Not only is Rome’s Trevi Fountain the most famous “water effect” in the whole world, a genuine national treasure, and the catch basin for over €3,000 in coins thrown by thousands of well wishers every day, but it’s also one of the city’s best-known film locations. Indeed, the scene when Anita Ekberg wades into the fountain in Fellini’s “La ... Read More »
It was just a few days ago that we mentioned how the FBI was refocusing their efforts on the greatest unsolved art heist in American history—a 1990 invasion at Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum that claimed five Degas oils, three Rembrants, a Manet, and, most notably, “The Concert” by Joannes Vermeer. In it, we referenced FBI Special Agent George ... Read More »
When it comes to art and art history, we’ll go out of our way for an authentic experience. Sure, between the Frick and the Met, eight of the 37 acknowledged paintings by Vermeer in existence are just a walk away from our offices. But to really understand Vermeer, to get an authentic experience of his art, we suggest you ... Read More »
Ok, it’s not really all that simple or exciting—but it’s more fun this way. See, about 20 years ago, some enterprising burglars with excellent taste broke into Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum disguised as policemen and made off with 13 paintings including three Rembrandts and a Vermeer—a total value of between $250 and $300 million. Not bad for 81 ... Read More »
Three cheers for manual labor in film! (Guardian UK) Jafar Panahi, the Iranian director of the 2006 festival hit “Offside”, has been imprisoned by his government for supporting that country’s progressive Green Movement. (BBC) Despite being the “It Country” of the 20th Century, the U.S.A. has never had a national tourism board, something a recently passed bill ... Read More »
South African artist Pieter Hugo gives us a somewhat disturbing tour of Nollywood—that’s the Nigerian version of Hollywood for all you Nollywood novices out there. (Vulture) Turns out that both Matt Damon and Jake Gyllenhaal turned down the lead role in “Avatar”, most likely because they read the script. (SlashFilm) If you need to get to Oakland ... Read More »
We spend enough time in mainstream museums that we often get tired of eating our American history with a slice of apple pie and vanilla ice cream. A new museum soon to open in New York, however, is offering a darker look at “The American Century” and a new book features raw, crowd-sourced images from the time when photography ... Read More »
In some music scenes around the globe, like the many detailed in our “Music + Travel Worldwide” guidebook, are bright and inviting, full of cheerful talented people who want nothing more than to share their songs with the world. In others, fans spend their spare time cutting themselves and burning down churches while musicians make soup out of each ... Read More »
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