Archive for the Arts category.
Posted on October 22nd, 2009 by Sandy in
Arts,
Travel The people of Kerala are known as being some of the most hospital in the country of India. The culture is steeped in a history that is based on arts, visual and performing arts, that have served to keep that history alive through the various methods of story telling. This is a magical city, which is evidenced by the jumping of the dolphins each evening just off shore. Walking through the streets, you find many museums and galleries which house many of the artifacts, artworks and historical mementos that will serve to send any first time visitor back to their room in one of the Kerala resorts, excited for what the next day will hold.
In the Kochi section of the city one will find the Kerala Folklore Museum and Theater. This museum celebrates the history and the tradition of the performance art world of the southern portion of India. The items found in the museum are exquisite and unique, ranging from costumes to instruments, puppets and painted window frames that had all been used at one time or another in the telling of the tales on stage. The tour through the museum is a guided tour, and when it is over the finale is a live performance of Kalaripayattu, Kathakali, and Mohiniyattam accompanied by live musicians.
This is one of the most fantastic and interesting museums in Kerala. And most certainly one of the best sites that is in the tucked away neighborhood of Kochi. The museum was put together by a married couple who still serve as curators of the museum and delightful hosts to all those who walk through their door. The collection has taken them seven years to put together and more items of interest are added each year. The performance is a colorful display of talent, both in acting and dancing, and the music was traditional, soothing and well executed. There are many museums and points of interest throughout the region, and should one make it to this region of South India, this is one that should not be missed.
Posted on September 9th, 2009 by Sandy in
Arts,
Travel I love all the sun in Spain. Every time I go the weather is perfect, sunny, sunny and more sunny. This is one of the things that keeps me coming back over and over again. The graciousness of the staff at the five star hotels Spain always make me feel like a welcomed member of the family. I enjoy this so much. We arrived the other day and began our exploration of Madrid. I haven’t spent much time here, seems we usually come to go to the ocean but this time we came for art and culture. Setting aside a couple of days alone to explore the Prado. A hugh museum with a very extensive collection. I really want to see the Garden of Earthy Delights by Hieronymus Bosh and the paintings of Velasquez and Zuberan. Spanish art has always been a favorite of mine. From the paintings of the high Spanish court to the surrealist movement to the modern works of the abstract and moderns. The Prado has an enormous collection of drawings paintings and sculpture spanning many centuries, styles and empires. The museum houses the royal collection from history with many newly added works over the years. Along with experience the Prado I want to see some of Gaudi’s architectural gems, this may require a side trip to Barcelona, we will figure that out as we go. I really do enjoy the evenings in Spain. Gathering with the locals and tourists in the squares and plazas or the street cafes it is always an experience meeting new people and hearing what is important in their lives. We usually stay up late in the the night enjoying the cool night air and the party atmosphere.
When looking for the perfect five-star hotel, Delhi has some splendid options for the discerning world traveler. One of the busiest metropolises in the world, Delhi has a long history of travelers passing through. It is nothing new to Delhi that so many people, from all walks of life, have felt a magnetic pull to the city. As such, it has a very well-developed tradition for taking care of strangers, and has honed this into an art form that is nothing less than gracious hospitality. This is how you will be met when you travel here, from the moment you’re greeted at the airport. Your stay in our accommodations will likewise be gracious and warm, combining the best part of these old traditions with the newest conveniences of the contemporary world.
People love Delhi for its seeming contradictions, and its ability to combine the old and the new in fascinating ways. A lovely example of this is one of the recent exhibits at the Indian Art Summit. Called Navagunjara: The facade as canvas, this is an interactive installation for the British Council New Delhi. In the Mahabharata, Navagunjara is an avatar of Krshna, who appears before Arjuna as a peculiar creature composed of the parts of nine different animals. Arjuna is about to shoot the animal-monster, before recognizing Krshna, and instead of killing him bows before him. In this story, then, there is a recognition of an animal nature intrinsic to all beings, both wild and tamed. A balance must be struck in order to achieve awakening, and the balance is gained through humility.
In the installation, created by Italian artist Giovanni Cannatta, the Navagunjara story becomes a metaphor for the interconnectedness of all things. The visitor walks into the space, and their image is tracked and projected as a shadow on the screen, as a virtual avatar (a fascinating pun on the notion of the sacred avatar). As they move through the space, there are eight animals who appear on the screen, and they will approach the shadow avatar depending on the visitor’s movements. If the visitor moves in unstable ways, the animals move away, and if the visitor moves smoothly, the animals come closer. Once a perfect calmness of movement is achieved, the animals all move in, and the shadow avatar becomes the ninth animal, which then triggers another series of videos. At this moment the piece really becomes dazzling. This is a splendid example then of how old traditions and new technologies can merge, in the center of Delhi’s creative heart.
When it comes to boutique hotels, South Africa offers a sumptuous variety. It is a truly amazing country, with a fascinating and very difficult history. It is extremely diverse, with a wide range of languages, cultures, and styles. The big cities have very lively centers, with a wide array of activities and distractions to keep the entire family busy. The bush is absolutely stunning, with varieties of flora and fauna that do not exist anywhere else on earth. Then of course, there’s the beach. Considered to be some of the most pristine beaches in the world, it’s easy to see why South Africa is the Motherland for so many people. Our boutique hotels are extremely distinctive, offering unique and individual features and amenities that give you a perfect home away from home from which to enjoy your time here.
South African culture is as varied as the cultures. There are musical styles that come from all over the continent, and all over the world, in a continuing evolution of sound and rhythm. Performance traditions are also extremely varied, and have influences from all the corners of the world. For visual art, it’s also an open field, where innovation sometimes trumps over tradition and sometimes it’s the opposite. One of South Africa’s most prominent (to the pride of some and the embarrassment of others) artists is the outspoken Kendell Greers.
Kendell Greers is a performance artist, installation artist, and filmmaker. He also works in the field of cultural critique, and often uses his installation work as a provocation to speak publicly about issues that are often extremely topical and relevant. He claims his birthdate in 1968, a pivotal year for this generation, and was exiled for a time from South Africa. His work reflects an engagement with the contemporary world in all its mystical and material forms and problems. The work of Kendell Greers is often very provocative, and some critics charge that he is a narcissist, concerned only with bringing attention to himself, but it is difficult to dismiss his deftness at playing with the most important icons of the time, and speaking the obvious when no one else has the courage.
Posted on September 2nd, 2009 by Sandy in
Arts,
Travel I remember seeing a picture of the painting ‘Persistence of memory, frequently referred to as Melting Alarm Clocks. This icon of the surrealist movement fascinated me when I was around 6 years old and i came across an image of it while pawing through art books of my mothers. The landscape also a trade mark of Dalian paintings was mysterious and full of hidden imagery. I like looking deeper and deeper into the images making out ever more of the hidden details. The barren landscape looks forbidding in the light of the setting sun with barren weathered branches strewn about. On these branches hand the faces of clocks as if made of fabric hanging fluidly over the branches. I didn’t draw a lot of meaning from it as a child at least not one conscious level. I just remember being fascinated with the image, the colors, mood and emotion. Oddly the image was not frightening to me. I recall another image that stood out in my mind from the same series of books, Boschs’ ‘Garden of Earthly Delights‘. Painted centuries earlier than Salvadore Dali’s ‘Persistence of Memory’ and centuries before the term surreal was coined yet the image has many surreal qualities. These paintings in particular and many others drew me into an interest in art. Salvador Dali and the Surreal movement being very favorites as a young adult. Having visited the Persistence of Memory many times at New York Cities Museum of Modern Art. I have now had the chance to see the Garden of Earthly Delights in person at the Prado in Madrid. And now to top it all off I will be staying at Barcelona Spain luxury hotel and using it as a jumping off point to visit the Salvador Dali museum and see the sights and visit the places these artists lived learned and painted in the Catalan country side.
Posted on August 24th, 2009 by Sandy in
Arts,
Travel Hawaii gives people with a chance to enjoy an wonderful artistic atmosphere through the Iao theater, located on the island of Maui. Originally opened in the year of 1928 and constructed in the then popular and widesprea Spanish mission style, it has played host to numerous celebrities throughout the years, including Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope. A highlight for the theater came in the year 1953 when it screened the premiere of Hollywood classic, “From Here to Eternity.”
