‘Cities give us collision. ‘Tis said, London and New York take the nonsense out of a man.’ Ralph Waldo Emerson
In Patagonia
On the southwestern tip of Chile lies Puerto Natales, an extraordinary natural masterpiece. The region’s inaccessibility has helped preserve its beauty, and the Indigo Hotel & Spa is the ideal base from which to explore the harbour, the Balmaceda glacier and the surrounding mountains. Overlooking the ‘fjord of last hope’, the hotel offers guests uninterrupted access to the visual splendour without imposing itself on the landscape.
http://www.indigopatagonia.com
I Liked the Painting So Much I…
A selection of the American-born Twombly’s impressive paintings is on display at the Lambert Collection in Avignon until September 30th. Having lived in Italy for almost 50 years, Twombly (1927- ) has a particular affinity with Mediterranean light and has chosen the works for this exhibition accordingly. The flower-focused collection made the news on July 19th 2007, when an artist was arrested for ‘damage to a work of art’ after a kiss left lipstick on a painting with an estimated value of more than $US2 million. If only all art critiques were as succinct.
http://www.collectionlambert.com
Back from the Scrap Pile
That old wood has become more expensive in designer Piet Hein Eek’s Dutch homeland than new wood is a compliment to his work in turning reclaimed materials into revitalised furniture. His output is varied – from tables, chairs and cupboards to garden houses, ceramics and toys. Few people are lucky enough to have attended a school fitted out with his furniture, but if you search the ‘Commissions’ section of his website, you’ll find that some fortunate children do.
A Snail by the Serpentine
Located in London’s Kensington Gardens, the Serpentine Gallery has a permanent showcase of contemporary art, and adorns the adjacent land with temporary structures and projects from leading architects. Until November visitors can marvel at the snail-shelled Pavilion designed by artist Olafur Eliasson and architect Kjetil Thorsen. On Friday nights the Pavilion becomes a laboratory, hosting a range of experiments with scientists, architects and artists.
http://www.serpentinegallery.org
Thinking Inside the Square
As an example of humankind’s achievements the simple right angle ranks up there with the wheel. Join four of them together to create a square and you have a complex tool with infinite possibilities, explains Bruno Munari (1907-1998) in his book The Square (ISBN 88 7570 064 8). Through examples in art, design, architecture, games, space and history, Munari unpicks the simple threads of the common square to reveal the strength of the common block. You will never look at a box the same way again.
Readers Wanted – and Thoroughly Deserved
Rather than twiddle their thumbs during a year-long lock-out at The Times in 1979, the former editors continued their literary pursuits by publishing the London Review of Books. Their efforts were well received and the LRB has carved out a considerable niche for itself in the world of literary criticism with substantial reviews from authoritative reviewers. A bonus for readers is the personal ads section. These have proved to be so popular that the best have been published in book form: They Call Me Naughty Lola – The London Review of Books Personal Ads: A Reader (ISBN 1861978294).
A Brilliant Little Speck
To honour Lawrence Durrell’s contribution to literature and his brother Gerald’s to science, the Durrell School of Corfu each year hosts a range of seminars and cultural excursions. The seminars promote cross-cultural academic debate and attract the best and brightest to, in the words of Lawrence, ‘this brilliant little speck of an island’. From September 24-28 the symposium topic is ‘Cleaning up the Mediterranean’. If you can’t make it to Corfu, Lawrence’s novel Prospero’s Cell depicts the island’s life.
http://www.durrell-school-corfu.org
Remembering Pasolini
Re: Pasolini, Italian Stefano Battaglia’s homage to Pier Paolo Pasolini (1922-1975), is a daring and successful feat of musical creativity. This double-CD traces the life and death of one of Italy’s most passionate and inventive men, an artist recognised for his contributions to literature, cinema, theatre, philosophy, journalism, acting, painting and politics. Each track highlights a particular moment in Pasolini’s life, work and philosophy. Scritti corsari and Fevrar are favourites.
On the Study of Learning
The Harvard Graduate School of Education’s Project Zero is dedicated to understanding how people learn, and how that learning can best be supported, encouraged and improved. For nearly 40 years Project Zero has pursued its goals through a diverse range of programs and collaborations. Current examples include ‘Cultures of Thinking’, in conjunction with Bialik College in Melbourne, and ‘Making Learning Visible: Children as Individual and Group Learners’, being held in the renowned kindergartens and pre-schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. Project Zero’s website stimulates and informs.
‘I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library.’ Jorge Luis Borges
Andrew Hunting 