I’ve been interested in this exhibit for some time, and not that’ we’ll be starting non-stop service to Houston, it’s moving up to the top of my must-see list.

The exhibit features thousands of terra cotta warriors that were found buried in the tomb of China’s First Emperor, Shi Huangdi.  The warriors were entombed with him in order that that he would be protected by them throughout eternity.  The exhibit features 100 sets of objects, including 20 complete life-size figures, and is representative of the emperor’s army.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science is located at One Hermann Circle Drive in Houston Texas, across from the Miller Outdoor Theater.  The museum is open daily, 9 am – 5 pm, and the last timed entrance to the Terra Cotta Warriors is at 4 pm.

Tickets are available online, and are for timed admission.  $30 adults, $24 children 3-11 and seniors.  Advanced tickets are recommended.

As a special promotion, you can receive a 10% discount at any Houston P.F. Chang’s China Bistro with the presentation of a ticket stub from the exhibit.  This promotion is good through November 30th, 2009, and some restrictions apply.

This exhibit runs through October 18th, 2009, after which it travels to the National Geographic Museum in Washington DC.  It will be on display there November 19th, 2009 through March 31, 2010.

This fascinates me.  And although I’m not a huge Chinese history fan, there’s something about it that intrigues me.  After I visit the exhibit, I’ll be sure to post a review along with my impressions of it.

Has anyone been that can chime in with some opinions?

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Located in the 7th arrondissement (1 Legion of Honor), along the banks of the Seine, the museum is a former railway station.  It had a number of other “lives” before being turned into a museum that opened in 1986..  It’s soaring glass and iron roof make for a dramatic entrance, and scattered around the building are little touches reminding you of that former railway station.  Unlike the the Louvre, which is often dark, the d’Orsay is light, open, and inviting.

The Museum is probably best known for its Impressionists, although that collection only makes up about of third of the work you’ll find here.  There are a variety of ways to explore the collections – picking your favorites to see, viewing the art chronologically (lower floor, top, then middle), or just wandering to see what catches your eye and that you want to spend more time with.  I adopted a combination of choosing my must-see pieces and wandering.

Keep reading to learn what you’ll see

• Lower Level:  Sculptures in the main hallway, pre-Impressionist paintings (Eugene Delacroix and Gustave Courbet), and early works by Monet, Renoir, and Manet in the side galleries.  Be sure to look up and around and appreciate the architecture of the building.  This was my favorite floor!
• Middle Level:  The impressive Belle-Époque ballroom takes up much of the floor, and is worth spending time exploring and appreciating the grandeur of its design.  Side galleries are dedicated to Symbolism, Naturalism, and the Nabis School, along with the decorative arts.  On the mezzanine you’ll find sculpture, including Rodin’s Gates of Hell and Balzac.  The Musée d’Orsay restaurant is located on this level, and even if you’re not stopping in for lunch or tea, take a moment to poke your head in and look around.  The enormous windows and sparkling chandeliers are most impressive.
• Top Level:  Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings and sculpture.  Artists represented here include Degas, Renoir and Gauguin.  On this level you’ll also find the Café des Hauteurs. a popular place to stop for a quick bite to eat.  It’s behind one of the large clocks and overlooks the Seine.  The terrace is open, weather permitting, and offers great views.  We stopped in for a simple lunch here, and found it remarkably delicious, with excellent service and reasonable prices.  Not a common experience in Paris, in general, and contrary to many experiences I’ve had when getting food when I’m a “captive audience.” Stopping off for lunch here will allow you a nice resting break before continuing on to view the rest of the galleries.

Even if you are not an art aficionado, you’ll recognize a lot of the pieces and artists you’ll see here.  This is home to Arrangement in Grey and Black: The Artist’s Mother (more commonly known as Whistler’s Mother), Starry Night Over the Rhone (Van Gogh), Bal au moulin de la Galette, Montmartre (Renoir), and many others.  You may not recognize the name of the work or the artist, but you’ll like recognize the work itself.

Admission is €8, which covers the permanent collections and exhibitions.  There is an extra charge for special exhibitions.  There are numerous discounted or FREE admissions for students, artists, children, and groups.  The museum is covered by the Paris Museum Pass, which also allows you to proceed directly to the front for admission, and bypass any line.  In the day that I was there, the line wasn’t terribly long, but this advantage still saved me about a half hour of precious time.