Despite this celebrity past, in the eighties the theater experienced a decline in popularity, eventually closing and within danger of demolition. Yet through a grass roots effort in the community, started by the Wailuku Mainstreet Association, the theater came back to life. It went through a renovation that cost over a million dollars, but it was a renovation well worth the price. During 1965 the U.S. Department of the Interior put it in on the National Register of Historic Places. Today people visiting the island have a chance to experience this history through the plays and other performance pieces still offered today through Maui travel deals.
Ever since 1984, Maui Community Theater has put on plays under the name Maui OnStage. The theater troupe has played an integral part in keeping the reputation of the theater an important part of the Maui culture, especially in times of poor conditions and meager funds. Because of this intense desire from Maui citizens to sustain the theater, the Maui OnStage theater troupe has the pleasure of being one of the most enduring theater companies of the United States. It began in the 1930s with only a few volunteers, but it had a great vision of becoming something more, of becoming a place where the arts flourish and of a foundation for the unique culture Maui offers.
Ever since its inception, Maui OnStage has aimed to provide patrons with a quality experience in the performing arts arena. It is a fierce protector of its history and the location where that history is symbolized. Because of these efforts, the Maui community has participated more fully in the artistic expression that self-exploration can give its performers, volunteer and professional alike. As a result of this ever-renewing interest in the arts that the Maui OnStage troupe furnishes citizens with, the county and state government have started to give their respective consideration to this burgeoning arts culture. It would be foolish to miss out on a chance to see such a lush landscape of cultural arts in the history of the United States. The prospects Maui travel gives to travelers of the island are numerous and the history of this theater and the troupe should not be missed out on.
Thomas Raffles stepped into Singapore almost two hundred years ago. When the government was set up on the island it was set on the banks of the Singapore River, where it still stands today. This is located in what is known as the Colonial District. There are many monuments and historical sites that are located in this neighborhood, each of them reflecting a bit of the rich heritage and history of the island.
In this district one will find a Singapore restaurant to suit ones culinary desires as well as large shopping malls, museums and galleries, cafes and pubs, all set within the incredible architecture and historical buildings and homes. It is the neighborhood that still provides the influences of the British, as well as the traditional Singaporean aspects such as the rickshaw drivers and the hawker stands.
The river has been the life line for the country for hundreds of years, as far as commercial and economic industries go. Raffles is honored along the river by a large stature, and his house still stands on the hill that it was constructed upon, two hundred years ago in Fort Canning Park. One of the best night time walks is to stroll along the river banks and take in the beauty of the skyline as it sits just on the other side.
While standing in the Colonial District, and looking across at the skyscrapers of the business district, one is immediately and at once, in the old world witnesses the modern world. Located in the area of the Padang, are many museums and historical buildings such as the Old and the New Parliament House, as well as the Raffles Hotel, historical churches and the Esplanade, home to the Theatres on the Bay. Art and culture is found in the Colonial District as well as the history of the hard work of those who labored in the past along the docks and in the warehouses. This is just one of the areas of the island, where history is located on every corner.
For tourists on the lookout for splendid stays in splendid five-star hotels, Goa has much to offer. The accommodations are a reflection of the place, with a wonderful combination of hospitality and amenities, giving the best of all possible worlds. The decor is impeccable, with a sense of design that meets international standards of excellence while also maintaining local flavor. Service is also world-class, and will make the guests feel very welcome and always comfortable. Then there is the place. With a fabulous reputation among travelers, excellent beaches, and a very lively local scene, there is always something to do. The whole family can find a wide range of amusements here, with tours and sight-seeing, and people watching is at a premium.
While out on the town, it would be a good time to see some of the historical sites here. Goa has a rich and complicated history, with a mix of cultures. Walking through the streets, one might find oneself walking in the footsteps of the ghost of one of its famous sons, Abbé Faria. He was born in Candolim, District of Bardez, Goa in 1746 to Portuguese Goan parents. When he was 15 years old, his father took him to Lisbon to begin study for the priesthood. There is a very famous story about him there, when he was to give a sermon before the Queen, D. Maria I. He felt tongue-tied, and could not speak, and his father whispered to him, “Hi sogli baji, cator re baji,” which translates to, “THey are vegetables, cut the vegetables.” At these words, he found his voice.
