Museum of Latin American Art offers stunning Long Beach diversion

Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers enjoy an afternoon at the Museum of Latin 
American Art in Long Beach, where Latin American artists from around the world are displayed.

Intriguing installations are part of the charm and allure.
Here, a Marta Boto plexiglass piece draws Cookie's eye.

LONG BEACH MUSEUM SHOWCASES LATINO ART IN BEAUTIFULLY CURATED EXHIBITIONS 

The Museum of Latin American Art's impressive
collection extends to an artful sculpture garden. 
This Carlos Luna piece expresses duality,
a theme of exiled Cuban artists. 

Sculpture Garden provides calming and fascinating place to reflect on artistic inspiration and global talent 

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

ON THE grounds of California's first movie studio, imagination continues to reign.  In the enchanting Museum of Latin American Art, contemporary works by acclaimed artists from around the world challenge viewers and offer fresh perspectives.

Friendly, inviting, interactive, MoLAA  welcomes, tests and teases the viewer -- urging him to participate in a new vision.

Judithe Hernandez makes a bold, graceful statement in the museum's
sculpture garden. She is an acclaimed Chicana artist. 

The museum draws from its extensive permanent collection to present deftly curated exhibitions -- while inviting new artists to explore their own worlds and stimulate our senses.

Works run the gamut from whimsical to provocative, from classical to avant-garde.

THE SPACE is unique -- open and airy -- lending itself to a colorful landscape indoors which leads to a calming and intriguing outdoor sculpture garden. 

Long before Hollywood existed, pioneers in the film industry were at work in this unassuming space on Alamitos Avenue in Long Beach.  In 1913 in a barn near the corner of Vine and Selma, Jesse Laskey and C. B. DeMille rented the space to make movies. Fragments of the original building still exist on the grounds where Charlie Chaplin and Mary Pickford got ready for their close-ups.

Job Garcia's imagination is front and center in works at MoLAA.

They were instrumental in forming what would become United Artists, through negotiations on the museum's present grounds.  Surely their spirits are smiling down on this unique and engaging museum.

 

IT IS ONE of the premier Latino museums in the country and is dedicated to modern and contemporary Latino art. The museum's mission is to educate, collect, preserve, present, and interpret art for cross-cultural dialogue.

Knowledgeable and motivated docents are part of the charm
of the museum.. Here, Paula asks viewers what they see,
and responds with insightful commentary. 

THE MUSEUM has an impressive docent program, with highly skilled volunteers eager to express their interest in the museum's history and extensive holdings.  Our excellent docent explained its merging of art, science and technology.  Our visit was enriched by Paula's erudite explanations of individual pieces.  She explained the often complex layers of a painting or sculpture, questioning us to draw our impressions.  This interactive approach gives the visitor a genuine feeling of participation and is gratifying to both guest and guide.

Sculpture is represented in the museum's eye-catching
and varied exhibitions, both inside and in a lovely garden.

PAULA SHARED her pride in the museum's impressive permanent collection and in a cutting edge installation, "Arteonica," which explores an obscure but fascinating Latin American art movement begun 60 years ago.  Waldemar Cordeiro is the muse behind the exhibit which explores the state of electronic and cybernetic arts, "a verbal synthesis featuring the computer as an instrument of positive social change influencing both art and culture.

Intriguing multi-media exhibitions at MoLAA
invite the visitor into the artists'  imaginations.

The museum's overriding focus is to create a dialogue between art and people, much as Cordeiro's exhibition does.

MANY OF the museum's pieces carry political and social messages, conveying the turbulent and often tragic consequences of dictatorships, thousands of "disappeared" persons, corruption, violence and political turmoil.

A "don't miss" feature of this internationally known museum is its gorgeous garden. The Robert Gumbiner Sculpture and Events Garden showcases an extraordinary exhibition of sculpture from MOLAA’s permanent collection. Gumbiner, who passed away in 2009, was a beloved physician and philanthropist was a major force behind the museum's permanent collection and laid the groundwork for the sculpture garden.

Bruce Keller "listens" to this Lucia Monge installation
a fascinating study of nature by the noted Peruvian artist. 
It includes drawings, real plants connected to a microphone. 

The museum is rightly proud of both its indoor space and its outdoor space, internationally recognized as the most important collection of contemporary Latin American sculpture in the nation.he collection has grown due to the generous donations from artists and collectors, as well as by long-term loans. The sculpture garden now presents a permanent display of over 15 abstract and figurative sculptures representing almost one artist per Latin American country.

WE WERE fascinated by the variety of bronze, wood, metal, stainless-steel and polychrome metal. The diversity is impressive, reflecting an intriguing mix of from Latin American art. Abstract works include a bronze sculpture by Peruvian artist Fernando de Szyszlo, a stainless steel sculpture by Mexican artist Leonardo Nierman and a polychrome metal sculpture by Argentinean artist Perez Celis. Figurative works of note include bronze sculptures by Guatemalan artist Max Leiva, Panamanean artist Guillermo Trujillo and Cuban artist Carlos Luna. The museum showcases art by a "Who's Who" in Latin American talent. A fascinating place.

More information: www.molaa.org -- The museum is free on Sundays. Ask about docent tours, well worth the time.

The Palms at Indian Head offers a relaxing respite, a
calming and lovely escape from the heat of summer.

ON TAP: With summer around the corner for most of the United States and the Northern Hemisphere, we begin a series of summer enticements. A fascinating hotel awaits in southern California, the Palms at Indian Head in the fascinating desert of Borrego Springs.  It was home to stars of yore -- Charlie Chaplin  Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe and other luminaries escaping the rigors and demands of the Hollywood studios. You can book a stay there today to relive their glamour days with an Olympic size pool, beautiful hiking   and a gourmet restaurant on property. The Palms at Indian Head is a quiet, restful getaway and we'll take you there to enjoy. Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, performance, nature, family and more. Please share the link: www.whereiscookie.com

British trains offer organized, relaxing way to see the UK your way

 

Bruce Keller poses by one of the UK's many efficient and comfortable trains. By using a
BritRail pass, we were able to visit several cities during a brief trip, making the most of our time. 

Bruce Keller and Christene Meyers in Edinburgh's
Waverley Station, an easy hop to Princes Street,
Edinburgh Castle, many cafes and shops. The two 
 and a Yorkshire friend met with Scottish family.

TRY A TRAIN ON BRITRAIL FOR YOUR NEXT UK VISIT 

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

IF A VISIT to the United Kingdom is on your bucket list, you might be overwhelmed by the variety of historic places vying for attention.

A visit to Hampshire's Highclere Castle, where
"Downton Abbey" was filmed, makes a pleasant
train  trip. A package includes a trip on a classic
British Pullman, a lovely brunch and castle tour.

We visit England often, and had grown tired of renting cars.  This time, we let BritRail do the "driving" to make the best use of our brief time in a favorite destination.

THE BRITISH rail system is time honored. Our UK cousins really know how to run their trains. Theirs is one of the oldest rail networks in the world.  In the early 19th Century when most people traveled by horse, ships or carriages, those clever Brits were already riding the rails!  

 On this most recent UK visit, rather than the stress of renting a car and the confusion of driving on the other side of the road, we chose to travel by British Railway. We had several places to go, after crossing the Atlantic on Queen Mary 2. Our BritRail passes made it possible to combine historic landmarks, cities, castles we'd admired on TV, and family visitations.

 In the same UK visit, it is possible to travel from Southampton

Visiting old friend, well known Oxford
scholar David Howlett, was a treat.
He pointed out historic buildings, Bill
 Clinton's student digs, some of the famed
university's many colleges and favorite
spots on quaint streets. A delightful day
 trip from London's Paddington Station.
 

to see friends in Yorkshire, from London to connect with  Oxford friends, spend a day with family in Edinburgh, and  tour an English castle or manor house.

"BritRail," as it is affectionately called, makes it possible to organize smooth train travel between whatever points your itinerary includes. It just takes a bit of planning.

THE COUNTRY'S extensive rail network offers a variety of passes for various amounts of time. Do your homework because there are multiple choices for travel across England, Scotland and Wales. There are some discounts for youth and seniors and watch for promotions which can stretch your pounds with a bit of research and homework.

 Over 20 Train Operating Companies (TOCs) make up the National Rail network of Great Britain. BritRail sells the passes and other companies operate the trains. Our passes were issued through ACP Rail, one of BritRail's star partners. So ACP Rail is where you need to get your BritRail passes, particularly if you are seeking a mobile pass.
Passengers may use selected BritRail passes on all National Rail trains. Just know the boundary of your specific pass zone.

