Want to schedule some inexpensive time in Houston? Why not take in a free day at the Menil Collection , a museum whose purpose is to exhibit the art collection of this city’s philanthropists, John and Dominique de Menil. The exhibits on display here, assembled over decades, is one of particular interest as it represents many cultures around the world and literally thousands of years of human inspiration, from the art of today to the art of prehistoric times.

The de Menil’s started collecting art in the 1940s, finally establishing a holding of 16,000 paintings and sculptures, prints and drawings, photographs and rare books.

In the early 1950s, they began sharing their collection with the public and lending the work to major museums. Among the first work they collected was European surrealist art. You’ll find paintings at the Menil Collection by Giorgio de Chirico, Max Ernst, Rene Magritte, Yves Tanguy and Man Ray. They also collected Cubist and School of Paris paintings, such as the work of Henri Matisse, Fernand Leger, and Pablo Picasso.

In the 1960s, they began picking up work from Pop Art, Minimalism, as well as Abstract Expressionism. Any account of their lives would at least mention the close friendships they had with many of the artists, with Max Ernst, Jasper Johns, Rene Magritte, Robert Rauschenberg, and Andy Warhol.

But the de Menil’s didn’t stop their collection with Surrealism and Pop Art; instead, they were interested in the connections, spiritual and formal, that these works had with the art of ancient cultures. For this reason, they brought in work from Mediterranean and Byzantine cultures, and included work from Africa, the Pacific Islands, and the Pacific Northwest.

By the time of John de Menil’s death in 1973, the couple had already begun discussions about building their own museum. Dominique de Menil pursued that idea and opened the museum to the public in 1987.

With the inspiration you’ve gained and the money you’ve saved from a visit to this far-ranging museum, you may choose one of the luxury Houston hotels in which to stay, a place where you may contemplate the art work you’ve seen as well as the thousands of years of humanity’s relationship with art that the work represents.

The Menil Collection in Houston is a post from: Bob Travel

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Now that the Superbowl is over, the great flux of visitors washing in and out of Miami, perhaps this is a good time to take a visit and really relax in the nation’s most South-Eastern state.  You’ll find here plenty of amazing beaches, great cuisine (of the Floribbean variety — part Caribbean, part Floridian, if you will), and any number of terrific museums and attractions.  One of my favorites is the Miami Art Museum.  I happen to be somewhat compulsive about museums; whenever I’m in a town overnight, staying in of the city’s hotels — for more information about that, visit this page — I want to see the local museums.  With the Miami Art Museum, there’s a number of interesting permanent and traveling exhibits.

Unfortunately, you’ve just missed the Miami-Dade County Student Artwork exhibit, which concluded on Valentine’s Day, February 14th.  However, there’s still an opportunity to see Carlos Bunga: Metamorphosis.  This work is two big structures made from perishable materials and the idea is to explore the connection between architecture and urban spaces.  A Portuguese artist, this is Carlos Bunga’s first U.S. solo exhibition.   It runs until February 28, 2010.  Also running until Feb. 28th, is a collection of works in an exhibit titled Space as Medium.  The art here combines work from those artists of the 60s and 70s of the last century with the work of younger artists to create pieces which “engage” with the pieces of the museum itself — such as its walls and floors and ceilings.

In the near future, you’ll be able to see a “Miami Point of View” on art from the museum’s permanent collection, displaying work from the 20th and 21st Centuries.  This exhibit begins on February 28th and continues.  There’s no end date given.  Another exhibit you’ll be interested to find is Carlos Cruz Diez: The Embodied Experience of Color.  Here, you’ll find an installation where lights challenge perceptions of museum patrons as they move in a world of shifting space and color.  This intriguing exhibition runs from March 20th until June 20th of 2010.

