Category Archives: Museums

Mapping Fiction

Posted on January 21, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

Loren Latker, “Shamus Town” The Raymond Chandler Mystery Map of Los Angeles, the Wonder City of America, 2014. Map, 39 3/4 x 26 1/2 in. © Loren Latker, 2021. The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. I have always been … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Libraries, Maps, Museums | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Sundry Sunday Seven

Posted on January 9, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

January 1, 2022 was Public Domain Day here in the USA. Among the works entering the public domain was Heminway’s great novel The Sun Also Rises. The Center for the Study of the Public Domain lists thousands of books and recordings … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Asia, Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, Hotels, Museums, Tourism, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Love, Desire, Death

Posted on December 6, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

In the fascinating video below, Peter Schade, the Head of the Framing department at Britain’s National Gallery, shows the process of creating six huge matching frames for the Titian: Love Desire Death exhibition. Matthias Wivel, Curator of 16th-century Italian paintings, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Europe, Film, History, Museums | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Paradox of Liberty

Posted on November 26, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

The National Museum of African American History and Culture first opened its doors in 2016. Now, the Smithsonian institution on the National Mall in Washington, DC, is bringing its exhibits to life online, making them accessible to audiences worldwide. Launched … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, History, Libraries, Museums, Photography, Tech, USA | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Music by Miles

Posted on November 17, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

I recently ran across this wonderful video below featuring images by the late Saul Leiter accompanied by the sublime music of Miles Davis. It reminded me of an exhibition of Leiter’s photographs and painting that I happened to see the … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Europe, Film, Museums, Music, Photography, Tourism | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Van Gogh’s London

Posted on November 11, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

As I have previously mentioned, I have long been an enormous fan of London as a travel destination. In fact, during the previous century I even wrote a travel guidebook for budget travel to the British capital. But I was … Continue reading →

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

Just in time for Halloween

Posted on October 30, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

I have no intention of ever setting foot inside the Salem, Massachusetts Salem Witch Board Museum but this spooky little museum in the historic town seems like the perfect spot for Halloween. The attraction located in the town that’s famous … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Museums, Tourism, Uncategorized, USA | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

House of Dreams

Posted on September 29, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Over the years, I have visited dozens of museums in and around London, but I haven’t found my way to the wonderful House of Dreams yet. The next time that I’m in London I will certainly make time to see … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Europe, Museums, Tourism | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Erasing Books for the Sake of Art

Posted on September 11, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

I am always somewhat ambivilant when it comes to book art that actually damages or destroys books, however, I am a fan of Vermont-based poet and book artist Mary Ruefle’s decades-long project Erasures. Since 1998, she has amended more than 100 books … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Museums, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Treasures from the Library

Posted on August 24, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

One month from today, the New York Public Library will be launching its first ever permanent exhibition. Treasures will offer rotating highlights from the NYPL’s collection of 56 million items spanning 4,000 years of history. For more than 125 years, The New … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Books, History, Libraries, Maps, Museums, Photography, Tourism, USA | Tagged , | Leave a comment