Ladies and Gentlemen…The Beatles

Posted on November 8, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

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I was happy to hear the news that the New York Public Library has partnered with the Grammy Museum in L.A. to stage a new multimedia exhibition called “Ladies and Gentlemen…The Beatles !” . Timed to commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Beatles’ first visit to New York City in February 1964, the show will run from February 6 to May 10, 2014. Here’s a bit of the press release:

“The exhibition – a traveling show that will debut at the Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center – will focus on the early years of The Beatles in the U.S., and the tremendous impact that the Fab Four had on American society. On display will be original Beatles materials including memorabilia, records, photographs, tour artifacts, videos, and more.”

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Europe, It’s Just Nextdoor

Posted on November 7, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

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To promote its travel services, France’s rail company SNCF placed colorful, interactive doors around Paris that allow pedestrians to experience other European cities. When the doors are opened, screens display real-time happenings in cities around the continent.

TBWA Paris, the ad agency that created the campaign writes “These interactive fun experiences not only create multicultural links among Europeans, but also enable us all to realize at the end of the day, Europe, it’s just next door.”

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Coming Soon: Boston’s Literary District

Posted on November 6, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

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It’s been a rollercoaster of a year in Boston, filled with both tragedy and triumph. Now the historic city’s literary community is developing what they are calling the first planned literary district in the United States. Led by the brilliant folks at Grub Street, Boston’s fantastic independent center for creative writing, the literary cultural district project aims to capitalize on the city’s prominent literary heritage and be in place by 2015.

They are still working on the boundaries of a loosely defined literary map, but the literary district will definitely include the amazing Boston Athenæum, Beacon Hill, the Boston Public Library and Copley Square, Washington Street and historic buildings related to Boston’s famous literary figures such as Louisa May Alcott, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Sylvia Plath.

The literary district project will include walking tours, book festivals, special exhibitions, literary-related street art, interactive installations and, of course, the obligatory apps. I’m game. What about the rest of you bibliophiles?

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Mind Your Metro Manners

Posted on November 5, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

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The Japanese are generally considered to be among the most polite people, but even the world’s most courteous folk need friendly reminders to respect other travelers on public transportation.

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Each year Tokyo Metro, the group that runs the city’s subway network, issues a new series of colorful posters to urge riders to mind their manners. so watch where you’re rolling, please turn off that mobile phone and always turn down your music.

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Mi Casa Es Su Casa

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

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Behomm is the first home exchange website created specifically for the creative community. Developed by Barcelona-based artists Agust Juste and Eva Calduch, Behomm is an invitation only vacation home exchange for creative types.

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The site allows two parties to swap homes for up to a month for “free”, although Behomm does charge an annual membership fee for the introductions. A visit to the website shows home listings from around the globe, including some pretty awesome properties.

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So if you’re a creative professional (and the range is extensive), to join the Behomm community either visit the website and fill-out a registration form or have a current member invite you to join.

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Bye-Bye Banksy

Posted on November 3, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

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The mysterious street artist Banksy has completed the final piece of his “Better Out Than In” NYC residency. His “inflatable throw-up on the Long Island Expressway” in the Borough of Queens is a simple set of balloons spelling out Banksy.

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The elusive prankster also released an “official Banksy New York residency souvenir T-shirt” on his website. Fans are encouraged to download the image and print their own shirts.

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Now that the hub-bub is over, what was your favorite piece (if you care)? I’m split between the rolling, animatronic, abattoir-bound animals and the wistful “banality of evil” Nazi portrait at the Housing Works Bookstore.

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Grimm City

Posted on November 2, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

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The 200th anniversary of the first publication of the Brothers Grimm fairytales was marked with a wide variety of touristy events in Germany. But the most imaginative and innovative celebration was a collaboration by a group of designers and architects. The project, coordinated by FleaFolly Architects, resulted in the creation of a model Grimm City complete with factories, theaters, churches and more. The elaborate model can currently be seen at London’s Design Museum, but hopefully it will travel to a grim city near you very soon.

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Algorithms Are So 1984

Posted on November 1, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

I’m loving the new blog called Go Book Yourself. The collaborative effort from Anna James, Daniel Dalton and Rob Goodswen describes itself as “book recommendations by humans, because algorithms are so 1984.” The website offers thoughtful book selections that are intuitive and sometimes unexpected. If you’re searching for a good read, it’s well worth a spin.

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Halloween II

Posted on October 31, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

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All houses wherein men have lived and died Are haunted houses. Through the open doors The harmless phantoms on their errands glide, With feet that make no sound upon the floors.

We meet them at the door-way, on the stair, Along the passages they come and go, Impalpable impressions on the air, A sense of something moving to and fro.

There are more guests at table than the hosts Invited; the illuminated hall Is thronged with quiet, inoffensive ghosts, As silent as the pictures on the wall.

The stranger at my fireside cannot see The forms I see, nor hear the sounds I hear; He but perceives what is; while unto me All that has been is visible and clear. […]

So from the world of spirits there descends A bridge of light, connecting it with this, O’er whose unsteady floor, that sways and bends, Wander our thoughts above the dark abyss.

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 Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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Happy Halloween

Posted on October 31, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Happy Halloween : via the ever witty webcomic The Gentleman’s Armchair.

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