MoMA, the Guggenheim and Picasso

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picasso_avignon_moma_1907-2It has always been a privilege for me to consult with collectors of Pablo Picasso’s artwork. Being a collector and admirer of Picasso and the master artists of the 20th century has enabled me to share my passion with art collectors, helping them understand the artwork not just from a perspective of beauty in the work itself, but lending the artwork the benefit of the historical context it deserves.

I took time off during a busy few days recently in New York City to revisit the Pablo Picasso paintings housed in the permanent collections at the Guggenheim Museum and Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). It was a reminder that viewing these paintings online or in publication pales in comparison to seeing these works in person.

The monumental Les Demoiselles d’Avignon is on permanent display at MoMA, and standing in front of it again I was reminded what a visceral painting this is.  The painting appears as fresh as the day it was created.  As with many of Picasso’s oil paintings, his compositions appear ageless, never dated.  We subconsciously consider Picasso’s paintings as modern even as we stand in front of a work created over 100 years ago.  To say Picasso was “ahead of his time” is an understatement.  His artwork stands on its own, never belonging to a movement other than one he had created himself.  To stand in front of Les Demoiselles d’Avignon and look at the faces of the women staring unflinchingly back challenging the viewer to look away, is an incredible experience, and one that is essential for the serious admirer and collector of Picasso’s artwork.

At the Guggenheim Museum, visitors have the opportunity to view paintings spanning the majority of Picasso’s artistic creation, from 1900 (Le Moulin de la Galette) to as late as 1965 (Le homard et le chat).  One of the most recognizable paintings in the collection, Femme aux cheveux jaunes (1931), is a fantastic example of what some art professors call “complexity resolved.”  At this point in Picasso’s career he had an ongoing challenge with Henri Matisse to create a finished composition with as few lines as possible, which art professors have also given a term to, “economy of means.”

If you follow the lines in Femme aux cheveux jaunes, you see how few there really are; the hair turns into an arm and the edge of the sofa’s fabric defines the figure’s lap.  The hidden genius behind this painting is reflected in Picasso’s ability to show volume with minimal shading.  This, combined with strong unbroken lines, is a clear example of “complexity resolved.”

I am proud to offer my consulting services to collectors and investors in fine art. My initial approach when working with potential investors is to help them “see” the paintings that they’re considering and to help them define their own personal taste.  Collecting from a place of passion and context gives investors the chance to make informed buying decisions, ultimately leading to a stronger and potentially more valuable art collection.

Please contact me to make an appointment to discuss your own interests in art collecting and investing and to learn about the consulting services I offer.

Dan Root

Luxury Capital Partners Consolidates its Presence in Asia With the Appointment of Shirley Hon

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Geneva, Switzerland, 2nd August, 2016

Luxury Capital Partners (LCP), the boutique international investment and development consultancy, which operates in more than 30 countries on four continents, is consolidating its presence in Asia with the appointment of Shirley Hon as Associate – Director for China & North East Asia, effective immediately. With her extensive network of carefully acquired trustful business entities in her region, Ms Hon will help maximize the company’s presence in China & North East Asia in all three lines of business.

A fluent Mandarin, Cantonese, English and Italian speaker, Ms Hon has lived on four continents. Born in China, she only returned a few years ago to her home country after living in Australia, Canada and Switzerland, quickly building up an extensive network including various types of Chinese companies like State Owned Enterprises, multinationals and private SMEs while working for United Nations Global Compact, and Hill & Knowlton. Her sound experience in handling media relations with 20+ national influential media including CCTV, BTV, People’s Daily, China Daily, Xinhua…are a precious and highly respected added value to Luxury Capital Partners that intends to further increase its visibility in Asia.

Phyllis Koessler-Collins, LCP Partner and Chief Operating Officer, commented “We are delighted to welcome Ms Shirley Hon on board as our Luxury Capital Partners Associate-Director China & North Asia. She comes with a multi-cultural & international business experience. Having studied & worked in Switzerland and continuing her successful business foot print in China in the media sector and now based between Hong Kong and Beijing, she is certainly an asset to Luxury Capital Partners, enhancing our presence in Asia”.

