Monthly Archives: November 2010

Reader’s Choice: Bookshop Porn III

Posted on November 20, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

The Libreria El Ateneo Grand Splendid occupies a spectacular 1920s theater in downtown Buenos Aires. El Ateneo has retained the sumptuous theatrical decor, while adding bookshelves and turning the private boxes into intimate reading rooms. Best of all, this literary … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books, Bookstore Tourism, South America | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Real Street Art, Italian Style

Posted on November 19, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

The city of Milan, in conjunction with its fiber optic company Metroweb, has commissioned street artists to create 20 original manhole covers. The series, titled Over the Under, is made-up of four covers each from Rendo, Shepard Fairey, the London Police, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Europe | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Mapping NYC

Posted on November 18, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Maps © Ursula Hitz

Posted in Art, Maps | Tagged | 1 Comment

Postcards from the Future

Posted on November 17, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Is this the future of London? A compelling exhibit at the Museum of London offers a series of thought provoking digital “postcards from London’s future”. Created by illustrators Robert Graves and Didier Madoc-Jones, the images suggest a tragic vision of … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Europe, Museums, Photography | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Help Save The Pages

Posted on November 16, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

London’s The Victoria and Albert Museum  has sent out a public plea for funds to preserve the original manuscripts of three novels by Charles Dickens. It’s seeking a total of £25,000, of which half has already been raised, to properly … Continue reading →

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Reader’s Choice: Bookshop Porn II

Posted on November 15, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

With its imposing neo-Gothic facade and Art Nouveau interiors,Livraria Lello has been Oporto, Portugal’s leading bookseller since 1881. Livraria Lello is the epitome of the old-world bookstore. The jawdroppingly beautiful interior is decorated with bronze bas-reliefs, glass enclosed bookcases, soaring stained glass … Continue reading →

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A Prairie Home Celebration

Posted on November 14, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

This guest post and the accompanying photographs were provided by the acclaimed Minnesota photographer Valérie Jardin. For more information on Valerie’s marvelous work, visit her website and blog on our links list. St Paul, Minnesota: The Fitzgerald Theater is celebrating … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, History, Photography, Theater, USA | Tagged | Leave a comment

Reader’s Choice: Bookshop Porn I.

Posted on November 13, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

  Libreria Acqua Alta, Calle Longa Sante Maria Formosa (Corte Senza Nome),open daily.

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International Cities of Refuge

Posted on November 12, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

ICORN, the International Cities of Refuge Network, is an independent, international organisation of member cities offering long term refuge for persecuted writers. As of mid-2010, ICORN has 31 member cities in Europe and beyond, inviting persecuted writers to dwell in … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Freedom of Speech | Leave a comment

Will Herding Tourists Really Work

Posted on November 11, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

More than ever, many major cities are relying on the financial boost that tourists bring to the local economy. But local residents are driven bonkers by window shopping, suitcase dragging, sightseeing tourists who clog sidewalks and cause sidewalk gridlock. It … Continue reading →

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