Situated in the lovely Plazuela de San Fernando, the setting of the restaurant was very nice. Almost nice enough so that I could overlook the dirty, stained tablecloths. Which, really, not a big deal. It didn't add to the experience, but it didn't really detract either.

We were first served our drink: agua refrescas - limonada in this case. This was probably the highlight of the meal. The limonada was cold and very flavorful, though a tad too sour for my taste.

Next came the sopa del dia, which, at best, was okay. It tasted exactly the way it looks, like canned soup with cut-up spaghetti in it. A little bit too salty, but alright.

By the way, there was no way to really take an attractive picture of this soup.

Appetizers(?) were next. The Boy ordered verduras a la mantequilla (vegetables with butter), and I had spaguetti al burro (...I don't know). I didn't try the veggies, but the Boy said that they were...okay. Bland, but okay. They looked like pretty straightforward steamed veggies. The spaguetti, on the other hand, was kind of interesting. The noodles were covered in white cream sauce, which was faintly (and weirdly) sweet. The cheese sprinkled on top tasted like canned parm. Finally, it was garnished with four rolled-up slices of ham. Strange, but intriguing.

Finally, we had the main dish: carne de puerco en salsa verda (lit: pork in green sauce).

This was possibly the saltiest thing I have ever eaten in my entire life. It was so salty, you couldn't taste the pork or the sauce or anything else. Blech. The tortilla chip garnish (dipped in beans while carefully avoiding the evil, salty sauce of doom) was the only part of this dish that I really enoyed. That and maybe that slice of tomato on the side (I didn't eat the cucumbers).

So that's it. Overall, a very disappointing experience. I don't think we'll be going back there anytime during the rest of our trip.

VIENNE (AFP) — Le musée de l'Albertina à Vienne met en lumière pour la première fois, dans une exposition s'ouvrant jeudi, à quel point l'art pictural de Vincent Van Gogh fut déterminé par sa pratique du dessin, qui l'accompagna toute sa vie et façonna la géniale singularité de ses tableaux.

"C'est la première fois que des dessins et des tableaux de Van Gogh sont ainsi réunis dans une exposition", souligne le conservateur de l'Albertina, Klaus Albrecht Schröder, qui a rassemblé quelque 160 oeuvres.

>>> exposition Van Gogh à Vienne

Geger wacana anti-Islam lewat film Fitna besutan politikus dari golongan ultranasionalis, Geert Wilders, hanyalah isu permukaan. Bentuk Islamophobia yang diperlihatkan sejatinya berakar dari problem multikulturalisme di Belanda, utamanya soal migran. Wilders adalah tipe politisi ekstremis yang bermimpi menutup Belanda dari para pendatang, terutama bagi orang Islam yang ingin berimigrasi ke sana.

Yang demikian tampak jelas dari salah satu bagian dalam film penebar kebencian tersebut. Pemunculan gambar-gambar masjid mengiringi narasi suara orang tak dikenal yang mengemukakan bahwa masjid akan menjadi bagian sistem pemerintahan di Belanda. Lalu muncul gambar diagram batang yang menera pertumbuhan pemeluk Islam di Belanda. Mulai 54 jiwa pada 1909 sampai 944.000 jiwa pada 2004. Bagian ini menandai sikap paranoid Wilders terhadap laju statistik pemeluk agama Islam di sana.

Kegelisahan dan kekhawatiran itu kian dipertegas oleh Wilders dengan menampilkan jumlah pemeluk Islam di Eropa pada 2007 yang mencapai 54 juta jiwa, diiringi dua pegawai laki-laki berseragam yang tengah memasuki masjid untuk menunaikan shalat. Wilders tampaknya tak nyaman dan merasa terancam dengan fakta ini.

Migran dan Problem Multikulturalisme di Belanda

Telah berabad lalu orang Belanda kedatangan para imigran. Sejak abad ke-17, mereka menerima pelarian Hugenot, pengungsi Yahudi, migran Cina. Tak banyak memang, benih-benih rasisme dan anti-Islam, meski Belanda atau Eropa pernah traumatik di bawah kekuasaan Ottoman yang muslim, dan di negeri-negeri jajahannya, rasisme pernah dominan.

Awalnya, jumlah migran tidak begitu banyak. Namun sejalan dengan waktu jumlah tamu terus bertambah. Sebagian karena beranak-pinak sebagian lain dibawa kerabat atau pelarian dari wilayah konflik di Afrika  dan Eropa Timur.

Puncaknya, gelombang imigrasi besar-besaran terjadi di Belanda pada 1970-an dan 1980-an. Rupa-rupa pula motivasi mereka. Ada yang datang terkait dengan kebutuhan tenaga kerja untuk pembangunan dam dan kota seperti dari Maroko dan Turki. Sebagian lainnya datang secara sukarela untuk hidup. Ada juga karena kebijakan politik paska kolonial seperti orang–orang Jawa Suriname dan tak mau kembali ke Jawa. Selain itu, ada juga yang datang sebagai pencari suaka dari negeri berkonflik seperti Iran dan Irak.

