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Exhibitions Worth the Trip: Venice Biennale

kelly — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 06:09:53 +0000

Image: Giorgio Zucchiatti Courtesy: la Biennale di Venezia.

Venice is well known for its wealth of art and architecture that inhabit the floating city, but did you know that contemporary artists live there, as well? At least, temporarily. From June 1 through November 24, 2013, Venice will hold the 55th Esposizione Internazionale d’Arte, or better known as the Venice Biennale to the English-speaking world. The exhibition of art began in 1895 and is held every other year (on odd years.) Today, it showcases artists selected from around the globe to represent their country and is regarded as a premier showcase of contemporary art.

the show

The exhibit is really a festival of exhibits, held in two main locations, the Giardini and the Arsenale, as well as varied satellite exhibits throughout Venice. To give you an idea of the sheer scale, here is map of the 2011 exhibition locations. If you’re interested in the artists who are joining this year, the website, Universes in Universe is compiling a useful list of artists and pavillions.

Another key feature of the Biennale is the International Exhibit, curated by the show’s director, a role filled this year by art world darling*, Massimilano Gioni, Associate Director and Director of Exhibitions of the New Museum in New York City. This year’s theme is entitled Il Palazzo Enciclopedico or Encyclopedia Palace and references the work of an Italian-American artist, Marino Auriti, who filed a patent in 1955 to create the Palazzo, an imaginary museum to house all knowledge. Gioni seeks to exhibit contemporary art alongside historical artifacts and found objects under this theme and creates “a reflection on the ways in which images have been used to organize knowledge and shape our experience of the world.”

This year's visual art exhibition is just one component of many under the auspices of the Biennale Foundation. Events are also held for film, drawing the attention of Hollywood stars, as well as architecture, directed next year by superstar architect, Rem Koolhaus. Even if you can't make it to Venice on an odd year, there's surely a Biennale around the corner.

Image: Fritz Lamaña Ruppmann.

the location

The Giardini was the handiwork of Napoleon, who saw himself using the nearby Arsenale as a port for his fleet and created the adjoining gardens. When transportation shifted from boats to train with the addition of rail in 1841, the once central district shifted to be more of a ceremonial one. Coupled with the gardens awkward design, the area was poised to be the home for art exhibits beginning in 1851, which redefined its role as a modern space contrasting the traditional St. Marks square. The Giardini’s temporary use has been problematic over the year and left it as a threat to vandalism and misuse. The city, however, strives to find a use for the Giardini and the pavillions that have been built over the years, alternating between art and architecture since 1975. (Read more about its history on the website, art and education.)

The Arsenale, however, has a much longer history being that it was the center of Venice’s shipbuilding operations and the seat of the republic’s naval power. Since the navy’s move to Ancona after the Second World War, the use of the Arsenale has been in a state of limbo, and just last month the city of Venice was given a majority share of the location to develop for further cultural activities. Nearby, the Naval History Museum provides you the history of the area’s previous glory.

while you're there

If you decide to visit during the Biennale and have contemporary art on your mind, there are a few places throughout the Veneto that would be of interest. During the fall, both Verona and Padova are hosting art shows that would allow two decidedly different takes on contemporary art at ArtVerona (October 10-14, 2013) and ArtePadova (November 15-18, 2013,) respectively. You could also take in local artists in Vicenza at Trastevere in Arte Vicenza, which looks to be a local art fair that took a hiatus last year, but has plans to return in 2013. As for exhibits, it's difficult to find venues that have announced future shows in advance, but if you head to Padova, check Padova Cultura or Xearte for some ideas.

*I read an entire article that referred to how much he looked like Cary Grant as frequently as it discussed his curatorial chops. The art world seems to be smitten with him. Looks aside, I think his quote on contemporary art alone (from a recent WSJ article) should eclipse his darling status.

"We need to remind ourselves that contemporary art is first of all a form of conceptual gymnastics, in which we learn to coexist with what we don't understand."—Massimiliano Gioni

Details:

Where: Venice, Italy
Website: http://www.labiennale.org/en/art/
When to Visit: June 1 - November 24, 2013.

Festivals of the Season: Lantern Floating in Honolulu, Hawaii

austin — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 05:45:02 +0000

Image: absolutMad.