Ms Hon commented, “When I first got in touch with LCP, I could tell it was an efficient yet boutique company which provides professional investment solutions to the Chinese Market. The number of HNWIs is growing in China and they are certainly looking beyond Asia to search for more options to preserve and expand their wealth. I am very pleased to be part of the LCP family, and together with our global team, I have confidence that we can satisfy the demand of our clients with the Swiss-standard quality.”

Ms Hon obtained her Bachelor of Economics at the University of British Columbia, Canada and continued her studies at the University of Lugano in Switzerland with an additional Master of Arts degree Summa cum Laude. Based in Beijing and Hong Kong, Ms Hon currently oversees large international New Media programs and Merge & Acquisition projects, as well as reaching out to her well-established business network across China in Beijing, Shanghai, Shannxi, Harbin, and Hong Kong.

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About Luxury Capital Partners

Luxury Capital Partners (LCP) is a boutique international investment and development consultancy that specializes in real estate, precious metals, and fine art. LCP provides a wide spectrum of diversity in cultures among its partners and associates, with many different professional backgrounds. We are global and yet distinct with a human scale service guaranteeing our international clients’ the utmost confidentiality. It is this unique feature that makes us exceptional in our relationships with the most distinguished corporate entities and UHNW individuals across the world.

Luxury Capital Partners Strengthens Its Fine Art Division With the Appointment of Dan Root

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Geneva, Switzerland, 16th June, 2016

Luxury Capital Partners (LCP), the boutique international investment and development consultancy, which operates in more than 30 countries on four continents, is strengthening its fine art division with the appointment of Dan Root as Associate – Director for Art Investment, effective immediately. With his profound knowledge of fine art, Root will help spearhead LCP’s art division and liaise with clients around the world on various art-related needs including research, consultancy, investment opportunities and acquisitions.

A fluent German speaker who has lived and worked on three continents, Root has held prominent art consultancy positions at the Macklowe Gallery in New York, and most recently the Franklin Bowles Galleries in New York & San Francisco. He has more than a decade of experience working with 19th and 20th Century European and American Master paintings, French art nouveau furniture and decorative arts, photography, Antique & Estate jewelry, and sculpture. His expertise in these areas strengthens LCP’s commitment to its clients and builds upon the high-value investment and consultancy services that is a testament to the company’s ongoing success.

Yannick Lee Jacquier, LCP Partner and Executive Vice President Investment Key Accounts, commented, “We’re thrilled to welcome Dan Root as the newest member of our forward-thinking team. With his impressive knowledge of fine art, combined with his refined communication and presentation skills, we know he will be an instrumental part in our clients’ art investing decisions moving forward.”

Root commented, “I’m thrilled to join the talented team at Luxury Capital Partners that displays such a broad vision. It’s exciting to come on board at a time when individuals and organizations are broadening their investment options with fine art, and I’m looking forward to engaging them in every aspect of their art investing needs.”

Root studied at the School of Visual Arts in New York and Grossmont College in San Diego, California. His entry into the international art scene began while he was working as a jewelry photographer for Taennler in Zurich, Switzerland. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Australia to teach photography courses. He then transitioned to art consulting in New York in 2004. In addition to his fine art background, Root is also a licensed real estate broker in the state of Colorado and lives in Denver.

 

About Luxury Capital Partners

Luxury Capital Partners (LCP) is a boutique international investment and development consultancy that specializes in real estate, precious metals, and fine art. LCP provides a wide spectrum of diversity in cultures among its partners and associates, with many different professional backgrounds. We are global and yet distinct with a human scale service guaranteeing our international clients’ the utmost confidentiality. It is this unique feature that makes us exceptional in our relationships with the most distinguished corporate entities and UHNW individuals across the world.

www.luxurycapitalpartners.org

Luxury Capital Partners Welcomes a New Partner on the Executive Board with the Appointment of Kashan Rafique

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Geneva, Switzerland, 14th June, 2016

Luxury Capital Partners (LCP), the boutique international investment and development consultancy, which operates in more than 30 countries on four continents, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Kashan Rafique, as a Partner of the firm effective from 1 June 2016.

