201 Street » Arts

Lynn Lu, Singapore Installation Artist

Brody — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 23:12:23 +0000

When you have arrangements for a boutique hotel in Singapore, then you know an adventure awaits you. Singapore is unique in the world, one of the only sovereign city-states on the planet, with a sense of style and culture that is entirely unique, and extremely connected to global vibrations. Our hotels are exquisitely detailed to offer an ambience that is relaxing and invigorating. With fantastic meals prepared by chefs schooled in contemporary techniques and classical tastes, and a host of other sumptuous extras, you are sure to find a sense of well-being rarely experienced, and the magic of Singapore will await you.

In Singapore, there is an enormous array of attractions and distractions to entertain every member of the family. From people watching to sight-seeing to tours, there are many fantastic ways to get to know the place. Even a cursory glance will reveal a bustling metropolis, where the locals are extremely hip on the latest trends, and there is an artistic sensibility running through everything. The visual arts are extremely important here, and Singapore has seen a boom in the past few decades. Singapore has a culture that supports excellence in artistic innovation, and some of the most interesting artists today come from here. Lynn Lu is an excellent example.

Born in 1974, she has a BFA from Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, an MFA from the San Fransisco Art Institute, and is currently working on her doctoral thesis from the University of Newcastle in Australia. Her work is based in performance and installation, and her projects are extremely thought-provoking, and visually quite stunning. There is a sense of melancholy about her work, mixed with equal doses of humor and despair. There are also sharp cultural critiques at work here, and the sharpness of thought requires viewing the work first-hand. She has shown work at the Future of Imagination international performance art event, among many other venues all around the world.

Lynn Lu, Singapore Installation Artist is a post from: 201 Street

1,000 Cranes

Brody — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:20:43 +0000

Fold one thousand origami cranes and your wishes will be granted by a crane. This comes from an ancient Japanese story popularized after the atomic bombings of Japan in World War II. A young girl survived the bombs only to develop leukemia latter on. She was told to fold 1000 cranes and she would get well. She passed away before the completion of the thousand. Her friends took up the project and completed the thousand cranes in her honor. Today cranes are folded and strung bu the thousand and hung at the memorial for each of the bombings and in Santa Fe and Los Alamos New Mexico where research and experimentation were carried out making the atomic bomb possible. Today a traditional wedding gift in many Asian countries the gift of one thousand cranes. Being a wish for a peaceful, happy, long life. Cranes are folded in memorial to people that have passed. To raise money and awareness for a cause. The act of folding the same model over and over is meditative and relaxing. Focusing on the model at hand is important as focusing on the last crane when there are still more than 700 to go will drive you crazy. The Thais love to fold the cranes. In Thailand all school children are required to learn how to fold these cranes. The Thai government has been known to drop plane loads of cranes folded by school children: the Buddhist offering of peace and long life even to ones enemy. When in Bangkok 5 star hotels Thailand you will undoubtedly see cranes folded somewhere. For the opening of a new business, decoration for a wedding or other occasion. In Japan framing one thousand small cranes in a shadow box is a popular wedding gift. The cranes are usually folded by someone close to the bride. These are beautiful things to see. It is awe inspiring to see so many origami models together in one place and to think of all the time and effort it takes to do that. How amazing!

1,000 Cranes is a post from: 201 Street

Theater Tickets in the Park

Brody — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 16:33:57 +0000

It was weird to see about 100 seats reserved at the July 1st performance of Joseph Papp Public Theater’s production of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ in Central Park. Good seats too. I asked around and found out the the 100 seats were for some lawyers who didn’t have to stand in line to buy Theater Tickets like we did. Apparently, the huge law firm where they work paid for the tickets. That’s like $10,000!

I didn’t know that the Joseph Papp Theatre would’ve put up with so many ‘good’ seats being bought up like that, especially since Shakespeare in the Park is supposed to be free. So, really, how could something like this happen? So, I did a little bit more inquiry post production and found out that the first half-dozen years, back in the beginning, the all mighty rich would show up at the Delacorte and stand in line for admission to all the shows just like the rest of us working class citizens, old farts, lovers, Shakespeare aficionados and even the press. I remember my once that an advice columnist who was, in fact, a theater fan and an investor, was always visible at each and all Broadway openings by arriving early and stand in the aisles with her fur coat and sit down in the forth or fifth row with her back to the stage and wave to any one she deemed worthy. Well, she was the first to get Papp to cave in and cater to the might rich.

