Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

Vespalogy

Posted on June 18, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

If you have ever owned a classic Vespa scooter, or rented one on your travels, you will certainly be tickled by this marvelous animated history of the way cool two-wheelers. The retro graphic tribute to seventy years of Vespa was … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, Europe, History, Tourism | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Industrial Chic

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

During the past six weeks I’ve managed to stay in six different hotels, in five countries, on two continents. So, I’m feeling like a bit of an expert on hotel design and amenities. That’s why I took particular notice of … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Hotels, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

I’ve Been Everywhere (not)

Posted on June 15, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Created by California designer and illustrator Adrian Walsh, the Everywhere Project is a collaborative effort that pays tribute to the iconic folk song “I’ve Been Everywhere“. An invited group of artists have been contributing luggage labels representing the 92 locations … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Know When To Fold Them

Posted on June 14, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Paris-based French artist Mademoiselle Maurice recently called upon hundreds of volunteers to help complete a pair of street art installations in Angers, France for the artaq 2013 festival. The colorful works along the Maine River and on the approach to … Continue reading →

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

Pulp Fictions

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Utah artist and illustrator Timothy Anderson has created a fantastic series of vintage pulp fiction-style book cover art for some of our favorite science fiction and animated films. Take a look and then visit his website, and consider purchasing a … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, Art, Books, Film, movies, USA, Writing | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Sleep Like an Egyptian

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Located at Egypt’s Siwa Oasis, just thirty miles from the Libyan border, the handsomely restored Adrere Amellal Hotel is an unlikely luxury eco-lodge. Set lakeside, the hotel was built at a site that has seen human habitation on and off … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Hotels, Middle East, Tourism | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Biblio-Surrealism

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Russian-born, U.S.-based artist Vladimir Kush describes his work as “metaphorical realism”, but his literary themed paintings could easily be called biblio-surrealist. Working primarily in oil on canvas or board, Kush also is known for lyrical sculpture pieces. The artist’s work is … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Is it art or cartography

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

I know, enough with the maps already. But these are awesome—really. Japanese artist/photographer Sohei Nishino’s Diorama Map series is based on his unique approach to cartography. Nishino wanders around a city shooting hundreds of images with actual film, then cuts … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Maps, Photography | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

How Do You See The World

Posted on June 9, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Close your eyes and visualize a map of the world. Chances are that your personal world map is strongly influenced by your country of origin or your long term place of residence. In fact, New Yorker Benjamin Pollach has created … Continue reading →

Posted in Maps | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Who Killed The Poet

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Last Saturday, a judge in Chile ordered the police to track down the man who may have poisoned the poet Pablo Neruda nearly 40 years ago. Two months ago the poet’s body was exhumed after his former driver alleged that … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, South America, Writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment