Private Air New York

www.privateairny.com Private Air New York | Fall 2015 29 PHILANTHROPY T he old idiom, "for love nor money" is turned around with one of the most recognized names in the music business, Sir Elton John, as he joins forces with one of the world's most famous French purveyors of fine crystal luxury: Lalique. e Elton John Music is Love limited edition collection includes four exceptional crystal sculptures. A portion of the sale of each piece will be donated to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. It is no secret that the famed composer and singer has had a long-standing relationship with philanthropy and has devoted his life to others in a meaningful way for a long time – doing everything for love through money. "e ultimate goal of this project is to raise money to support urgently needed projects that address the continuing challenges of the AIDS epidemic across the globe," says Sir John. "Quality is Lalique and the artisans who create these art pieces are able to meld the traditional with the modern, a marriage of the past and present so to speak. I am excited to be a part of bringing a little more harmonious living to people through a piece of glass. rough purchasing one of these crystal pieces, people are learning something about Elton John AIDS Foundation's work and helping to make a real difference in the lives of people in need." e masterpiece of the collection is the unique lost-wax casting Angel in clear and also red crystal. e red and clear sculptured Heart limited edition symbolizes love and peace; the two forces that inspire Elton John, and perhaps should also inspire everyone. e theme of the pieces, Music is Love, is expressed in this way by the philanthropist musician, "Love is one of the primary forces that can unite us and bring us together despite our differences. Indeed, love shows us that the differences dividing us from each other are ultimately very superficial, that we have so much more in common than not. Music is a powerful medium for expressing all the many faces of love, and it is a participatory medium. Music draws us together. It is a universal language. We come together to make music, to listen to music, to share music. is is why I believe that music and love are synonymous, that music IS love." e magnificent limited editions are available in the New York Lalique Boutique on Madison Avenue. Both the clear crystal Angel sculpture and the Heart piece are handmade in France, and come with a certificate of authenticity mentioning its number and are priced from $1200 to $1800 each. e Angel stands 11.02 inches high and weighs 3.75 pounds. e impressive Heart crystal sculpture also comes in either red or clear, and stands 4.72 inches high and weighs 2.87 pounds. e serenely beautiful glass expresses the elegance and craftsmanship of the artists in whose hands Lalique becomes, as the musician states: "e Rolls-Royce of glass."

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