Two dope pieces of artwork by Pablo Picasso and Brazil’s Candido Portinari were heisted Thursday from the Sao Paulo Art Museum (MASP) where they were on exhibition.
The (what seems to be very professional) thieves stole Picasso’s “Portrait of Suzanne Bloch,” painted in 1904, comes from Picasso’s blue period and has to be one of the most valuable pieces in the museum.
“O Lavrador de Cafe,” by Portinari was also heisted which depicts a coffee picker, was painted in 1939 and is one of the most renowned works by one of Brazil’s most famous painters. Portinari, is known for his “neo-realism” painting steez.
According to police, it took only three minutes for thieves to steal the oil-on-canvas paintings, which were exhibited in two different locations at the museum. The crime took place from 5:09 a.m. to 5:12 a.m. local time, although three security guards were at the spot at that time. Security cameras recorded the theft which I am sure are of poor quality.
The thieves used a hydraulic car jack to pry their way past the pull-down metal gate that protects the museum’s front entrance. Then, they smashed through two glass doors, probably using a crowbar, to get to the paintings on the second floor.
International Heistmen have been targeting Brazil’s museums lately. In February, artwork by Picasso, Henri Matisse, Salvador Dali and Claude Monet were taken from Chacara do Ceu Museum in Riode Janeiro. I have mentioned this trend before in Criminality in The Luxury Sector.
These paintings are valued at an estimated $100 million.
This had to be a “heist to order” job for a art collector because the paintings were in different rooms and thieves have tried to steal them before.
No one was hurt and it appears to be a very professional job. The quickness that the men did the job is remarkable. All in all a great result.
Banksy bombs the security wall in Bethlehem with six new pieces. It coincides with the annual month-long Santa’s Ghetto exhibit. The exhibit will also feature works of James Cauty, Ron English, Swoon, Trash, Blu, and Sam 3 among others.
Banksy had previously got up on the security wall back in 2005 with nine pieces.
It is said that half the population in the area is unemployed primarily because tourism has suffered in the area.
Banksy has said, “You wouldn’t worry about Christmas becoming too commercial in Bethlehem — they couldn’t afford it. There’s more festive lights in the window of your local Woolworths than you’ll find in this entire town,”
“It would do good if more people came to see the situation here for themselves. If it is safe enough for a bunch of sissy artists then it’s safe enough for anyone,” he added.
By bringing attention to the area, Banksy hopes that it will boost tourism.
The second property to open on the Las Vegas Strip,The Frontier casino-hotel was imploded on Tuesday.
The 16-story Frontier Casino was felled with over 1,000 pounds of explosives to make way for a multibillion-dollar resort which is set to open in 2011.
Elad Group owner and Israeli billionaire Yitzhak Tshuva, who is partnering to build an $8 billion megaresort where the New Frontier stood, was on hand.
Las Vegas New Frontier Hotel Implosion
The Frontier was the first “themed” casino in Las Vegas. It was also is very well known for being the first place that Elvis Presley performed in the city. Ronald Regan also performed at The Frontier. Billionaire Howard Hughes once owned it as well.
IDB Group and Elad Group, the owner of The Plaza hotel in New York, said the new property will include a luxury hotel with about 3,500 rooms. There will of course be the de rigueur residences and high end retail stores. No doubt aiming for the high end of the marketplace. Which of course, is the future of the Las Vegas Strip. High-end all the way.
The north end of the strip has and is going through a lot of changes. Donald Trump’s condo towers is going to open early next year. Wynn’s $2.2 billion Encore is supposed to be completed in early 2009. Also in 2009 is the $2.8 billion dollar Fontainebleau Hotel. MGM Mirage is also working on mega project with Kerzner International (the cats behind The Atlantis in The Bahamas) and Dubai World for The Strip’s North End in 2012.
Sounds like we got some fun casino openings to hit up.
Michel Richard of Citronelle in Los Angeles once again?
I got an email today with a link to the article from Eater LA (click to read) about the rumors that Michel Richard might return to Los Angeles once again. The word on the street is he might team up with Jeffery Chodorow and take over at Social Hollywood. Very interesting news, to say the least. I know Citronelle in DC very well (hell, I was the top young up and coming prototype G in there, back in the day), so I made some calls and I can confirm that there is definitely some truth to the rumors.
