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International Children’s Festival – Where Kids Rule
Around the world there are many children that don’t live in the same conditions as other kids. Some of them don’t have someone who cares about them, someone to tell them about rules like you can only eat candy on Saturdays or establish bedtimes. But when the festival where kids rule begins, there is going to be a change, at least for a week in the beginning of June. International Children’s Festival is an event which is celebrated on various days in several places worldwide. The Festival starts on the 1st of June and ends on the 5th of June. It is not clear why they chose to have the festival on this date; maybe it has something to do with the Chinese generals in San Francisco who gathered a few Chinese orphans to celebrate the Dragon Boat festival in 1925, which coincidentally happened on 1st of June that year. This festival is set to honour children and minors and is an opportunity for children around the world to share their cultures through language and art. It provides an opportunity for kids to be involved in art activities and presentations, and it is both educational and entertaining. You can have a chance to play a major role in the International Children’s Festival; you can be a volunteer! Make an impact in the community and explore what life is like in a world where kids rule. Over 650 people around the community gather together to make this festival possible! You can help with things like paint faces, sell merchandise, assist artists, and much more. Take an advantage of this amazing...
Everyday Life in the 70’s – An Exhibition in Seville
I was crazy about that ‘70’s show. Hyde was my favorite character, with his eternal sunglasses and sideburns. The show talked about everyday life of a bunch of teenagers in the seventies. About how badly Eric wanted a cassette player, about going to the drive-in movies, the fight Donna had to put up to get the birth control pill, the time when all the boys were obsessed with Star Wars and of course baking brownies with marihuana. Of course it’s only a TV show. You want to know how life really was in the seventies? Then you should definitely pay a visit to the Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo (CAAC). They present the exhibition “The 70’s” (until 25th of April 2010), with photos from Karen Knorr, Laurie Anderson, Ed van der Elsken and David Goldblatt among others. Look how the society changed and how the invention of things like calculators, Polaroid cameras and microwaves had an impact on people’s life. And don’t forget all the crazy new food: cocktail wieners, baby corn, meat on a stick,… Gaze at the classic hairstyles, the hideous wall paper and old skool furniture. This exhibition really shows the emerging of a new generation. 5 Reason’s why it was GREAT to live in the seventies: 1. You could go see movies like ‘Jaws’ (and be impressed with the special effects) and ‘Grease’ (and admire the way they dance). 2. You could rock with Led Zeppelin and cry with the Eagles. 3. You could play ‘pong’ for hours and hours. 4. You could wear jeans with flares, the sandals of your grandfather and a home-made...
Atelier Van Lieshout – AVL Exhibition in Vienna
AVL, artist’s collective whose interventions touch on art, design and architecture was founded by the Dutch artist Joep Van Lieshout, born 1963 in Raventein, Holland. Principally the group is known for its large scale portable sculpture designs. One of my favourite works is their “Wellness Skull” (2007), a giant skull made for rest and relaxation (see photo). The neck contains a small bathroom, and the head a sauna which releases vapour through the eyes when in use. Another of their famous skulls is called the “Sensory Deprivation Skull” (2007), constructed after careful study. It is built so as to take up a minimum of space, while allowing for sufficient space to relax. Here one can forget about all noise and bother from the outside world. The work “The Heads, Claudia & Hermann” (2005), consists of three giant hollow heads. Claudia is the feminine element of the triad, with dark hair and eyes Hermann, one of the masculine elements is blonde and blue-eyed, while the third head, Tom, has a dark complexion. The three heads together symbolize human diversity, and have been used in all manner of ways in different expos: as a bar, as kiosks or information points. Three other outstanding works by the collective include: “Bikini Bar” (2006) a female torso attired in bikini, which is an agreeable and curious place to get together and relax. “Bar Rectum” (2005), is a huge sculpture which mirrors the digestive system, and finishes in a giant anus. It begins with the tongue, passes through the stomach, small intestine and large intestine and finishes with the emergency exit: the anus. “Darwin” (2008),...
Introduction to Dynamic Meditation
Every Sunday at 19h on the nose a group of my friends get together in the apartment of S., a respected specialist in meditation who once lived in India. One day, I too sat upon the coloured blankets on the floor, inhaled the sweet smell of incense, heard the sound of silence and began to meditate. My friends had mentioned that it would be a good idea to wear something white as the colour represents purity. “And blue?” Certainly they said, it’s a symbol of peace. And brown? That’s okay too, as long as it’s a colour of something in the natural world. But you shouldn’t wear black because it doesn’t let the energy flow. So I arrived dressed in white from head to toe, like a bride without her prince. They also advised me that it was best to fast for at least three hours beforehand, because it could interfere with the meditation. I was very hungry afterwards; in fact, I had a craving for junk food. The day that I went, S. announced that we were entering in the ninth moon of the eagle, the animal that symbolizes perception and vision. They pinned coloured plaques to the wall, changed some up and tacked up black drawings. I didn’t understand anything but I heard the waves of meditation and began to relax, forgetting everything beyond the walls. Everyone was seated on the floor in silence and incense wafted through the air. Suddenly strange sounds could be heard, the dynamic meditation session had begun. Eyes closed and seated on the floor, I began to breathe through my stomach, not,...Istanbul 2010 – A bridge between East and West
When we talk about Turkey the headlines often refer to the denial of the Armenian genocide or their potential inclusion in the European Union. Less frequently do we have a chance to appreciate and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of this country, full of treasures and traditions from past civilizations. This year, everything changes: Istanbul was elected European Capital of Culture 2010. The many cultural and artistic activities organized will give ample opportunities for the city to showcase the roots of this blend of east and west, and its modern-day multiculturalism. The Bosporus Bridge in Istanbul symbolizes the essence of Turkey: it joins Europe and Asia. This particular geographic situation has determined the identity and transformation of this country, making it a meeting place for diverse cultures and civilizations. Despite not yet being a member state of the European Union, though its inclusion has been in the works since 2005, Turkey attracts many students via the European Erasmus Exchange and millions of tourists, hungry to discover the country’s riches and transformations. Essen in Germany and Pécs in Hungary have also been elected European capitals of culture for 2010. Istanbul 2010 This year the ancient Constantinople will become a cradle for visual arts, music, opera, film, documentaries, cartoons, literature, theatre, performance and street art. Being nominated as a European capital of culture represents a huge push for the city both culturally and economically, and an incredible opportunity for visitors to get closer to its history and current dynamism. Over 467 projects are planned during the course of the coming year, everything from concerts by Eric Clapton and U2, to a...
All-Out Adventure – Extreme tourism and its cousins
If you think you have seen it all – been there, done that, bought the T-shirt – then welcome to the world of true Off The Beaten Path tourism. Take a peek at a few holiday ideas you may not have thought of when you bought your last Lonely Planet. Extreme Tourism: Swimming with crocodiles, BASE jumping, white-water rafting in rapids that wouldn´t feel ashamed next to Niagara Falls. These are just a few things that travellers are plunking down their ready cash to be a part of. One of the most out-there options is a holiday in Chernobyl. Yes, Chernobyl, site of the largest nuclear-power accident in recorded history. Technically, no-one is allowed close to the eerie, desolate site (although there are plenty of instances of former residents ´sneaking´ back into their homes) but enterprising tour operators have somehow wangled the permits to take guided groups into the Danger Zone. There is a mountain of paperwork before you leave – mostly along the lines of ´I won´t sue if I get radiation poisoning and my kidneys start leaking out of my ears. ´ Although the feel of the place is creepy at best, taking home a I Went To Chernobyl and All I Got Was This Lousy Third Arm t-shirt is a great conversation starter in the local bar. Holidays in Space Richard Branson continues to push for world domination (and now outer space domination) of all pop industries with the Virgin plans to take tours into space. Although this idea is not new (it´s been kicked around since 2004), the technology required is becoming a concrete reality....