Although it was certainly far from his father’s mind, it gave Abbé Faria an idea. If an utterance from his father was enough to cure his stage-fright, then there was the possibility that merely suggesting something to someone could unlock enormous mental capacities. This idea became known as the power of suggestion, and it was central to his work after this. While Mesmer, the Parisian hypnotist, was doing live performances using magnetism to induce hypnosis, Abbé Faria began doing live acts of hypnosis based on the power of the spoken word. He died before he could complete his scholarly works, but the idea is enough to have influenced schools of contemporary psychology. Mustard Seed Art Company in Goa has done a theatre piece about him as part of his 250th birthday celebration, and Alexandre Dumas created a character, Edmond Dantas, in his Count of Monte Cristo.
During the winter months, many travel to the town of Cronulla, on the south coast of Sydney, to catch glimpses of the migration of the humpback whales at the end of their six month long ‘tour’ off many of the coasts of the shores of Australia. At this point in the journey the whales are spotted with their new born calves frequently, with many of the platforms for viewing the whales brings nature lovers in close contact with the amazing creatures. During the summer months, these shores are visited by those looking for fun in the sun, be it just relaxing on the beaches, or hitting the surf. This area of Sydney is only reachable via the train, so there are no cars nor traffic, making this one of the best kept secrets, and making for one of the most peaceful summer holidays on the continent.
The beaches of Southern Cronulla are sandy, and are hit with the most gentle of waves, making this the perfect destination for those traveling with children. Many events for kids are organized by the resorts and the 5 star hotels, Sydney has many of those to choose from, and they will guide parents towards the coves, that are surrounded by rock formations that provide safe swimming holes and many adventures of discovery and exploration. A popular and relaxing pastime along these shores is the building of sandcastles, of which there are a few on the beaches throughout each and every day.
For those wanting a bit more of an exciting adventure, the beaches on the Northern end of the town offer waves and surf that is bit more high paced. Wanda and Elouera beaches are located near by, and these three locations have become popular for those interested in the sport of surfing. There are many schools and local surf shops that offer classes for those just beginning to learn, to those who are experienced but would like the opportunity to train with some of the best surfers in the world. And when one tires of the physical strength necessary for the sport, there are city parks located throughout each of the three beaches, that offer picturesque gardens, fish and chip restaurants, and many locations to grab a cold gelato and relax in the warm breezes of the Australian summer. This area of Sydney is a great spot for families and a great way to experience the country for the first time.
Sylvester Stallone is a popular American film actor who recently went to Bollywood to shoot a movie. Bollywood, India’s equivalent of the United State’s Hollywood, California, gained international acclaim with the Academy Award winning film Slumdog Millionaire. The new film, Kambakkht Ishq also stars American actors Denise Richards and Brandon Routh, as well as major Bollywood box office draws and it opens this summer. American tourists who happen to be in India this summer have the chance to see the union of cultures and some of their favorite homegrown stars on the big screen in Mubai and other major cities. The luxury Mumbai hotels provide the perfect accommodation to enhance a visit to India, whether it is business or vacation based.
The film was directed by Sabbir Khan and is an action packed exploration of a relationship between to people that are as different from each other as night is from day. Indian actor Akshay Kumar plays Viraj Shergill, a Hollywood stuntman with a less than respectful opinion of women. Kareena Kapoor plays Simrita Rai, the woman who is more than happy to prove she is Viraj’s match, at his best. She also spins a twist on his attitude about female marriage desires as she has no interest or belief in love. Stallone and the other American actors have minor or cameo appearances as themselves.
The film was originally intended to be released in December of last year, though post production technical difficulties and extensive production work caused for the delay. Director Khan also wrote the screenplay for the film, which translates into English as Incredible Love. He has worked as an Assistant Director for the film Miane Pyar kyun Kiya, which was released in 2005. He also served as the Assistant Director on the films Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and Dastak.