AZ – Once Again
Michel Richard first opened a patisserie in LA in 1977. His restaurant Citrus opened on Melrose in 1987. I have heard from many old school G’s that Citrus was the dopest spot in LA when it was in full effect. Celebs and excellent cuisine, as opposed to many “dope” spots in LA today where the food often misfires like a Glock you have dropped one too many times. Richard then opened a Citronelle in Santa Barbara, which I heard from inside sources that they could never really get good staff. Stoned surfers are not always the best restaurant staff.
I became an advocate of Michel Richard when he made his flagship the Citronelle in Georgetown at Latham Hotel in Washington, D.C. I used to roll in that spot multiple times a week and peel girls like money rolls. Mark Slater on the vino hook up tip. I made Citronelle the “hub” of my hub and spoke strategy in those days. The spokes being a “secret spot” on M street and then detonating 18th street. I was the Prince of 18th street in those days. Swooping two to three girls per night on the real. So I have always had mad love for Citronelle. Although, I was angered beyond belief when they aced the “Mood Wall”. Did some solid Bean deals in the spot as well. In my opinion, Richard has helped DC become one of the top seven restaurant cities in America.
Chodorow has always had his detractors, but I have had more than my share of good memories in his spots. I used to “hold court” at China Grill in South Beach years ago. I had to stop going for a while because I made a clean sweep on the whole waitress staff (easier said than done). Mix Las Vegas has always treated me like a young prince of thieves. Social Miami at Sagamore Hotel was one of my “go to’s” last winter in South Beach. And I went to Social Hollywood once when it first opened and I swooped an actress girl, that had some horror movie to her credit, out the spot. So I do owe thanks to Chodorow.
Eazy E- Radio
Richard and Chodorow working together was the second best piece of news I heard all day (the best piece of news I have to keep on the down low, you can appreciate that, right?) . Could be like AZ and Cormega on a track. Magic. We will see. Let’s hope Michel Richard and Jeffery Chodorow impose some sort of dress code. I don’t know if I will be able to enjoy my free-range halibut paired with rhubarb coulis, corn and truffles if there are a bunch of jerkoffs in Affliction shirts, queer designer jeans, fake ice and trucker hats in the lobby.
The Rest is Up to You……..
Michael Porfirio Mason
AKA The Peoples Champ
AKA Your Favorite International Playboy’s Favorite International Playboy
AKA Your Favorite G’s Favorite G
AKA The Playboy you Love to Hate
The Guide to Getting More Out of Travel http://www.thegmanifesto.com
My friend “Ian” just picked me up at the Sydney International Airport. Feeling lovely. I had planned to spend some time picking up girls in King’s Cross, eating mad Kebab’s, and laying up at Bondi Beach and some of the northern beaches. Ian, though, immediately upon seeing me, says “Before we go out tonight, we have a bitta work to do…” I immediately got a bad feeling about what this “bitta work” entailed…
Men at work: Land down under
Before I get into that, let me back up first and give you the data sheet on Ian. Although I have not seen Ian in years, I have known him a long time from my London days flipping beans. Ian is actually from London, a true G, sharp dresser, fast cash, fast with his hands, quicker with the heater and fearless. Shrewd, tough, with bundles of nerve and heaps of dash. When we first met, only a fool wouldn’t be able to tell he was going places. However, His ambition sometimes gets him in trouble, for example, a bird in Belmarsh.
One of Ian’s highlights in Belmarsh was stabbing a top dog in the neck. I asked Ian why he stabbed the guy; Ian said “The bloke was being a real pain in the neck…”
INXS – Devil inside
After Ian’s time in Belmarsh, he was accused of some crime he didn’t commit and decided to “fuck off to where the water runs down the plughole the other way…” Hence, the reason I am meeting him in Sydney. Since he got to Australia, Ian had become an unholy terror and doing very well for himself. He is currently acting as sort of an “independent rep”, Standover man, doing collections, and various odds and ends for the top firms in Sydney and Melbourne.
So anyways, back to the “bitta work” we had to do. Apparently, this Sydney independent drug dealer we will call “Sami” had ripped off an associate of Ian’s. Bad move. Sami also apparently fancied himself as some kind of pseudo-playboy and a “Jack the Lad” as Ian says. Our job for the evening was to heist Sami at his crib. We got to keep the cash and jewels, Ian’s man upstairs got to keep the drugs. Sounds like a fair deal, only I had no interest in a “bitta work”, I wanted to be spitting lyrics at Aussie girls at the swank confines of Hugo’s Lounge in Kings Cross. Ian assured me we would go to Hugo’s afterwards, drinks on him. I was still far from gung ho. Then he told me Sami was a woman beater and I said I was all in. I hate women beaters.
