Jennifer Cattaui.Stitch3.Gift Guide

Antonio Gaudí-designed Parc Guell draws crowds to the “treeless suburb” populated with colorful mosaic tiles and curved terraces in the distinc tive style of the Barcelona architect. So enchanting is his work that you long to take it home with you. Now you can. Akim Monet’s spectacular cibachromes will have you worshipping your surrealist walls. In giant sized testaments to one of the most recognizable architects in history, Monet captures Gaudí’s Parc Guell, Sagrada Familia and other architectural accents throughout the city with a keen photographic eye. His luminous photos exude the spiritual energy and creativity of the master architect while portraying his own rich and unique perspective. Showing until the end of May at the Maruani & Noirhomme gallery in Knokke le Zoute, ‘the St. Tropez of Belgium,’ the photographs from his Homage to Gaudí series are limited edition and perfect for a high ceiling loft. Monet’s Passage to India collection is equally impressive. akimmonet.com; Shown: CAVE, 2000-2003; 122 x 183 cm / 48 x 72” Ilfochrome exhibition print laminated face in 6mm / 1/4” Plexiglas; Edition of 2; $12,400. Akim Monet Photography .1

.12 When they say there are other fish in the sea, they are cer tainly not referring to the utterly unique and sought after koi fish. A single koi has been known to catch more than £275,000 at auction. They are specimens to be cherished. One particularly sultry koi has purportedly been spotted popping out of the water to drag on a cigarette and blow smoke rings. Marlene Dietrich reincarnated? Now that’s worth every penny. Infiltration UK, a pre-eminent koi outlet based in Cheshire, England, deals with the finest. Case in point: Since 1982, Infiltration has provided 15 of the last 18 Supreme Champion Koi, winners of the prestigious British Koi Keeper’s Society National Show (like Westminster for fish). koikichi.com. The koi fish

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