Category Archives: Culture

28 Art-Full Hours in Philadelphia

Posted on July 22, 2012 by Eva| Leave a comment

Logan Circle Fountain, Philadelphia with Color Racers in background

Philadelphia’s Swann Memorial Fountain, with Color Race participants in background

A Day Trip is good; a Weekend is better. Overnight works.

Lower Merrion, PA always seemed elusive for this reluctant driver, and I was thrilled when I found out the Barnes Foundation was opening a Philadelphia location. The day tickets went on sale to the public in mid May, I booked. My nearby cousin Mark and his wife Cindy were interested in joining me.

There’s a lot to see and do in Philadelphia, so I planned on making a night of it. With an overnight trip, you can see at least 2 museums, or a museum and another attraction. Maybe crucial historical sights like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall? The city is also a mecca for those interested in antiques. Plus, Philadelphia has so many restaurants worth visiting, it will be difficult to limit yourself to one dinner.

Posted in Culture, Destinations, Trip Reports

Tagged getting around Philadelphia, Getting around Philly, getting to Philadelphia from NYC, Philadelphia best art, Philadelphia day trip, Philadelphia dining, Philadelphia hotels, Philadelphia sights, Philadelphia weekend, Philly art, taking trolley in Philadelphia, visiting Philly

Master Weavers of Ecuador

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Eva| 2 Comments

Master Ecuadorean weaver, Miguel Andrango spins wool

Master weaver Miguel Andrango demonstrates spinning wool

To find superior textiles in Ecuador, you need to go beyond the textile market in Otavalo and Quito’s upscale stores like Olga Fisch and Tianguez. You have to go to the source…

As my hotelier in Otavalo said “there isn’t a handwoven thing in that market.” The famous Otavalo textile market is worth a visit for the craft items; especially on Saturday when artisans appear from the countryside, bringing unique products distinguished from the mostly mass produced goods sold during the week. But in general, this is not the place to buy quality weavings to the extent of say, Pisac market in Peru.

Instead, for $10/hour, a cab driver like the wonderful Arturo can facilitate visits to the best weavers in the area, with stops at scenic viewpoints, areas of interest and leather-producing towns like Cotacachi. If you don’t speak Spanish, discuss your plans with your hotelier and ask someone bilingual at the hotel communicate your specific stops to the driver. Or you can always write a list of desired stops.

Posted in Culture, Destinations, Shopping

Tagged buying weaving in Ecuador, finding quality weavings in Ecuador, Ikat panos, ikat shawls, ikat weaving Ecuador, Jose Cotacachi, Jose Jimenez weaver, master weaver Ecuador, Miguel Andrango, Museo de Tejido el Obraje, Otavalo textile market, Taller de Macana, weaving, where to buy best weaving

New York City – Art is Everywhere

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Eva| 4 Comments

Jonathan Prince Sculptures at 535 Madison Avenue, NYC

"Southern Remnant" and "Bore Block" in background, by Jonathan Prince

Art abounds in NYC. Not just museums, galleries, parks, graffiti, subway station tiles and frequent glimpses of industrial beauty like a rusty Tribeca building facade with years of peeling paint.

I’m talking about public and corporate art installations, which can be found all over the city and change regularly. Writers more trained in communicating about art have covered the public art scene in NYC; my aim here is to provide visitors an insight into finding corporate art in places they’re less likely to visit.

Posted in Culture, Destinations, New York

Tagged Jonathan Prince, New York corporate art, Noguchi, NYC art, NYC public art, NYC visitors itinerary, Paula Hayes

Right Now in NYC: Paula Hayes’ Land Mind at Lever House

Posted on November 6, 2011 by Eva| 2 Comments

This very cool art installation has been stopping sidewalk traffic on Park Avenue since it was unveiled last week.

As an avid underwater photographer and snorkeler, I just had to get a closer look.

Paula Hayes‘ Land Mind will be gracing the Lever House lobby until late January.

Posted in Culture, New York

Tagged current events NYC, current NYC art, Land Mind, Lever House, Lever House art collection, Lever House art exhibits, New York art scene, New York public art, NY lobby art, NY public art, NYC architecture, NYC art, NYC art installation, NYC exhibits, NYC landmarks, NYC must see, NYC sculpture, Paula Hayes, Paula Hayes Land Mine, Paula Hayes' Land Mind

NYC Car Free Day Trip – DIA:Beacon

Posted on August 24, 2011 by Eva| Leave a comment

DIA:Beacon is a world reknowned art center in a fabulous setting, about 1.5 hours from New York City by train. If you’re an art lover looking for a day trip from NYC, this one can easily be done with or without a car.

The 240,000 square foot art foundation focuses on work produced since 1960. The old Nabisco box printing plant, built in 1929, is the perfect industrial setting for the large art installations within. Wood, brick, glass and a multitude of skylights enhance the collection. The Louise Bourgeois works meld with the upstairs gallery space, as if designed specifically for the rooms.

DIA showcases work from major artists in a variety of media. People like Bruce Nauman, Louise Bourgeois, Joseph Beuys, Donald Judd, Robert Smithson, Richard Serra. According to the guide “each gallery is devoted to a single artist and was designed to fulfill the particular needs of the works.”

Posted in Culture, New York, Trip Reports

Tagged art near NYC, art outside NYC, Beacon from NYC, Beacon NY shopping, DIA Beacon, Hudson River train, Metro North DIA Beacon combo ticket, NYC car-free, NYC country, NYC day trips, NYC excursions, NYC must see art, photos from train