Seville Spring Fair, the feast of feasts
Can you hear the sound of castanets in the distance? Spring has finally arrived and Andalusia fills with festivities and color. First for the Easter Holy Week, and two weeks later again for the famous Feria de Abril, this yearly attracts thousands of visitors (Both foreign and domestic) to the Andalusian capital. This party, which has a long tradition – it is more then 150 years old – is not just one of the most typical festivals in Seville, but in all of Spain. Starting from April 20 , for one week long life in Seville is about dance, tradition, food and drink. Blend in with the locals, enjoy the relaxed and cheerful character of Andalusia and get ready for one of the most emblematic holidays of the year. Again, as has become tradition, the festivities begin with the ceremony of the “Alumbrao”, when at midnight thousands of lanterns are lit on the festival site. What follows is the preparation of a delicious dinner: pescaíto. The Spring Fair attracts nearly 1.5 million visitors, and the fairgrounds are an exact replica of the city, constructed near the neighborhood of Los Remedios. Booths are being build in the form of little houses, and decorated with lanterns, colorful ribbons, etc. In fact, the City Council encourages this ‘decoration contest’ by handing out an award for the nicest or most original booth. The streets of the site are named after famous bullfighters or popular Spaniards. These days you can expect lots of food and typical drinks, incredible bullfights, traditional dances such as sevillanas, horse parades, flamenco dresses and lots of fun. The festivities...
Virtual Minimalism
MySpace may be dead, but Facebook and Twitter are satisfying our craving to chit-chat endlessly from our laptops or iPhones. While it´s great to be able to share your daily movements with your friends, and to hear what they are up to (especially in a global environment where we may not live in the same timezone as our friends, let alone in the same city), there comes a time when we can get the uncomfortable feeling that we simply have too many online connections. The people you used to know in high school who found you through Facebook: You added them to your friends list and now realise why you lost touch with them in the first place. They´re boring, or rude, or intrusive. Maybe you have become too careful with your updates – your boss is on your friends list and it´s hard to share the details of the great new coffee shop you found when you are supposed to be home in bed, sick. If you´re not the kind of person who likes to add friends to your Twitter or Facebook account just to have high numbers (and if you have graduated from My Space, you probably don´t), it is time to declutter your friends list. But how to do this? How can you delete acquaintances or workmates without causing offence? Some deletes are easy: The ex-boyfriends or ex-girlfriends that you never speak to anyway. They can go immediately, as they probably won´t notice they´re not on your list any more. Unless they are a bit creepy-stalker and in this case you can worry more about getting...
Add Some Scent to your Life
Smell, taste and sight come together on April 11th along the Grand Canal of Milan for an event that marks the arrival of spring: Fiori e Sapori – Flowers and flavours. This annual exhibition unites more than 200 growers and florists to pleasure your senses! This is a great opportunity to discuss the energy that flowers transmit in our daily life, our relationships and our food … Flowers are never out of fashion It’s always a pleasure to receive a colorful bouquet of roses, to look for that nice vase we almost never use, cut the stems if necessary and – above all – find a nice place to put them (out of reach of the children and/or cats), so we can enjoy them every day for as long as they last. Some flowers can really change the atmosphere of a room because they spread joy, love and beauty. Never doubt in giving flowers to your loved ones, but pick the type and color carefully, because the symbolism of these jewels of nature is not always positive. The symbolism of flowers There are a lot of stories and legends which contribute certain properties and meanings to each flower, as well as recommend which flower conveys what emotion. Among the more passionate varieties is the orchid, which represents the worship of a person, gentleness and beauty. In Chinese culture, giving a carnation expresses a desire for marriage. In Buddhism, the lotus flower symbolizes the four main virtues -smoothness, cleanliness, warmth and fragrance – which are compared with the virtues of the kingdom of Dharma (one of the Three Treasures or...
