I’ve always enjoyed the Mustangs at Las Colinas, a bronze sculpture of nine wild mustangs that are in the Williams Square in Irving, Texas.  Created by wildlife artist Robert Glen, the mustangs are the largest equestrian sculpture in the world, and commemorate the wild mustangs that inhabited Texas.

The mustangs are portrayed bigger than life, roughly one and a half times their true size, and are shown crossing a stream of water.  Fountains on the ground make it look like water is splashing off their hooves as they run through it.

Adjacent to the sculpture, in the West Tower of the Square, is the Mustangs of Las Colinas Museum.  The Museum shows the story of how Robert Glen created the sculpture, including a short video, and also houses some of his other work.

Williams Square Plaza is located at 5205 North O’Connor Drive, just north of Highway 114, in Irving, Texas.

Do you have some favorite public art that you enjoy?  Please leave a comment telling me about it.  I’d love to know what it is and where it’s located.

Photo credit: flickr

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

For those of you too young to remember Easy Rider, it is one of the iconic movies of the 60’s. 

It debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in May 1969, and was both a counterculture classic and a warning against the communal lifestyle and use of drugs popular in the era.  It starred Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper and Jack Nicholson, was produced by Fonda and directed by Hopper, and featured music from Steppenwolf, Jimi Hedrix, the Band, and the Byrds.

Dennis Hopper was living in Taos at the time Easy Rider was filmed, and some of the shots were filmed there.  Taos was home to a thriving artists colony along with several thriving communes.  Although the town is much different today, it is still appeals to those searching for a different, perhaps alternative, way of life.

Hopper remains a part-time resident of Taos, New Mexico, and the festival features two of his exhibits at The Harwood Museum of Art.  The summer is full of events, including art, film and music designed to let you flash back to a the era of the late 60’s. 

Taos Summer of Love runs May through September, and kicks off with a fundraising dinner with Dennis Hopper to benefit the Harwood Museum.  The full Summer of Love schedule is available, and you can also follow them on Twitter.

You may not have been Born to be Wild in 1969, but you can recreate the experience in Taos this summer.

Image credit:  Courtesy of Taos Vacation Guide

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This beautiful building was constructed as a result of a promise made by King Louis XV in 1744.  He was suffering from a serious and mysterious illness (later believed to be gout), and vowed that if he recovered he would construct a building worthy of the patron saint of Paris. 

He recovered, and construction of the Pantheon began in 1758 and was completed in 1789.  Many delays were related to lack of finances – a common reason for construction delays even today!

Since its completion coincided with the start of the French Revolution, the Revolutionary government order the building changed from a church to a mausoleum where the remains of great Frenchmen could be interred.  Although it has reverted to a church twice since then, today it is once again a mausoleum.

When I walked into the Pantheon it felt austere and cavernous.  I felt the need to use my “library voice.” 

It’s basically a cross-shaped building, with a domed center.  Around the walls are murals depicting religious and revolutionary figures (I particularly liked the series of Joan of Arc), as well at statuary and frescoes.

Continue reading for more information and photos!

In the center of the Pantheon beneath its dome, is a pendulum standing nearly 220 feet tall (67 meters).  This is Foucault’s Pendulum, named for Leon Foucault who, in 1851, built the pendulum to conduct experiments demonstrating the rotation of the earth.  I was absolutely mesmerized by its simplicity and beauty.

After spending time appreciating all this art and history, you’ll have the option of visiting the necropolis (mausoleum) or climbing stairs to get a view of Paris from the top.

Not entirely morbid, the Pantheon’s necropolis is also a work of art.  Here are buried many famous Frenchmen and one famous Frenchwoman.  A few of the notables include:  Alexandre Dumas (author of the Three Musketeers), Victor Hugo (author of Les Miserables and The Hunchback of Notre Dame), Voltaire, Rousseau, Emile Zola, Rene Descartes, Louis Braille and Pierre and Marie Curie (the latter the only woman buried here). 

Over the years there has been heated debate over who deserves and doesn’t deserve to be buried in this most sacred site.  Today, it takes an act of Parliament to be buried here.