The ease of UK train travel made a family reunion
possible.  Bruce Keller, Margaret Ganner, Christene
Meyers, Gerrard Ganner, Jane Brodie and Sue Speight
 met  for a day in Scotland. The Ganner party took the
train into Edinburgh from their nearby town, while Cookie
Keller and Sue came by train from Yorkshire.
 

THE HUGE VARIETY of passes and tours allows one to custom design a specific itinerary. Because there are so many choices, you'll have to narrow the field. First, determine what places you really want to see and how many days you have. Then review the options at the website. What's your pleasure? Do you want a scenic trip through Scotland, cultural delights of village life and rural England, a visit to an abbey or castle where a favorite PBS program was filmed? We truly enjoyed seeing where PBS productions were filmed. Access to the famed "Downton Abbey" and "Brideshead Revisited" sites are easily arranged. Perhaps you wish to visit the town of your ancestors to look for family roots and records.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal in Yorkshire
are the largest of its kind in Europe, a vast ruin
 open to the sky, popular with locals and tourists.
A train trip from King's Cross to York then a
short taxi ride make a lovely day trip.

  TO MAKE the most of your time, arrange your itinerary before and don't be unnerved if your favorite abbey or castle is a few kilometers from the nearest train stop. If you want to see Fountains Abbey, for example, take the train from London to York, then take a taxi or hitch a ride with a friend to see the abbey. 

An amiable steward offers
beverages and snacks.

WITH OUR Yorkshire friend, Sue, we booked a train to Edinburgh using our passes. She purchased a single roundtrip ticket from Darlington to Edinburgh, arranging to sit with us.  This enabled us to spend the day with our Scottish relatives. They were eager to show us highlights of Scotland’s magnificent capital city,  treating us to a Scottish meal at a delightful restaurant, regaling us with the city's

Cookie relaxes on BritRail with a splendid view, 
 comfy seat to see the picturesque English country.

 

 history while we strolled Princes Street, bought souvenirs and stopped for a bagpipe trill at Scott Monument, the world's largest monument to a writer. On another trip, we toured the Royal Yacht Britannia and heard the mid-day gun salute from Edinburgh Castle. To do that would have meant overnighting, but we accomplished a lot in a single day's journey.

We're forever fans of BritRail and the variety of passes which save time, money and nerves.

If you want a pass, ACP Rail is the only distributor for BritRail pass especially on the Mobile-Pass.

More information or to book: www.acprail.com/

www.britrail.com/britrail-passes/britrail-pass/

www.visitbritainshop.com/au/en/uk-travel-passes-and-transport-tickets/britrail-passes

 

Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers in front of
the intriguing Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach.

COMING UP: A treasure trove of Latin American art, by both famous and emerging artists awaits in the fascinating, user friendly and beautifully curated Museum of Latin American Art. The metal sculpture in front of the Long Beach museum is typical of the work at this extraordinary museum which is the only facility in the United States dedicated to both modern and contemporary Latin American art.  A unique sculpture garden is part of the pleasures of this intriguing and imaginatively curated museum.  We step inside to reflect on the diversity of sculpture, paintings and more.  Meanwhile remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on art, nature, performance, family and more. Thanks for sharing the link, too: www.whereiscookie.com

Hollywood or bust: How a Wyoming kid became a respected special effects artist

 

Andy Schoneberg worked on the award winning film, "Inglourious Basterds," here with Jake Garber, just after filming his scalping.  The film is set in Nazi-occupied France during WWII, when a group of Jewish-American soldiers, "The Basterds" spread fear in the Third Reich by brutally scalping Nazis.
 

From left, artists Andy Schoneberg and Nicole Michaud,with
Schoneberg's creation of famed actor Humphrey Bogart,
  Christene Meyers and Bruce Keller joined the party.

DRIVEN BY A DREAM:  MAKING MAGIC WITH SPECIAL EFFECTS IS WHAT HE LOVES BEST

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

and courtesy Andy Schoneberg

Andy Schoneberg applies makeup to Diane Lane
for "The Oldest Living Confederate Widow..."

Editor's Note: The writer and today's featured artist met many years ago during their years at The Billings Gazette. They collaborated on theatrical productions and Schoneberg created a bronze of the writer's late husband for a garden in his memory on the campus where he taught for 25 years.