Going to Hawaii is often an exercise in rest and relaxation, full of beaches, good food, and beautiful weather. Somehow, we've discovered yet another reason to visit the islands, one that can help bring you some spiritual healing and inner peace. Our newest festival of the season is the Lantern Floating in Honolulu, Hawai'i, a yearly celebration that honors people who we've lost, giving attendees a chance to reflect, remember, and heal.

The Lantern Floating is the Hawaiian version of the Japanese Tōrō nagashi cememony, where, traditionally, white paper lanterns are floated down a river in remembrance of loved ones that were lost over the past year. In Honolulu, every Memorial Day at Ala Moana Beach Park, Hawaiians combine the sunset view with the light from thousands of tiny floating lanterns in a visually striking display of remembrance. Seeing, or participating in the floating, would be a great way to make an already beautiful evening more memorable.

The Hawaiian festival is sponsored by the Na Lei Aloha Foundation, a local Buddhist organization who continues this tradition with an event complete with music and spectacle. Even though this event is short, just an hour and a half, I think it would be a perfect excuse to break out of the typical "relax on the beach" mentality and open yourself up to some spiritual fulfillment. Or, at the very least, just take the opportunity to see a more personal side of the people of Hawaii. To get a sense of what the Lantern Floating is like, check out the entirety of the 2010 event in this series of videos.

Details:

Where: Ala Moana Beach Park in Honolulu, Hawaii
Website: http://www.lanternfloatinghawaii.com/
When to Visit: May 27, 2013 6pm - 7:30pm
Map:

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Desktop Calendar: March 2013

kelly — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 19:12:13 +0000

Happy March!
This month we created a desktop calendar featuring Chioggia, Italy, a small town just outside of Venice in the Veneto. It was the perfect spot for a long walk on a Sunday afternoon made complete with people watching and a spritz, a cocktail made of bitter Aperol, with Prosecco and slice of orange. Want to see more? Take a virtual walk with us with a photo tour. A virtual passeggiata, if you will.

And, as always, feel free to put this travel inspiration on your desktop or iPhone. Just choose the size that best fits your screen!

Enjoy!

Artsmart Roundtable: Richard Serra's Band Sculpture

kelly — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 18:03:44 +0000

Art Smart

Nothing beats being in front of a work of art. Sometimes these works travel to you, in exhibits and to museums nearby. Other times, you've got to travel to the work itself, which is definitely the case when it comes to the work of Richard Serra. His over-sized works made of steel are often site-specific and their installation alone is labor intensive. These aren't works that travel and that's ok. Because, after all, it's a good excuse to get out there in the world and see it for yourself. Serra can give you an excuse to travel to Spain, the Hudson River Valley, Qatar, or, in this case, my latest Serra sighting was in Los Angeles at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art when I came face-to-face with Band (2006).

Many of Serra's works only make sense in-context. Less so in the LACMA's case, where his sculpture Band sits in an oversized white gallery. However, its installation, in tandem with the building's construction itself may very well have been a part of the building's design. You'd have to make sure you had a room large enough to house it, after all.
The size alone of one of Serra's works is a reason to travel. You simple cannot get a sense of it from a photo. It's towering and the presence of its hefty weight is ominous. Offset only by the undulating forms that for a moment, make you forget that you're standing next to or slightly underneath a slab of steel that could crush you alive.

Another aspect of Serra's work that can only be perceived in person is its texture. The smooth edges contrast with the rough, porous surfaces. The marks made from the oil of wandering hands who can't help but touch. These are all qualities that you can't appreciate from afar, because you can't see them.

Band at LACMA may be an obvious example of art that must be experienced in person. But really, any art should be an excuse alone to travel. Get out there, stand in front of it, and gain a new perspective.