Ian and I got ready, suited down (me in two button black pinstriped custom number, Savile Row, side vents, peaked lapels, Black Prada shirt, Grey Brioni Pocket Square, Prada loafers, Beretta 9mm with silencer, and ski mask in pocket. Ian was in a two button bespoke Armani, grey shirt by, I think, Canali, lace ups by A. Testoni, Glock with silencer, and also a ski mask. I probably looked more sinister overall, but Ian did have on a “brilliant” pair of lace ups.) We jumped in the Durango 75 and the engine purred away real horrorshow, headed for Sami’s crib in Double Bay.
On the way to Double Bay, Ian told me stories about some of his recent collection techniques. I will spare you the details, but many of them involved pliers and an acetylene torch. The tales, especially those involving the acetylene torch, made me want to throw up the airplane cuisine I had consumed hours earlier.
We pulled up a few blocks away from Sami’s huge crib in “Double Pay” and hearts pounding, palms sweaty, made our way there with a quickness. Posh crib, making it snow in Sydney must be good. I tried the front door, and unbelievably it was unlocked (note to drug dealers, always lock your front door). We made our way in like Leopards going for the kill and saw Sami on his couch watching TV, in a robe and flip flops, a pile of beaks and cash in front of him. Ian was on him before he knew what happened. Ian pistol whipped Sami twice, good shots I must say, and Sami went limp with some red, red kroovy coming out of his head. Heart doing somersaults, I checked the house for others and the safe. No other people. The safe in the bedroom closet (note 2 to drug dealers; don’t put your safe in obvious places).
Who can it Be Now- Men at Work
As I made my way back downstairs, (beautiful panoramic view from Sami’s crib, by the way) I noticed that Ian had Sami tied up and bolt cutters around his toes (note 3 to drug dealers, never wear flip flops). Sami was smarter than he looked; he gave up the combination right away and the location of his ill gotten stash. Even smarter, he gave us the right combination. Ian wasn’t fooling around, and neither was I since I wanted to get a cocktail in my system. Maybe some grilled Barramundi. Anyways, the contents of the safe were decent. Heaps of Australian dollars, which is good because the US dollar is pretty weak right now. Some decent diamonds as well, upon quick inspection. I wish I brought my loupe (note to self).
I went down stairs and showed Ian. He then said, holding his bolt cutters, in a disguised voice, “Go back to the car, have a lookout, you don’t want to see the next part, Mate”. He didn’t have to tell me twice. I still was feeling queasy from the airline omelet I ate. Poor Sami, (well not really, he did seem to be quite the wanker) in the future he shouldn’t put holes in his manners, especially in regards to women.
Overkill – Men at Work
Ten minutes later, Ian was at the Durango, we jumped in and the engine purred away real horrorshow back to Kings Cross.
After fencing the jewels (I am glad Sydney fences work late) and splitting the spoils, Ian and I were 23G Australian richer. I think I just paid for my trip. And since this was now a “working” vacation, I can write off my drinks and hotel tonight, right?
A little later, we walked into Hugo’s like two Titans. Or more like two G’s coming down off a heist-fueled adrenaline rush. Skipped the line, no need to pay a dime, didn’t hang my coat, but now it was time to move to the forefront make my rounds, Say peace and give a pound, have a drink, get down.
It’s a mistake – Men At Work
Hugo’s was filled with fly Aussie Nightlife Princess Contenders, black dresses, high heels, most of them curiously rubbing their noses. This should be fun. The bartender quickly made us two Goose and Soda’s, mad unnecessary extra limes. That’s how they do it in OZ. A fly blonde Aussie girl comes up to Ian and introduces herself to Him. I can’t believe it. In honey’s fairness, I really don’t think she got a good look at me, since my back was turned when I was ordering drinks. Ian goes to sit down with the Sheila on a couch. Guess who is paying for the drinks?
Anyway, I needed to simmer down from the “bitta work” we did earlier. I take a huge gulp of Goose and light up a Parliament Ultra light. Thank God they let you smoke in Hugo’s, or I might have to have a word with Hugo.
On my third Goose and soda, two fly girls Fiona (half Greek and half Aussie) and Jilka (half Persian, half Aussie) come up to the bar (Australia is quite the melting pot). I said “Hi” to Jilka; she showed her dental work and said I looked familiar. I touched her on the hand, I had to feel her. Fiona did the same. I then said, “
You should know by now how this ends…do me a favor…