Atas fakta ini, Belanda mulanya sangat bangga. Mereka menepuk dada  sebagai masyarakat yang plural dan terbuka. Namun, seperti tulis Lies Marcoes, ketika ekonomi di Eropa tumbuh, para pendatang itu  menjadi kayu api bagi mesin mesin industri yang menjalankan roda ekonomi Belanda. Namun tatkala terjadi krisis ekonomi global, mereka pula yang segera menjadi sasaran frustrasi penduduk terutama warga kulit putih yang merasa punya hak atas tanah airnya.

Kini, di Negeri Kincir Angin itu terdapat hampir 1 juta warga muslim yang umumnya identik dengan imigran. Namun saat ini pula kebanggaan akan sebuah negeri yang plural dan terbuka itu sirna, berubah menjadi ketegangan mengerikan. Jurang lokal-migran menganggah tajam. Permusuhan dan kebencian menjadikan mereka terpola dalam kotak-kotak kehidupan yang berdampingan tapi tak bersama-sama.

Pada titik inilah, multikulturalime mendapat pertanyaan serius. Apakah ketegangan itu lebih karena sikap superioritas warga Belanda yang menganggap pendatang selalu lebih rendah, ataukah karena perilaku pendatang yang terlalu eksklusif dan bertindak semau sendiri? Sehingga, orang seperti Wilders begitu benci dengan imigran yang mayoritas muslim.

Ini adalah pertanyaan multikulturalisme yang penting untuk dijawab. Dalam konteks ini, Aboeprijadi Santoso menengarai ada problem soal pola integrasi, pembauran, potensi konflik, dan dialog yang terkandung pada kedua belah pihak. Berimigrasi, bagi warga asal Arab dan Afrika Utara, bukan sekedar beralih tempat mukim, melainkan memindahkan dan menghidupkan peradaban, termasuk amanat dan nilai-nilai religiusnya, di kancah yang baru. Di saat yang sama, Belanda tak mempunyai konsep “kampung halaman” sekuat bangsa lain.

Hal itu semakin diperkuat Sybrand van Haersma Buma, anggota partai penguasa, Partai Kristen Demokrat. Menurutnya, para imigran membawa nilai-nilai Islam sekaligus budaya mereka sendiri. Sayangnya, mereka kurang akrab bergaul dengan warga lokal. Banyak yang tak bisa berbahasa Belanda dan hidup di wilayah pinggiran yang miskin. ”Mereka menciptakan ghetto bersama,” ujar Buma.

Situasi demikian terlihat jelas sejak tahun 1970 ketika kaum migran dari pedalaman Mediterania, Arab, dan Afrika Utara menjadi gastarbeiders (pekerja tamu) di Eropa. Hal itu tentu berbeda dengan di Amerika. Di sana, para pendatang muslim datang dari perkotaan di negeri asal, dan banyak yang menjadi mapan.

Dengan datangnya banyak kaum imigran yang kebanyakan dari desa-desa miskin dengan budaya yang sangat berbeda menyebabkan situasi di Belanda berubah sekali. Perumahan menjadi kumuh, orang putih yang mampu bisa meninggalkan perumahan yang diisi kaum imigran, dan bekas tempat mereka diambil imigran baru. Orang-orang Belanda miskin yang tak mampu pindah  merasa diasingkan di wilayahnya sendiri. Kejahatan kecil dan besar terus meningkat; banyak anak dari negara non Belanda dengan bahasa yang tidak dikenali kerap berbuat onar yang menakutkan orang-orang tua Londo.

Awalnya, mereka bisa berbaur, meski dalam hubungan yang masih remang-remang. Sekolah tak dipilah-pilah, namun berkembang secara “alami”. Dalam multikulturalisme Belanda, hal alami itu menjadi dubius, bahkan palsu, ketika orang tua melihat anak mereka tak maju seperti anak didik di sekolah-sekolah yang dipadati anak-anak lokal. Maka berkembanglah segregasi tak resmi namun nyata, dengan “sekolah putih” yang berisi anak-anak orang lokal, dan “sekolah hitam” yang isinya anak-anak migran.

Atas persoalan-persoalan seperti itu, Pim Fortuyn mengecam sebagai pola pembauran yang salah kaprah. Pola pembauran di Belanda dinilai salah, multikulturalisme dianggap gagal, dan kesantunan politik harus didefinisikan kembali.

Sebagai jalan menuju ke sana, pada tahun 2002, Pim Fortuyn membentuk partai Lijst Pim Fortuyn (LPF). Agenda utamanya adalah memperketat aturan imigrasi, terutama bagi yang tidak bisa menerima dan tak mau beradaptasi dengan budaya Belanda. Meski menolak disebut rasis, Fortuyn menegaskan pembatasan bagi imigran muslim, bahkan kalau perlu dilarang masuk Belanda.

Namun belum sempat lama memperjuangkan agenda politiknya, Fortuyn dibunuh aktivis hak-hak hewan (animal rights), Volkert van Der Graaf. Menurut pengakuan Der Graaf, dia membunuh Fortuyn agar berhenti mengeksploitasi muslim, dan membidik kelompok lemah mencapai tujuan politik. Setelah kematian Fortuyn, partai ini bubar pada awal 2008. Tapi, seperti yang ditulis Santoso,“revolusi Fortuyn” membuahkan satu semboyan kunci: “Tak ada toleransi terhadap intoleransi”.