WHEN ANDY Schoneberg arrived in Los Angeles 40 years ago, he had $500 and dreams of making it big in Hollywood. Since then, he's crafted a successful career in special effects and makeup and has seen the city through highs and lows: Oscar ceremonies, star studded receptions, riots, drought, COVID and the recent horrific fires. Through it all, he's kept his equilibrium, continuing to create. Monsters, movie stars, rock icons, famous paintings by masters all fascinate this master craftsman.

Schoneberg's fascination with the Beatles resulted in creation
of four life size faces of "the Fab Four." Here is a silicone 
 mannequin of John next to a final sculpture of Paul. Below
 those are sculptures of George and an unfinished Ringo.

Schoneberg's credits are well known to movie buffs. His wizardry includes crafting the hands of "Edward Scissorhands" for Johnny Depp, transforming Diane Lane into the "Oldest Living Confederate Widow" and working on dozens of other films from horror movies to documentaries -- "Jurassic Park," "Terminator 2," and more. Ghosts and dinosaurs, heroes and villains are all part of his vast and talented repertoire.  Schoneberg even realized a bucket list dream when he met and worked with famed makeup artist Dick Smith, who transformed Dustin Hoffman into ancient narrator Jack Crabb in "Little Big Man." 

GROWING UP in Casper, Wyo., he was constantly drawing. Now at 69, he credits his parents with planting those long ago seeds that led to a life in the arts.  "Both were arts-oriented people. Mom sang  in Casper's community theater. My dad also loved singing and was a fan of big-band music."

 Make-up master Dick Smith, left, with
Andy Schoneberg. Smith was known as
"the godfather of make-up" for his award
winning work on "Little Big Man" and
many other famed Hollywood films.

His parents encouraged him to find his own style, to experiment and study the masters. "I idolized Leonardo da Vinci and copied a few of his paintings," he remembers. "That set up my love of replicating things."

 

WHEN HE SAW Planet of the Apes in 1968, he wanted to learn how the makeup was done. Driven by his penchant for mimicking, he found materials at a theatrical supply in New York. "I began a series of experiments," he said. "Many of them failed, but I took my tiny successes as encouragement to keep trying."  THE ARTIST'S attraction to Hollywood escalated

The writer with Schoneberg's
creation of Marilyn Monroe.

from an ambitious dream to a firm goal when he visited Los Angeles with friend Marc Vertin in 1978.

"I fell in love with the city immediately," he says. "I knew L.A. was for me."

While working on dozens of notable projects, Schoneberg met his partner Nicole Michaud, also a gifted special effects and makeup artist. A native New Englander and painter, she and Schoneberg also teach. "My joke is I help young people grow into artists who make dead people, old people, olden times people," she says. 

Quasimodo, with David Woodruff
a re-creation by Schoneberg,
 for the 90th anniversary of "The
Hunchback of Notre Dame"
which featured Lon Chaney

ACTORS MARILYN Monroe and Humphrey Bogart are also favorites of Schoneberg.  Bogart is the subject of a decades old fascination. As an accomplished actor, Schoneberg has played the famous actor twice in "Play It Again Sam." When he was 23, he was cast as Bogie in that Woody Allen work. In 1980s, working as a newspaper illustrator in Montana, Schoneberg reprised the role. That led to crafting a life size mannequin of Bogey in Los Angeles. "So Bogey and I are star-crossed!"  Schoneberg laughs. "Nicki accuses me of having a Barbie doll because my Bogey has several outfits."

Schoneberg and his partner, Nicole "Nicki"
Michaud with Schoneberg's "Mona Lisa."
He has long admired Leonardo Da Vinci and 
his dad said "Wouldn't it be fun to have a Mona
Lisa in your living room?" So the Schoneberg
replica is also an homage to his father.

.

AMONG FAVORITE

productions is "Edward Scissorhands."  "It was  so gratifying," he says of the Tim Burton movie.  "Tim was fantastic. Johnny Depp was warm and funny, Winona Ryder was friendly, and the whole cast was great."   Schoneberg is delighted the gothic romantic fantasy is still going strong. His work is listed in the credits for building the intricate hands Johnny wears throughout the film.  

The writer, Christene "Cookie" Meyers at the
dedication of the Bruce Meyers Poets Garden
which features Schoneberg's bronze of the
late actor, poet and MSU-Billings professor. 

Michaud, Schoneberg and his ex-wife Becky have an amicable relationship, sharing pride in Andy and Becky's two kids, both creative people.  "They realize they don't have to work so hard and make the sacrifices I did," he says, "but they love that I did the things I've done."