Art Smart

Art Smart is a virtual roundtable discussion with other bloggers who love exactly what I do, art and travel. This month's topic is art worth travelling for. To find some more sources of inspiration, check out these posts:
Christine of Daydream Tourist: A Day in Medieval Europe at the Cloisters
Murissa at The Wanderfull Traveler Art Worth Traveling For in Rural Italy
Erin of A Sense of Place: Wait, You Want Me to Go to Liverpool to See Art?
Lesley at Culture Tripper: The power and the glory of San Vitale, Ravenna
Jenna of This is My Happiness: Art Exhibitions in 2013: Art Worth Traveling For
Jeff of EuroTravelogue: Traveling for the Love of Art

Carry-On Essentials: LUSH Cosmetics Solid Toiletries

kelly — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:20:15 +0000

Enter the airport security line. Sweater off. Shoes, laptop, and boarding pass tucked carefully into a gray bin. Now where's that bag? You know the bag, it's the one bursting at the seams. The one that's holding three ounces of every liquid you hold near and dear, and you're hoping makes it into the bin without destroying the seal. Ever since the liquid ban, that bag has frustrated me. Frustrated that I have to keep half of my toiletries in a separate place, and worried that I might forget to put that tube of toothpaste in its proper, TSA-approved home rather than where I carried it for years in my toiletry bag. It's that bag, alone, that often makes me want to check my bag. So, I decided to simplify and went solid. Fewer liquid products means I can put things where they should go and forget about it. It also means that bag has never been bursting at the seams again. If you can't change the system, you can at least beat it. Carry on reading to discover some products that will make you carry-on ready for your next trip.

When I went to lighten my liquid stash, I headed straight to LUSH cosmetics. Known for their environmentally-friendly stance, they've been reformulating their products for years to create minimal packaging and that means that their array of solid toiletries is second to none.

for the skin

Full of Grace and Ultrabalm.

Moisturizer is a must, especially after a long dehydrating flight. Two of my favorites solid varieties to pack are the solid bar,Full of Grace ($13.95,) which is surprisingly emollient after you warm it between your hands. Perfect for your nightly regime or a post-sun soothe. On the flight itself, you can't go wrong with Ultrabalm ($13.95,) a solid tin that's a mix of candelilla wax, rose wax, and jojoba oil that perfect for hands, lips, cuticles, and anything else. It even smoothes a stray hair or two.

Solid Perfume.

If good scents are what you're after, LUSH also has a range of solid perfumes from their Gorilla Perfume Line. These small twist-up sticks make for easy application and, in a pinch, can double as lip balm. My favorite scent is B Scent ($12.95.)

for the hair

Solid Shampoo and Conditioner.

Solid shampoos and conditioners are a godsend, but are only tricky for travel if you intend to move accommodations nightly. Allowing them to air-dry is ideal, but the storage tins work fine for transporting them in less than ideal situations. While shampoos are super simple to use (my favorite? Godiva, $10.95), the conditioner takes some adjustment. But once you learn the proper amount for your hair (a little goes a long way), the scent of Jungle Conditioner ($7.95) alone will make you want to toss your liquid conditioners at home, as well.

You might need to pick up some tins to hold your new solids. And heck you might even need a whole new toiletry bag. So be sure to check out our suggestions for eight great toiletry bags, as well.

gear

toiletries

Global Grub: Pickles

austin — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 08:07:37 +0000

Image: mofoods.

What's a pickle to a traveler? Is it merely a snack, or an accompaniment to a great meal? Pickles are, in fact, much more than that. From vinegary pickles to preserved lemons, they are the oldest method of preserving food, a showcase for local food culture, and they reflect what's abundant and loved in an area. They also play the perfect companion to meals of all sorts, calming spicy curries, adding a crisp bite to a sandwich, or acting as a palette cleanser between bites. To help you find your perfect pickle when you're on the road, we're going to take you on a quick world tour of pickles, to help you know how to find a pickled treat no matter where you are.

North America

Image: jastrow.

For Americans, it's hard to think of pickles without evoking the ever popular kosher dill pickle. These crispy, vinegary, garlicky cucumber pickles are forever linked to New York City delis, although their popularity has spread far and wide. Be sure to keep an eye out for the kosher's lesser known, but just as tasty, full sour cucumber pickle, which gets its sour flavor from fermentation, rather than vinegar. In the southern United States, pickled watermelon rind is a popular treat that helps beat the heat with its sweet and tangy flavor. However, it can't outshine the bizarrely colored koolickle, cucumber pickles colored & flavored with varieties of Kool-Aid, invented at a Mississippi grocery store. Cucumber pickles in different, radioactive colors are quite jarring, although this riff on the concept with red pickled mango seems a bit more palatable.