Dengan begitu, Pim Fortuyn telah membuka jalan bagi orang-orang seperti Van Gogh, Hirsi, dan Wilders. Ketiganya datang dari dunia berbeda, tapi menemukan musuh bersama: Islam. Theo Van Gogh, seniman Amsterdam dan sutradara film anti-Islam Submission. Ayaan Hirsi Ali, cendekiawan yang dibesarkan di bawah represi patriarkhat di Afrika dan Arab Saudi yang berputar haluan setiba di Jerman, yang juga turut merancang Submission. Geert Wilders adalah politikus dari Linburg, Belanda Selatan, yang menyempal dari partai besar People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) dan kemudian membentuk partai PVV. Kini, dengan partai guremnya itu, Wilders memimpin kubu Islamophobia.

Kematian Van Gogh di tangan seorang muslim, Muhammad Bouyeri, semakin mengentalkan kebencian Wilders terhadap imigran muslim. Karenanya, Wilders sangat muak dan tidak pernah bersepakat dengan relativisme budaya.

“Saya cuma muak dengan pendukung relativisme budaya yang berpendapat bahwa semua orang boleh masuk Belanda, sehingga Belanda menjadi tempat bercampur berbagai budaya. Saya ngeri kalau mendengar perdana menteri mengatakan hal-hal seperti itu.” Demikian yang dikatakan Wilders soal relativisme budaya dalam sebuah wawancara dengan redaksi Arab, Radio Nederland, 17 September 2007.

Imigran muslim bagi Wilders adalah pangkal persoalan yang harus segera ditindak tegas. Dalam wawancara yang sama, ketika ditanya seandainya Wilders jadi pemimpin di Belanda, dengan terang-terangan dia menjawab begini: “Saya akan menghentikan arus migran dari negara-negara Islam, karena menurut saya, budaya kita semakin punah. Saya ingin, budaya Belanda tetap dominan di atas budaya-budaya lain yang sebenarnya boleh saja masuk Belanda. Banyak sekali orang Belanda merasa asing di negeri sendiri. Mereka ini tidak boleh dianggap remeh. Kalau tiap tahun puluhan ribu orang asing datang ke sini, proses integrasi bisa terhambat. Ini kan sama dengan mengeluarkan air dari perahu bocor,” tegasnya.

Selain itu, “Saya juga tidak akan mengizinkan pembangunan masjid baru, karena jumlahnya sudah cukup. Saya akan menutup sekolah-sekolah Islam...,” tegasnya.

***

Persoalan multikultural yang melibatkan banyak ranah kehidupan seperti di Belanda ini memang bukan problem yang mudah diselesaikan. Muski bukan persoalan baru dan langka, namun menjadi tidak sederhana karena kedua kubu merepresentasi dua peradaban besar dengan segala kesadarannya: warga lokal (Belanda) merepresentasi Eropa, Islam –setidaknya yang di Eropa—dipersonifikasi oleh kelompok-kelompok migran yang berada di tengah pancaroba.

Ketegangan itu menciptakan posisi yang berhadap-hadapan secara diametral. Kedua kubu saling menegaskan purbasangka yang mereka ciptakan sendiri: Wilders dan wacana Barat memandang peradaban Islam identik dengan kekerasan, teroris, rendahan, kumuh, dan bodoh. Sedangkan sebagian kaum migran menistakan Barat “kafir”, sombong, dan eksploitatif.

Akulturasi budaya menjadi kontraproduktif karena keduanya sama-sama memproduksi stigma yang dipijakkan pada purbasangka masing-masing. Karena ketakutan Islam akan jadi ancaman masa depan Eropa, maka atas nama warga lokal mereka perlu menata wilayah politik dan menyelamatkan budaya agar tidak punah. Sebaliknya, karena merasa didiskreditkan dan dianggap rendah, maka migran Islam perlu membela diri dengan segala cara, dan akhirnya jatuh pada kubang eksklusivitas. Keduanya berjarak dan sulit dipertemukan.

Akhirnya, penyelesaian terhadap persoalan multikulturalisme ini pun menjadi buram. Wilders yang geram dan kuatir, menggelontorkan wacana penghentian arus migran Islam. Padahal itu jelas-jelas kontradiksi dengan nilai-nilai anti-rasisme, pluralisme, dan toleransi yang dijaga dan dikembangkan pasca Perang Dunia II. Sementara Muhammad Bouyeri menjatuhkan vonis sepihak kepada Van Gogh karena dianggap melecehkan Islam dengan cara menggorok lehernya.

Jika kedua pihak tetap kukuh dalam purbasangkanya sendiri-sendiri dan tidak mau membuka diri untuk berdialog, maka jurang lokal-migran akan kian menganggah lebar. Dan, multikulturalisme yang tengah meradang di Negeri Kincir Angin itu akan berubah menjadi rasisme.[]

Tulisan ini telah dimuat di majalah MaJEMUK edisi 32 Mei-Juni 2008 di rubrik Fokus

Lunch Lady Action Figure. Image source: Stupid.com

Just in time for the return to school we have the Lunch Lady Action Figure. As a public high school graduate I well remember the stern demeanor and terrifying glare of the lunch room ladies. A tough job as I learned from my wife's cousin's husband's mother who, unknown to me, worked as a lunch lady in my school cafeteria for many years.

The 5-1/4" tall, hard vinyl figure comes with a scoop, a food tray, a serving station and a sticker sheet featuring images of delicious hot entrées. Available as a professional development fundraiser via the New York School Nutrition Association.

