Category Archives: Museums

Murder At Full Moon

I don’t remember which book that I read first, Of Mice and Men or The Grapes of Wrath, but both had a lasting effect on me and made me a John Steinbeck fan. Over the years, I think that I’ve read every novel and … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Film, History, Museums, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

What Party

Street artists have come a long way from guerilla art bombers to darlings of the auction houses. These days it’s not unusual for a one-time “vandal” to get an impressive one-person exhibition at a prestigious museum. Currently, the hot show … Continue reading

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

Great Scott

If you have every been to Scotland, you probably noticed that Sir Walter Scott is kind of a big deal there. In honor of the writer’s 250th anniversary this year Scotland is putting on a big celebration of its favorite … Continue reading

Posted in Books, Europe, History, Museums, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Why a Duck

I first discovered the dreamy near Surrealist paintings of the Belgian artist Paul Delvaux at the Musées royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique in Brussels many decades ago. I was particularly drawn to his works on trains and train stations. Delvaux was … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Europe, Museums, Public Transport | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

NYC’s Tiniest Museum Reopens

Coincidental with the recent announcement from New York City’s quasi-official tourism bureau that the city has “reawakened” for tourism, NYC’s tiniest museum has declared itself open for business again. Like every other visitor attraction hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, the … Continue reading

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

Underground History

Aboveground at Philadelphia’s famous Independence Mall visitors discover an impressive collection of monuments to American history. Often called the “Cradle of American Liberty,” the popular tourist site contains sculptures of Founding Fathers, buildings inside of which the U.S. Constitution was … Continue reading

Posted in Architecture, History, Museums, Public Transport, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

all and sundry Sunday

In reading a novel, any novel, we have to know perfectly well that the whole thing is nonsense, and then, while reading, believe every word of it. Finally, when we’re done with it, we may find – if it’s a … Continue reading

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

When In Rome

I’ve been thinking quite a bit about Rome over the last few days because of the news that a new archeological site will be opening in the coming year in the heart of the Eternal City. If you haven’t heard, … Continue reading

Posted in Air Travel, Architecture, Art, Europe, Film, History, Museums, Photography, Tourism | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Ghost Words

What does palimpsest mean? 1 : writing material (such as a parchment or tablet) used one or more times after earlier writing has been erased. 2 : something having usually diverse layers or aspects apparent beneath the surface.   One … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Asia, Books, Europe, History, Libraries, Middle East, Museums, Tech, Writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Saving Traditional Techniques

I first became enamored with traditional Japanese printmaking many years ago when I saw a show at Amsterdam’s Rijksmusem on Van Gogh’s personal collection of prints. The collection is now housed at the Van Gogh Museum. There are many steps … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Asia, Film, Museums, Tech | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments