Art Destinations Artist Spotlight Arts/Culture

The Perez Art Miami Museum… Getting to Know Two Latino Pioneer Artists

It’s been several years since I visited the Perez Art Miami Museum (PAMM) and on my recent trip to this amazing city, I stopped by to reconnect.   This is truly a unique institution with a mission of serving international contemporary modern artists of the 20th and 21st centuries committed to advancing a more inclusive, humane society.  The museum is constructed on a  20-acre museum park on the Biscayne Bay surrounded by spectacular views of skyscrapers on one side and the ocean on the opposite side.  Once inside this uniquely designed building, there were several new exhibitions, of which two caught my attention. Both are by deceased Latinos artists who are not as wel known yet have made significant contributions to the art world. The following is a little about Marisol Escobar and Carlos Cruz-Diez——both pioneers in the Pop Art and Optical Art movements. 

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Book Reviews How-To Tips Reinvent Yourself

Self-Care:  How Best to Manage Stress and Anxiety in this Post-Pandemic Era

Since the pandemic, my stress levels have made me rethink how I want to live the rest of my life and how best can I manage aging in the healthiest way possible. This of course requires making significant behavior changes as well as being more informed about your body and emotional state of mind.   I recently caught the BA4 COVID strain and even though I am fully vaccinated and boosted, it was indeed a bad flu experience that I would not wish on anyone.  Over the last  6 months, I read several books, magazines and articles on self-care intending to build a wellness plan for me in this post pandemic era. Here is what I have learned …

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My Photography Wanderlust

A Visit to the Lakota Sioux Tribe Reservation at the Badlands National Park

I recently came across an article about the Lakota Sioux tribe and immediately experienced a flashback of a group project that took us to a reservation in the Badlands National Park near Rapid City, South Dakota in 2019. Driving through the Badlands was a photographer’s dream, especially for an urban dweller. Meeting and learning so much from this American Native tribe was a phenomenal experience and one I would love to repeat.  Here’s why….

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Art Destinations Arts/Culture

Art Fairs in NYC …. Going Wild in 2022

May 5-12  was New York City Art Week. As expected, there were plenty of art fairs and gallery openings for anyone who wants to be inspired or learn about what today’s contemporary artists are creating.  I managed to attend three art fairs, all of them interesting and over the top with all kinds of messaging from climate change to reproductive rights, nuclear proliferation and just fun pieces that range from the peculiar to the outlandish.   I am happy to share the venues and photos of what seem to be trending these days….
 

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My Photography Wanderlust

Visiting Cuba: Is Now a Good Time?

Good news for Cuba, President Joe Biden on June 1 of this year has finally gotten around to revoking a series of restrictions on flights to Cuba that were imposed by Donald Trump allowing US airlines to fly to all of Cuba’s airports. Unfortunately, this falls short of fully reinstating the Obama administration policies towards Cuba.  A bit disappointing for folks who would like to travel freely to the island. I was fortunate to visit Havana, Cuba in 2017 when President Obama had lifted US restrictions, allowing travelers to independently travel to Cuba without being part of an authorized travel program….

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Art Destinations Arts/Culture

The Dallas Art Museum… A Perfect Day Trip for Art Lovers

If you are planning to be in Dallas for a day trip or longer and you are looking for how best to use your time, let me suggest visiting the Dallas Museum of Art and the Nasher Sculpture Center.  Both amazing institutions are part of the Dallas Arts District, one of the largest in the country.   The Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) is also one of the top ten largest museums in the US having one of the most comprehensive art collections that reflects the entire globe and, surprisingly, admission is free all the time.

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Wanderlust

Eight Magnificent Cities to Visit in the South Region of Spain –Costa del Sol

Back then, before we knew what the word COVID meant and the disruption that it caused the world, I had taken a 12-day road trip through La Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun or Sun Coast) a region in the south of Spain comprising of  coastal towns and communities along the coastline. We visited eight cities….loving its people, its culture, and its history. I plan to go back to Spain and travel to the northern side of this awe-inspiring country in the near future.   If you are interested in traveling to Spain, here are my favorite places with tips and photos to hopefully inspire you to GO soon….

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Movie Reviews

CNN Roadrunner:  A Glimpse into Understanding Anthony Bourdain

It’s going on four years since we all heard the devastating news of Anthony Bourdain’s suicide. So many of us who watched Anthony’s show inspired by his unique talents and love of travel would have never guessed that he was that unhappy and in that much pain.  Director Morgan Neville helps us understand the uniqueness of this amazing storyteller and how things began to spiral out of control.  How fame, money and freedom for some folks can be unmanageable, overly consuming and a path toward darkness.

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Wanderlust

Best Greek Islands to Go Island-Hopping in Any Year

Now that Omicron it’s on its way out, countries are loosening their travel restrictions as they gradually recover from the pandemic.  For some countries, tourism represents over 30% of their gross domestic product.   Commercial ads are working overtime to incite you to book something soon.  How about Greece?   In 2018, I went island-hopping to four of Greece’s majestic islands. Frankly, I yearn to go back and visit the ones I missed. Are you itching to travel this spring and summer? If so, here are my picks with tips and photos to hopefully inspire you to GO (this year or any year).

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Art Destinations Artist Spotlight Arts/Culture

A Homage to Carmen Herrera, Latinx Pioneer Geometric Abstract Painter–1915-2022

In February 2022, Carmen Herrera dies at the age of 106, having gained fame in her 80’s when her artwork began to sell, finally recognized by the art world. As both a female and Latin artist, she is a pioneer in the Geometric minimalism artistic movement started in the early 1940’s (although mostly ignored) known for her simple lines, forms and colors. I was fortunate to see 50 pieces of her work at the Whitney Museum in NY in 2016 entitled Lines of Sight that showcased the range of her work as far back as 1948….

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