Just follow the list

Did you have a Merry Christmas with FUN?   If not, for the next Christmas (we will soon have one again) just follow this list, written down by our advisor Eva Mai:

We started with step one at the beginning of December, omitted step 4 and finished with step 8 today.

Now we are working on a list for the New Year 2015!

https://www.newyear.in/new-year-resolutions/

List or no list: Happy New Year, peace on earth and goodwill to all!

O Tannenbaum ...

In the rotunda of the MFA, the many lights of the traditional Christmas tree are both festive and shine on the illustrious Sargent murals.  If the symbolism of the figures is not easy to interpret, there is now a book in the bookstore, part of the MFA Spotlight series, which is a comprehensive guide to the murals and their surroundings.

The image above the tree and the first one that visitors see when walking up the great staircase symbolizes the role most museums have in allegorical form:

Athena, goddess of wisdom shields Architectura, Sculptura and Pictura from god Kronos and the ravages of time.

                                  http://www.sargentmurals.bpl.org/site/sargent/01_mfa.html

One of the reasons to visit museums as often as possible, to be shielded from time.....  

Two entrances to one museum

Entering the new 'Fogg' from Quincy street across Harvard Yard, all seems the same as before the renovation and enlargement works had been done behind closed doors.

However,  inside and looking up to the glass roof one  realizes the new spaciousness. Three museum collections - the Busch-Reisinger, the Arthur M. Sackler and the Fogg - are now united and the art objects juxtaposed in the galleries.  A 'teaching machine' which will give opportunities to look and learn not just for Harvard students but for the many other students in the Boston area.  

The Fogg building has now two entrances/exits and invites students and the public to use it as a 'shortcut' from Prescott street to Harvard Yard. The museum cafe and the museum shop can be visited without a museum ticket and invite passersby to forget the 'shortcut' and stay to enjoy the interior courtyard's space.

Compared to the Quincy entrance, the Prescott entrance has no trace of familiarity but the look of a new museum we waited for for so many years. Renzo Piano, the architect had to meet loud complains
by the neighbors. Too late for them now and better for them to enter and enjoy the inside and  all the beauty there.
http://www.harvardartmuseums.org/about/mission

Get a Turkey!

Unimaginable to have a Thanksgiving dinner without a roasted turkey. Therefore the supermarkets have stocked up with many fresh or frozen turkeys.  One can choose between 6 to 16 pounders, depending on the guests at the dinner table. Rule of thumb is, better take more then less  because 'cold turkey' in the days after Thanksgiving is popular.

These appealing packaged turkeys are far removed from the off-putting flocks of wild turkeys invading the suburbs around Boston.  Once these native birds were on the endangered species list.  With the interest in local food and smaller portions ....... could there be a solution? 

http://www.nwtf.org/for_hunters/hunting_tactics.html

No, better not, as there is too much effort involved before roasting the bird.

Glitter glitter

No more time to go to the Champs Elysee where the Christmas lights are now switched on every day from 5 pm to midnight.  Instead we were blinded by all the sparkle of the crystal shown in a special exhibition in the Petit Palais. The reason is to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Baccarat manufactory.

 All Swarkowsky fans will be so excited of the sparkle.

At the Paris Worlds Fair in 1855, Baccarat received a gold medal and from then on the brand name became known the world over. 

 The history of the numerous Worlds Fairs in Paris during the 19th and 20th centuries is illustrated next to the different Baccarat show pieces.   This gives an interesting understanding for the taste and design in different time periods. As well as the impact these world fairs had for Paris during those years and explaine the know-how of luxury brand marketing still existing in France.

 A giant Baccarat chandelier hangs in the entrance hall of the Petit Palais where the celebration exhibition is located. The glitter of a golden age in France!

http://us.baccarat.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-bct_us-Site/en_US/HubPage-WOB?cid=Musées

Then and Now

The small museum Cognacq-Jay in the Marais, with its collection of 18 Century art and furnitures has reopened after a three months renovation. It still needs time with the renovation and reorganization of the art works which will be done May 19, 2015.   the months until then,French fashion designer Christian Lacroix got carte blanche in curating an exhibition shown in all the rooms of the museum. He juxtaposed the works of contemporary artists with the historic paintings, sculptures from the Cognacq-Jay collection and costumes from the Musee Galliera collection.  And this clever 'Then and Now' comparison made for an interesting visit.

Christian Lacroix used some costumes of his own collection too.  As a former art historian specializing in 18th century art and the enlightenment, he was well chosen by the museum administration.  

http://museecognacqjay.paris.fr/les-expositions/lumieres-carte-blanche-christian-lacroix

New Foundation

Not even a month ago, the Louis Vuitton Foundation opened its building - 8 years under construction - and is now a new attraction for Parisians and visitors.  The architect Frank Gehry created a building which defies everything we normaly expect from a building: solid grounded, straight walls and a sturdy roof.

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-10-28/fondation-louis-vuitton-designed-by-frank-gehry-opens-in-paris

 It is an amazing construction and impressive too is, how well the directions from the Metro station 'Les Sablons' were given.  It is just a 10 to 15 minute walk......

 But at every corner are signs to lead the way.

 Not enough, just in front of the building, a label for the visual impaired in relief and sign language.   Very thoughtful gesture to include everyone who visits.

  We feel a tiny bit guilty of not owning a LV handbag!

Mixed up

r At once, entering the great hall in Musee d'Orsay, we noticed the long neck of a giraffe.  A new sculpture?  Curiously approaching - and we were not the only one - the label explained that the little giraffe entered the M d'O during the celebration of the Great Gallery of Evolution 

which is part of the Natural History Museums at Jardin des Plantes.

http://www.mnhn.fr/fr/visitez/lieux/grande-galerie-evolution

The students seemed to prefer the natural history to art history and drew at once their artistic interpretations on their sheets of paper.

Phantasy Games

 I do not know anything!   Looking into a game store I asked for Pokemon  

cards (which they did not carry) but then realized that there is a world of 'games' I had no clue existed.

 Boys in all ages were full concentrated to paint the phantasy toy figures. They had the chance to play too.  I asked for the prices and the phantasy suddenly became cold reality.

  Puzzled I left the store thinking how much fun we had with "Mensch aergere Dich nicht" .......at least the dices are the same.

http://www.games-workshop.com/en-US/Lords-of-Icehorn-Peak

Royal Theatre

Weekdays it is nice to stay cozy at home during the long evenings. Then comes Friday night with the weekend and long dark sleep-in mornings. A surge of energy suddenly to have some fun in town!

 The Royal Theater - Dramaten- is very popular and it is hard to get tickets.  We chanced and got 'last minute' tickets for Rickard III - the last two available.

  High up and in long distance to the scene but no complaints as the actors could be heard and seen and the ticket was less then half price.

http://www.dramaten.se/Repertoar/Rickard-III/

Short Days

  First question when announcing a visit to Stockholm is " how long are the days?"   Not easy to answer because it depends if the sky is blue or grey.  November is usually grey and electric lights are needed most of the time.  Here the view of Nybroviken in the middle of the day yesterday and today probably the same.....

 Easy to visit Sweden in the summer - true fans come during Fall and Winter!

   http://www.visitsweden.com/sweden/Sweden-Facts/Worth-knowing-about-Sweden/Time--daylight-hours/

Cannes? No, Stockholm!

   As all filmfestivals go, there are too many films shown and one has to choose carefully. We were not sure about the film but knew that the Skandia-Teatern was worth a visit.  Famous architect Gunnar Asplund was involved in the creation of this beautiful cinema theater. It opened 1923 and was renovated to its former splendor. In red and gold and in a style known as 'Semi-Atmospheric'.  Not knowing exactly what that is, we admired the freeze along the balcony and the golden Adam and Eve figures framing the screen just before the lights dimmed.

  

Eve made us think about the starlets in Cannes. The film 'Girlhood' was a French new film about girls becoming women and with the classic themes of beauty, love, hate, violence and family.  

http://www.stockholmfilmfestival.se/en

Stockholm's Saint

  Stockholm is visited by more and more tourists arriving from all corners of the world. City Hall - Stadshuset - is then visited by most of them.  This large building, prominent sight in the heart of the City and reachable by foot, bike, bus and boat is popular even by Stockholmer themselves.  Saint Erik is memorized in different forms and and on the flags in yellow on blue - the Swedish colors.

  The golden sculpture on the top of the column in front of City Hall is?  

You guessed right!    More about St. Erik: 

http://ferrebeekeeper.wordpress.com/2014/05/13/the-head-and-crown-of-erik-ix-of-sweden/

Sweet Temptations

The art of baking pastries is still very much alive and the small 'oevres'can be admired through the shop windows on the way to the Louvre.

Mouthwatering presentation of classic pastries like Framboisines or Paris Brests are presented row after row like little soldiers.  

The macaroons helter shelter in their boxes - smaller and inviting to compare their different aromas.

How much is five Euros in $? 

http://www.arnaud-delmontel.com/videos/categorie.en-commentfaire

The sweet Chef Delmontel demonstrates how to make the pastries on his site! 

 Let's go home and try it out - we go to the museum tomorrow.

Indian Summer

Cool nights and warm sunshine during the day - not only in New England but even here in the heart of Paris.

Perfect to sit down under the chestnut trees, watch the water of the Seine gliding by while the sunny glitter seems to hold it in one place.

Yoghurt land

       From American supermarkets filled with a plethora of different foods, up and down the aisles, we know what to choose in an automatic way.

Back in a French market we have to stop and think and read and compare to find the right milk protein without too much fat or too much sugar.

 It is easier to pick a grilled chicken and a bottle of wine.

Halloween Nights

......"The  corpse that walks, its solemn line.  The vampire stalks, finds blood to dine.
The werewolf howls at the silver moon. His human form what's showing at noon.
The mummy cries of pain and loss. His wraps that smell of must and moss.
The witch that flies, upon her broom, casting curses and spelling doom".....

http://patch.com/massachusetts/newton/halloween-happenings-in-newton-this-weekend

One witch - 'Hexe' - is flying all the way to Europe to 'trick or treat' them there!

Ice Hockey with Flair

BC and their Ice hockey teams are known about in Boston. For New England with its tradition of long winters it is a favorite sport .  There are always many supporters for the male team but now there is a growing awareness for the women's team. Long ponytails are often the only 'female' sign when the players move on the ice rink quick and forceful.

Their next game will be October 31 at 7 pm in the Conte Forum on the BC campus. They play against the Friars from Providence.  Go and see for yourself, fill those seats and cheer for the BC hockey players!

http://www.bceagles.com/sports/w-hockey/bc-w-hockey-body.html

No photos please!

The long awaited show of Goya's works opened in the MFA and art critics are full of praise.  Years of curatorial research and preparations resulted in this interesting exhibition.  The guards have the difficult task to catch and inform 'innocent' visitors using their smartphones to take pictures.   I followed the rule and took the above photo of the slide show before entering.

    http://www.mfa.org/exhibitions/goya   

Taking photos in museums has become a distraction from focused looking and examining  the actual art objects as they are.   Next to the exit is the well stocked bookstore with much more then just  the exhibit catalogue and books about Goya.  Will sales rise when no photos are allowed?

Noddle's Island

In 1620 William Noddle settled on an Island - therefore called Noddle's Island - before Boston was founded by the Pilgrims.  As a memory to both him and then the thousands of immigrants who arrived later in Boston, an attractive pavilion was built in East Boston's Pier Park.  This park has a picture book view of downtown Boston and all the passing boats.

The pavilion is richly decorated with symbols of the many countries from which immigrants arrived in Boston during the last 300 years.  They came from all parts of the world escaping to find a better future in the United States.  Now more and more young and hip Americans moving to Boston find that East Boston is an attractive part of town. The parting and landing airplanes from Logan airport fortify their dreams of international travels. 

http://www.bostonharborwalk.com/placestogo/location.php?nid=4&sid=24

"LAM" who?

His name is WIFREDO LAM!  You would not be the only one not yet knowing this artist. However, remember this name because there will be retrospective shows in the Tate Modern Gallery in London and in the Centre Pompidou in Paris coming soon.  Far in advance and right now, many of his paintings and drawings are exhibited in the McMullen Museum in Boston College.

http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/artmuseum/exhibitions/archive/lam/index.html

Wilfredo Lam with multiracial background lived in Cuba, Spain, Italy and in Paris, France.  It is engaging to recognize in his paintings the influence of artists known to us. 

Once we think of Matisse, once we think of Picasso and we can find even Pollock's drip technique. 

There are imprints of many styles and in conclusion we meet an artist open-minded to all the cultures he lived in and an acceptance of a life filled with social engagement, love, war, tragedy and happiness.  His paintings - perhaps a metamorphose into poetry in visual form?  

MFA revisited

It is still warm enough to sit outside the Garden Cafeteria in the Calderwood Courtyard of the MFA. Most of the time I keep my distance to large dogs but with this 'Pair of Great Danes' I feel relaxed and can enjoy the beauty of these watch dogs.

Anna Vaughn Hyatt Huntington (1876-1973) was one of the most famous American animal sculptors and created these Great Danes in 1907.  The sculptures where installed in the courtyard last Spring and after a naming contest with over 20.000 entries they are now named BRENDA and HUGO. 

http://youtu.be/zgz8HkH8OXo

Inspirations

The Decorative Art Museum in Paris, in the same building as the Louvre in Rue de Rivoli is a comprehensive museum in its own right.  In one part, the permanent exhibition of the history of decorative arts from the middle ages up to our times. In another part, special exhibitions which is right now (until Nov. 2) about the Belgian fashion designer Dries van Noten.  No photos allowed - but the entrance is already an introduction to this sparkling exhibition.  The designer refers to the many different inspirations he obtained by visiting the collection of this museum.    http://www.driesvannoten.be/news.php   

The cabinet makers who created a cabinet with this large flower arrangement in marquetry - were they inspired by Belgian paintings?  Since the Egyptians flowers and plants are our eternal source for happiness and awe for the beauty and power of Mother Nature.

http://www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr/english-439/

Peerless above, unrivaled below

In a model of Stockholm as it was in the 17th century, we can recognize the King's garden and to the left  Saint Jacob's church, both still existing in modern Stockholm.  In front close to the water we find a Castle which was build by general Jakob De la Gardie in 1643.  A palace filled with art from the inside out. Lavishly decorated with sculptures, it was beautiful both from the land and from the sea. The owner called it 'the great house'; the people of Stockholm called it 'Castle Peerless', there was no rival.  Alas - 1825 in a huge fire it was totally destroyed and burned to the ground.  Blackened sculptures and columns could be saved and are now in the City museum.

Copies were made of these few remaining building parts and are now in one of the stations of the subway which is directly under the former location of the castle Makalös (Peerless).  This station and many others which have been decorated by numerous artists make the Stockholm subway system unrivaled in comparison with other subways in the world!  http://www.viralnova.com/subway-art/