With more than a decade of successful achievements in Corporate Finance, Equity Markets and Insurance experience in London and Dubai, Kashan has extensive experience across a wide variety of industries in corporate and commercial, banking and finance, real estate and commodities operations. He has successfully contributed to a large increase of LCP’s transaction in the Middle East and boasts a thorough understanding of Equity Markets specifically in UK, USA and UAE.

Prior to joining LCP as an Associate, Kashan worked with world renowned brands like Apple, Google, Microsoft and Citi Group. He holds a Master degree in Finance (MSc) from the London Metropolitan University, UK.

Phyllis Koessler-Collins, Senior Partner and Chief Operating Officer, commented “ We are very pleased to have Kashan on board Luxury Capital Partners. He is an added value to our Executive team with his financial and equity market background. As such he plays a strategic and complimentary role in some of Luxury Capital Partners’ major decisions for organic growth in the MEA region in the commodities sectors, as well as the commercial Real Estate Investment sectors serving our high net worth clients and institutional clients.”

Kashan’s appointment as Partner brings the number of Partners in LCP to 5 and will certainly further strengthens LCP in the Middle East & Africa region where Kashan will act as Executive Vice President MEA for Commodities & Real Estate Investment.

 

About Luxury Capital Partners

Luxury Capital Partners (LCP) is a boutique international investment and development consultancy that specializes in real estate, precious metals, and fine art. LCP provides a wide spectrum of diversity in cultures among its partners and associates, with many different professional backgrounds. We are global and yet distinct with a human scale service guaranteeing our international clients’ the utmost confidentiality. It is this unique feature that makes us exceptional in our relationships with the most distinguished corporate entities and UHNW individuals across the world.

www.luxurycapitalpartners.org

LCP multiplies secure and discreet investment options

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As the volatility on the markets and growing security issues in various regions of the world create an increasing concern from many of our clients in Asia and Middle East, Luxury Capital Partners (LCP) has decided to dedicate more energy, manpower and time to clients seeking for urgent safe investments in countries that provide safety, discretion and stability.

LCP is proud to offer a dimension of exemplary quality services to both our corporate and UHNW individual clients mainly interested in withdrawing from the recent turbulent market conditions and investing in secure backup plans. This ranges from sourcing private high-end residential assets for private offices representing wealthy families and their children considering their upcoming university studies to acquiring significant amounts in commodities such as precious stones and metals (diamonds, sapphires, gold, silver) or artworks, with the intention to see the value of these assets appreciate over the next few years.

Current options that are available through our company to clients in need of a rapid assistance are:

  • Commercial, retail and hospitality real estate in secure and high valued locations around Europe and Switzerland
  • Luxury residential assets available to foreigners with full service package including residence permit
  • Building plots with granted construction permits available to foreigners including residence permit and tax rebate
  • Immediate investment options in gold and precious stones, and art investment

Currently Switzerland is one of the locations that retain our clients’ attention. Considered as a stable political system for more than 700 years without being member of the European Union, Switzerland offers high quality living standards with outstanding educational institutions ranking in the top 100 of the world’s best universities and an uncontestable quality of air that has an average result for Small Particle pollution (PM10) of 5 µg/m3 in 2015.

Why LCP?

A large majority of our clients, especially our respected clients from Asia and Middle East do not wish to speak to various counterparts for residence permits, insurance issues, development and construction, taking care of their lodging during their absence or helping them to acquire commercial assets for their company. They enjoy the possibility of having one sole communication partner, one face to refer to, throughout their entire decision-making process, especially if this can be done in their own native language, which we are proud to offer, of course.

Our company strives to bring together several professional backgrounds from different industries, giving clients alternative choices and angles to evaluate their potential investment projects. As such, no field of expertise is over represented in the company, which clearly offers a global view or a big picture to investors.

Unlike large investment sourcing companies, LCP provides a wide spectrum of diversity in cultures among its partners and associates, with many different professional backgrounds. We are global and yet distinct with a human scale service guaranteeing our international clients’ confidentiality. It is this unique feature that makes us exceptional in our relation with our international clients.

This allows us to limit all the necessary information with absolute confidentiality within a very restricted and exclusive circle of people. This helps to assure confidence and give full comfort to our most discerning clients who will appreciate to talk to one contact person only in the decision making process and develop a true relationship with us over the years, by their side.