The first volume of Atlanta Art Now, Noplaceness: Art in a Post-Urban Landscape, is a satisfying attempt to find some continuity in the diverse and divergent practices and approaches of Atlanta’s, at times, seemingly inchoate artistic community. The brainchild of local arts patron Louis Corrigan and his Possible Futures foundation, Noplaceness, is a seriously academic book of essays crafted by three noted Atlanta-based art critics—Cinque Hicks of Creative Loafing and Creative Director of Atlanta Art Now, Jerry Cullum the Atlanta correspondent for Art News and long-time contributor to Art Papers, and co-founder of ArtsCriticATL.com and past art and architecture critic at The AJC Catherine Fox. Likewise, the book surveys three dozen of Atlanta’s most intriguing artists addressing variations of the noplaceness theme: Sarah Emerson, Jody Fausett, Sarah Hobbs, Gyun Hur, Marcus Kenney, Arturo Lindsay, Paper Twins, Fahamu Pecou, Sheila Pree Bright, Shana Robbins, Rocio Rodriguez, Danilele Roney, Micah and Whitney Stansell and Angela West, to name a few.

So ambitious is the book that each of the five chapters is also translated into Portuguese and Chinese–both as a nod to two of the mega-cities (Sao Paul and Shanghai) most “pivotal in any discussion of the changing nature of space in a global paradigm,” with their mass populations and economies and themes of physical and cultural displacement—and in honor of art dialogues that the book’s creators have already forged with critics in these countries. But perhaps it is Dutch architect and theorist Rem Koolhaas who best articulated the sense of dislocation that the city of Atlanta has specifically engendered in recent history due to urban sprawl, the influx of new immigrants, lack of a city center, etc. Koolhaas famously declared that Atlanta is “a centerless city” and “posturban.”

In honor of this major critical assessment of Atlanta artists, and what is hoped to be biennial publications by Atlanta Art Now, LuxeCrush gathered five of the practicing artists discussed in volume one on Noplaceness (photographer Jody Fausett, installation artist Arturo Lindsay, painter and performance artist Fahamu Pecou, abstract painter Rocio Rodriguez and digital media artist Danielle Roney) for a symbolic photo shoot at Midtown modern design emporium, Simcolifestyle, to celebrate the project and the way in which the book helps place Atlanta artists on the international map. Granted, these accomplished artists are already working at a global level to some degree. For example, Roney is just back from art exhibitions in Croatia and Istanbul; Pecou recently showed in Paris; and Lindsay was one of 15 national artists just selected as an ambassador for smARTpower (a collaboration between the State Department and Bronx Museum of Art) which will pursue global outreach through art–first stop for Lindsay: Cairo.

He’s installed the high-end outfit on Midtown’s Peachtree Street—fertile ground for Tui’s of-the-moment furnishings—as it abounds with modern showrooms like Ligne Roset, Pedini and SCIC. Launched as a new branch of Guobadia’s Atlanta-based company, Simcol Group, his signature Tui Lifestyle-branded store, Simcolifestyle, works much like those set forth by entrepreneur Jason Atkins and celebrated designer Noranit “Tui” Pranich when they introduced the Miami-based concept in 2009.

Eleven foundational collections of streamlined and versatile furnishings take the guesswork out of outfitting a room. For around $44,000, you get all the pieces you need for a coordinating bedroom, dining and living room suite, but Simcolifestyle encourages you to pick a few items you love from other collections, as well— a la carte. Choose from schemes like the relaxed Riviera, eclectic Marquis or sleek Innovative, that comes in both standard (eco-leather) and Signature (bona fide leather) versions. Outdoor and office furnishings are also in the repertoire. Best of all, the price you’ll pay affords you an expert design team, Ideal for jet-setting execs, no-hassle decorators or anyone who wants decor in a dash, Simcolifestyle’s turnkey, contemporary design concept is a dream made reality for one Atlanta entrepreneur.

Our luxury furniture collections showcase innovated designs rooted in functionality and style. Our designers select the finest in avant-garde furnishings from around the world. Each piece designed to reflect the warmth, simplicity, and inherent beauty of its origin.

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“Simcolifestyle is a high-end turnkey furniture concept,” says owner Simon Guobadia, who this week opens his company’s first Atlanta showroom on the Midtown Mile. “In many respects it’s also an interior design company. We have the resources to get the job done.”

The “job” to which he refers is making an empty space into a functional yet stylish room.

“Our typical client is one that is too busy or just wants the interior design completed in the shortest time possible,” he says. Simcolifestyles can complete a living room, dining room and bedroom combination in two weeks or less.

“We have a 280,000-square-foot warehouse facility in Miami, Florida,” he says. It’s stocked not only with furniture but also television sets, stereo equipment, dishes, utensils and other necessities such as bedding, salt and pepper shakers, irons and ironing boards.

“At the end of our work our client customer can move in with just a suitcase,” says Guobadia. “We’re a complete solution for our typical customer.”

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