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!