Monthly Archives: December 2009

Newsflash: Michael Jackson Had Good Taste

Just when you thought poor Michael had fallen into a downward spiral of gaudy, starting with that silver-glitter glove and continuing right on up to Neverland — may I present remarkable evidence of good taste: Jackson commissioned Kehinde Wiley to paint his portrait.


Yes, Wiley’s work is appropriately over-the-top for Jackson, that’s probably why the King of Pop sought him out. Wiley’s a New York artist whose famous for painting ghetto-fabulous young, African-American men in juxtaposed with an old-master-style regal settings or Baroque backgrounds. They’re a beautiful study in contrasts. The modern figures are elevated while the old settings are infused with humor. His work is imaginative and wonderful.

But not the one of Jackson.

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New Mountain-Bike Safari in South Africa

If viewing elephant, lions, leopard, buffalo and rhino from the comfort of a Land Cruiser is too staid for your taste, the new mountain-bike safari option at the luxury Nkomazi Game Reserve might be more your speed.

The reserve lies along the banks of the Komati River in the northeastern Mpumalanga region of South Africa, an area referred to as “the holy grail of geology.” Each morning, five guests and a guide with rifle, depart from the lodge traveling through ancient river valleys and mountains, getting up close to the ancient rock formations, rock paintings, flora and fauna of the region, plus the oldest and largest meteorite impact deposits on earth – not to mention the aforementioned “big five” game.

By riding through on a bike, guests get the thrill of being among the wild – with a distinct, two-wheel advantage.

Read my full story at Luxist.com.