Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

America by Car (in B & W)

Posted on September 13, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

 The new “Lee Friedlander: America by Car” exhibition opened last week at the Whitney Museum of American Art in NYC with 192 arresting photos. Friedlander creates indelible portraits of everyday Americana, shooting  deceptively casual-looking scenarios in black and white. Driving across most of … Continue reading →

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Attention Map Geeks

Posted on September 12, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

The amazing new exhibition, Strait Through: Magellan to Cook & the Pacific at the Main Gallery of the Firestone Library, Princeton University runs until January 2, 2011 The fascinating exhibition documents the drama of the unfolding European exploration of the Pacific … Continue reading →

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Never Forget

Posted on September 11, 2010 by Brian D. Butler
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Random Friday

Posted on September 10, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

The Fine Brothers spoil 50 novels in just 4 minutes (really). Post-apocalyptic bookstore browsing: In the distant future, a bottle is found deep inside the rainforests of Southeast Asia. Its contents unlock the secret of what happened to three men … Continue reading →

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Maps A la Carte

Posted on September 9, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

I was pleased to see a brief story about travel friend Andrew Owen’s A la Carte Maps project on the New York Times Intransit Blog and in Sunday’s NY Times travel section. Although they only cover ten cities, A la … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Canada, Europe, Maps, Tourism, Travel Writing | 1 Comment

The End of An Era

Posted on September 8, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Thanks to Nicky Gardner for this story. When Tobias Smollett left England for France in 1763 he was in no particular rush to get anywhere. The famously ill-tempered Smollett made his way to Dover, complaining about the cold and comfortless … Continue reading →

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It’s…European Heritage Days

Posted on September 7, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

European Heritage Days is a joint action of the Council of Europe and the European Commission.The 49 signatory states of the European Cultural Convention participate in the European Heritage Days in September each year. This joint action of the Council … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Europe, History, Libraries, Museums, Tourism | Leave a comment

Books Not Bombs (II)

Posted on September 6, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Poetry rained from the skies on last weekend in Berlin as 100,000 bookmarks printed with poems by 80 poets from Germany and Chile were dropped on the city from a helicopter. Lasting for half an hour, the initiative was intended as … Continue reading →

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Books Not Bombs

Posted on September 5, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

The mission of Operation Medical Libraries is to collect and distribute current medical textbooks and journals to war-torn countries through partnerships with American medical schools, hospitals, physicians, dentists, medical professionals and the US military. Almost all medical professionals in the … Continue reading →

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No Fatwas Please

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Los Angeles artist Sandow Birk’s expansive multi-media projects and murals have dealt with contemporary issues of urban angst, war, prisons and politics, but his new “American Qur’an” project challenges his audience in new and dangerous ways. In this courageous work, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Freedom of Speech, Middle East | Tagged | 1 Comment