Category Archives: Europe

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

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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How to embarrass yourself in Paris

Posted on July 15, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

I readily admit that my language skills are atrocious. Wherever I travel, I always manage to awkwardly mangle any attempts at spoken communication in the local language. Oddly, my written understanding and comprehension can be adequate, but it all goes … Continue reading →

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Lifting the lid on censorship

Posted on July 11, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

It’s been way to long since we’ve had a look at the always clever shenanigans of my favorite street art collective Luzinterruptus. The anonymous group of Spanish guerilla environmental/political art activists recently turned their attention to the Spanish Government’s new … Continue reading →

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Visit Barcelona Before It Closes

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Brian D. Butler

I love Barcelona—and who doesn’t—but I’m more than a bit ambivalent about newly-elected Mayor Ada Colau’s plans to try and limit tourist visits to the Catalan capital. A recent city hall press statement indicated that Barcelona was halting all new … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Hotels, Restaurants, Tourism | Tagged , , | 2 Comments