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Archive for art tourism

Man’s Best Friend Unleashed at Sydney Film Festival

By Linda Tancs

Sydney’s film festival has gone to the dogs, as 2010’s theme, Unleashed, suggests. On the festival’s home page you’ll find a pageant of pooches, including Derek the stuntman (or stunt pooch). Well, they do say the festival is open to everyone. Now in its 57th year, it’s one of the longest running festivals. From 2 June to 14 June, you can experience a good share of thrills, chills, passion, humor, action and traction in a variety of venues at the heart of Sydney’s business district and along the harbor. In fact, 150 feature-length films from around 45 countries, including features, documentaries, short films, retrospectives, a silent film presentation, and films for families await you. And with fares at historic lows, you have no reason to bow out of this one.

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The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.

The Four-Footed Van Gogh

By Linda Tancs

Van Gogh remarked, “Keep your love of nature, for that is the true way to understand art more and more.” Who better to love nature than those who dwell in it? I’m talking about members of the animal kingdom, some of which are budding artists at animal arts programs like the one found at Indianapolis Zoo in Indiana. There you can meet and greet your pachyderm Picasso, penguin Pannini or sea lion Storck and take home your own custom masterpiece. The marine animals will paint through May and in autumn; the elephant program runs through October.

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The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.

Another Reason to Visit Paris in Springtime

By Linda Tancs

For the sixth year this Saturday, the currency-challenged can enjoy free access to the museums of Paris. Dubbed La Nuit des Musées (Night of the Museums), the event signifies one day of the year when access to many museums in Paris (and the rest of France) is free for one evening. Among the highlights: for collectors, there’s The National Library of France: Museum of Coins, Medals and Antiques; Petit Palais, where “The History of French Art” is painted on the dome above the circular staircase; Monet’s “Water Lilies” at Musée de l’Orangerie; the 18th century art collection of Cognacq and Jay, founders of La Samaritaine, at Musée Cognacq-Jay; and Parisian history at Musée Carnavalet. Expect long lines.

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The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.

The Triple Crown in Chicago

By Linda Tancs

In the race toward enlightenment, Chicago wins the triple crown thanks to Artropolis, a celebration of art, antiques and culture at The Merchandise Mart beginning on 30 April. Art Chicago will assemble a collection of exhibits in various media such as painting, photography, drawings, prints, sculpture, video and special installations. Highlights this year include special exhibits for top MFA students from across the country, social and political-inspired art, an array of American artworks and nomadic sculptures of Swiss born artist Florian Graf, presented by the Consulate General of Switzerland in Chicago. Other artistic nuggets are waiting for you at the International Antiques Fair, like a coral and gold sea urchin brooch. Now that you don’t see everyday. Next is NEXT, an arts fair presenting contemporary works in all their eye-popping splendor. Tickets are $20 per day or $25 for a multi-day pass through the event’s conclusion on 3 May. The weather will be cookin’ in Cook County this year, so get your tickets while it’s hot.

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The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.

Ireland’s West Celebrates 25 Years of Literature

By Linda Tancs

Dublin has its fair share of authors, poets and playwrights, but Ireland’s literary tradition is equally strong along the western coast.  This year marks the 25th anniversary of Galway’s Cúirt Festival, a celebration of verse that has been previously described as a banquet of writing.  Quite a banquet, indeed, as the event this week welcomes such luminaries as Fread D’Aguair, Naomi Shihab Nye and Dionne Brand.  A highlight will be Colum McCann’s first reading in Ireland since his National Book Award win for Let the Great World Spin.  Budget conscious travelers should look into the sponsoring hotel’s midweek cost cutting offer–that is, if the recent volcanic activity in Iceland doesn’t ruin your plans.

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The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.

The Spectacle of the Everyday

By Linda Tancs

Pablo Picasso famously observed that art washes the dust of everyday life from the soul.  Imagine what he’d think of the 10th edition of the Biennale de Lyon, carrying the theme “The Spectacle of the Everyday.”  The exhibition, running through 3 January 2010, encourages visitors to contemplate art’s place in a world defined by consumption.   Through sculptures, paintings, videos, photographs or installations by around 50 international artists, the complexity and diversity of simple human existence–the dust, as Picasso would see it–is celebrated.  While you’re in the city, why not experience the rest of the culture and heritage of this region in east-central France? Get a city card for 1, 2 or 3 days, which includes free access to the Biennale.

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 The author has not received any compensation for writing this content and has no material connection to the brands, topics, products and/or services that are mentioned herein.

Miami Art Show Begins

By Linda Tancs

Art Basel in Miami Beach, Florida is reputedly the most important art show in the U.S. Taking place this year from 4 to 7 December, the sister show to Switzerland’s Art Basel will showcase more than 2000 artists and 250 galleries from around the world. So head on over to the Convention Center for this year’s cultural infusion. Ticket prices range from $15 for an evening pass to $35, $55 and $75 for one-day, two-day and permanent passes, respectively. See why art reigns in Miami.

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