I much preferred to climb up, however.  All 206 steps to the colonnade beneath the dome.  Don’t let the fact that this is a guided tour turn you away from this option.  It’s really only “guided” so that you don’t get lost on the way up!  And don’t worry about making the climb in record speed.  Go slow and rest along the way if you need to.

The view from the top is spectacular – a 360 degree view of all that Paris has to offer.  This is one of the best views in the city, in my opinion.

The Pantheon is located at Place du Pantheon in the 5th arrondissement.  The nearest metro is Cardinal Lemoine and the nearest RER is Luxembourg.

It is open 10 am – 6 pm October through March.  Starting April 1st it is open till 6:30 pm.  The upper area can only be visited April through September, and departure times very.  I’d recommend checking for a convenient tour time when you first arrive, and then work the remainder of your viewing around that time.

Admission is 8 Euros for adults, 5 Euros for ages 18-25, and free for everyone under 18.  It is an included admission on the Paris Museum Pass.  If you’ll be visiting several attractions, that’s a cost efficient option.

Photo credit:  all from personal collection

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

Japanese artist Itchiku Kubota’s colorful exhibit of painted kimonos is on the last leg of its US tour, opening today in Canton, Ohio. 

Each of these beautiful over-sized kimonos took nearly a year to create, and the 40 in the exhibit make up a life’s work.  Kubota died in 2003, and his family now carries on the kimono artistry.

Kimono: The 20th Century Masterworks of Itchiku Kubota is on display at the Canton Museum of Art (located in the Cultural Center for the Arts, 1001 Market Avenue North), and will run February 8th – April 26th.  This is the last stop on its US tour.

Viewing hours are Monday, Friday & Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm; Tuesday – Thursday 10 am – 9 pm, and Sunday noon – 5 pm.

Admission is $10 for adults, $7 for seniors (60+) and Students (ages 13 through college, with ID), and children 12 and under are FREE.  Parking is available onsite.

I had no idea how intricate kimonos could be, and what a work of art Kubota has made of them.

Along with the exhibit, Canton is staging a kimono fest, with special events to celebrate the art of kimono.  Other evens include Japanese tea ceremonies, Sumi-e (painting) and Shodo (calligraphy) demonstrations, Jujitsu and Samurai demonstrations, and a kite festival.

Image credit:  Courtesy of Itchiku Kubota Art Museum

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One of my favorite museums in Paris was the Musee Rodin in the First Arrondissement.

Surrounded by beautiful gardens, this collection of sculptures and other artwork was wonderful.

I took the photo of these hands, and don’t even recall what the sculpture was called.  For some reason, I found them compelling.

Join a group of other travel bloggers who are sharing photos today as part of Photo Friday.  I loved the travel photos, and think you will, too!

Photo credit:  personal collection

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Pam is a great photographer (click on her link above and go check out her stuff), and we also discussed how much photos added to the travel blog experience.

So today, I’m sharing a photo taken on my trip to Paris last fall. 

The photo was taken on a visit to the Louvre.  The statuary was in a garden atrium area of the museum, and is just one of hundreds of pieces on display.

I recently had the opportunity to watch some sculptors at work, and that has given me a new appreciation for the effort that went into these marble pieces of art.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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The Wexner Center for the Arts is a contemporary art gallery on the OSU campus (North High Street at the corner of 15th Avenue), and features several permanent exhibitions in addition to this Warhol exhibit.

Many people know Warhol through his iconic work – Campbell Soup can, Marilyn Monroe portraits, and other artwork of the 60’s.  This exhibit will show much more than that.  There are lots of special event connected with the exhibit, including free admission days and special programming.

Special charges apply for this exhibit (the center normally has free admission), but it is still very reasonably priced.  $8 adults, $5 for youth ages 13-17, seniors (65+).  Free every Thursday evening and the first Sunday of every month.  FREE for college students (with ID) and kids aged 12 and under.

I’ve always been a Warhol fan, and enjoyed his Hammer & Sickle (in photo above) that I saw at the MoMA in New York.  Now, I just wish I had some reason to go to Columbus so I could check out this exhibit.  It looks like it will be full of great stuff!

