Teatro Colón

If you have been to Buenos Aires, you must have noticed the incapacity
some Argentinians have when it comes to following rules. If you speak a little Spanish and have ever tried to understand the lyrics of at least, one tango song, you might have understood that the main character in the song has either gotten away with something or has beaten his opponent.He has done this by disrespecting rules, sometimes rules of honor, by cheating.

Tango songs and bad driving are typical of our culture. Take one second,
stand in any avenue corner, preferably by a policeman and observe how drivers
run yellow and red lights, drive on biking paths, or speed up when a pedestrian
is trying to cross the street.
Take note of the policeman, probably too busy texting messages on his cell phone or smoking a cigarette to catch drivers breaking the law.

While driving around town looking at the beautiful European architecture
the city is famed for, you will be intrigued by the magnificence of a
building that stands on Av. Cerrito and Viamonte: Teatro Colon, a jewel, not
only for its architecture but also for the art that is produced inside. The
theater reopened on 2010 after years of restoration work.

Unfortunately, it's not working at its fullest capacity because, just as
anything Argentinian, the Government of the City of Buenos Aires, that operates it, and a great number of members of its orchestra (grouped as a union) cannot
reach an agreement regarding working conditions. As a result, the opera that
was to open the theater's season: György Ligetis "Le Grand Macabre" was
put on stage under the direction of Baldur Bröinniman in a non orchestral version consisting of two pianos and percussion.

If you have stayed long enough in Buenos Aires, you must have realized another
thing about us: the ability to get by with what's available. You must
have heard a very popular phrase: "Es lo que hay" meaning: "This is what there is." So for example, although Plácido Domingo was recently scheduled to perform at the Colón, due to a series of events, he was unable to do so, and performed at the Obelisk instead. It was still a wonderful experience enjoyed by everyone and people were extremely happy, and he was too. It was a most memorable event.

There are some issues with the theater, yes, but next time you visit Buenos Aires (or if you're here now), do try to go to the Teatro Colón. It's an experience you don't want to miss. There are many ways to get a good feel for it. I suggest that you try them all:
1) book a guided tour: this will give you a good feel of all the details that must come together to put on a performance. You will walk by rehearsal rooms, you will see the way costumes are made for every show, etc.
2) buy tickets to a performance, the best ones are on a program called
"Abono del Bicentenario" (it only occurs once a month).
3) buy seats on higher floors.

If you book ahead of time, you will get good seats that will combine the possibility of seeing and hearing the performance, otherwise you will be missing the view.

The acoustics, the architecture, and the art you will encounter will make you walk out of there having had a very nice time. If something goes wrong, as it did with Ligeti's opera, you still will have had an experience in itself. After all, this is Argentina (and there is what there is).

For performances and guided tours visit www.teatrocolon.org.ar


Guest post by Valeria Mendez Cañas.

street art

Starting today, you can see this work of art in Recoleta, a creation of two Swiss artists: Sabina Lang and Daniel Baumann.
Have a nice weekend!

Around Chile

Thanks W hotel for your hospitality!
Photo #4 kindly provided by W Hotel, Santiago. Thanks!

California!!

First of all... can I just say, I LOVE CALIFORNIA.

Notes

- If you're going to do a road trip, get yourself a nice convertible, put some sunscreen on, good music, sunglasses, and enjoy the landscapes and beauty on your way to each place. Lift your hands up in the air (like a child on a roller coaster) when you're feeling really happy, which will be most of the time.

- Don't waste your time shopping if you're in the US at the end of August. At least not if you're from Argentina (or any South American country) All you'll see is winter clothes and there's so much to do and see. 

- Be receptive and embrace the California kindness. I cannot tell you how many amazing people we met during our adventure. I'm so thankful to them.

- Do at least one tour. You'll appreciate getting some local insight. It's a great thing to learn when you travel. If you're curious and love connection with a place, do more than one tour. It's a rewarding experience.

- Early morning wine tastings, driving, flying, going out a lot, the sun... you could get a headache or two, body pain, etc. So go to a nice spa.

- Stay at good hotels or apartments- even if you spend little time in them, it makes all the difference in the world to arrive at a nice and comfy place. That doesn't mean expensive. To travel should be a pleasure, not a torture. A good view and nice pool are a +.

- Surfing: leave that for the Southern California part of your trip, or take the next flight to Hawaii. Conditions in Northern California are not the best.

- Missing your love? soon you'll be together again and it will be magical.

The art of Tigre

Tigre is not only about blissful boat rides, kayaking, river-side markets and island retreats, there's also MAT - The Tigre Art Museum (ex-Tigre Club, built in 1912 and reopened as a museum in 2006). Displayed are figurative paintings from Argentinian artists that date from the late 19th century through the 20th century... check out Pellegrini, Spilimbergo, Butler, Castagnino and Roux.

Stay tuned for new and exciting temporary exhibitions.

El Secreto de Sus Ojos - Film

El Secreto de sus Ojos (The secret of your Eyes) from Argentina, goes to the Oscars!! nominated as best foreign film!

I am so excited that this film did so well. Honestly, when I saw it I was quite surprised. The film is brilliant! it evokes all sorts of emotions from start to end, you feel sadness, love, fear, excitement, and curiosity. It's brave and mysterious, It's romantic... touching subjects like friendship, alcoholism and obsessions, with care and sensibility. Plays with your expectations. Truly a work of art.

Once again, Campanella's has done an amazing job! this is his second nomination for the Oscars. In 2001 he competed for the prize with “El hijo de la novia”

Regarding Argentine cinema this is the seventh film that has been nominated. The first was La Tregua in 1974, and the only winner was La historia oficial in 1985.

Bravo!!

In Mendoza, Art & Environmental commitment

Familia Zuccardi's Cava de Arte is currently presenting “Tierra” (Earth), the latest work by Mendocinean artist, Fernando Jereb. The show is an invitation to become aware of - and perhaps reflect upon - crucial issues such as the impact of global warming and the earth's natural resources crisis.

Fernando Jereb has presented his work in several cities of Argentina, Chile, México and Spain and has obtained many prizes in our country as well as in Europe.

In his work, nature is presented in it's various manifestations, showing a particular concern on climate change, and the importance of finding a balance between our needs, what the earth gives us, gratitude and care.

-> When? Now!! it's only until Februray 2010, every day, from 9:00am to 5:00pm.
-> Where ? La Cava de Arte de Casa del Visitante - Ruta Provincial 33, km 7,5, Maipú, Mendoza.

About la Cava del Arte: Since 2004, la Cava de Arte de Casa del Visitante dedicates a large space for the exposition of Mendocienan art, providing local, upcoming artists the opportunity to present their work to people from all over the world.

More than 50.000 people visit Casa del visitante per year to enjoy it's wide range of offers in wine, art and gastronomy. Thumbs up!!

Exhibitions

For this new edition of Art in the Auditorium (subsequent to its presentation on March of 2009), Fundación PROA has embarked again in a collaborative project organized by the Whitechapel Gallery, featuring artists such as Charly Nijensohn.

Nijensohn's last video creates an experience that points to the destruction of the Amazon rainforest and the environment by global commercial interests.

Charly Nijensohn lives and works in Berlin.

- > When? 21 January - 18 April 2010
- > Where? Fundacion Proa, Buenos Aires / Whitechapel Gallery, London.


Image from Artrabbit

Aldo Sessa celebrates 50 years of photography.

Aldo Sessa celebrates his passion for image with a photographic exhibition at the Centro Cultural Recoleta, composed of over 100 photographs of Argentinean landscapes, his world trips, tango and portraits, among others. Saw it today. Loved it!
























Sessa photographed by Bruce Webber in 1995
- La Nacion.

ART IN THE ANDES - James Turrell

James Turrell Gallery opened this week, in the Hess family vineyard in Colomé, Argentina.

Very much in tune with Hess's passionate approach to art, the light installations are beyond stunning, enhanced by the gallery's truly, magnificent views of the Andes mountains.

Vogue Living Mag in Argentina

I recently hosted Susan Westwood, Vogue Living's Senior editor, in Buenos Aires. She was interested in local interior designs, and visiting beautiful residences and restaurants, behind-the-scenes in Buenos Aires & surrounding areas.
The story about Buenos Aires design will be featured in the May/June issue of VOGUE Living. Enjoy! xx

Special thanks! Julia and Marcelo

KENZO IN BUENOS AIRES

World famous, Japanese artist and designer, Kenzo Takada opens his first exhibition in Latin America. The event showcases his plastic works at the new art gallery Lordi Arte Contemporaneo in San Telmo, Venezuela 617. The exhibition has traveled the world, stopping first in Munich and Morocco, and is a combination of paintings, sculptures and collages. The majority of the paintings feature women among pieces of cloth and stamps, although he also did include one of a couple dancing tango with the Obelisk behind them as an homage to Buenos Aires. Visit the exhibit Monday through Friday, 11am to 8pm, until July 10th.