Now let's raise the level of our action figure cultural discourse with the Librarian Action Figure. With Amazing push-button Shushing Action!

Librarian Action Figure via Stupid.com

Actions figures have been part of American culture for decades. I played reenacted military battles with my G.I. Joe dolls action figures for hundreds of hours in my youth.

1960s Action Soldier via Wikipedia

To raise the cultural level of this post even more Shakespeare's Den gives us Van Gogh and Da Vinci as:

Artist Action Figures & Dolls

Exceptional gifts for the art lovers in your life. But check first to see if the Van Gogh action figure comes with a miniature severed ear.

~MadSilence

]]> http://ouiouioui.wordpress.com/?p=1213 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:05:01 +0000 luanazeredo http://ouiouioui.wordpress.com/?p=1213

O Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil apresenta em São Paulo a maior retrospectiva já realizada no país sobre a obra do cineasta francês Alain Resnais. Celebrando os 60 anos de carreira do diretor, a mostra "A revolução discreta da memória" apresenta raridades como o curta "Van Gogh" e filmes premiados como "Medos Privados em Lugares Públicos" (melhor direção no Festival de Veneza 2006 e o filme com mais tempo em cartaz em São Paulo em 2008).

É uma oportunidade incrível para ver toda a sua trajetória cinematográfica, além de debates sobre sua filmografia.

A programação completa, que vai do dia 4 ao dia 21 de setembro, você encontra no site do CCBB

-----------------------

Alain Resnais é um cineasta francês nascido em 3 de Junho de 1922 na cidade de Vannes, na Bretanha francesa. Mais conhecido por suas obras-primas de ficção poética, como "Hiroshima meu amor"/ "Hiroshima mon amour" (1959, com roteiro de Marguerite Duras), e "O Ano passado em Marienbad"/ "L'année dernière à Marienbad" (1961, com roteiro de Alain Robbe-Grillet).

"O Ano passado em Marienbad" é o filme preferido do meu pai. Cresci jogando com ele o jogo que aparece em cena e que hoje procurando na web descobri que se trata de uma variação de um jogo ancestral chamado Nim, que você pode jogar online aqui.

Regras do jogo:

É jogado com palitos (de dente ou de fósforos). Faça três fileiras com os palitos, uma embaixo da outra: uma com três palitos, uma com 5 e a ultima com 7.

Cada jogador tem direito a tirar quantos palitos quiser, mas somente de uma fileira de cada vez. Assim, pode-se tirar um único palito da fileira de 7, ou todos da fileira de 3, ou dois da fileira de 5, passando então a vez ao adversário.

Quem ficar com o último palito, perde o jogo. A disposição dos palitos não é a única existente, existindo variações a respeito. Mas em todas elas, a regra básica é a acima descrita.

Mais curiosidades sobre o jogo, aqui

Asi que... esta canción para mi.

Por cierto...esta canción es del nuevo disco de La Oreja De Van Gogh (A las cinco en el Astoria) que ya está a la venta, y aunque no esté Amaia el disco merece mucho la pena.

La primera mala noticia llegó poco después, pues por lo visto el grupo no se iba a disolver, y ya habían encontrado una nueva cantante. Y hoy ya se confirma que todo lo bueno termina, porque acaban de publicar un nuevo disco. Sólo me queda la esperanza de que no nos taladren los oídos con canciones tan pegajosas como las anteriores, y que las emisoras de radio se abstengan de emitirlas. Save the music, como dicen aquellos.

La Oreja de Van Gogh ite domum!

Il tempo sembra a volte l'ostacolo più grosso per chi cura uno spazio aperto sul web ma a volte anche avendo tempo libero più che sufficiente possono mancare altre cose. Pensate, per esempio al bisogno di dover scattare una foto all'improvviso e non aver la fotocamera dietro oppure di dover prendere appunti per un post interessante e non avere neanche un pezzo di carta...

Ecco a cosa mi riferisco quando parlo del bisogno di attrezzarsi.

Si deve entrare nell'ottica che si scrive per piacere ma anche chi legge, anzi soprattutto chi legge, deve provare lo stesso piacere altrimenti si perde molto dello spirito di un blog, per cui quello che si pubblica deve essere ben fatto, e curato.

Colui che blogga deve impegnarsi, concentrarsi e anche io ho deciso, dopo 9 mesi, di cambiare passo: mai più idee perse nell'etere, appunti presi su fazzoletti  di carta usati o foto scattate con il cellulare a bassissima risoluzione. La fotocamera sarà sempre con me e per gli appunti oggi ho acquistato una/un (?) mitica/o (?) Moleskine, il taccuino/agenda famoso per essere stato usato da personaggi come Hemingway, Picasso, Van Gogh e Chatwin... mica bruscolini! (clicca qui per leggerne la storia).

Rimanete sintonizzati!