Photo credit:  Jon Rochetti

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Of course, I wanted to share my “masterpiece” with you.  These photos are from the Rodin Museum in Paris, and show a part of the museum and its grounds, as well as a few of Rodin’s marvelous sculptures.

Picnik is a web-based photo editing program that is easy to use and fun.  While it may not do the heavy lifting of some of the other photo editing programs, it’s easy to learn, is compatible with many online photo storage programs, and will occupy you times for hours as you try out all the fun features.

The basic Picnik program is free.  Picnik Premium, with lots of cool bells and whistles, including some advanced collage option, is $24.95/year.

I’ve had such a good time with it that I’d like you to be able to give it a try, so I’m offering one lucky reader a FREE year of Picnik Premium. 

To enter, leave a comment telling me what your first photo collage will be about.  Be brief, go into details, whatever you want to share.  Be sure to include your email address in the comment box or I won’t be able to contact you to tell you that you’ve won.

Contest deadline is Sunday, September 21st at midnight Pacific Time.  One entry per person.  I’ll randomly draw the name of the winner.

Good luck!  And good photo editing!

Photo credit:  personal collection

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe

The Modern, as it is generally called, specializes in post-World War II art, housed in five long pavilions set into a reflecting pond.  Located in Fort Worth’s Cultural District, about two miles west of downtown.  The impressive building is as much a work of art and what’s contained within.

The permanent collection includes pieces by some of the great modernists, including Picasso, Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol.  Although it can be partially blocked off when setting up new exhibits, it’s an impressive and diverse collection, and worthy of repeat trips to see everything.  The collection also includes sculpture, photography and video.

Currently on exhibit is Kara Walker:  My Complement, My Enemy, My Oppressor, My Love, running through October 19th, 2008.  It consists of her signature black cut-paper silhouettes, along with other film animation and other paper art.  She is probably best known for her room-size silhouettes depicting historical perspectives, often related to the subjugation of life in the American South.

Although I’ve not seen this traveling exhibit, I have seen some of these silhouettes.  They are both fascinating as an art form and disturbing as a commentary on our history.  It would be worth a trip specifically for this exhibit.

The Modern is located at 3200 Darnell Street in Forth Worth.  Hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm, and Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm.  It is closed on Mondays and holidays.  Admission is $10 for adults, $4 students and seniors, and FREE for children 12 and under.  Additionally, admission is free on the first Sunday of every month, and every Wednesday. 

Photo credit:  Courtesy of Dallas-Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe

The site was Rockwell’s home for the last 25 years of his life, and was turned into a museum housing over 700 of his paintings, drawings and studies (the largest collection in the world), along with a huge collection of personal artifacts.

Rockwell is perhaps best known for his 321 Saturday Evening Post covers, with his first in 1916, “Boy with Baby Carriage.”  His inspiring “Rosie the Riveter” and “Four Freedoms” series remain lasting visual tributes to World War II, and his holiday images take us back to a kinder, gentler era.

Although many art critics and historians do not consider Rockwell a “serious” artist, there can be no doubt of his immense public popularity, and he is one of the best-known illustrators in history.  His Americana themes, showcasing the ideas of kindness, tolerance, and freedom, resonated with the public, and viewing his collection is a retrospective of family life over the past century.

The museum is located at 9 Glendale Road, Route 183, Stockbridge, Massachusetts.  It is open daily (except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day).  Summer hours (May-October, and holidays) are weekdays 10 am – 4 pm; weekends 10 am – 5 pm.  Daily winter and holiday hours are 10 am – 5 pm.

Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for collect students (with ID), $13.50 for seniors, and youth (18 and under) free with an adult.  Tickets may be purchase onsite, or online.  An audio tour is available for an additional $5 for adults, and $4 for seniors and youth.  Parking is free.

No photography, backpacks, or large packages are permitted inside the museum galleries.

Image credit:  wikimedia (museum); Amazon (Runaway print); Amazon (Doctor & the Doll print)

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