Archive for the ‘the new museums’ Category
‘Chuck’ 2.0: New Skills, Same Heart
Zachary Levi vows the new ‘Chuck’ returning to NBC for season 3 with super spy skills – still has the same heart that fans have grown to love. (Jan. 6)
Duration : 0:2:24
Is there an annual membership plan for all the major New York City museums?
I’m looking for something that would get me into the big ones: Met, MOMA, the Guggenheim, etc.
Yeah. Plus different levels of access. Any specific museum?
Here’s an unlimited two-for one admission pass to seven museums in New York.
http://docs.rma2.org/press/Museum%20Discovery%20Pass.pdf (PDF)
A Visit to Cardiff Castle
If you are planning to take a trip to a romantic destination, allow us to guide you to Wales and recommend that you pay a visit to Cardiff Castle. This beautiful and strange city houses within its midst, among shopping centers, museums and government buildings, a well preserved Norman castle filled with romantic history. Here is a quick run through Cardiff Castle’s troubled history, architectural modifications, interior designs as well as the attractions that it features today.
This beautiful structure dates back to the time of the Roman conquest and was built on the site of a Roman fort as early as 1091. However, the most appealing features of its design date from the 19th century when two talented dreamers tried and succeeded to recreate the Middle Ages in their own time. John Patrick Crichton-Stuart, the 3rd Marquess of Bute and his talented and creative architect William Burges changed the exterior as well as the interior of Cardiff Castle. The interior of this fantasy land is decorated with Moorish designs, pleasures of the seasons and nature’s creatures while the exterior offers lush gardens and fountains making this castle a very attractive romantic destination. The troubled history that fills its walls, the kings that owned it, the heroic rebels and noblemen that were imprisoned there, complete the appeal of this beautiful Norman castle. However, the appeal of Cardiff Castle stretches to the present day as this magnificent and well-preserved structure is the home of the largest Mardi Gras in Wales, the Summer Ball of Cardiff University and of several notable rock concerts every year.
A trip through the history of Cardiff Castle takes us back to the Roman conquest when the first settlement was built there in the first century AD. The first Roman construction was a fort measuring 10 acres that probably used to be the location for workshops, stores, barracks and many other essential structures. This fort was followed by two other constructions of the same nature erected by the Romans during their stay in Cardiff. Some of the original Roman masonry lasted until after the Norman Invasion and it was incorporated into a Norman castle built by Robert Fitzhamon, Lord of Gloucester around 1091. The timber and earth fortress, measuring 40 feet in height, was reinforced with stone and with a shell keep in the 12th century by the son of King Henry I, Robert “the Consul”, who was at that time the lord of the castle. Except for the gatehouse and a stairway that were added during the 15th century, there were no significant changes brought to the castle until it came in the possession of John Patrick Crichton-Stuart, the 3rd Marquess of Bute in the 19th century. The outside as well as the inside of Cardiff Castle were embellished with magnificent Victorian additions; lush greenery, marble fireplaces and flowing fountains were used to enhance the medieval effect that Lord Bute was seeking. The interior decoration themes include astrological symbols, heraldic features, biblical characters dressed in robes, creatures of nature and pleasures of the seasons mixed with Moorish designs all used by the brilliant architect and decorator William Burges to achieve the flamboyant grandeur that Lord Bute desired.
Although the most famous episode in Cardiff Castle’s history was the imprisonment of Robert, Duke of Normandy by his brother Henry I, the King of England, the castle’s past is filled with such troubled moments. One of the major revolts of the Welsh in 1183-1184 brought severe damage to the castle walls and also to the town nearby. The problems persisted until Wales was unified under Llywelyn the Last, a charismatic Welsh leader, in 1270. At that point the castle was refortified by Gilbert de Clare in fear of further rebellion. The Despenser family, notorious in Britain for their love of conflict, took hold of Cardiff Castle in 1306 and kept it for a hundred years. During this time they imprisoned daring Welsh hero Llywelyn Bren who had instigated a riot against the English lords and brutally killed him against the direct order of the king. His death was avenged during the rebellions of Owain Glyndwr of the 15th century when the castle was assaulted. A more peaceful time in Cardiff Castle’s history came under the Beauchamps family, earls of Warwick when rebellions ended and the lords of the castle were more preoccupied with improving the castle itself and the buildings around it. In 1483 Richard, Duke of Gloucester, husband of Ann Warwick who was then owner of the castle, became King Richard III and Cardiff Castle became possession of the monarchy for the next 75 years. During the Civil War of the late 17th century the castle was sought by both Royalists and the Parliamentary forces and was eventually taken over by the army of Oliver Cromwell. The castle passed into the hands of the Bute family in 1776 which had a great impact on the development of the building as well as the city of Cardiff. As of 1947 the castle is under the care of Cardiff City Council and this beautiful Norman fortress is available for public visitation for a fee.
