Category Archives: USA

Street Art Starts Conversations

Posted on September 7, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

The Mural Arts Philadelphia project recently commissioned this challenging work, which is located in the heart of the city on South Broad Street at the University of the Arts. The piece is by Brooklyn-based street artist Tatyana Fazlalizadeh who is … Continue reading →

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Mind The Ribbon Trick

Posted on September 5, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

It seems that every day we hear about a new travel scam or digital threat to worry about when we are away from home. This infographic from the security consulting group Envista Forensics does a good job explaining many common … Continue reading →

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Our Own Champs Elysees

Posted on September 4, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

This month, Philadelphia is launching a year-long+ celebration of the creation of our own version of the Champs Elysees—the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. While it may never be as grand as Paris’ great boulevard, it is a mile-long artery lined with … Continue reading →

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The Walls Between Us

Posted on September 3, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Mexican artist Bosco Sodi is preparing to create his first art installation in New York City, at Washington Square Park. Titled Muro, the installation will be built from 1,600 removable clay timbers, fired at Sodi’s studio in Oaxaca, Mexico, forming a … Continue reading →

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My Favorite Color Is Autumn

Posted on September 2, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

It may not technically be Autumn for three more weeks, however it’s never too soon to start thinking about where and when to view colorful Fall foliage. If you follow this link, it will guide you to an excellent interactive … Continue reading →

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Everybody Loves Miniature Golf

Posted on August 30, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

The always amusing UK-based American artist Doug Fishbone continues to spread joy while tackling weighty issues. His ever popular installation Leisure Land Golf, which premiered at the 2015 Venice Biennale, is now showing at the York Gallery in York. The fully-playable show … Continue reading →

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New York Loses Its Voice

Posted on August 25, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

The Village Voice, New York City’s iconic alternative weekly newspaper, has announced the end of its print publication. Co-founded by writer Norman Mailer in 1955, the Pulitzer Prize winning free paper is shifting to a completely digital platform. The paper has … Continue reading →

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How Meta

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

I ran across the gif above on a book blog and was skeptical when it was described as a clip of Humphrey Bogart on the set of Howard Hawks’ 1946 film noir classic The Big Sleep. With just a little sleuthing, I … Continue reading →

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Another Roadside Attraction

Posted on August 23, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Historian and self-taught photographer John Margolies spent the last three decades of the 20th century wandering the back roads, small towns, and old highways of the U.S. capturing images of a disappearing culture. His saturated Kodachrome images of kitsch signage, … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, History, Hotels, Museums, Photography, Public Transport, Restaurants, Tourism, Uncategorized, USA | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Welcome to Fishtown

Posted on August 22, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

Philly locals have been in on the Fishtown secret for years, but tourists are just discovering the up-and-coming riverfront district. With hot new restaurants, hip music venues, art spaces, brewpubs, fab coffeehouses, dozens of bars, and the world’s first pizza … Continue reading →

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