Bob Travel

Canberra, the capital city of Australia is literally a city built within a park.  This city was intricately planned and designed, as very few of the cities of the world are.  Consequently, one will be constantly surrounded by the seasons, be it the gold and red of autumn, or the colors of the rainbow in spring and summer or snow capped mountains in the winter.  Quite a bit of the parks contain plants and trees indigenous to the country, so one has the feeling of being in the natural wilderness, even in the middle of a modern and thriving city with boutique shops, trendy bars, and hip restaurants.  Canberra also has many activities for children as well as a full calender throughout the year of festivals, celebrations and events.  artistic city as well, there are many musicians, painters, photographers and writers, that offer tourists a chance to view through the eyes of the local artists, the charm, the beauty and the history of the lovely, little city of Canberra.

The Canberra Museum offers visitors a look at the history and the culture.  The museum also offers classes for adults and for children, in the traditional arts and crafts such as pottery making, jewelry and painting.  One of the markets, if one is interesting in the shopping in the city, that features the artwork, including crafts and furniture is the Old Depot Market open every Sunday.    This is not only a great place to find treasures to bring home, but a great way to mingle and to feel the culture in a very alive and interactive way.  Many of the galleries and museums located in the city offer just that, a look into the way of life of the people who exist here.  Many exhibits and permanent collections offer insight into the political history, the character, and the transformation of the country from an unexplored outback to the multicultural and modern continent it has become.  And for the performing arts, the city is a buzz as well, with regular performances by theater companies, the Australian Ballet and the School of Music.  There is much to discover in this Australian city in the park.

Nam June Paik was born in 1932 in Seoul Korea.  He has studied art history, music and philosophy in Tokyo, at Darmstadt and in Germany, respectively.  He operated the video equipment for Radio Cologne,  a studio that specializes in electronic music.  Throughout the 1960’s and into the 70’s he was the artist in residence for many New York television studios and was associated with the NY group, Fluxus.  This month at the James Cohan Gallery, an exhibit of his most important and innovative works will be presented and should not be missed.  Many of the best restaurants Manhattan offers are in the neighborhood of the gallery, and dinner and show is one of the best ways to spend a New York summer evening.

The exhibition contains his work from the early 1970’s through 1994.  There are sculptures created with video, live feed video installations, and the famous robot sculptures he created.  He is known as the father of the techniques and artistry of the video world.  He has worked with other great video pioneers such as Charlotte Moorman, Joseph Beuys, and John Cage.  He balances technology’s pragmatism with philosophical ideas of Utopia, and is known for the ideas he has inspired over the years in the public masses that cause one to consider objects and reality.

He had long had a scientific interest in electronic and technological communication, which inspired his predictions of the affects technology would one day have on daily life.  Among his concepts, he coined the phrase “electronic super-highway”, before it even existed, foreshadowing and predicting the way that technology connects various cultures and countries throughout the world at high rates of speed.  This was all thought of during the time before the Internet revolution.  Paik passed away in 2006 and will be remembered through his works that he leaves behind and for the ideas he inspired in all of those familiar with the man and his artistry.

Earlier in the day, Seth invited Bev to a picnic, not know if she’d accept, for he just met her last night at a five minute dating event sponsored by a Singapore Fine Dining restaurant. When he sat down at her table, hers being the last for the evening, he instantly fell in love. He did his best to not show it, as to not scare her away. But all it took for Seth was one look into her hazel eyes, her luscious lips and her long brown hair to know this was to be his wife and mother of his children.

The night before, his friends had to drag him kicking and screaming to this new speed dating fad. He didn’t feel like seeing another female for the rest of his life. He had just broken up with the love of his life, or so he thought, but when he found her texting love notes to another man, his heart stop beating, he stopped breathing, he just stopped all together. He didn’t leave the bedroom of his home, he didn’t call into work, he didn’t eat. Seth just stopped. Stopped. His friends, knowing how easily he falls in love, were not too worried about him, they had a plan. One that always works, for this isn’t the first time Seth has stopped being and they know it won’t be his last, but they do know how to make him start again. Another beautiful female. That’s all it takes.