Aside from the historical relevance and architectural beauty of the fortress, a visit to Cardiff Castle may also bring you entertainment via social gatherings like the largest Mardi Gras in Wales, held there every summer in August, or the Summer Ball held by Cardiff University every year. Special events that take place at the site include rock concerts and other performances as the castle can host up to 10,000 people. The Stereophonics Live at Cardiff Castle concert from June1998 is one of the most notable of the events held there.
When you visit Cardiff Castle you get to take advantage of the unique fairytale atmosphere of this dream residence located near the center of the city but surrounded by the remains of ancient Roman forts and the ruins of the old Norman castle.
Article by Susan Ashby of Cardiff Singles. To read more articles like this or for dating in Cardiff visit http://www.cardiff-singles.co.uk
Susan Ashby
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/a-visit-to-cardiff-castle-122927.html
“Skin Fruit” at The New Museum Of Contemporary Art curated by Jeff Koons
Nowness (http://www.nowness.com) brings us an exclusive video of the “Skin Fruit” exhibition at The New Museum of Contemporary Art in New York. Curated by artist Jeff Koons, showcased are pieces selected from the collection of Greek businessman-philanthropist Dakis Joannou.
http://www.highsnobiety.com
Duration : 0:3:23
Did you know the new Creationist Museum is actually owned by atheists?
Just another way that we are smarter than you. Now we take your money because of your dumb beliefs.
If that is true then the 60% who believe in creation has just jumped to 85%.
Looy claims that he, too, was an evolutionist before he looked into creationism and after much research, he said, he found that creationism made more sense to him and answered his questions more satisfactorily. He hopes that the museum will help others come to the same conclusion.
(One of the co-owners who doesn’t sound like an atheist.)
World of the Bizarre – the Realm of the Weird, Odd, and Unexplained
http://www.yallways.com
Humans have always been fascinated by that which seems strange or odd. This can range from abnormal talents, bodily mutations, unexplained animals, and more. Collectively, these phenomena are a part of the “world of the bizarre.” The world of the bizarre has been frequently highlighted by trade shows, circuses, documentaries, and books created for the amusement of the general public.
The world of the bizarre has been fascinating people for generations. In the past, numerous fairs and festivals included sideshow acts with weird people, plants, and animals. These were especially popular during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Many people performed in these shows and made a respectable living from doing so. However, sideshows eventually fell out of style. They became seen as perversion of the human body and disrespectful or crude for viewers. In their place, more “appropriate” circuses developed. These still included some sideshow-style acts, but focused mainly on humor, acrobatics, and trained animals.
Many artifacts associated with the world of the bizarre have been gathered by enthusiasts in collections and museums around the world. Perhaps the most famous of these is the collection established by Robert Ripley. Ripley began displaying his collection of bizarre items in 1933, when he presented at the Chicago World’s Fair. After this successful event, he began taking his show on the road. Ripley traveled across the United States showing off his oddities. Over time, his obsession expanded into a publishing company, television show, and sixty-eight museums worldwide.
Bodily mutations are some of the most popular items inside the world of the bizarre. Whether these are self-inflicted or a result of genetics, there is a wide array of strange variations on the human form. This can include people who use tools to alter the growth of their bodies. For example, women who use corsets can permanently shrink their waste to as few as six inches in circumference. Similarly, some African groups use neck extenders to create females with abnormally long, and weak, collar structures. In other cases, people might use piercings and tattoos in extreme ways. In fact, several people have attempted to transform themselves into cats using these and other alterations. Others use piercings as a way to hang themselves in the air or perform other stunts.
Genetic mutations are just as intriguing and diverse as self-inflicted oddities. Siamese twins and midgets, for instance, have fascinated people for centuries. Additionally, people born with extra limbs have caused great intrigue. In fact, some of these people have been worshipped by some cultures, such as in India. Excessive body hair can also bring fame inside the world of the bizarre. Most notable are the Gomez brothers whose hair completely covers their face and bodies. The brothers have made a name for themselves by performing acrobatic acts in the circus.
Odd talents are also a part of the world of the bizarre. This includes people who eat unusual items, which range from fire swallowers to those who consume metal. To contrast this, some people can regurgitate objects consumed upon demand. Other talents include extreme strength or the ability to endure severe pain. Some people can even contort their bodies in seemingly impossible ways. Talented animals are also popular. Domestic animals that seem to possess higher level thinking abilities to speak or count are especially notable. Birds, elephants, dogs, and monkeys have all been presented with such seemingly impossible talents.
Other notable features of the world of the bizarre include strange artwork, odd events, weird natural formations, and more. In fact, there seems to be an endless supply of bizarre objects and occurrences. These continue to fascinate people and encourage further inquiry and investigation. They also influence others to create and display their own oddities, which keeps the world of the bizarre ever-growing.
John W. Martin
http://www.articlesbase.com/science-articles/world-of-the-bizarre-the-realm-of-the-weird-odd-and-unexplained-698604.html
Art Museum by the Zoo (Region-All)
Original title: Misulgwan Nyop Tongmurwon Starring: Ahn Seong-Ki, Shim Eun-Ha, Lee Seong-Jae, Song Seon-Mi Director: Lee Jeong-Hyang Studio: Spectrum Rating: 15+ Genre: Drama About This DVD Best New-face director in the 7th Chunsa film festival, best New-face actor(Kim Seong-Jae)/ Prize of Best Film, Leading Actress(Shim Eun-Ha), New Director, New Actor(Lee Seong-Jae) at 36th Dae Jong Award Festival/ Prize of Screenplay(Lee Jeong-Hyang) at 20th Chung Ryong Film Award Chun-Hi, video camera woman for wedding ceremony, falls in love with refined In-Kong, congressman aide whom she meets often in the wedding hall. She can not express well how she feels about him, and she just smiles at him. One day Cheol-Su, soldier, trespasses on her house. He comes to her house to spend his last holidays as soldier with his lover Da-Hye, but she already moved out. When Cheol-Su is heard that Da-Hye is going to get married to another man, he insists on staying in the house of Chun-Hi saying that he will persuade his ex-lover to come back to him. Chun-Hi decides to share her house with him, because she feels pity for him. Chun-Hi, who loves a man one-sidedly, and heart-broken Chul-Su become close more and more while they fight and comfort each other. When Chun-Hi writes a scenario, Cheol-Su interrupts her and they decide to realize their hopeless love in the scenario. Audio Format: Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround Video Format: Widescreen 1.85:1 (Anamorphic) Languages: Korean Subtitles: English Country Made: Korea Region Code: ALL Year Made: 1999 Running Time: 109 Special Features: Bonus Material: 49 Minutes, Interactive Menus, Scene Selection, Music Video, Highlights, Production Sketches, Cast and Crews Bios, Photo Gallery, Original Sound Tracks, Theatrical Trailers, Interview with Director and Actress, Location Map Availability: Usually ships in 5-10 days.
The Known Universe
The Known Universe takes viewers from the Himalayas through our atmosphere and the inky black of space to the afterglow of the Big Bang.
Every star, planet, and quasar seen in the film is possible because of the world’s most complete four-dimensional map of the universe, the Digital Universe Atlas that is maintained and updated by astrophysicists at the American Museum of Natural History.
The new film, created by the Museum, is part of an exhibition, Visions of the Cosmos: From the Milky Ocean to an Evolving Universe, at the Rubin Museum of Art in Manhattan through May 2010.
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• http://www.YouTube.com/ScienceMagazine
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Data: Digital Universe, American Museum of Natural History
http://www.haydenplanetarium.org/universe/download
Visualization Software: Uniview by SCISS
Director: Carter Emmart
Curator: Ben R. Oppenheimer
Producer: Michael Hoffman
Executive Producer: Ro Kinzler
Co-Executive Producer: Martin Brauen
Manager, Digital Universe Atlas: Brian Abbott
Music: Suke Cerulo
For more information visit http://www.amnh.org
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Duration : 0:6:13
What are your opinions on creationism? The new museum dedicated to it?
It is costing a fortune and contains models of domesticated dinosaurs???
:]
since I believe there is a creation I believe in intelligent design
I didn’t know of the museum but am interested.
10 Must Sees of Beijing
It barely needs saying, but Beijing is an absolutely fascinating city. There is a proud ancient history demonstrated by monuments and museums, juxtaposed against the impressive modern structures constructed in time for the Olympics this year. In this list of 10 must sees, you will see the old mixed with the new – all part of the contrast which makes China’s capital such an exciting, vibrant destination to visit.
Drum and Bell Towers
In olden times, most cities in China would use their drum and bell tower to sound the beginning and end of each new day. Nowadays, Beijing’s drum and bell tower is largely for tourists, but is well worth visiting on a holiday in China – if nothing else than for the wonderful panoramic views of the city offered from atop the tower! There are hourly performances as well, giving you an insight into how days were greeted in times gone by.
The Forbidden City
Refurbishments due to this year’s Olympic Games have been particularly kind to the Forbidden City – home to 24 emperors of China during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Essentially a huge imperial palace, this is one sight that is an absolute must-see, and although it would take two days to see it all, the main attractions can be seen in a single visit. Be sure to take in the great halls and the imperial gardens, and be left in awe at the incredible architecture and huge sense of scale. A must see on any Asia holiday!
The Summer Palace
If you have not had your fill of palaces with the Forbidden City, the longish trek to the Summer Palace is well worth it. Located in a tranquil lakeside location, the complex has a huge number of walkways, gardens and temples to explore and you should be sure to have your camera handy for the brilliant view of distant Beijing from the Tower of Buddhist Incense.
798 Dashanzi Arts District
Once upon a time, this was an electronics factory. Now the site is home to a buzzing collection of cafes, galleries and studios with a very trendy feel to it. A nice alternative to the ancient monuments and sites, Dashanzi Arts District is a must visit part of the city for those with any interest in modern Chinese art.
The Great Wall
If you think of the biggest tourist attraction for a holiday in Asia, the Great Wall of China has to be a major contender. Originally built to keep out the Mongol forces, the wall is synonymous with the country and it’s hard to imagine a luxury holiday in China passing this by. Despite being photographed an incredible amount, the Great Wall still always manages to leave me in complete awe at the sheer scale of the amazing structure every time I visit.
Lama Temple
Visiting various temples is a key part of most holidays in Asia, but if you only have the time to visit one of them, Lama Temple should be the one. Regarded as the most important Buddhist temple outside of Tibet, this collection of shrines is guaranteed to leave you impressed almost beyond words. The craftsmanship is always impressive, but perhaps no shrine more so than the enormous Maitreya Buddha, which is officially registered as the world’s tallest Buddha in the Guinness Book of Records!
CCTV Tower
One of the more modern wonders of Beijing is the China Central Television Tower – or CCTV Tower for short. By far the tallest building in the city, its observation deck sits at an impressive 238 metres, with the tip of its antenna reaching 405 metres! As the name suggests, the tower contains broadcasting equipment for China Central Television, and the observation deck offers incredible panoramic views of the city.
Temple of Heaven
Although the Temple of Heaven sounds on the surface like one to miss for those suffering from temple fatigue, it’s actually an entirely different proposition from most holy sites. As well as having particular historic worth (it was the main centre of worship for the country’s leaders, and ancient emperors would come here to give thanks with offerings), it’s a popular hang out for many local residents, who can often be found singing, dancing and exercising in the surrounding gardens.
National Centre for the Performing Arts
For a more unusual modern structure, China’s holiday makers should look no further than the National Centre for the Performing Arts. Colloquially labelled “The Egg” by locals, it’s a dome of glass and titanium surrounded by an artificial lake. Love or hate the architectural style, it’s certainly a talking point and well worth a visit.
Beihai Park & Houhai District
While central Beijing can be a little on the overwhelming side with its crowds and bustle, the same accusation cannot be levelled at Beihai Park and the nearby Houhai shopping district. The former is an oasis of calm that seems to encourage relaxation, and the latter is a quiet area dotted with quaint little shops and charming restaurants. If the pace of modern Beijing is getting to you, make sure you stop by here on your holiday in China.
There’s plenty more to see here, but this should definitely give you a start. Whether you’re interested in history, art or culture, a luxury holiday in China’s capital cannot be recommended enough.
Kieron Sellens
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/10-must-sees-of-beijing-709930.html