Europe

In Russian culture, pickling has been an important, and downright essential, part of their culinary culture throughout history. Pickled tomatoes (Помидоры солёные), a brined and fermented concoction, are a popular part of many Russian meals. Try these salty bites with a fried potato, if you get a chance. Further south, Italians often enjoy a vegetable appetizer (antipasto) comprised of cauliflower, carrots and onions pickled in a red or white wine vinegar. These tangy little bites are a great way to hold you over until food is ready. As a side note, Italian immigrants brought these to the United States, where they now top Italian subs nationwide and muffalletas in New Orleans.

Middle East

Pickles are a significant part of middle eastern food, with just about every locally-grown fruit and vegetable finding its way into a brine. In Lebanon, pickled turnips, or kabees el lift, are cut into strips and marinated briefly in vinegar, accompanied by beets for color. They're eaten as an appetizer or as a crisp accompaniment to a bigger meal; I always look forward to a chance to snap into them whenever I have a chance. Pickles aren't only appetizers, Amba is a tangy pickled mango condiment popular in Iraqi and Israeli cuisines.

Southeast Asia

Image: a-culinary-photo-journal.

In all of the different varied cuisines scattered around southeast Asia, the pickle is a constant. While recipes and tastes differ, you're always able to find a pickled something to cut the spice (or add to it.) In the Philippines, you can find a sweet and sour pickle called astara (or achara) made out of many different vegetables. However, pickled green papaya is the most common variety, and is eaten alongside many different Filipino dishes. Another popular pickle variety you will see throughout Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore is acar, a spicy pickle of assorted vegetables that pairs well with a spicy curry. (The name acar is a remnant of Dutch word augurk, thanks to colonial rule in the area.) If you've ever eaten a bahn mi sandwich, you've probably tasted a Vietnamese staple, do chua. This sweet and spicy combination of carrots and daikon radish are ever present and paired with a wide variety of dishes.

Asia

There are few greater lovers of pickles than the Koreans and Japanese, with pickles showing up at almost every meal. One hard-to-miss Korean pickle is called danmuji, which is a sweet, tangy crunchy pickled daikon radish. You can find it whole or sliced thinly, but you will almost always find it colored a bright yellow. Like I said, it's hard to miss. Danmuji can be enjoyed by itself (like most good pickles) or as a key ingredient in kimbap and is served alongside the noodle dish jajangmyeon. Finally, there is a Japanese pickle unlike the ones you've seen before, the umeboshi. The sour & salty preserved fruit of the ume tree, umeboshi come in hard and softer varieties; the softer ones tend to be less salty and more "fruity." These preserved fruits aren't eaten whole like other pickles, instead they are usually mixed into rice or other food to add a kick to the flavor.

This is but a mere sampling of the world of pickles, just waiting to be tasted. What's your favorite pickle you've found abroad?

food

Exhibitions Worth the Trip: David Bowie is

kelly — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 08:07:15 +0000

Album cover shoot for Aladdin Sane. Image: © Duffy Archive.

2013 just may be the year of David Bowie. Not only does he have a new album coming out, but he also has a retrospective this year at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. If you're a fan, you may want to book a trip to London this spring or summer to immerse yourself in all things Bowie. But don't hesitate, the exhibition David Bowie is, featuring over 300 objects from the David Bowie Archive, is only open until July 28, 2013.

The Archer Station to Station tour. Image: © John Robert Rowlands.

the exhibit

The curators at the Victoria Albert Museum, Victoria Broackes and Geoffrey Marsh take us on a tour inside of Bowie's creative process from song conception to concert tour and every step in between. The exhibit begins with Bowie's backstory and his early influences, including records from artists such as Little Richard. It then steps into his creative processes, inspiration, and techniques by examining instruments, footage and handwritten lyrics. It also wouldn't be a Bowie show without attention paid to his stage personas; here they observe alter-egos Ziggy Stardust and The Thin White Duke (pictured above) as a cultural critique. The conception of a performance is also examined through an extensive look at the creation of the 1974 Diamond Dogs tour. Lastly, the exhibit looks at our perception of Bowie through his portraits and his impact on the music world. Rather than viewing Bowie merely as a musical phenomenon, it seems like the V&A has taken great strides to examine Bowie as an artist and creator. Alongside the exhibition, they've also produced an accompanying exhibition catalog. (Available on Amazon for $31.77)

