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Archive for the ‘Art’ Category

The Santa Maria del Carmine in Florence, Italy is a lesser known tourist destination, but well worth a visit. Located across the river at 14 Piazza del Carmine, this 2nd century church was in the 18th century, was completely destroyed by a fire. It was rebuilt by Ruggieri and later by Mannaioni. However, what is considered the greatest works of the entire Renaissance and which survived the fire miraculously intact, is the Brancacci Chapel, located in the right transept of the church.

There are no tourist lines, or for that matter, many people at all visiting this church, which gives you a great opportunity to study one of the most important frescoes that has recently been restored. The frescoes were initiated in 1425 by Masolion da Panicale, who works include the ‘Temptation of Adam and Eve’, located in the first compartment above and to the right; St. Peter Resuscitation Tabitha in the first scene to the right of the large compartment at the top; and the Preaching of St. Peter above and to the left of the altar . At the same time, Masaccio, created the compartment on the right wall, St. Peter Heals a Cripple, who also painted the compartment above to the right of the altar with St. Peter Baptizing the Neophytes and the splendid Expulsion from Paradise in the first panel above left.

Two particular frescoes scenes by Masaccio stand out: ‘The Payment of Tribute’, and ‘The Purge from Paradise’, which constitute an example imitated throughout the Renaissance, especially in the ways in which naked bodies were studied at close quarters, with both volumes and proportions. Later, in 1480, Filippino Lippi finished the work; the scene of St. Peter before the Prefect Agrippa and the Crucifixion of St. Peter.

This hidden treasure is not far from most of the better hotels in Florence , is not on any guided tour nor listed in any popular travel directory, which means it is rarely visited.
So, take a break from the crowds, the lines and the heat, go inside The Santa Maria del Carmine and experience the best of the Renaissance.

Manhattan doesn’t have a hold on all the culture in New York City, the Brooklyn Museum is the 2nd largest museum in New York, and is considered one of the premier art institutions in the world. The Brooklyn Museum’s permanent collections include over a million and a half objects from the ancient Egyptian period of contemporary art and art from many other cultures. It could take you days to thoroughly see all the fantastic temporary exhibits and permanent installations at the museum. So, you may want to reconsider booking an over-priced room in mid-town Manhattan and instead book one of the luxury hotels Brooklyn has to offer its visitors at a very reduced rate.

One of he current exhibitions at the Brooklyn Museum is the ‘American High Style’ consisting of 85 dressed mannequins and a selection of shoes, hats, sketches and other fashion related materials, all of which re-introduces the museums collection, long in storage, to the public. This marks a new relationship between the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Brooklyn Museum; presenting an exhibition of some of the most renowned objects from their costume collection. This exhibition, located on the 4th floor at the Morris A. and Meyer Schapiro Wing, runs through August 1, 2010.

A permanent installation is the museums world renowned Egypt exhibit. Currently, ‘Egypt Reborn: Art of Eternity’, is the latest installation that covers the central theme of Egyptian life and the rebirth of Egyptian art. The ancient Egyptians created many of the objects that are on view to assist in the process of rebirth from this world to the next. All through June, the museum will offer free guided tours.

The Brooklyn Museum has a rich artistic heritage with it’s collections of world cultures, which enhances and creates a unique experience for each visitor; the museum is primarily dedicated to the visitors experience and committed to bringing excellence into every aspect of their programs, exhibitions, collections and bridging the new and the traditional tools of interpretation, communication and presentation all aimed to serve a diverse, dynamic public. With 560,000 square foot Beaux-Arts building, it’s not only one of the largest museums in the country, but one of the oldest. The Brooklyn Museum, located at 200 Eastern Parkway, is a part of a complex of 19th century parks and gardens, including Prospect Park, Prospect Zoo and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden . The museums hours are Wednesday – Friday: 10am to 5pm; Saturday – Sunday: 11am to 6pm.

Marlo Thomas is about to star in the Arizona Theatre Company’s upcoming production of George is Dead. Thomas is primarily known for some of her major television roles such as That Girl though she has enjoyed a successful career on the stage. She has starred on Broadway in the plays Thieves, The Shadow Box and Shadow Box. Thomas was born in Detroit, Michigan in November of 1937. Her parents are Rose Marie and famous comedian Danny Thomas. Her brother and sister also entered show business and her sister as worked as an actor and her brother is a television producer. Marlo Thomas’ first regular work came with her appearances on the Joey Bishop Show.

The Arizona Theatre Company was established in Tucson, Arizona in 1966. At the time it was known as the Arizona Civic Theatre and was based in the basement of an old hotel in Tucson, the Santa Rita. The theatre has maintained an extremely strong professional perspective and has grown through the years to become one of the premiere theatre companies in the state. It was one of the first equity companies in the state and through the years has gained national recognition for its standards and excellent productions. It became a duo city theatre and currently performs out of Tucson and the Herberger Theater Center in Phoenix. Toursists visiting Phoenix and who stay in one of the best Phoenix hotels often include a prodution by ATC in their agenda. Its list of seasonal productions is diverse and the company has produces everything from the latest cutting edge play by Paula Vogel to Shakespeare and Shaw.

The Herberger is located downtown theatre district and has various performance venues. The venues include the Center Stage, the Performance Outreach Theater, Stage and West. Other major Phoenix companies are based out of the Herberger and include the professional company Actors Theatre. Arizona Theatre Company’s current season includes The Kite Runner, George is Dead, Ain’t Misbehavin’, The Glass Menagerie and The Second City Does Arizona, or Close But No Saguaro.

If you find yourself in Barcelona, the Picasso Museum should be high on your list.  It’s in the Gothic Quarter, where the art work is displayed in five Medieval palaces in Carrer de Montcado 15-23, and it’s open from Tuesday to Sundays, even on holidays.  The paintings and statues show the artist’s relationship with the city, created in his childhood and adolescence, and which continued throughout his life.

The museum reveals Picasso’s relationship with the city of Barcelona, a relationship that was shaped in his youth and adolescence, and continued until his death.  The collection contains about 3,500 works, many donated by Picasso and includes work from all his various periods, including his Blue Period.  I remember I hadn’t truly understood Picasso as an artist until I saw all his work grouped together in a retrospective show in London.  It was then that I decided I wanted to see more, and that if I ever found myself in Barsa, I would have to come here.

Finally, I made arrangements to stay in one of the Barcelona spain luxury hotels. We arrived early because I’d seen really long lines the previous day, but the trains were delayed and we talked with some people on the street, and by the time we got there, the lines were enormous.  I discovered, though, that the lines move quickly and it only took about a half hour to get inside.

Purchasing the combined entrance allows you to go to the special exhibition as well.  You begin there.  When I visited the museum, the exhibit concerned the art work that was in his apartment when Picasso died.  It allowed me to see the how the work of other artists affected him, especially as I moved on to the regular exhibit.  For instance, there were some African sculptures and masks, and that’s reflected by Desmoiselles D’Avignon.  In the permanent collection, the rooms are arranged according to phases, and proceeding from his youth to his old age.  It’s a fascinating education in the life of an artist.