posted by Savanah on Feb 27
It is rather refreshing and even a bit delightful, although it feels a bit contrary, to think that there’s another Churchill that immediately comes to mind when we think of London now. Perhaps it shoud be a bit contrary, when the other person is Caryl Churchill. She’s been writing plays for a few decades now, and the idea that she’s still writing new work is reason enough to go to check into a hotel in London and start waiting right now.
When she comes out with a new work, it is a very big deal, and she’s been so very prolific all her life that there are lots of opportunities to enjoy these big deals. Maybe enjoy isn’t the perfect word, because although her plays do offer a certain pleasure, but they can also be very tough. One of the last productions I saw by her was a version of the Skriker, and it was an astounding and riveting evening of theatre. But it was also incredibly disorienting, being about mad faeries that haunt two women in London. This was her most fantastical work, in the pure sense of the term, but by no means unexpected.
She has had quite a career. Her first writings that got attention were radio plays in the 1960s, and even in these first works, we see a profoundly developed sensitivity to the forms of drama, coupled with an enormously astute critique of the world at large, but London social norms in particular. She moved into plays, working with the Royal Court Theatre, and then the Monstrous Regiment, where she developed a collaborative way of constructing her remarkable works. They continue to serve the audiences with an enormous wit, deep intellect, and a profound sadness that makes her the logical successor to Bertolt Brecht.
posted by Savanah on Jun 8
Singapore prime ministers throughout the last few decades have realized the importance of setting up alliances with other cities and countries. Not only for matters of business and commerce, but for the support during times of social need, as in the case with natural disasters, as this is a small island, with limited resources, and the willingness to come to the aid of other countries, the leaders are hoping that this will lead to the willingness of the other countries assisting Singapore should the time arise when that is necessary. Singapore is a travel destination for many throughout the world, those traveling for business and for pleasure, and each and every business is dependent on this tourism continuing, from the shopping mall, to the Singapore restaurant, to the hotel, and the various theme parks.
As of late, the companies of Singapore have been cultivating a relationship with Ningbo, China. Lee Hsien Loong has been following in his father’s footsteps as well as those previously, in developing these international relationships, and is certain the the one between the economic worlds of the two cities with continue to strength into a symbiotic relationship that proves beneficial to both cities, and all the citizens of those cities. Ningbo sits in the middle of the coast of China, along the Yangtze River. The port here is tax free, and docks international ships. The port is large, second in size of the Chinese ports, only to that of the Port of Shanghai. This makes it the fourth largest international port.
Singapore is wanting to increase the zone of free trade, and has been creating a plan with architects that will result in the construction of the Beilun District Southern Zone. They are hoping to complete the expansion within the next 3 years. This is not the only plans for expansion, for as this project is completed the city is looking towards increasing the already high quality of life in Singapore by expanding other industrial and technological arenas as well as developing more venues for education and cultural development. The government sees this as a possibility with alliances of the cities of the world, such as Ningbo, especially during this time of global economic crisis. For even during these times, this city is one of the fastest growing and developing cities of China. Singapore has noticed this growth and the leaders know that Singapore has the same potential for their future.
posted by Savanah on Jun 1
The country of South Africa is bound together with arts, interwoven into the culture and the history. Most of the parks and gardens are filled with sculpture, and any restaurant or Cape Town luxury hotel is certain to have pieces of work decorating the walls and the rooms, that are significant to this rich history. On any trip one takes to South Africa, one must find the galleries and museums and stroll through them, not only for the visual entertainment, but for the knowledge that is gained and leads to better understandings of the country and the people of the regions. One such gallery in Cape Town is the South African National Gallery. There are permanent collections here that are rotated to accommodate the touring shows and exhibits. At any given time one will be able to walk through the halls that are filled with everything from sculpture, to photography, textiles and jewelery, paintings and prints on paper.
The museum does lack, however, a significant amount of traditional work from the pre-colonial time period. This is due to the high cost of Western art, and the lack of sufficient funding in order to be able to afford to house the work permanently. There is also not much represented from the 1980′s, as the political situation of Apartheid made it difficult for the gallery to obtain the works of the artists at this time. The gallery has been attempting to obtain more work from this time. Beginning in 1990, work has been done to create a collection of work that celebrates the expression of the different cultures living in Africa. Sculpture and traditional bead-works is part of a collection that is well respected throughout the world. The women of South Africa create this art form in an expressive and articulate manner. The gallery joined the city of Ghana in creating the Bead Society of South Africa, as this is such an important element of the culture. The works in this gallery are stunning and one traveling here should definitely take a few days to experience all that the museum has to offer.
posted by Savanah on Jun 1
Looking for the perfect hideaway in Bombay, India? Hotels here are designed with escape in mind. Vacationing in one of the most exciting cities in the world can be invigorating, and the perfect hotel can elevate the experience from pleasurable to absolutely heavenly. The accommodations here are stocked with first-class amenities, staffs trained to cater to your every need, and a wonderful feeling of hospitality. As your nights will be rejuvenating, your days will be adventures into a cultural wonderland.
There is so much to see and do in Bombay, that it’s impossible to even begin in one day. There are markets and restaurants and tours and museums, not to mention some of the oldest continually-running spiritual centers in the world. There is also a massive art scene that is delightful, intriguing, and fascinating. Sharmila Samant is one of the most exciting emerging artists in the area. Born in Mumbai in 1967, she was educated at the Sir J.J. School of Fine Arts, where she earned her B.F.A. Since then, she has had work shown everywhere, from the Tate Modern to the Jakarta Video Festival, in many countries all over the world. She is also one of the founders of the Mumbai-based art group the Open Circle.
Her works are extremely vivid and complex interruptions in the mainstream of social niceties. Using a variety of media, like sculpture and video installation, she uses her unique and complicated vision to make important questions about the structures of things as they seem to be. In one installation, Samant’s Passing she used Foucault’s idea of the Panopticon to illustrate the effects of the culture at large on the formation of feminine identity. The work is visceral and multi-layered, and speaks to ideas of otherness, putting the viewer in the role of asking questions about their participation in these systems. This is one example from a large and incredible body of work, one that will be fascinating to watch in the coming decades.