David Bowie and William Burroughs. Image: Courtesy of The David Bowie Archive 2012. Image © V&A Images.

the museum

The Victoria & Albert Museum holds the largest collection of decorative arts in the world. The sheer size of their collection may be their strength, but the breadth of their collection is far and wide, from costumes to photography, decorative art to paintings. I could go on, but I'll let the museum show you its collection in this video, 20 Great Reasons to Visit the V&A.

more music ideas for London

And while you're there (and if music is your thing,) both the Royal Academy of Music Museum and Royal College of Music Museum may be worth a visit for their instrument collections and temporary exhibitions. Catching a live show wouldn't be a bad idea either. Larger venues such as O2 Academy Brixton and The O2 bring big name acts, and KOKO or The Forum might be a good pick for a more intimate music experience. And all this Bowie talk makes me want to go record shopping, so a visit to one of London's record shops would be a lovely way to spend an afternoon. Check out Londonist's list of record shops for a few ideas.

Festivals of the Season: Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival in Louisiana

austin — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 08:06:56 +0000

Forget Mardi Gras, May is the prime time of year for visiting Louisiana. The weather is heating up, snoball stands are open, farmers markets are in full swing, and crawfish are at their peak. With crawfish season, comes the mother of all crawfish festivals, the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. Held the first weekend every May, it's a three-day celebration of crawfish, cajun food, and culture. On our vist, we throughly enjoyed feasting on a variety of cajun cuisine, as well as taking in the spectacle set to the soundtrack of zydeco music and want to share why it's well worth planning a trip.

The Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival is three parts county fair and one big part food festival. After all, within easy view of the crawfish eatin' tent is a big, brightly colored ferris wheel. People from all around crowd in to enjoy a bevy of different crawfish foods: Crawfish Étouffée, Crawfish Pies, Crawfish Poboys, Crawfish Dogs, Crawfish Jambalaya, Crawfish Macque Choux, Fried Crawfish Balls, Crawfish Nachos...the list goes on. Plus, there are other local favorites like boudin, cracklins, and not to mention daiquiris. If you're looking to sample Louisiana flavors, it's a great opportunity to sample a wide variety of foods. But, you might need to bring along a friend to help with the tasting.

When we visited the crawfish festival back in May of 2011, the area was in the midst of a mini heatwave. But the extra warmth was a welcome partner in the festivities. Eating spicy crawfish felt way more satisfying with a good sweat on my brow. It just felt right. The crawfish boil itself was a lively, social experience. Sitting around wide, communal tables, Kelly and I peeled and sucked our way through a pound of bright, red crawfish. People sat down to join us, paused to chat between bites, or simply inquired as to where the heck they could get some of their own. (I must have looked like I knew what I was doing, despite the fact that I was struggling to peel the shells to my own meal.) However, the talking was a welcome diversion. If we hadn't had some friendly conversation, the meal would have ended a lot more quickly and we wouldn't have taken the time to savor the flavor, the heat, and the atmosphere.
Even after we had finished off our share of crawfish, we were able to keep the heat at bay with several select beverages from the daiquiri stand, not to mention some truly excellent lemonade. When combined with quick, rhythmic pace of the zydeco band, it was hard not to get sucked into the fun of the festival. Topping off the music was an older couple, Pete and Helen Drago, who were a constant on the dance floor. Complete in their matching, crawfish print suit and dress, they danced tirelessly no matter what the song. While other couples would fade in and out of the dance area, these two kept up their relentless, perfectly tuned pace. It wouldn't have been as nearly as festive without them.

All in all, this was a great festival to visit since we were relative newbies to Louisiana food at the time. If you're itching to get a taste for yourself, it's well worth adding to your itinerary, especially if you're on a food centered journey. There are countless food festivals, restaurants, and snoball stands to explore and enjoy all around the state. So start researching! If you want to learn more about Louisiana food, so you will know the difference between jambalaya and étouffée, for the next time you're in bayou country, check out our article here.

