PALMER Vol. 9 is here and Editorial Director Stefano Tonchi gives a preview of what to expect.
There are few places in the world where, no matter how far you are from a cosmopolitan center or an international airport, you never really feel that you are missing out. Palm Beach is one of those unique places, where global
and local culture mingle and the international speed of social and political life coexists with the slow, provincial rhythm of family and friends gathering. While working on this issue of PALMER, we realized that each one of our chapters tells a story that is deeply rooted in the island and also of national—and international—interest. We believe this is, and will always be, PALMER’s mission and our unique quality, which reflects the lifestyle and the interests of our readers.
It is not a coincidence that, for over a century, Palm Beach has been home to more than 50 United States ambassadors. Millionaires and royals have long chosen it as a destination, many taking up residence. It would seem only natural that their American counterparts would be nominated to represent US interests around the globe. Our Editor-at-Large Michael Gross looks back at some of the most storied ambassadors to come from Palm Beach, foretelling what may be in store for the new crop of Trump appointments.
When the winter season approaches and the major international equestrian tournaments are over in Europe and in the north, the best riders and horses in the world descend on Wellington, only a few miles inland from Palm Beach. This is why Hermès Sellier, the most exclusive and expensive provider of equestrian gear, also travels south and opens a store in Wellington to serve this elite group of athletes. As reported by PALMER’s Dana Thomas, the making of an Hermès saddle requires up to 40 hours of expert work, multiple fittings, and many adjustments. The process is not so different from that of any other Hermès product, whose original Birkin bag was recently acquired by a Japanese collector for $10 million.
Photo by Ori Harpaz
What does it mean to run a regional museum today, in the age of mega institutions and big-budget exhibitions? Ted Loos poses the question to the Norton Museum director, Ghislain d’Humières, and to his peers in other similarly-sized institutions, such as those in Aspen and Santa Barbara. They all highlight the need to simultaneously feed the local audience and the international appetite of important collectors, combining large-scale and historical shows with emerging art rooted in the local communities.
Indeed, many art collectors with a residence in Palm Beach or Aspen are great supporters of these regional museums, and also sit on the boards of major institutions around the country. In this issue, art writer Linda Yablonsky explores the secretive world of art advisory. It is not rare to see these tastemakers lead their clients at art fairs and in galleries. However, how those deals come together and where those blue-chip pieces end up is a quiet affair. It’s always a special experience to encounter world-class artworks that have found their home in our own community.
Images by Djeneba Aduayom
Music and other forms of art follow the same dual trajectory, transforming an individual’s personal, contemplative creation into something with global reach. In this issue, we commissioned a photography portfolio of dancers to celebrate Miami City Ballet’s 40th anniversary, and the appointment of its new artistic director, Gonzalo Garcia—himself a former principal dancer born in Spain, who made his career in New York and San Francisco before finding his way to Miami.
Speaking of global movements meeting local realities, it was a real surprise to discover that, in 1969, Palm Beach hosted “Woodstock South,” with international performers like Mick Jagger and Janis Joplin playing in front of thousands of people in a field by the airport. In Chapter 7, we share rare images from the festival, as well as memories of the young, local photographer who captured it all. Even in Palm Beach, it was impossible to escape the global wave of protest and youth culture. In an attempt to control the chaos, residents resorted to lifting the bridges—but the world moved forward.