New York is for Booklovers

Posted on May 22, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Bound For Success

Booklovers and bibliophiles visiting New York City this summer should not miss the Bound for Success: Designer Bookbinders International Bookbinding Competition show at the famed Grolier Club. America’s oldest bibliophile society is presenting an exhibition of superb books that were judged the best out of 240 entries from 21 countries. Each of the wildly diverse competition entries was based on the theme “water” and a specially commissioned book of poems and images. The exhibition showcases amazing technical skill, artistry and ingenuity in contemporary book binding. 

The exhibition was first shown at the Bodleian Library, Oxford, in conjunction with Designer Bookbinders, one of the world’s foremost organizations devoted to the art of fine bookbinding. The limited US tour of Bound for Success is sponsored by Bonhams Auction House and will wrap-up in San Francisco this winter. 

The Grolier Club show runs from May 19 through July 31, 2010, Monday through Saturday. The Grolier is located at 47 E. 60th Street, NYC. Their website is http://www.grolierclub.org . 

 

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John Lennon Slept Here…Really

Posted on May 21, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Mendips Liverpool

While doing research for my first travel book in more than a decade ( more about that later), I ran across a fascinating item on the National Trust website. With little fanfare, John Lennon’s childhood home in the tidy Woolton neighborhood of Liverpool has been restored to its 1960 appearance and opened to the public for guided tours. Mendips, as the house is named, is a time-capsule with lovingly restored interiors, original Beatles memorabilia and Lennon family photos. 

Lennon spent his childhood, from age five, in this humble, deco-ish “semi” with his Aunt Mimi and Uncle George. Many of the Beatles’ early hits were penned by Lennon and McCartney in the tiny upstairs bedroom or on the front porch.

The house is located at 251 Menlove Ave. and open for tours Wednesday to Sunday. More information is available at http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mendips .

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Travel Writers, Are You Up For The IFWTWA Challenge ?

Posted on May 20, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Time is running out for your entry to the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association annual writing contest. This year’s contest winner will be awarded a one-year IFWTWA membership, a subscription to Press Pass, publication of a featured article in Global Writes, the IFWTWA magazine, and will be a guest on the 2011 member cruise.

You can find the entry guidelines and application link at http://www.ifwtwa.org/scholarship/index.html . Applications must be in by May 30th.

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Is Rome Ready for MAXXI

Posted on May 20, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

MAXXI Rome

After a decade-long wait, Rome unveils the much anticipated MAXXI National Museum of XXI Century Arts on May 30th. Architect Zada Hadid’s $200 million modular, glass-and-concrete structure houses two firsts for Italy: its first national museum for contemporary art and its first architecture museum. MAXXI aims to become a central point of reference for public and private art institutions operating in Italy.

The inaugural exhibitions include a thematic show, “Spazio”, with 80 works by Anish Kapoor, Sol Lewitt, Alighiero Boetti and William Kentridge, and shows devoted to Kutlug Ataman, Gino de Dominicis and Luigi Moretti, “From Rationalism to Informalism”.

MAXXI is located in the Flamino neighborhood at Via Guido Reni 4A. The admission fee is €11 for adults. Information in English is available at http://www.maxxi.beniculturali.it/english/index.htm .

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Hello world!

Posted on May 17, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

Welcome to Travel Between The Pages.

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Is It Art or Vandalism ?

Posted on January 3, 2010 by Brian D. Butler

I have been chided more than once this past year for my posts on “Street Art”. Some readers see only vandalism where others see radically independent artists at work. Now, thanks to contributor Evan Smythe we have a clear graphic depiction of the distinction.

Alternately, you can watch the film Exit Through The Gift Shop where the differences are clearly described.

Posted in Art, Freedom of Speech | Tagged , | 1 Comment