The Musée d’Orsay is open from 9:30 am – 6 pm daily, except Monday.  It is open late on Thursday, till 9:45 pm.  There are also extended summer hours to accommodate peak tourist season.

This museum is worth a visit, and I’d recommend putting it on your must-see list!

Photo credits:  personal collection

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Contrast that very modern business core with one of the oldest and most beautiful structures in the city – the Guadalajara Cathedral, a minor basilica that is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Guadalajara.  Located in the downtown Centro Histórico (Avenue16 de Septiembre, Hidalgo y Morelos), the neo-Gothic towers of the Cathedral dominate the skyline.

Originally built during the 16-17th century, parts of it have been destroyed by fire, earthquake, and the ravages of time.  Repairs and rebuilding have attempted to keep as much as possible.

Walking into the cathedral is like taking a big step back in time.  The main altar is made of marble and silver, but you’ll also find ten other altars around the side of the cathedral.  Behind the main altar are sufficient chairs to seat the council of Cardinals.  The cathedral has beautiful stained glass (imported from France, and reminiscent of Notre Dame), many religious artifacts and pieces of art, a mural by Mexican artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, and relics of St. Innocent (among others).  This is also home to the largest organ in the country.

Surrounding the cathedral are spacious plazas perfect for strolling, getting a bite to eat, people watching, or enjoying the many artisans the set up shop here.  Don’t hurry through!  Slow down your pace, and enjoy the culture and history of Guadalajara.

Photo credit:  personal collection

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Bellagio: The Fountains of Bellagio

At the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art you’ll find a new exhibit that combines major contemporary artists with a focus on the 1960-70’s:  “Classic Contemporary: Lichtenstein, Warhol & Friends.”

In a move toward showcasing more recent artists, the Bellagio offers this exhibit that features paintings and sculptures from iconic artists of the Pop Art generation.  In addition to the named artists, Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein (“Mirror”), you’ll also see works from Frank Stella (“Sabra III, based on a protractor curve), Ellsworth Kelly, Sol LeWitt (“Floor Piece #4, pat of his series based on the cube), Ed Ruscha, and others.

Classic Contemporary will be on view at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art through September 8th, 2009.  It is open Sunday – Thursday, 10 am-6 pm, and Friday & Saturday till 9 pm.

Admission is $15 general admission, $12 for seniors (65+) and Nevada residents (ID required), and $10 for student, teaches, and military personnel.  Children 12 and under are FREE.  Audio tours are included in the admission price.  Advance tickets can be purchased online.

The Bellagio Resort is located at 3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas.

Photo credit:  Courtesy of MGM Mirage

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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

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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

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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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The Queen Mary served as both an elegant ocean liner and a WWII troopship, but for the last 40 years has been a California attraction, hotel, meeting center, and restaurant (actually three restaurants).  Although suffering from a little ship-worn look the past few years, the once elegant liner is being restored to its former glory with a major capital refurbishing campaign.

The ship is home to a 314 room Art Deco Hotel, decked out in the trappings of cruising in the 1930’s.  Adding to the charm is the largest collection of Art Deco artwork in the country. 

The ship also has a variety of boutiques, an Observation Bar with a killer ocean and skyline view, and fine dining at the Five Star Sir Winston Churchill restaurant.

General admission to the Queen Mary (includes a self-guided ship walk tour that explores 12 decks of the ship) is $24.95 for adults, $21.95 for seniors (55+)/military, and $12.95 for children ages 5 – 11.  Parking is additional and runs $15/day.

A variety of other tours and packages are also available.

The Queen Mary is open daily from 10 am – 6 pm, with extended hours for restaurants and bars.  There are also special nighttime tours available.  Since the ship has long been thought to be haunted, and it’s sailing history is rich in unexplained events and activities. these tours can be a lot of fun.

During the month of January, as a special offer for California residents only, the Queen Mary offers a FREE general admission ticket.  This offer requires proof of residency (driver’s license or other photo ID), and can be claimed at the box office during regular hours.

The Queen Mary is located at 1126 Queen’s Highway in Long Beach (map it).

Photo credits:  All from flickr, exterior; bar; lobby

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