a handpicked film every week, but also supporting independent cinemas, which are continuing to struggle post-pandemic. Looking to purchase a gift for someone who is more of a homebody? No problem. The subscription also includes full access to Mubi’s streaming service, meaning they can watch films by all their favourite art-house directors from the comfort of their sofa. The hidden bonus of this gift is that it takes away the burden of choice, with no more than 30 films on the tightly curated platform at any one time.
Except for a single figurative sculpture, artist Koo Jeong A’s South Korean pavilion for this year’s Venice Biennale was largely empty - a novel presentation at a global art event famous for its overwhelming ‘retinal’ experiences, as Marcel Duchamp might have put it. Instead of the usual high-production art hanging from the walls or occupying floor space, Koo created an evocative, olfactory atmosphere scented with beachy notes of sandalwood and eucalyptus, meant to evoke in visitors a ‘pure white’ feeling. Created in collaboration with Korean fragrance brand Nonfiction, Koo’s pavilion perfume is now available for purchase as Odorama Cities, a wonderful gift for anyone missing that spritzed summer in the Venetian lagoon.
A land art road trip across the United States to visit Marfa, Walter De Maria's The Lightning Field (1977), Michael Heizer's City (1970-2022), Robert Smithson’s Spiral Jetty (1970) and James Turrell's Roden Crater (1970-ongoing).
Nathan Clements-Gillespie, Director of Frieze Masters
Drive an hour or so south of Barcelona and you’ll come to the imposing Nulles Wine Cathedral, designed by local architect Cesar Martinell, an apprentice of Antoni Gaudi. Constructed from limestone and clay, this staggering structure is supported by parabolic arches, lending the facade an ethereal appearance. The cathedral houses the vats of Adernats, a winery founded in 1917, and provides the perfect location for a tasting, which delves into the history of Catalan wines whilst inviting you to sample five variations of cava and some homemade olive oil. I recommend trying their aromatic signature white, Seducció, as well as its elegant red counterpart, Temptació.
Last year, I was lucky enough to travel through Sicily on a road trip that encompassed the region’s cities, coast and countryside. In the capital, Palermo, we explored the bustling markets of Ballarò and La Vucciria, with their abundance of fresh produce and street food. From there, we headed to the baroque cities of Ragusa and Modica, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, breathtaking for their faded decadence. In the town of Syracuse, we found Caravaggio’s The Burial of Saint Lucy (1608), hung unassumingly in the church of Santa Lucia al Sepolcro. The extensive nearby archaeological park features a number of remarkable ancient ruins, including the impressive Greek Theatre and the Ear of Dionysius limestone cave. We concluded our trip with a visit to Ortigia, an island famed for its narrow streets and stunning baroque architecture, all surrounded by the shimmering waters of the lonian Sea.
One of the things that brings a sense of joy and energy to my days is padel, a hybrid of tennis and squash that originated in Mexico. As my ‘priceless’ choice, I would pick a well-made padel racket as the perfect gift to place under the tree of any sports enthusiast. Padel tennis is exciting not just because of the sport itself, but because of the community surrounding it - meeting and competing with like-minded enthusiasts is one of the perks of the game. By gifting a padel racket, one may also be gifting new friendships and a renewed sense of vitality.
Hidden on Potsdamer Strasse, close to one of the city’s gallery neighbourhoods, you will find my favourite Berlin bar. Since opening its doors in 2001, Victoria Bar has established itself as the art crowd’s favourite after-hours spot, bringing a touch of elegance to the otherwise modest West Berlin street. After ringing a bell to gain access, expect to receive excellent service across the expansive, 18-metre bar. Low lighting and tasteful decor create the perfect backdrop to a night out or a private party. Styled after an intimate American bar, Victoria offers an impressive drinks menu served by skilled mixologists, some of whom have worked there since it opened. I highly recommend their whiskey sours, which come topped with a delicious foam. But, if you’re not sure what to order, don’t hesitate to ask and they will be more than happy to advise.
Before attending a screening at Anthology or a reading at the Poetry Project, I recommend you visit the relatively new seafood restaurant Penny. Sister to the great French restaurant Claud, Penny offers one of the better after-work experiences in the East Village. The entire menu offers delicious, carefully prepared sea food and vegetables, on the more playful side of traditional French cuisine. The optimal experience, however, is to sit at their chilly marble bar and order a crisp glass of wine from their extensive, well-curated list and an ‘ice box’ - a tray for two composed of countnecks, mussels, oysters, scallops and shrimp. Then, order another glass of wine and apologize to your dining partner for having eaten their helping of raw goodness as well as your own.
Tuba is a beautiful restaurant in Les Goudes, a small fishing village close to the Calanques of Marseille and Provence, backdropped by the shimmering blue hues of the Mediterranean. When I visited on a recent trip to the south of France, I ordered a large platter of grilled seabass, accompanied by a bottle of chilled Provencal rosé, and sat for hours just looking out at the sea. Tuba also has a small, intimate hotel attached to the restaurant, both of which are booked up months in advance due to its location and spectacular views.
I’ve always wanted a Max Bill watch. I can’t really say why, given that I have zero interest in watches and/or watch culture. But there’s something about the Swiss designer’s iconic wristwatch that I can’t shake. This timeless masterpiece of Bauhaus-inspired design, made in collaboration with German manufacturer Junghans is a sleek timepiece that embodies minimalist elegance and functional beauty. Its clean, uncluttered dial features precise geometric indices and slender hands, reflecting Bill’s background in architecture and industrial design. Maybe because a watch of this calibre is so much more affordable than many other luxury brands, I’ve just always been enamoured by it as an object – a work of art in itself.
