Life is a patchwork of experiences
I had the opportunity to indulge in my Chihuly obsession again – this time at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. This large chandelier hangs in the entrance of the Museum’s rotunda and is the first major piece in the collection that all visitors see when they walk in.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
Opened in the 13th century, the Wieliczka Salt Mine near Krakow, Poland was one of the oldest operating salt mines in the world until it ceased production in 2007. But what put this mine on the original UNESCO list was the chapels and and intricate statues carved out of salt or carved directly into salt walls of the mine. In the largest and most elaborate St. Kinga’s Chapel, one of the wall reliefs is a salt carved version of Leonardo DaVinci’s Last Supper.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
Most of the old protective wall that once encircled Krakow’s Old Town is now gone, but a small section still remains on either side of the Florian Gate. Here, the old wall acts as an outdoor gallery for local artists displaying their colorful canvases. Each morning the artists use ladders to hang their creations, filling all the available vertical and horizontal wall space. An ever changing collage of street art in Krakow.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
“Please. Come into my shop. Let me show you what I have. I will make you a good deal”. This was the constant litany that accosted us as we wandered the narrow lanes in historic Stone Town. But I wasn’t interested just in shopping. What I was really on the hunt for was to see the famous carved Zanzibar doors.
Continue reading “Discover the Famous Zanzibar Doors – Finding Craftsmanship Among the Kitsch”
Searching out the street art in Istanbul was a great way to explore this less touristy part of this historic city.
Street art may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of art in Istanbul. But on my recent visit, I discovered some great examples in the area of Kadikoy on the Asian side of the city.
When I travel, I am always on the lookout for new and unique experiences or classes, especially if they involve a creative element. So, when my friend and traveling companion discovered a class where we could learn Turkish paper marbling in Istanbul, I knew I needed to fit that into my Istanbul itinerary.
I booked the Turkish paper marbling class online (Like A Local) the day before I was planning to participate. I quickly received a confirmation e-mail with directions to the class location. It was in the Sultanahmet area and not far from my hotel, so it was a brief 3 block walk, and very easy to find.
Continue reading “Traditional Turkish Paper Marbling – Learning Beautiful Ebru Art in Istanbul”
Wondering where to stay in Dubai? With so many luxurious accommodations to choose from, the many options can be daunting. In a city filled with extravagant 5+ star hotels, the small, boutique XVA Art hotel in the historic Al Fahidi district of Dubai stands out for its elegant simplicity and unique art decor. The facility hosts a hotel, an art gallery and also a gourmet vegetarian cafe. But most importantly, it’s a serene refuge in a city that can feel a little too busy at times. A stay at this unique property provides a quiet retreat in an environment that feels both creative and authentic.
Continue reading “Wondering Where to Stay in Dubai? – Escape to the Boutique XVA Art Hotel”
Yes – Dubai has an art scene. I should not have been surprised by this. After all, the city itself is a lesson in unique architecture. It is clear that when it comes to buildings at least, form and design are just as important as function. So, I decided to learn more about the Dubai art district by taking the Dubai by Foot Art Tour. Continue reading “Checking Out the Dubai Art District on a Dubai by Foot Art Tour”
Dubai is known for its cutting edge building designs. Lots of steel. Lots of glass. Lots of interesting angles. So you might be surprised to find buildings and walls decorated with murals. Dubai street art is alive and well. Continue reading “Finding the Best Dubai Street Art”
It is no secret that I love the work of master glass artist Dale Chihuly. So I will admit that the Palm Atlantis Chihuly sculpture in Dubai was, in part, one of the reasons I wanted to stay there. The combination sculpture-fountain is about 30 ft. tall and is made up of 3000 individually hand blown glass pieces. The sculpture took about two years to complete. It certainly is the show stopping centerpiece to an otherwise stunning hotel lobby.
Thanks for visiting
Rose