He says of the kids, "Dorian loves to write, and Emily is a fine makeup artist. That makes me happy." 

Schoneberg's  plaster cast
from the head of Bruce
Meyers who played Daddy
Warbucks in "Annie"
was the basis for a bronze
sculpture the artist
created for Poet's Garden.

 AS FOR his fascination with the Beatles, he says, "John started as a study in facial muscles and during the addition of muscles to the skull I sculpted, I thought, 'I really should make it look like John." 

As he was finishing the famous Beatle, he thought "Wouldn't it be outrageous to do all four of them? And once that seed was planted...BAM!"

You can find more about Schoneberg's career, including how he got the "Edward Scissorhands" gig on Instagram:
@theschoneberg

Here in London King's Cross Station, trains await passengers.
We share tips on travel in the United Kingdom with BritRail,
which offers a variety of passes to suit individual needs.
www.britrail.com

UP NEXT: On to spring travel.  We're off on a trek on Brit Rail, to explore the wonders of the United Kingdom with trips to historic York, founded by the Romans, and north to Edinburgh for a stroll on Prince's Street, a visit to the royal yacht Britannia, and tips on visiting famous castles and manors.  Start planning now for a trip to your favorite UK cities and villages, with tips on how to make the most of your time by using the efficient and varied rail system. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, the arts, nature, family and more: www.whereiscookie.com

As Earth Day approaches, celebrate, help improve our fragile planet

At Monterey Aquarium, beautiful works of art are created from plastic and other junk
pulled from our oceans. Eight million metric tons of plastic end up in our oceans each
 year, a staggering amount. It poisons or strangles creatures who mistake it for food.  

WE HUMAN BEINGS HAVE CAUSED MAJOR PROBLEMS  ON THE PLANET BUT WE CAN DO MUCH TO RECTIFY OUR MISTAKES 

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

EARTH DAY GIVES US TIME TO THANK AND HELP OUR FRAGILE PLANET

The bluff above Torrey Pines State Beach offers a splendid
 view of the Pacific Ocean. When we hike it, we often
find plastic and it goes in an old cloth bag we carry.  

WE SPEND many happy hours each year in nature -- on our oceans, rivers, lakes and streams.  Like many of our readers, we visit national and state parks, estuaries, wildlife habitats and other places where we know we'll find birds, plants, animals.  We hold our planet and its creatures in sacred space.

But while we love Mother Earth, we are imperfect creatures and have unwittingly done our part to jeopardize the planet. So when Earth Day rolls around each year, we do our bit to help preserve the planet we so cherish.

An artful turning of plastic rescued from the
ocean, by a contributing artist at
Monterey Bay Aquarium.

CELEBRATED annually since 1970 on April 22nd, Earth Day holds immense importance as a global platform.  Wisconsin senator Gaylord Nelson was a staunch environmentalist, deeply concerned about the planet's declining health.  He believed the solution could be found in individuals and grassroots movements.  He urged teachers and parents to expose young impressionable minds to an aquarium or nature driven place, encouraging them to respect our fragile planet and our fellow inhabitants.  This launches them into little environmentalists.  By teaching them to pick up plastic and cans, consider personal habits and be good stewards of the land, we're fostering respect and activism in future generations.

Thousands of us plant trees, feed birds, plant gardens that attract hummingbirds and butterflies.  Many of us pick up trash and study pressing environmental issues like climate change, pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. As individuals, communities and governments, we can take action to protect our planet and ensure its sustainability for future generations. I believe this in my heart. 

I KNEW A lot of plastic goes into our oceans, but I had no idea that 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in the seas each year. Keller figures that’s the equivalent of dumping one 

Fort Lauderdale's Riverwalk
 in a light rain. Celebrate Earth
Day by planting a tree, taking a
walk, visiting a nature driven place
 -- a park, beach, river, preserve.

garbage truck full of plastic into the ocean every minute. More than 171 trillion pieces of plastic are floating in the world's oceans, according to scientists' estimates. Plastic kills fish and sea animals and takes hundreds of years to break down.

UNFORTUNATELY, we people are the sole cause of the plastic debris destroying our oceans. The good news is, we have the power to solve the mess we created.  Here are a few things we do in our life and home to help to help the Earth.  It may sound corny, but if everyone does his or her bit, together we can make a huge difference.

The Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora
Borealis, is a magical display of ribbons of light.
  

* We are ridding our home of single-use plastics.

* We ride our bikes daily and on errands whenever possible. We're considering a hybrid or electric car.
* We support our local environmental watchdog grassroots resource council.

* We try to recycle and compost properly.

* We patronize farmer's markets and other places that avoid plastic packaging and always take our own cloth bags whenever we go to a store.

Big Sky Country, near our Montana place in Stillwater
County.  Pristine places like this dot the landscape all across
the United States. We feel a responsibility to keep it beautiful. 

* We take an old fabric bag with us in the car and on our bikes to pick up cans, bottles and other litter.

* When we order a take-out meal, we make sure there are no plastic utensils, wrapping or plates. We look for places that use recycled materials when shopping or dining out.

* We've planted 97 trees on our Montana place and each year we scatter native wildflower seeds to promote clean air and the survival of indigenous wildlife. Feels good to plant things.

* We make presents of gift certificates to greenhouses and garden centers. Great way to thank someone who has done us a favor.

* We are members of a variety of nature oriented foundations including Sierra Club, Arbor Day, National Wildlife Federation, Nature Conservancy, and many other agencies and non-profits that save and protect birds, trees, animals and the ocean. 

We love seeing families enjoying wildlife, here
at Hilton Waikoloa Resort where it is possible
to swim with the dolphins and learn about them.

* We're taking shorter showers, using the dishwasher only twice a week, turning off the faucet while brushing our teeth.

No more plastic in our lives
Other ideas we're already doing or hope to implement: 

* Shopping at thrift shops and second-hand stores for toys and gifts for kids or when we need to replace an appliance. New stuff has lots of plastic packaging. 

Gentoo penguins frolic near Ushuaia. Visit a
national park or just take a hike in the woods, or
the nearest bird sanctuary or nature preserve. 

* Hosting a clothing swap or clothing repair party to encourage our friends (and ourselves) to recycle, mend or salvage old garments rather than buying new ones. We are donating a box a week of good, useable clothes. Women's shelters and many other places welcome good used items.  I'm a packrat and like most of us, I have too much stuff. So I'm going through closets, try to winnow, share and make use of what is still useable.
* Volunteer to pick up litter in a neighborhood or local park. Get a child interested. Take him on a whale watch or to a place where nature is revered. Exposure in youth creates lifelong environmentalists.

* Get neighborhood kids to run a recycling drive for glass and plastic containers.

Have a happy Earth Day! Do something to improve our imperiled planet.

More info: earthday.org
 hawaiimagazine.com/see-how-kauai-artists-turned-marine-debris-into-art

Special effects wizard Andy Schoneberg shakes hands with 
his creation of famed actor Humphrey Bogart. Also an
actor, he played the part of Bogart in "Play It Again, Sam."
 

UPCOMING FUN: Variety is our spice.  We're talking with a Wyoming born Hollywood special effects artist and his make-up and wig artist partner. Find out how a kid from Casper made it in Hollywood.  Then we're off to explore northern U.K with a train trip to Britain. And we celebrate our love of nature with visits to New York's Central Park and the city's fabulous High Line Park, created on a derelict rail site. All that and more, always with a look for the fresh and new. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fun look at performance, art, nature, family and more. Please share the links:

www.whereiscookie.com 

MoMA's magic mesmerizes as we visit a fabulous New York museum

Expect the unusual at New York's spectacular Museum of Modern Art.  Here is Salvador Dali's "Retrospective Bust of a Woman," created in 1933.  It features painted porcelain, bread, corn, feathers, paint on paper, beads, ink stand, sand and more. It is one of many treasures at the museum.  

NEW YORK'S MUSEUM OF MODERN ART HONORS LEGACY TO EMBRACE THE NEW

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie"
Meyers near Van Gogh's most
famous painting. 

STANDING NEXT to "Starry Night," one feels the genius of Van Gogh.  The darkness that overtook him, the talent that sprang from his tortured soul, the beauty of his timeless art. It's all there. That and much more, in an astonishing array of 200,000 works of art from around the globe.

You'll see works by Van Gogh, Matisse, Dali an array of other spectacular artists at  New York's great and grand Museum of Modern Art, "MoMA," as it is affectionately known.

There are museums and galleries, and then there's MoMA.