Details:

Where: Parc Hardy in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana
Website: http://bbcrawfest.com
When to Visit: May 3rd - 5th, 2013
Map:

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food

louisiana

Design Nerds: Trip Planning Ideas from Around the Web (2/8/13)

kelly — Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:39:54 +0000

When it comes to travel, traditional guides offer little value to the niche interest. They won't tell you where to find all the record shops in San Francisco, or where you might find a letterpress print to add to your collection, and they certainly won't tell you to bring hot sauce home as a souvenir. And that's ok, because honestly, you don't want a guidebook's suggestion for something they're completely unable to provide. You want someone who's interested, plugged-in, and just as obsessed as you are. You want a nerd. We've decided to help you out every month by featuring a different theme and a selection of our favorite inspiration from around the web with ideas for travel in mind.

This month, we've gone with the topic of design and we've found experts that will help you find where to go shopping for home goods in Melbourne, discover the perfect graphic installation to photograph, footsteps to follow in Paris, and a blog that will keep you exposed to all aspects of Japanese design. Be prepared, however, because after reading any of these sites, you might just start planning a trip.

The Design Files Daily, australia

If you find yourself heading to Melbourne, be sure to check out this design blog's retail section for coverage of cute shops for anything from books to housewares. Just from perusing I'm already intrigued by the creativity of Melbournites and ready to plan an afternoon of retail therapy.

Graphic Ambient, worldwide

An archive of environmental graphics from around the world. This is a fun, colorful browse and it may give you a place you want to travel to, even if it is to just see that gorgeous sign installation.

Hindsvik Blog, paris

I love when a blog shares their adventures with you. Canadian home decor and furniture shopkeepers, Daniel Garbutt and Valeria Herner of Hindsvik Shop, have been sharing their stories of a recent trip to Paris. Head over to find the perfect inspiration for ideas of where to visit and shop on a design-lovers trip to Paris.

Spoon & Tamago, japan

A topical blog on all things Japan and design, Spoon & Tamago, may not tell you exactly where to go, but it's a great site to fuel your wanderlust through its coverage of all aspects of Japanese design.

Check back next month, for a new nerd topic. Have a topic or interest to suggest? Leave a comment or send (contact@travellious.com) us a suggestion and we'll track down some finds for you!

Exhibitions Worth the Trip: In the Light of Amarna

kelly — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 21:21:51 +0000

Before planning a trip to the pyramids, lovers of ancient Egypt should instead consider a trip to Berlin. This spring, the city's beloved Egyptian, Nefertiti, is having a special celebration. Until April 13, 2013, the Neues Museum is honoring the 100 years since her discovery in Amarna with a special exhibit, In the Light of Amarna. 100 Years of the Nefertiti Discovery.

the exhibit

Queen Nefertiti's bust, a popular attraction in its own right is shown within its historical context, with many of 1,300 objects being displayed for the first time. These include sculptural fragments, jewelry, pots and vessels, along with religious objects. And in addition to appreciate the beauty of the works, one can also gain a better understanding of the civilization from which the sculpture was born. Not only is Amarna brought into focus, but the object as well, shown alongside other similar works from the period, including the bust of her husband, Pharaoh Akhenaten, recently restored. Lastly, the exhibit addresses the circumstances that brought Nefertiti and her companions to Berlin in the first place, the 1911-1914 excavations led by German, Ludwig Borchardt.

the museum

The Neues Museum, opened in 2009, brings together the collections of the The Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection, the Museum of Prehistory and Early History and various artifacts from the Collection of Classical Antiquities under one roof. If antiquities are your passion, this is the place to visit.

more spots for archaeology in Berlin

Pergamon Museum The reconstructed Pergamon alter from Greece as well as the Ishtar Gate from Babylon are two highlights of this varied collection of antiquities from across the globe.
Altes Museum Visit for classical antiquites of Greek, Roman and Etruscan origin.
Bode-Museum Home of the Numismatic Collection of over 500,000 coins from around the globe
Ethnological Museum This space houses art and artifacts that span the globe.