Connecting Art and Architecture in Miami is a post from: Bob Travel

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An adventure in Australia isn’t complete with out a understanding of the rich history of art on this continent. Beginning in ancient times with Aboriginal art etched into rocks to the present movement in modern arts. The rock are is so primitive and primal. One can feel the raw emotion and energy being conveyed in these images. Used to communicate trails, migrations and movement or simply as directions we may never know. The traditions continue today influenced by modern times and colonial influences. The influx of Europeans and Asians has changed the face of Australian art. Presenting a unique voice to the variety of movements and phases that have influenced art around the world. Of course you can usually gain a beginning of your appreciation of Australian art within the comfort of your accommodation Sydney Australia. Usually filled with art from locals showing modern works for immigrants to the continent to the work of surviving Aboriginal craftspeople. Endless in variety in form just like the land down under, amazing and ever changing. From the late 1700′s to the early 1900′s Australian art was influenced mainly by nature. Botanical and animal oddities were recorded for observation in far corners of the world. Some creatures seemingly out of fantasy and some truly made up for the curiosity effect. Plants and animals in proportions and colors never seen before. In the 20th century modern influences begain to gain control over the art scene. Bright colors, representation rather than photographic depiction of the world around the artists began to take favor. After World War I modernism began to really take hold. Effecting sculpture, painting, drawing, photography and every other discipline. Now in the 21st century the ideas and concepts of adaptive reuse are gaining appeal. The reuse and repurpose of discarded items and transforming them into works of art. These pieces make statements about our lives, what we use, how we use it and what we do with it after we are done with its original purpose.

Australian Art is a post from: Bob Travel

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Nepal is famous for many things, and one of them happens to be its Katmandu Valley. It is surrounded by the beautiful mountain range has become integrated into much of Western pop culture. It has been featured in songs such as Bog Seger’s Katmandu, Cat Stevens song of the same name and Rush’s A Passage to Bangkok. It has also been the setting for many works of literature. It was the central location for Kim Stanley Robinson’s book Escape from Katmandu and the critically acclaimed book Arresting God in Katmandu by Samrat Upadhyay. In the movie, There’s Something About Mary, Cameron Diaz’s character mentions that she would like to go there. Perhaps while visiting, she will stay in one of the Nepal hotels.

Bob Seger’s song Katmandu is from the album Beautiful Loser. Seger is an American musician who is greatly known for his rock music. He was born in Michigan and began his career in the Detroit area. He originally performed with the band the System before moving on to have a successful solo career. He later performed with The Silver Bullet Band, which is his most famous group collaboration. Some of his most successful albums are Night Moves and Beautiful Loser. Some of his greatest hit singles are Hollywood Nights, Old Time Rock and Roll, which became recognized as one of the songs of the 21st century, Beautiful Loser, Turn the Page and Against the Wind. In 2004 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He has worked with other musicians and co-wrote the Eagles hit song Heartache Tonight.

Cat Stevens song Katmandu is from the 1970 album Mona Bone Jakon. He is known for his folk songs, and also for his transition to Islam and name change to Yusuf Islam, which he now goes by. He was born in England and began his career in London. He achieved great popularity in the 1970s with hit songs such as Wild World, Trouble, Peace Train, Matthew and Son and Moon Shadow. With his conversion to Islam he left the music scene and devoted his life to religion and humanitarian efforts. He has won many awards for his efforts and is recognized as a major social figure. He has returned to performing and now plays under the name Yusuf Islam.

Nepal in Western Pop Culture is a post from: Bob Travel

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Many people travel to the state of Rajasthan because of the color.  Carrying the reputation as India’s most vibrant and colorful regions, evidence of this is all around, in the textiles and the crafts of the people of the state.  Markets are a fabulous venue for finding what ever it is one needs or wants, and the concierge at ones luxury hotels Rajasthan will have many options for one to choose from, and will often know the best spots to go for variety and for bargain shopping.  One of the signature forms of the artisans of this region is the art of block printing on the materials such as shawls, scarves, and clothing.  The blocks are finely carved works of art in and of themselves, a tradition that immigrated from Gujarat and then on through the other cities such as Jaipur, Pali and Barmer.  Traditional techniques involve the use of dye made from vegetables, however today, many of the artists do use chemically produced dyes.

The popular designs for this printing are those of animals, figures, birds and goddesses and gods.  This is an art form that requires attention to detail and accuracy and is known as one of the most arduous and time consuming forms of arts and crafts produced in the region.  The material is spread out flat, and the ink is applied to the blocks.  Enough ink must be on the blocks to allow the artist to make the continuous and interweaving patterns.  The ink prints are then usually covered in a wax substance to protect the integrity of the design while the material is being dyed.  The final stages involve the washing of the work, the sun drying of it, and then the ironing.  Some of the printers coming to the city have brought with them techniques and designs, and floral block prints are now becoming a popular design as well, in the markets throughout the state of Rajasthan.

The Famous Prints of Rajasthan is a post from: Bob Travel

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Walking through the streets of Melbourne is a fantastic way to soak in the charm and the vibrant edginess of this Australian city.  The diversity surrounds one as the neighborhoods and the architecture, from a pre-colonial Victorian era Melbourne luxury hotel, to the trendy punk rock club just next door.  One of the most trendy, alternative and artistic neighborhoods is Fitzroy.  Much as in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago or the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco, Fitzroy is where the bohemian cultures live and work.  There are many theaters and galleries located along the streets and this section of Melbourne provides most of the venues for the Melbourne Fringe Festival each year.  The festival runs through the entire month of September with plays, art openings and musical shows happening throughout the days and nights.

One of the most happening streets in Fitzroy, is Brunswick Street.  There are many quirky second hand stores, antiques shops and book stores.  Murals decorate the walls of the buildings, and the street is home to many artists, who often have the doors of their studios open and welcome those coming through looking at their work.  There is an open air market that takes place each Saturday, the Rose Street Market of artists, wherein one can find treasures amongst the works of more than seventy of Melbourne’s artists and clothing designers.  And of course, there are many bars, pubs and coffee shops, that are busy just about every hour of the day, and night.  One may find an all day breakfast restaurant in the neighborhood, and the nightlife is hopping.  Gertrude Street is famous for retro-clothing stores and contemporary art galleries.  Many speciality book stores are located on Gertrude, and there is here as well, many choices in restaurants and cafes.  Smith and Johnston Streets are a haven for vegetarians, as the variety of cuisine ranges from whole foods, to Moroccan to Greek and Mid Eastern.  This is also the Spanish sector of Melbourne, so the tapas and the flamenco shows are abundant.  This is one neighborhood that has quite a bit to offer in such a small area.

The Funky Fitzroy Neighborhood of Melbourne is a post from: Bob Travel

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Menorca has so many things to recommend it as a splendid place to spend a vacation, that it would be impossible to list them all, but it is certain that the best Menorca hotels have all the bases covered.  Whatever your desires for the perfect holiday, you can certainly find them fulfilled here.  Our hotels have luxurious accommodations and a very good dose of local flavor, so that all members of the family will find something here.  Adventure, exploring, sun and sand, excellent food, or rejuvenation of the body and mind, all of these are within reach.  Menorca has a reputation for excellent snorkling, a marvelously healthy island vibe, and an immensely fascinating prehistory.

One of the prehistoric cultures here, the Talayots, was named for the towers that greeted visitors.  Every villa had them, and they all face southeast or southwest.  Archeologists recently started to suggest that these were built with another reason: to observe the Southern Cross.  It’s entirely likely, since this would have been a unique point to observe this constellation at the time.

This is just an example of the fascinating marvels of Menorca, and there are many.  Enough that archeologist William Waldren would devote many years, and many pages of academic writing, to the mysteries here.  Waldren, who passed in 2003, was by all accounts a fascinating character.  A real renaissance man, he was an accomplished artist, and a champion figure skater, before he pursued his doctoral degree from Oxford when he was fifty years old.  Waldren was also supported by Earthwatch when it was just a fledgling organization.   An expert on the prehistoric cultures and artifacts here, his memory lies somewhere in these old stones.

William Waldren digs Menorca is a post from: Bob Travel

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Barcelona Spain is recognized as one of the most prominent cities in the world. It is well known for its arts scene, architecture and various financial and commercial trading businesses. It has many lush parks that contribute to a relaxed, romantic feel to this historic city. It is also positioned on the Mediterranean coast, which provides for great views and water access. The luxury Barcelona hotels also contribute to a fabulous vacation, and the city attracts numerous tourists every year. There are historical buildings, which also serve as city landmarks and testify to the diverse and interesting history of Barcelona, was well as the rest of Spain.

Many of the buildings date back for centuries, some were even constructed during the era of the Roman Empire. There are various neighborhoods, or districts in Barcelona that are known for their particular architectural styles and historical relevance. The Eixample District is highly representative of the Modernist movement and it is where many of the buildings designed by the renown architect Antonio Gaudi. The Gothic Quarter is another area, which is commonly accepted to be the old town Barcelona. Many of these buildings date from medieval times, though some of them are ancient.

The arts scene is just as rich and diverse as its architectural scene. There have been a great number of artists that have lived in, been born in, or were drawn too Barcelona. There are many museums, and some of them have an international reputation. Pablo Picasso has a museum dedicated to his works. The theatre, dance, music and other performance oriented scenes in Barcelona are diverse and progressive. Madrid is another city in Spain that is rich in history and has an incredible theatre scene. The Teatre Lliure, Teatre Tivoli and Teatre Poliorama are just three of the many prominent performance companies the city can boast of.

Barcelona Architecture and the Arts is a post from: Bob Travel

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To hold reservations for a hotel in Bali, Indonesia is a fantastic gift.  It portends a great deal of pleasure in the near future, where comfort and luxury are promised in a place where the good life is a practice and not an ideal.  The hotels here are excellent combinations of tradition and innovation, providing guests with cutting-edge amenities in an aura of island hospitality, where gracefulness is a value.  There are splendid opportunities to participate in activities that are fun for the whole family, and there is also a night life here that is really extraordinary.

Bali is an Indonesian island that has a long history of cultural diversity.  The contemporary Bali blends indigenous culture with Chinese and Indian influences, and this is evident in the performing and visual arts.  Visitors here should try to see some traditional and contemporary works of Balinese dance, as these styles are amazing spectacles that will stay in the memory for a long time.  One of Bali’s most famous dancers is Ni Wade Pujawati whose artistic credentials extend throughout the world, having performed in the U.S. and Europe.

Ni Made Pujawati was born in Bali, and used to sneak away to study dancing at night, until her family saw her perform, and then started to support her choice of life’s direction.  She studied at both the Indonesian Conseratory of Music and the Indonesian Institute of Arts, where she learned many aspects of performance, with a focus in dance.  She is currently based in London, where she operates her aptly named organization, Balinesedance, which is devoted to promoting Indonesian dance forms all over the world.  There are performances all over the world by Ni Made Pujawati, in Balinese and Javanese dance, as well as Balinese theatre.  Her work is increasingly more cross-cultural, and she works to make Balinese dance more accessible to “western” audiences.

Bali’s Ni Made Pujawati is a post from: Bob Travel

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The Bronx Borough in New York is a work of dichotomy.  Wildlife surrounded by ruins, an area that has produced world class athletes and artists, as well as the Mafia and the corrupt forces of law.  This has been a melting pot of all that is good and all that is bad.  There are those that canoe down the rivers, and those that use the Bronx as a location when shooting movies about war torn foreign countries.  American actor Chazz Palminteri grew up on the streets filled with gangster owned restaurants and hotels.  New York, USA has been the American location that myths and legends are made.  During the late 50′s and early 60′s Palminteri was growing up in a city that was becoming more crime ridden and deadly.  The Bronx was in moral and societal decay.  He had the opposing forces of a father that worked hard to make an honest living, and the wiseguys in his neighborhood making large incomes on such activities as gambling, drugs and prostitution.

However, there is one school in the Bronx, that has been attended by some of the greats such as Neil Simon, and Richard Rodgers, and is the school that Palminteri attended.  The school has a reputation for supporting artistic endeavours.  Palminteri created a play called aptly, “A Bronx Tale”, a story of a young man growing up in such an environment as the Bronx, just as he had.  And through mutual acquaintances Palmenteri got his chance.  A man, Peter Gatien, through interactions at a local disco in the 1980′s, came into contact with Palminteri, and agreed to bankroll his project of the play.   By 1993 the play had met with commercial and critical success, and enough backing had been made to turn the play into a screenplay.  Robert DeNiro signed on to direct the film and also to portray the hard working, honest father character.  This film continues to be acclaimed and is a comprehensive story, one of the legends of the great city of New York.

Chazz Palminteri, Son of the Bronx, New York, USA is a post from: Bob Travel

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