Personally, it’s much ado about nothing if you ask me, but still….it’s be nice to get reserved free seats for my buddies and me, right up front were we could feel like even the average Joe could persuade Joseph Papps to do the same for us, reserve 100 seats let’s say for a group of volunteers or the firemen, policemen and even our trash-men.

Theater Tickets in the Park is a post from: 201 Street

Radhika Jha’s New Delhi

Brody — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:19:07 +0000

The five-star hotels in New Delhi are unlike any other. One will find the same excellence in accommodations that are industry standards, with exquisite food and room service offered 24 hours a day, a knowledgeable staff and concierge service who can help you find exciting and interesting things to do for the whole family, and an excellent entertainment section. There are many other amenities, too, all designed to make your stay relaxing and luxurious. Apart from this, however, is the city itself. New Delhi, as the capital city of India, is a vivacious metropolis, where all of the human dramas and comedies play themselves out every day. It is one of the most important places, too, politically and economically, and there is an energy here that is immediately palpable. It is also one of the longest continually-inhabited places on the planet, and there is a history here that far precedes the written word.

Time spent in New Delhi has an otherworldly feel, with uncanny and vibrant experiences dotting the days. The nightlife is rich and exciting, with excellent restaurants, electric nightclubs, and fascinating entertainments. The city has given birth to many interesting traditions, and many interesting people. Among these is Radhika Jha, author of the novel Smell. Radhika Jha was born in New Delhi in 1970, and studied anthropology and political science in the U.S., and has also lived in Paris, and is currently in Tokyo.

Smell was her first novel, and when it was published in 2001, it quickly became a number one best-seller in India, and has been translated into 20 languages. The story about a young woman in a strange city who develops a sudden sensitivity to smell captivated readers from all over the world and quickly skyrocketed Jha to international fame. Radhika Jha has written another novel, Lanterns on Their Horns, a collection of stories, The Elephant and the Maruti, and most recently wrote the text for a collection on contemporary Indian artists, New Delhi/New Wave.

Radhika Jha’s New Delhi is a post from: 201 Street

Brian Friel’s Broadway

Brody — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 22:49:06 +0000

Visitors to the Big Apple always have a secret smile on their faces when they’re holding New York Broadway tickets, a pass to one of the most exciting adventures the city can offer. Broadway has become shorthand for excellence in theatre in the U.S., and all over the world. It is the section in midtown where 6th avenue becomes simply Broadway, and the entire district is where the legends of the stage make their marks in the world’s memory banks. For over a century it has been a tradition that has seen some of the greatest actors give their greatest performances, home to some of the world’s leading playwrights, and also introduced new forms to wide audiences. One of the unique gifts from U.S. culture to the world at large, the musical, has its roots, evolutions, and revolutions here.

Brian Friel, whose career has spanned over five decades, has had a remarkable presence on Broadway. One of the rarest voices in theatre in recent history, his themes of alienation, loss, and cultural difference have caught the attention of audiences and critics alike. Born in 1929 in Northern Ireland, and now living in the Republic of Ireland, it might come as no surprise that one of this Irish playwright’s main subjects is, in fact, Ireland. Having tried and nearly giving up on playwriting for many years, working primarily in Belfast, he found some success in 1964 with Phiadelphia, Here I Come! which paved the way for a long career since then. His plays are often experiments in style and form, and his earlier work has even been called avant-garde.

These early experiments certainly contained some formal elements that would inform his later work, which on the surface seems based in psychological realism. Beneath the surface, however, they are much more complex. One of his most successful plays globally is Translations, which explores the Troubles in Ireland using language as a metaphor. His most well-known play, however, is Dancing at Lughnasa, which explores the shift from pagan to dogmatically religious culture in Ireland. Focusing on one particular Summer, he creates a brilliant metaphor for change and loss. Lughnasa opened in Dublin’s Abbey Theatre before coming to Broadway, and in 1992, it won three Tony Awards.

Brian Friel’s Broadway is a post from: 201 Street

Sites in and Around the City of Sydney, Australia

Brody — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:25:16 +0000

There are many natural sites located throughout the city of Sydney, Australia. Many travel to witness a first hand look at some of the most incredible architecture in the world, such as the famous Sydney Opera House. And many travel for the various festivals and celebrations that occur throughout the year. But one of the many attractions of the city that attracts tourists year after year to find accommodations in the five star hotels in Sydney, are the beaches and the coastline. This is a city wherein one can find it all, from all that is cultural, modern and cosmopolitan in the form of the museums, the symphony and the ballet, to camping along the beaches, hiking, and surfing. And after a day spent wondering through the history museums and touring the galleries, the perfect alternative is to get away from the city to the national parks.

In the Sutherland Shire is the beach of Cronulla. This is an attractive option for many as this is the only one of the beaches of Sydney that is accessible by the train, so beach-goers can take off without the worry of looking for spaces in the car-park on the days when the crowds are out and the beaches are full. This beach is surrounded by calm waters and protected pools so has become a favorite for those with children or traveling with elderly members of the family. Picnics and sandcastles are a common site when walking on the beach here, although there are a bit of waves just right for those just learning to surf.

Just opposite this site is the location in Kurnell where Captain Cook made is first landing in the country in 1770. Along these shores there are guided walks and tours, as well as ferries to the island of Bundeena, an incredible village situated in the Royal National Park. Here one can find great outdoor hikes and swimming spots along the Jibbon Beach. The beach at Jibbon is also one of the many locations wherein one can view the ancient rock art of the Aborigines. While there is much to do in the city of Sydney, it is good to take trips outside the city, for a true feel of the rich landscaping and cultural history of this country.

Sites in and Around the City of Sydney, Australia is a post from: 201 Street

Chowpatty Beach in India

Brody — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:59:10 +0000

When one visits the country and stays in a heritage hotel, India ones visit will become even more incredible, become an experience one will never forget. There are many famous museums, and heritage sites located throughout the entire country. And at some point, one may wish to escape the crowds and the bustle of the towns and the cities and head to the beach, where the tranquility and the serenity will clear the head and the heart of many over-stimulated tourists. The beaches of India are beautiful expanses that over look lush green landscapes and clear blue waters. It is no wonder that many painters and artists travel through the country with just a back pack, some paints, canvas and a few brushes.

Chowpatty is one beach that many know of and insist that when visiting their country, this beach must be part of every tour. During the day one may swim or sunbath, but what this beach has become famous for is the food. All ages travel here, just outside of Mumbai, for when the sun sets and evening beginnings, people fill the sand in search of delectables found at the kiosks. There are ferry boat rides and people selling balloons, quite a festive atmosphere every day of the week.

This is also the location which hosts many varied festivals throughout the year. The Hindu festivals bring people together, such as the Festival for Ganesha Chaturthi, and the annual Festival of Coconuts. India is encapsulated in the idea of strata, but for these festivals those from every status attend, be it the artists or the businessmen. Many rest up during the day, under the trees on the sand, for each night the carnival happens, complete with palm readers, ponies and carnival rides. There are shooting galleries and street side massage tables, monkeys and snakes, similar to the Southern California beach, Venice. Food stalls are set up along the board walk, and the general population hangs out here en mass. There are surrounding beaches that offer a bit more peace and quiet, but at least once, one must experience the sunset at Chowpatty.

Chowpatty Beach in India is a post from: 201 Street

Delhi Film Archive

Brody — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:54:08 +0000

When travelers come to Delhi, India, hotels are the center, the new home, however temporary, to base the journey from. We think that the hotel, then, should be a splendid offering that is the best of all worlds. With a luxurious combination of new world design and style, with old world graciousness and comfort, there is something to please every guest. The hotel can be the hideaway from the rest of the world, or it can be the place where one rejuvenates before going out to have adventures. Delhi certainly has its share of possibilities for adventure. There are fantastic sights, eats, and diversions to make for an immensely memorable stay.

Delhi is one of the longest continually-inhabited cities on the planet, and it has attracted creative people as well as technology and science experts, drawn by the promise of living at one of the world’s centers. There is also a very lively film culture now, too. One sign of the health of the industry here, certainly, is the Delhi Film Archive. This organization, dedicated to the dissemination of documentary and short films, is Delhi’s chapter of the Films For Freedom, a coalition of groups that formed in 2003 in response to trends toward censorship in India’s public spaces. Their other goals are toward developing a screening culture for diverse films in the region, as well as raising awareness of the extent of censorship, and offering ways to work against trends toward silence.

