Art and Soul

Categories: Architecture · Art · Dublin · Europe · Ireland · TravelTags: · · · · · ·

The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) is housed in what was formerly the Kilmainham Hospital. Built in the 1680s as one of Ireland’s Classical-style buildings modelled after Les Invalides in Paris, it is considered the finest 17th century building in the country. The hospital was handed to the Free State in 1922 and served as headquarters for Garda from 1930 to 1950. It was beautifully renovated in 1991 and reopened as IMMA. Christ Church Cathedral as it stands, is a 19th century restoration of what was originally a wooden church. Dublin’s first church was founded here in 1028 by…

New York Minute

Categories: Accommodations · Architecture · New York · Travel · USATags: · · ·

Well, it was more than a minute – closer to 5,700 minutes or an extended long weekend – of food debauchery in the gastronomic capital of New York City. What brought me here this time (not that one needs an excuse to be in this city) was primarily a reunion with dear friends from the old University days. Stories were told, bottles of wine were consumed and laughter all around while we reminisce and remember how we have always enjoyed each other’s company. [The food debauchery will be detailed in the next post.] I tried out a different hotel for this trip,…

Musei Vaticani

Categories: Architecture · Art · Italy · Rome · TravelTags: · · · · · ·

The astounding Sistine Chapel, the apartments frescoed by Fra Angelico, Raphael, and Pinturicchio, some ten museums that include collections of Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan, and Roman antiquities, the renaissance and modern art, and the lush gardens — all make up the magnificent Musei Vaticani. Be prepared to be awestruck!  It will take one at least two hours to see and appreciate many of the works. It is advisable to purchase your ticket online in advance to avoid the queues and it is usually less crowded by mid-afternoon.  

Tutto Bene

Categories: Architecture · Art · Florence · Italy · TravelTags: · · · · · 1 Comment

“All is good“. Well, it is more than good! For serious art lovers, Florence is delightful and inspiring. I had to go back to my two favourite art institutions – the Uffizi Gallery and Galleria dell’Academia. Nothing beats making a reservation for both galleries in advance. For an extra 4EUR fee for each ticket, one gets to bypass the long queues. The Uffizi was uncrowded at 8:30 in the morning, which rewarded me with some serious solo time with the gallery’s masterpieces that included Boticelli’s Birth of Venus, Michaelangelo‘s Tondo Doni, and Piero della Francesca’s portraits of the Duke and Duchess…

MCASD

Categories: Art · California · Carlsbad · San Diego · USATags: · · · · ·

The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego  was founded in 1941 and  has a collection of more than 4,000 works created after 1950 in its location in La Jolla, California  and it’s second location in downtown San Diego. The MCASD reflects an artistic program that encourages promising emerging artists and recognizes mid-career artists whose works need more visibility.

According to What?

Categories: Art · Canada · Toronto · TravelTags: · · · · 2 Comments

Ai WeiWei’s current exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) in Toronto is a powerful yet emotional, at times, commentary on society. Modern art that is relevant and one can easily relate to. The exhibit runs until Oct. 27, 2013 and is highly recommended. The Snake Ceiling is made of backpacks to commemorate the more than 5,000 school children who were killed due to the collapse of the shoddily constructed schools in the May 2008 massive earthquake in China’s Sichuan province. Moon Chest is comprised of seven chests made from quince trees. The circular openings align to show every…