The museum is a beloved treasure trove of beautifully displayed art through the ages. Its founders insisted that showcasing the new and modern be the focus at MoMA.  And so it is, with modernist masterpieces including works by Picasso and many others considered ahead of their time.  

Picasso's "Lady in Mirror" is among
the exquisite bounty at MoMA.

THE MUSEUM debuted in 1929, during the heights of the Great Depression, opening just days after the infamous Wall Street Crash.  It was a gift of deep-pocket visionaries and philanthropists, a trio of progressive and influential patrons of the arts.  Lillie P. Bliss, Mary Quinn Sullivan and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller -- challenged the conservative policies of traditional museums by establishing a gallery devoted to modern art. The three were a "Who's Who" of New York then and wanted a place to showcase new work. The museum is front and center in  midtown Manhattan, filling an expansive block on 53rd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.  Many patrons have donated their personal art treasures to MoMA.

Henri Matisse's famous "La Dance" was a gift of Nelson
Rockefeller.  The Rockefeller family has long ties to MoMA.

THE MUSEUM was originally located in the Heckscher Building on Fifth Avenue where it was America's first museum to devote itself exclusively to modern art.  At its helm were A. Conger Goodyear as president and Abby Rockefeller as treasurer.  Through its early years, the museum moved to several temporary locations. John D. Rockefeller Jr. eventually donated the land for its permanent site. 

A new sculpture garden by Philip Johnson was designed and the museum moved to its current location on West 53rd Street in 1939.

Modern art sculpture
plays a major role
in MoMA galleries.

Besides Van Gogh's famous "Starry Night," created in 1889, you'll find many other masterpieces including these two most viewed paintings:

Bruce Keller points the way to imagination
in an intriguing piece, "Bingo," by Gordon
Matta-Clark, 1974. The museum's wide ranging
 exhibits include changing installations. 

 "The Persistence of Memory" by Salvador Dalí, that intriguing melting clock created in 1931, and Pablo Picasso's

"Les Demoiselles d’Avignon," which revolutionized contemporary art when it was unveiled in 1907.

You'll also see Andy Warhol's famous Campbell’s Soup Cans, Andrew Wyeth's evocative "Christina's World," Rene Magritte's "The Lovers" and masterpieces by Chagall, Cezanne and other groundbreaking artists.

New York's Museum of Modern Art remains in a
league of its own, with a collection of 200,000 works.

LAST YEAR, the museum welcomed nearly 2.7 million visitors to its galleries for more than 35 exhibitions. The range of changing exhibits included An-My Lê’s photographs exploring conflict and human connection, a reunion of works made by Picasso during the pivotal summer of 1921, and more.

MoMA makes a visit a pleasure with excellent maps and guides, helpful docent volunteers to point you to the places you desire, and a delightful albeit pricy restaurant with among other treats, caviar hotdogs. The museum shop is one of the best in the world. What's not to like at MoMA? 

More information: MoMA is open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except Saturdays, when it is open until 7 p.m. Tickets may be reserved in advance through the My CityPASS® moma.org

ON TAP: Hold on to your hat and duck your head! We'll explore wonders of our world as Earth Day approaches, and follow the theme of "great art" -- both man made and created by nature. Come with us to caves, mountain tops, museums, off the beaten path wonders and  unexpected pleasures on a road trip. We'll explore art that incorporates trash -- salvaged from our beleaguered seas. Join us as we hop  

The Crystal Caves in Bermuda are a famous attraction
in Hamilton Parish. They're formed over millions of years and
were discovered by a couple of kids playing cricket in 1907. 

  about the globe, with a look at two fabulous caves in Barbados and Bermuda, a study of Salvador Dali's three museums in northern Spain, a visit to a favorite city, Barcelona, where we examine the influence of architect Antoni Gaudi, and a look at a Montana museum devoted to the work of renowned western artist C.M. Russell. Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live, and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, performance, nature, art, family and more: www.whereiscookie.com

Gaudi's Guell Park invites visitors into his world of wonder and magic

With a rooftop view of Barcelona, our road trippers visit Park Guell, on Carmel Hill in the Gracia district of Barcelona. It was designed by famous Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi and is considered a masterpiece of imagination and modernist architecture. Gaudi is also known for his inventive homes and apartments and his lifelong project, the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world and a wonder to behold.