This organization is responsible for organizing a host of fascinating film events, and their involvement usually signifies a savvy presence on a project. Members of the Delhi Film Archive are constantly putting together public screenings of films linked together through content and theme, and generally improving the artistic life here. Speaking clearly and articulately is, for them, the best chance that the human spirit has for working against forms of oppression and repression. Art is deeply connected with human rights, and the list of filmmakers involved in the Delhi Film Archive demonstrates a promising roster of young artists whose career trajectories will be fascinating to watch.

Delhi Film Archive is a post from: 201 Street

Delhi’s Chef Suvir Saran

Brody — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:50:53 +0000

For travelers who make their way to Delhi, hotels hold many surprises and treasures in store. There is a remarkable combination of old-world charm with new-world amenities, insuring that guests will find themselves enchanted and also super-connected to the world at large. Delhi is a city of wonderful contradictions, where the present and the past mix with the future in often remarkably unexpected ways. The hotels capture this sense, to make for a luxurious experience in the heart of a very lively city.

There are thousands of things to do here. Sight-seeing is at a premium, with temples and festivals and fairs, and both cultural and historical attractions that will be fun for the whole family. People watching here is a stunning sport, with endless possibilities for long and pleasant mornings spent observing human nature playing out its drama in the streets. Then there is the food. The sumptuous feasts here are fantastic, drawing on centuries of cooking traditions, where recipes have been perfected over time and passed down along the generations. There are also some amazing chefs here, who are playing with the tradition of Indian food in exciting ways. Chef Suvir Saran, now one of New York’s finest culinary experts, was born and bred in Delhi, and he’s using the knowledge from here to make his mark on the world.

It’s a very impressive mark, too. Still quite young, Suvir Saran has written two very influential books, Indian Home Cooking, and American Masala. These books are just the visible cream of the work that Saran has been doing, advancing the way the world at large views Indian cooking. For reasons that are baffling, it’s been difficult for Indian cuisine to find its way to the top tier in world cooking traditions. However, with Saran’s efforts, and other Indian chefs, the ceiling is starting to give way to sense. Suvir Saran is one of the co-executive chefs at Dévi, one of New York’s finest restaurants, and is changing the way New Yorkers think about food. Saran has also done multiple television appearances, has taught widely in many prestigious cooking schools, and has of course written many articles for culinary magazines. His approach is to take the best of the tradition, and experiment using contemporary techniques, to make for a blend of styles that suits contemporary tastes. The result is a divine gift.

Delhi’s Chef Suvir Saran is a post from: 201 Street

Messiah, Delhi Punk

Brody — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:45:07 +0000

There is something completely unique about Delhi, best hotels being the ones that live long in the memory, and the entire place will stay with you long after you leave. The city is a flood of human energy, constantly in motion. The hotels are designed to give you the rest and rejuvenation you deserve, so you can spend more time participating in the lively arts of existing in the city here. There is a little bit of everything in Delhi, a city that is truly in touch with history and the future. The luxury of the hotels here, however, will put you firmly and happily in the middle of the present. Stylish and cutting edge in design, there is the best of old and new worlds here, combined to make you feel right at home.

The city is a wonderful haven for artists and writers, and has attracted all walks of life, from all over the world, during its long history of human habitation. In music, there are masters from all types of classical music, from traditional Indian, to traditional European. There are contemporary musicians who are mastering the latest sounds of youth culture in local and world music. But for punk rock, one should look at Messiah. After having been together for eight years, they released their first album in 2005, the Antidote. It is a heady mix of punk rock philosophy and rapid and uncontrolled rhythms, to make for a musical experience that is very exciting.

Their first gig was at an all-girls’ college in New Delhi, an auspicious beginning for any band of three young men with nothing but music and dreams. They distinguished themselves very early on by being able to play their own compositions, and their intelligence and articulateness are quite contagious. Although the album is only seven songs long, it seems complete, as a kind of anthem to the here-and-now of contemporary Delhi. It is simultaneously an annunciation and a formal complaint, and is a perfect introduction to the contradictions of punk rock for the dispossessed teens living in this part of the globe. Unfortunately for this part of the globe, however, Messiah has not been seen playing for awhile, and have only had brief sightings on trains, which adds to the mystique, and makes their fan base wondering when there will be more to come. A perfect punk rock existential riff on waiting plays here, waiting for their entrance again.

Messiah, Delhi Punk is a post from: 201 Street