El 3 de Agosto hice el primer año con El Pelirrojo, los asiduos de este blog conocéis bien la historia, hasta hoy no publiqué nada porque…sencillamente porque lo estaba viviendo…y porque he sido un poco perezosa, vaaaale… pero quería y quiero compartir mi vivencia con todos, porque no es sólo el hecho de estar enamorada y ser correspondido, ésta es además la respuesta al esfuerzo, la paciencia, la confianza, la superación de los miedos,  la complicidad, la amistad, y mucho más…él sabe a quién veo en él y no es sólo mi pareja es más allá que todo eso, a pesar de los bajones, discusiones, espontanea inseguridad y cualquier conflicto por ínfimo que sea se pueda presentar, estoy enamorada de él, de sus amigos, de su familia, de la vida que tenemos y la vida que creemos que tendremos, de nuestro sueños, de los detalles pequeños y grandes, de nuestra pasión, de nuestros paseos, de nuestro humor, de nuestras risas, de nuestras caricias, de nuestros besos… Y de nuestros recuerdos ...

Los videos, las fotos de los videos y las fotos del ramo de flores, todo es hecho por mí (bueno, algunas fotos en las que salimos el pelirrojo y yo, pueden ser echas por él o por algún amigo ,jeje). El ramo de flores es el que me envió a casa el día que hacíamos un año, bueno, llegó un día antes porque caía en Domingo y no trabajan en la floristería…y la siguientes imágenes es lo que yo le regalé a él, que tienen significado para nosotros…ya que dicen que en los aniversarios no importa lo que se regale mientras tenga un lindo significado…

A very interesting video on Van Gogh , Usefull information. Enjoy

Yes, Van Gogh's sunflowers were nice. (You do need to look at this link in order to fully appreciate his lament)

But, let's face it, many of the petals had fallen off leaving only the brown centers, which he painted yellow for some reason! Honestly, yellow. What was he thinking?

OK. OK. He did have fifteen of them in a vase. That's not easy to do because sunflowers are always falling out, taking a nose dive on to the carpet or the porch.

And, OK, he did get rid of those big green leaves, too. No big distractions.

But, all in all. Big whoop, Vincent.

Did Van Gogh grow HIS own sunflowers? Huh? Did he?

No, he DID not. Did NOT.

Van Gogh's End of Summer Lament.

So there.

©Pat Coakley 2008

PHOTOGRAPHS CANNOT BE USED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION

Asa ca va mai arunc o provocare, de data aceasta vizuala, pentru a va explora sentimentele si gandurile, stimulati de operele unor mari maestri.

V-o spun raspicat: Van Gogh este pictorul meu preferat, asa ca asteptati-va la multe alte picturi ale sale.

In pictura de mai sus, doua sunt lucrurile care ma fascineaza: culorile si viata care freamata. In opinia mea, coloritul lui Van Gogh depaseste ca frumusete realitatea insasi, si asta fara ca olandezul sa utilizeze cine stie ce nuante savante si efecte tehnice. Culorile lui sunt simple, dar imbinarea lor este unica; tusele de culoare sunt ostentativ vizibile, dar ele nu fac decat sa confere acea palpitatie, acel freamat de care vorbeam mai sus. Unele tablouri au perspectiva, altele au gratie. Acesta al lui Van Gogh se zbate, este ca un ocean de viata care lupta sa se elibereze din limitele sale fizice.

Cand ma uit la acest tablou, simt racoarea vantului si aud croncanitul ciorilor.

This second sketch shows peasants planting
potatoes and was sketched towards the end of his life in 1888. These peasants are planting potatoes perhaps with more action  here than in the previous sketch because e there are two peasants.Van Gogh uses mainly lines and cross hatching.

painted this over the past week , the weather here has been so grey!, we have a field next to the close where I live and there is a serial crop of some kind it is not tall enough for corn. This painting is based on this, I think the paint dribbling effect works well and adds interest.

Guggenheim Museum, New York

THE THANNHAUSER COLLECTION
Exhibition > Opens August 16, 2008






The newly restored Thannhauser Gallery will present a selection of canvases, works on paper, and sculpture bequeathed to the museum by the important art dealer and collector Justin K. Thannhauser (1892-1976).

Edouard Manet

Edouard Manet
Before the Mirror, 1876
Oil on canvas, 36 1/4 x 28 1/8 inches
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Thannhauser Collection. Gift, Justin K. Thannhauser, 1978
© All rights reserved

Representing the earliest and perhaps most iconic works in the museum’s collection, the Thannhauser holdings include significant works by Paul Cézanne, Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin, Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Pablo Picasso, Camille Pissarro, and Vincent van Gogh. Thannhauser’s commitment to supporting the formative careers of artists as Vasily Kandinsky, Franz Marc, and Paul Klee, and to educating the public about Modern art, paralleled the vision of the Guggenheim Foundation’s originator, Solomon R. Guggenheim.

Among Thannhauser’s gifts to the Guggenheim are such incomparable masterpieces as van Gogh’s Mountains at Saint-Rémy (1889), Manet’s Before the Mirror (1876), and close to 30 paintings and drawings by Picasso, including his seminal works La Moulin de la Galette (1900), and Woman Ironing (1904).

This reinstallation of more than 30 objects of the Thannhauser Collection offers visitors the opportunity to reacquaint themselves with some of the celebrated images that comprise this illustrious collection.

Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent Van Gogh
Mountains at Saint-Rémy, July 1889
Oil on canvas, 28 1/4 x 35 3/4 inches
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Thannhauser Collection. Gift, Justin K. Thannhauser, 1978
© All rights reserved

Camille Pissarro

Camille Pissarro
The Hermitage at Pontoise, 1867
Oil on canvas, 59 5/8 x 79 inches
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Thannhauser Collection. Gift, Justin K. Thannhauser, 1978
© All rights reserved

Representative works from the Thannhauser Collection have been on view at the Guggenheim Museum since 1965, shortly after the collection was given to the museum. These works are rotated and installed in the Thannhauser 2 Gallery, one of the original Frank Lloyd Wright galleries known as the “Monitor” building or Small Rotunda.

On the occasion of the re-opening of this dedicated space, the Guggenheim Museum is pleased to feature the first results of the Thannhauser Frame Study, a joint project of the Curatorial and Conservation departments. Committed to improving the overall quality and historical accuracy of the period frames in this gallery, the staff has been researching and restoring existing frames and acquiring antique examples. Freshly restored models will support two Cézanne works on view, Still Life: Flask, Glass, and Jug (ca. 1877) and Bibémus (ca. 1894 - 95), and Picasso’s Le Moulin de la Galette (1900). The Thannhauser Collection reinstallation is organized by Vivien Greene, Curator of 19th- and Early 20th-Century Art, and Tracey Bashkoff, Associate Curator of Exhibitions and Collections, with Megan Fontanella, Curatorial Assistant.

Text © Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Images © All rights reserved







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• Guggenheim Museum, New York
• About Justin K. Thannhauser
• Visitors information - Hours and Ticketing











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]]> http://fancynotions.wordpress.com/?p=935 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:34:18 +0000 Elizabeth Herndon http://fancynotions.wordpress.com/?p=935

The thing about this guy that I feel elevates it from a charming logo to a genuine piece of storefront art is his skin. Yellow face, pink ears and hands. Curious. Post impressionist. I like it.

This little shutterbug used to reside on the storefront of Sunset Camera in Echo Park. I don't think he's there anymore, however, and that's a shame. The image really works for a camera store - it was so nice looking that I had to take a photo of it, and it also made me smile when I saw it. What do people always tell you to do when they are taking your picture? They tell you to smile. You did your job well, Sunset Cameraman. Rest in peace.

]]> http://cartoonmagmovie.wordpress.com/?p=233 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:29:03 +0000 cartoonmagmovie http://cartoonmagmovie.wordpress.com/?p=233 Semplicemente un grande: che siate o no fan dei suoi film, non è possibile negare lo straordinario talento di Takeshi Kitano. Sul suo curriculum si legge, regista, sceneggiatore, produttore, autore televisivo, comico e adesso anche pittore. Per la prima volta i suoi dipinti sono al centro di un nuovo film intitolato “Achille e la tartaruga” (Akires to Kame), pellicola in cui il regista mette in scena la vita di un artista il cui talento non viene quotato da nessuno.

“Volevo descrivere il mio conflitto come regista e personaggio televisivo, e stavolta volevo farlo tramite l’arte – dice il simpatico Kitano in conferenza stampa a Venezia, dove il suo film viene presentato nel Concorso Ufficiale - Metto in scena il lavoro dell’artista e quello che lui esprime. Ho trattato il lato oscuro dell’arte, volevamo descrivere una storia davvero crudele, l’arte vista come una droga”.

Takeshi Kitano - Zatoichi

Kitano, che nel film interpreta il protagonista in età adulta, ha messo i suoi veri dipinti davanti la macchina da presa. A tal proposito il regista mostra grande autoironia dichiarando: “I dipinti che ho utilizzato nel film sono opere mie. Non sono per niente belli, ma è stato meglio inserire questi piuttosto di utilizzare i quadri di Van Gogh e Picasso. È stato un bene per il budget del film! I miei quadri non costano nulla”. A quel punto qualcuno gli chiede se sia disposto a vendere davvero i suoi quadri: “Di solito non li vendo – risponde - quello che succede è che organizzo una lotteria tra i compratori… chi vince se lo porta via gratis!”

A proposito del film, il grande Takeshi continua: “Ho scelto un pittore come protagonista: volevo imitare la sensibilità di Van Gogh. I miei film sono sempre molto seri, però questo è stato ritenuto più serio, soprattutto dal pubblico che lo ha visto meno ironico di altri. Anche se io penso di aver sempre fatto dei giochi di umorismo come negli altri film. Ma gli spettatori che lo hanno visto in Giappone si sono commossi nel vederlo”. Ed è proprio così, "Achille e la tartaruga" riesce a toccare lo spettatore, portandolo a contatto col genio e con la follia di un'artista.

Si tratta del quarto film che il regista presenta al Festival: “A Venezia vengo ogni anno ormai - conclude Kitano -  è come se fosse diventato un ciclo di produzione dentro di me. Ho vinto due premi su quattro film presentati… non sono l’unico giapponese che partecipa, ci sono così tanti film che si candidano alla Mostra ma non vengono accettati… devo dire che è molto difficile essere accolti nel Concorso. Ma non pensate che pago i giurati sottobanco!!”

Takeshi Kitano alla conferenza stampa edizione 62 del Festival

]]> http://pontecosasenlasorejas.wordpress.com/?p=1558 Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:52:53 +0000 pendientera http://pontecosasenlasorejas.wordpress.com/?p=1558
Anillo Noche Estrellada de Van Gogh_12€+gastos de envio c/u
De arcilla polimérica y con base ajustable
]]> http://100swallows.wordpress.com/?p=767 Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:26:40 +0000 100swallows http://100swallows.wordpress.com/?p=767 “I'm going to cover the white walls of the room that you will sleep in, or Gauguin, when he comes, with nothing but paintings of large yellow sunflowers,” Van Gogh promised his brother Theo in a letter (534). “And then you will see these large pictures of bunches of twelve or fourteen sunflowers, filling the tiny room along with a pretty bed, everything else all very elegant....I want to make it into a real artist's house...everything—from the chairs to the pictures—should have character.”



Later he wrote (letter 573) “... Gauguin was especially taken with [the sunflowers]... As you know, peonies are Jeannin's, hollyhocks are Quost's, and sunflowers, well, sunflowers are mine.”



His friend the painter Bernard describes Vincent's funeral. All around his coffin were...sunflowers!

“On Wednesday, 30 July, I arrived in Auvers around ten o'clock...The coffin had already been closed. I was too late to set eyes once more on the man who took his leave of me so full of hope three years ago. All of his last paintings had been hung on the walls of the room where the coffin lay; they formed a kind of halo about him, and by virtue of the radiant genius they emanated, they made his death even more unbearable for us artists. A plain white cloth was draped on the coffin and there were a great many flowers—sunflowers, which he was so fond of.”



..

]]> http://intoxicologist.wordpress.com/?p=489 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:28:49 +0000 intoxicologist http://intoxicologist.wordpress.com/?p=489

In sorting through press releases I happened upon this one from Chopin Vodka from over a year ago.  While some broadcast items become old within days or hours even, Chopin Vodka is ever news worthy.  Chopin Vodka is the vodka that completely turned me on to straight up martinis in the first place.  Before Chopin, my impression of vodka was that it was only good for mixing in a cocktail.  Of course I now know that to be totally false.  Since discovering Chopin I have also become aware of multitudes of fabulous straight up martini vodkas: Christiania, Belvedere, Pravda, Van Gogh, Hangar One and Ciroc to name just a handful.

 

The reason this press release caught my eye is Chopin Vodka again jazzed up the straight up martini into something phenomenal (Spanish Nights CEO Martini) and created several more luscious cocktails and punches.  With Labor Day only a few days away and so many people looking for something unique, delicious and as labor free as possible for the holiday gatherings, this press release with recipes seemed to be perfect timing. 

 

Read through and don’t miss the recipes below.  More recipes and information may be found on the Chopin Vodka website.

 

Chopin Vodka Releases the Flavors of
SPRING & SUMMER with a New Range
of Seasonal Cocktails

New York, NY (May 16, 2007) / PRNewswire / — Chopin shows off everyone's inner mixologist in their latest selection of seasonal cocktail recipes for 2007. Chopin Vodka sets the foundation for original drinks with minimal prep times including fresh ingredients that reflect hot culinary trends like Spanish Tapas and flavor infusion with tea, crystallized ginger, fresh berries, and cool cucumber and mint.

 

The ultimate luxury vodka, Chopin is handcrafted from naturally grown potatoes and has a full-bodied creamy flavor that works beautifully on its own or in cocktails. As the temperature heats up, the inspired drinks designed by Dushan Zaric and Jason Kosmas, two of the star mixologist/owners of Employees Only in New York City, are designed to enhance any occasion – from big summer galas to lawn parties and reunions with friends.

 

Chopin's new libations for 2007 garner inspiration from simple combinations that deliver big flavors. The Spanish Nights CEO Martini includes olives stuffed with Manchego cheese and wrapped in Serrano Ham; derived from Chopin's classic CEO (Chopin Extra Olives) Martini, this summer variation is the perfect complement to a warm night, complete with extra bowls of olives, served tapas-style.

 

Chopin finds the perfect way to deliver an element of surprise and sophistication but also keep their cocktails accessible and easy for hosts and hostesses this season. The Chopin Ginger Zing finds its zip with infused crystallized ginger, while the Chopin 'n Kiwi delivers beautiful, citrus flavor with all the simplicity and fun of ripe kiwis blended in. Chopin Heavenly Hibiscus graces the eye and the palate, infusing the delicate flavor of hibiscus tea with Chopin.

 

Crowd pleasers include Chopin Spa, a soothing elixir perfectly presented in a pitcher for guests and the Chopin Player's Cup, an explosion of fresh fruit built on a base of cucumber and mint, which can be made a day in advance and presented from a chilled punch bowl.

 

The suggested national retail price for Chopin is $34.00 per 750-ml bottle.

[caption id="attachment_488" align="aligncenter" width="216" caption="Heavenly Hibiscus"][/caption]

Heavenly Hibiscus

 

The most beautiful by far, our Heavenly Hibiscus looks and tastes tropical and lush.  Hibiscus syrup brewed from rich tea lends an exotic purple hue and subtle floral taste.

 

2 ounces Chopin Vodka

1/2 ounce Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge

1 ounce Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

3/4 ounce Hibiscus Syrup*

 

Pour Chopin and other ingredients into a mixing glass.  Add ice and shake vigorously for 7 to 8 seconds.  Strain into a chilled martini glass.  Garnish with a hibiscus flower or edible orchid. 

 

*Hibiscus syrup:  Bring 1 cup of water to boil.  Add 2 tablespoons of hibiscus tea.  Let steep for 10 minutes.  Take the tea bag out and add 1 cup of Domino’s superfine (not powdered) sugar.  Stir until all sugar dissolves.  Keep refrigerated until ready to use.

[caption id="attachment_487" align="aligncenter" width="151" caption="Chopin Ginger Zing"][/caption]

Chopin Ginger Zing

 

You can always update a classic, especially when Chopin provides the insight.  Crystallized ginger steeped in Chopin Vodka serves up a new favorite for the G&T set.

 

2 ounces Ginger-Infused Chopin Vodka*

Ginger Ale

Peel of one lime cut into a Horses Neck

 

Pour ginger-infused Chopin Vodka into a Collins glass.  Add the Horses Neck (garnish) and ice.  Top off with ginger ale.

 

*Ginger-infused Chopin Vodka:  Yields 1 liter.  Pour 1 liter of Chopin Vodka over 1/2 pound of crystallized ginger.  Leave over night.  Strain before use.

[caption id="attachment_486" align="aligncenter" width="216" caption="Chopin "][/caption]

Chopin ‘n Kiwi

 

Kiwis bring a smile to our face, especially when served up in a drink this fresh and easy.  The perfect cocktail to muddle away the summer days.

 

2 ounces Chopin Vodka

3/4 ounce Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

3/4 ounce Simple Syrup

Have a Kiwi (peeled)

 

In a mixing glass muddle the kiwi until consistent.  Add Chopin and other ingredients.  Stir gently and pour into a rocks glass over crushed ice.  Garnish with 3 kiwi wheels.

[caption id="attachment_485" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Chopin Player"][/caption]

Chopin Player’s Cup

 

The Chopin Player’s Cup deserves company.  Mix up a punch bowl at a time and serve for a crowd.  Although any combination of fresh fruits in season work, cucumbers, mint and berries are ideal for summer barbecues and lawn parties. 

 

1-1/2 ounce Vodka

1 ounce Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge

3/4 ounce Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

Fresh Mint

Fresh Cucumber slices

Seasonal Fruit (e.g. Berries, Pears, Apples, etc.)

Ginger Ale

2 Dashes of Angostura Bitters

 

Combine Chopin, Grand Marnier, lime juice, mint, fruits and cucumber in a Collins glass.  Add ice and cover with a shaker tin.  Shake briefly and vigorously.  Top off with ginger ale and a dash of bitters.  Serve in a tall Collins glass with a straw.

 

Large batch format – yields 21 cocktails:

 

1 Liter Chopin Vodka

2.7 cups of Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge

2 cups of Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

36 Dashes of Angostura Bitters

One bunch of fresh Mint leaves, rinsed and removed from stalk

One large Cucumber cut in wheels

Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries and one large Fuji Apple cut in cubes

 

Pour all ingredients into a large punch bowl.  Refrigerate for 6 hours.  Add one large ice block and top off with 0.75 L ginger ale.  Serve in tall Collins glass over ice.

[caption id="attachment_484" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Spanish Nights CEO Martini"][/caption]

Spanish Nights CEO Martini

 

Our Spanish Nights CEO (Chopin Extra Olives) Martini draws from the scents and savories of Spain.  Splashed with light Sherry and topped with three Manchego-stuffed olives wrapped in Serrano Ham, our Spanish Nights CEO is a Tapas party at play in a Martini glass.  Serve with extra olives on the side.

 

2 ounces Chopin Vodka

Dry Sherry

Jumbo-sized Olives

Manchego Cheese

Serrano Ham

 

Rinse a martini glass with dry Sherry and pour out any extra.  Place the glass in the freezer for2 to 3 minutes to chill.  Pour 2 ounces of Chopin into a mixing glass, add ice and shake vigorously for 7 to 8 seconds.  Strain into the prepared Martini glass and garnish with the 3 stuffed olives.  Serve in a 6 ounce (large) martini glass and present with bowls of “extra olives”.

 

Olive preparation:  Take 3 pitted large green olives and stuff with a piece of Manchego cheese.  Wrap each olive with Serrano ham.  Spike with a skewer.

[caption id="attachment_483" align="aligncenter" width="146" caption="Chopin Spa"][/caption]

Chopin Spa

 

Cucumbers and mint are one of the most vital combinations for body and soul.  A natural match for Chopin; make a pitcher, serve in a chilled glass, and relax.

 

2 ounces Chopin Vodka

1 ounce Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

3/4 ounce Simple Syrup

1 ounce Fresh Cucumber Water*

Finger pinch of fresh mint leaves

 

Pour Chopin and other ingredients into a mixing glass.  Add ice and shake vigorously for 7 to 8 seconds.  Strain into a chilled Collins glass.  Garnish with 3 cucumber wheels and finger pinch of fresh mint leaves.

 

*Fresh cucumber water: put one large cucumber into a blender and set it on juice.  Strain the juice and discard the pulp and rind.  Keep refrigerated until ready to use.

 

Large batch format - yields 16 cocktails:

 

1 liter Chopin Vodka

2 cups of Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

2 cups Fresh Cucumber Water

12 ounces Simple Syrup

One bunch of fresh mint leaves, rinsed and removed from stalk

One large cucumber cut in wheels

 

Pour all ingredients into a large pitcher and refrigerate for 6 hours.  Serve over ice in a Collins glass.

]]>