STEP INSIDE GUELL PARK AND ENJOY ITS MARVELS: SERPENTS, COLUMNS, WAVES

The Dragon Stairway invites visitors to climb into a magical world
 and the Hypostyle Room of 86 columns.

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

ONE OF the most popular attractions in Barcelona is Park Güell. The stunning park is like no other, the creation of famed architect Antoni Gaudi.  It is found above the city on  Carmel Hill, which offers a spectacular view of beautiful Barcelona.

We took a bus to within a couple blocks of the wondrous place, and on our third visit we saw new detail.

MOST PEOPLE visit to see the vibrantly tiled Serpentine Benches in the Greek Theatre with its panoramic views. But, there are many more equally engaging things to do and see in Park Güell.

THIS VISIT,

The Laundry Room Portico, meant to resemble ocean waves. 

we explored the Laundry Portico, marveled at the Hypostyle Hall, ascended the Dragon Stairway, visited Gaudi’s House and said hello to the beloved dragon, "El Drac." The first landing offers a variety of capricious shapes including  goblins, while halfway up the steps is the emblem of Catalonia. One must stop to admire the dragon -- actually a winsome salamander -- covered with decorative tile-shard mosaic. This has become the most popular image of the park and we enjoyed watching young and old "pet" the mosaic creature which acts as the symbol of Barcelona.
‘'El Drac'’ is known by other names -- "the dragon"’ and "the Park Güell lizard." Acting as a guard for Park Güell, it was created from brick and is coated with Gaudí’s signature Trecandís technique.

 

Gaudi House Museum is a wonderful, detailed look at
the world, its colors and forms that shaped the artist.

 THE PARK was built between 1900 and 1914, inspired by the "garden city movement" of the 20th century. Gaudi was a visionary and built the park on the edge of the city.  His notion was to allow the park and the self-contained communities within it to be surrounded by both clean air and green open spaces. 

 A famed Catalan architect, Gaudí was also a savvy businessman and named the park after his sponsor Count Eusebi Güell, who loved Gaudi's work and endowed his creativity.

The mosaic salamander statue
has become a symbol of
Barcelona.  

The estate remained Gaudí’s family home until his death in 1926. That's a sad story because he was hit by a tram on his way to inspect his beloved Sagrada Familia, and had no identification on his person.  He was identified several days after the accident in a pauper's morgue, and when people realized it was the great man, he was accorded a massive funeral befitting royalty.
THE SERPENTINE Bench is another favorite of ours, a well loved mosaic tile bench that winds its way along the terrace around Park Güell. It was created by Gaudi using the Trencandís technique, which he invented, and was widely copied during Catalonia’s modernism and surrealism periods 

Mosaic creatures and plants
 deck the halls of the park.

THE AUSTRIAN Gardens and Gaudi House Museum were originally meant to be part of a grand housing estate plan. It was Gaudi's hope that 60 villas would be built 

Guell Park deserves a visit; do
plan to spend several hours.

but the plan failed. So Park Güell was opened to the public, and the Austria Gardens became a plant nursery. Poignantly named, they gained their title through a donation of cherished trees from Austria in 1977. Both houses built on the estate can be viewed from the gardens.  One of them became Gaudí’s home, and is known as the Gaudí House. It's a charming place with personal effects providing insights into the life of a true visionary and genius.

At Guell Park, the stairs are often photographed, and one
may book a tour of the place so as not to miss highlights.

CONSTRUCTED in a slanted shape, the Laundry Room Portico was designed to mimic an ocean wave. Created with textured walls and statues, the pillars at the exterior were put in place in order to secure the road above.
Typical of Gaudí's genius, he cleverly used design to blend his creativity with the surrounding natural environment and meet the demands of the complex construction.

We highly recommend Visit Barcelona tickets. Wonderful way to see the city.

For more about this fascinating city and its rich cultural attractions:

www.barcelonaturisme.com 

"Dance" by Henri Matisse, was painted in 1920
and is among the world's most beloved paintings.
It resides in New York's fabulous MoMA.

ON TAP: We're on the trail of unique museums, art projects and nature inspired wonders around the world. We'll take readers inside the Museum of Modern Art in New York and check out the city's delightful High Line, a public park and walkway built on the site of an elevated historic freight rail line which was in disrepair. That and British trains, caves, craters and Central Park as it welcomes spring. We'll also feature a veteran special effects artist who found success in Hollywood. Catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, the arts, nature, family, performance and more:    www.whereiscookie.com