Game of Manuscripts

Posted on April 27, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

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The medievalists at the J.Paul Getty Museum put together the video below to celebrate the new season of Game of Thrones. That’s some superfans.

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Hitchcock meets Hopper

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

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I always encourage visitors to New York City’s amazing Metropolitan Museum of Art to save time to see the special exhibitions on the roof. For the past 30 years or so, the museum has commissioned single artist shows for the rooftop garden, including giants of modern art such as Ellsworth Kelly and Frank Stella. The roof also offers stunning views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline.

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Now British Artist Cornelia Parker has built a replica of the house from Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic film Psycho on the roof of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. The commission will be on display until 31 October this year. The work, titled Transitional Object (PsychoBarn), is a reconstruction of part of the iconic weather boarded mansion, consisting of two facades propped up by scaffolding. The 30ft tall artwork was built from materials salvaged from  deconstructed red barns.

Check out this short video on the project:

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The Girl On The Train

Posted on April 25, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

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Read it quick before the film is released.

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Dancing Books

Posted on April 24, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

This lovely video was choreographed and performed by Renee Kester and directed by Tim Milgram. The music is Forever sung by James Bay.

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Don’t Let Go

Posted on April 23, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

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I’ve been a big fan of the Brazilian street art duo Os Gemeos for years. They recently completed this delightful, massive mural transforming the Pirelli Hangar Biocca exhibition center in Milan, Italy into an enormous metro car. The artwork was created by the brothers for the Outside The Cube Project.

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Would Harry Beck Approve ?

Posted on April 22, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

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Literary map geeks rejoice—TfL has released a Shakespeare-themed Underground map just in time to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the bard’s passing tomorrow. The Tube lines have been cleverly renamed for Shakespearean characters, locations, plays, and themes. The map will be available for sale as a poster or print from the London Transport Museum. While a large-scale map will be installed near the Globe Shakespeare theatre at Bankside Pier.

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What’s In A Name

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

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Obrigado, Porto

Posted on April 20, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

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I only had a brief visit to Porto, but this charming video has inspired me to spend more time there the next time that I’m in Portugal. “Thank you, Porto” is a sweet tribute to Portugal’s second city by director Tiago Monteiro, starring Joana Sequeira.

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Just Plane Etiquette

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

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We Still Love Our Libraries In North America

Posted on April 18, 2016 by Brian D. Butler
Billings Public Library, Billings Montana

Billings Public Library, Billings Montana

Last week, the American Institute of Architects and the American Library Association announced the winners of the AIA/ALA Library Building Awards for 2016. To qualify, an institution had to display an innovative reinvention of traditional library design. Are the winners:

Sawyer Library, Williams College

Sawyer Library, Williams College

Hennepin County Library, Minneapolis

Hennepin County Library, Minneapolis

Ryerson University Learning Centre, Toronto

Ryerson University Learning Centre, Toronto

Chicago Public Library, Chinatown Branch

Chicago Public Library, Chinatown Branch

Lawrence Public Library, Lawrence Kansas

Lawrence Public Library, Lawrence Kansas

Renton Public Library, Renton Washington

Renton Public Library, Renton Washington

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