Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

Book of Strange New Things

Posted on July 26, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

I haven’t always been completely enamored with Michel Faber’s novels, but I’m still thinking about “The Book of Strange New Things” months after reading the book. Next week, the UK version of the paperback edition will be released with stunning … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Europe, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

How Is Your Airport Etiquette

Posted on July 25, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

JetBlue has lost some of its fans recently for dropping its free bag policy, but maybe this little amusing video will make everyone forgive and forget.

Posted in Air Travel, Tourism, USA | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Making Art Underground

Posted on July 24, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

After years of dodging the authorities to demonstrate their artistic chops, three Prague graffiti stand-outs —Michal Škapa, Pasta Oner and X-Dog—were recently invited by the city’s Metro system to cheer up the Soviet-era Andel underground station.

Posted in Art, Europe, Public Transport | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Die Vernandlung

Posted on July 23, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

We are all familiar with the iconic absurdist story of Gregor Samsa who wakes one day to discover that he has turned into an insect. In the remainder of the tale, Kafka describes how Samsa’s transformation impacts his family. During … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, Art, Books, Europe, Film, Writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Attention Visitors to New York City

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Coming from a family that called New York City home for more than a century, I am constitutionally required to complain about the way tourists walk the sidewalks and comport themselves when visiting the city. There’s nothing like gawping tourists blocking … Continue reading →

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Peripatetic Parisian Library

Posted on July 21, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Où est la bibliothèque ? Any place you would like it to be is just dandy with the marvelous Bibliambule . This summer, a charming little rolling library, complete with seven hammocks for laid-back readers, has been popping up around … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Books, Europe, Libraries, Tech | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Rimini is apparently Felliniesque

Posted on July 20, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

If you have ever stumbled across the Italian Avant-garde magazine Toilet Paper, you have probably had a laugh, but maybe left somewhat bewildered. The recent issue of the ongoing collaboration between Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan and photographer Pierpaolo Ferrari is no … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Europe, Photography, Tourism | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

A Place Just For Book Lovers

Posted on July 19, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

My television cable service offers literally hundreds of channels to chose from 24 hours a day. There are networks devoted to every sport imaginable. There are dozens of food and cooking shows. There are even entire networks that only show … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Bookstore Tourism, ebooks, Libraries, USA, Writing | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Invisible Cities

Posted on July 18, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

Artists Leighton Connor, Joe Kuth and Matt Kish originally planned to publish a book of illustrations based on Italo Calvino’s brilliant book Invisible Cities. Unfortunately copyright issues will likely preclude their book’s publication for the foreseeable future. However, the three … Continue reading →

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Listen to the City

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

The French railway company Thalys recently launched an entertaining advertising campaign via billboards in Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. Each of the project freestanding billboards has a map of one of another trio city with 1,000 built-in audio jack ports. Passers-by … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Tech, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments