Starting today at the Vrije Academie in Den Haag a 4-lesson course on the meaning of art in the XXI century.
Topic of today: the importance of the concept of beauty, not just in art but in the wider cultural context of society. Upcoming topics of the following weeks: the philosophy of art and the music as artistic expression.
It starts at 14.00 and it's in Dutch: a good chance to practice your Nederlands.
http://vrijeacademie.org/nl/2013-02-15/studium-generale-voorjaar-2013
On a more general scale, celestial I'd dare say, today it's the last chance to get a good view of Mercury crossing our winter sky. Apparently, it's one of the main stargazing events of this year and we are lucky enough to have a clear sky, for a change.
http://www.beginnertelescopes.net/beginner-telescopes-blog/gallery/astrophotography/best-view-of-mercury-2013/
Saturday, 23 February 2013
Friday, 22 February 2013
Friday - Household chores on display in Den Haag
Today's thing to do has been recommended by my friend R, who is also a reader of this blog....so thank you R!
It is definitely a good choice if, like me, you are planning to do the dreaded household chores over the weekend and need some encouragement.
Currently on show at the The Hague Historical museum, hosted in a beautiful building on the Hofvijver, it's an exhibition about the Household Management Academy, nicknamed the "Spinach Academy", which has been based in this city for more that a hundred years.
Tips on how to prolong your flowers' life, clean your oven and fold the linens can be picked up from the displays, among samples of kitchen equipment and black and white photos of the good old days when home economics was a subject taught in school.
It was supposed to end this weekend but instead it's running till the 3 March.
http://www.haagshistorischmuseum.nl/page/tijdelijk
It is definitely a good choice if, like me, you are planning to do the dreaded household chores over the weekend and need some encouragement.
Currently on show at the The Hague Historical museum, hosted in a beautiful building on the Hofvijver, it's an exhibition about the Household Management Academy, nicknamed the "Spinach Academy", which has been based in this city for more that a hundred years.
Tips on how to prolong your flowers' life, clean your oven and fold the linens can be picked up from the displays, among samples of kitchen equipment and black and white photos of the good old days when home economics was a subject taught in school.
It was supposed to end this weekend but instead it's running till the 3 March.
http://www.haagshistorischmuseum.nl/page/tijdelijk
Thursday, 21 February 2013
Thursday - Looking for Spinoza on the Amstel
If you are in Amsterdam, look out for the statue of the famous philosopher Baruch Spinoza.
It's not far from the Metro stop of Waterlooplein, opposite the cafe' Amstelhoek. This is the area where Amsterdam's ghetto used to be.
Unveiled in 2007, it's a curious but nice-to-look-at object, decorated with sparrows, parakeets and roses, which according to the artist, are supposed to represent the multiculturalism of the city of Amsterdam.
Not sure if that bit is really registered by the passer bys and the tourists taking pictures, but what the heck, it's a cool statue!
http://vorige.nrc.nl/international/Features/article2053664.ece/Spinoza_returns_home_to_Amsterdam
It's not far from the Metro stop of Waterlooplein, opposite the cafe' Amstelhoek. This is the area where Amsterdam's ghetto used to be.
Unveiled in 2007, it's a curious but nice-to-look-at object, decorated with sparrows, parakeets and roses, which according to the artist, are supposed to represent the multiculturalism of the city of Amsterdam.
Not sure if that bit is really registered by the passer bys and the tourists taking pictures, but what the heck, it's a cool statue!
http://vorige.nrc.nl/international/Features/article2053664.ece/Spinoza_returns_home_to_Amsterdam
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
Wednesday - Free classical concert in Den Haag
If you are in the centre of The Hague today and want to do something different around lunchtime, why don't pop in the Kloosterker and enjoy a viola and piano concert?
It starts at 12.45 and it's free.
The programme of the concert, which includes Albinoni, is available here.
http://www.kloosterkerk.nl/
It starts at 12.45 and it's free.
The programme of the concert, which includes Albinoni, is available here.
http://www.kloosterkerk.nl/
Tuesday, 19 February 2013
Tuesday - Between kitsch and art in Delft
One of the most typical souvenirs people normally bring back from Holland are objects of all shapes and sizes decorated with the popular Delft blue motif.
Some of these are truly beautiful things, hand made in Holland and sold for an hefty price. Most of them however are poor imitations made most likely in the Far East, which is somewhat ironic, since the Delft Blue started their life as a cheaper imitation of the precious Chinese porcelains in the 17th century.
Wonderful objects, original masterpieces and cheap but amusing imitations are currently on display at the Keramiek Museum Het Prinsenhof in Delft, in an exhibition fittingly called "Delfts Blauw: kunst of kitsch".
http://www.ikhouvanblauw.nl/
Some of these are truly beautiful things, hand made in Holland and sold for an hefty price. Most of them however are poor imitations made most likely in the Far East, which is somewhat ironic, since the Delft Blue started their life as a cheaper imitation of the precious Chinese porcelains in the 17th century.
Wonderful objects, original masterpieces and cheap but amusing imitations are currently on display at the Keramiek Museum Het Prinsenhof in Delft, in an exhibition fittingly called "Delfts Blauw: kunst of kitsch".
http://www.ikhouvanblauw.nl/
Monday, 18 February 2013
Monday - Father forgive me for I am going to sin (in Utrecht)
Since it's Monday and shops open late and most museums are closed, there's no alternative but killing time by going for a drink.
If you opt for beer, go a Belgian one complemented by delicious chunky fries "Belgian style".
To dissipate any feeling of guilt, the best is to enjoy your beer/chips combo at the Olivier in Utrecht, a former church converted into a pub.
A sure hit with any visiting friends from abroad, it offers the widest beer selection I have seen in Holland and an array of hearty dishes that will help you with keeping the winter blues at bay.
http://www.cafe-olivier.be/
If you opt for beer, go a Belgian one complemented by delicious chunky fries "Belgian style".
To dissipate any feeling of guilt, the best is to enjoy your beer/chips combo at the Olivier in Utrecht, a former church converted into a pub.
A sure hit with any visiting friends from abroad, it offers the widest beer selection I have seen in Holland and an array of hearty dishes that will help you with keeping the winter blues at bay.
http://www.cafe-olivier.be/
Sunday, 17 February 2013
Sunday - A glimpse on contemporary Japan in Den Haag
The Noordeinde, the somewhat posh but pretty street of Den Haag where the Queen's office is located, is packed with art galleries, displaying from the downright pretentious crap to the actually very beautiful, challenging or visually stimulating art.
French photographer Denis Rouvre's work seems to belong to this last category.
His portraits of cosplay enthusiasts (people dressing in manga costumes), sumo fighters and pictures from the aftermath of the tsunami are hanging at the Project 2.0 gallery and although supposed to end today, due to its great success, the exhibition is prolonged till the 3 March.
http://www.project20.nl/
French photographer Denis Rouvre's work seems to belong to this last category.
His portraits of cosplay enthusiasts (people dressing in manga costumes), sumo fighters and pictures from the aftermath of the tsunami are hanging at the Project 2.0 gallery and although supposed to end today, due to its great success, the exhibition is prolonged till the 3 March.
http://www.project20.nl/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)