At this moment, Seth has started again as white fluffy clouds form above one puff of fluff at a time, creating what looks like an oddly shaped lizard shadow floating along along with out a care in this world, then disappears up and over a nearby hill.  Black ants busily go to and fro in one continuous line across the picnic blanket to where the opened and almost empty picnic basket is and where the oblivious young and hopelessly in love Seth and his new girlfriend Bev are in the thralls of loves desires. A gentle breeze as taken a fancy to the used napkins carelessly left on top of paper plates stained with the various colors of the food that was earlier placed there and then hastily consumed. Green hills roll around and caress down and around conspiring a form of easy bliss and passion for the young lovers union. Seth is in love, again.

Ibiza is an extremely vibrant island, full of diverse scenic views, outdoor activities and water sports, as well as many cultural heritage icons. One of the essential aspects of the inhabitants’ daily lifestyle is also a tremendous bonus for vacationers. They have an excellent and diverse selection of dining and restaurant options. They cater to tastes for foods from around the world and also special in local favorites. Restaurant Sa Capella is one of the beautifully quaint Ibiza restaurants that serves as an historic landmark as well as a place to enjoy great food. It is located near the popular town of San Antonio, though it is far enough removed from the city that its natural scenic elements are preserved.

The restaurant was originally constructed as a church. It was built in the late 16th century, and retains much of its historical feel. It was built from stone, roughly hewn and is unique looking, particularly from a modern perspective. Its high ceilings, vaulted limestone archways and alcoves lend to its mysterious ambiance and give the patrons the sensation they have stepped back in time. There are also iron chandeliers and wooden beams that add to the rustic feel. The menu is made fresh daily, and includes selections of fresh fish, and the best meats in deliciously delicate sauces. Some of the more popular items include salt encrusted salmon and the baked cod in garlic sauce. There is also a savory desert menu that includes tempting pastries, a unique strawberry soup and coconut mousse. Summer is the busiest tourist season for the island, and many guests enjoy a fabulous appetizer while relaxing on the garden terrace. The specialty is the Belotta Ham, which is the meat of free roaming pigs that were fed on acorns; it is served with a tomato bruschetta. This is definitely one of the more romantic locations to enjoy a sensual Mediterranean twilight.

Washington Square park sits in the center of one of the most noted and respected artist communities, that of Greenwich Village in New York. The history of this square bit of land is extensive, and the beauty of it as it is today only reinforces that history creates character. During the late 18th century it was not a park at all, but the plot of land set aside for a burial ground, just far enough out the city limits to bury those that fell to yellow fever. The park, however not a park yet– was built during the 1820’s, and was constructed for the purpose of a popper’s grave site and the location of public executions, hangings to be exact. And rumor continue to this day, concerning one tree. Urban legends state that the tree is located by the arch while other legends state that is on the opposite end of the park. Allegedly, there are still twenty thousands bodies beneath the soil, under the playgrounds and dog parks and benches. Perhaps in a strange way, that is one reason for the peaceful, yet alive feeling one gets while hanging out, watching and listening to the street performers or taking in the work that the local artists set up to sell on the sidewalk.

During the sixties, popular artists such as Bob Dylan and Jack Kerouac furthered the mystery. Writing songs and poetry about the park, and living in the Village enhanced the mystique and lives on in the culture and the arts of today… creating and producing any artwork in that location at that time is a mystery and romantic notion in and of itself, but the culture of the Beatnik generation established the park during the times, and continues to influence communities today. Countries, such as Singapore, look to these communities and times, trying to assess just why the artistic spirit took off the way it did, and how ‘can we do it again?’ The restaurants of New York, the clubs, and well–the sidewalks, they all were affected by and prospered due to the creative moment and movement of the time. During the 80’s, drug dealers moved in and threatened the people living around the park as well as those visiting. Devices and involvement set in motion by Rudy Giuliani have, over time, given back life to the park, the artistic and creative spirit that has over the years, drawn so many to this small block of Manhattan.

Because of its proximity to New York University, a residential neighborhood, and the stores and clubs of the Greenwich Village, Washington Square Park is a major center of community activity, used by so many different groups use that it has become a microcosm of New York City. In some ways the park’s biggest asset – its popularity – is also its detriment, due to the incredible demand that the heavy use puts on its physical infrastructure. The park’s design encourages activity, with paths laid out so that people cut through it, and facilities to attract people of all ages, including playgrounds, chess area, and a dog run. The central fountain and triumphal arch serve as focal points that create a space for people to gather, see and be seen.