Do you have a favorite place you have visited? Where is it?
There are many favorite places I’ve visited over the years, and make it a priority to go again and again whenever I get the chance. But if, you’ve ever been to Paris, you make it a point to return as frequently as possible, partly to indulge in what you fell in love with on that first trip. It may mean biting into those delicious macarons from Pierre Hermé, while staking out a favorite spot in the Luxembourg Gardens. Or maybe it means savoring the velvety sole meunière at the Brasserie du Louvre with its century old mosaic tiled flooring, comfortable leather banquettes, along with that brusque {yet charming} waiter whose attention you can never obtain. I can’t tell how much I enjoy sitting over a meal and never feeling rushed to leave.
You return to this magical city because you can show up at a restaurant after 11:00 p.m. and be welcome to what feels like a well catered late-night party.
As dynamic and spectacular as Paris appears, there is nothing like perusing the arrondissements in order to discover a new bistro, a boutique or an avant-garde art gallery. Walking or using the Métro is always the best way to explore the “City of Light”
My go to place for utter relaxation and enhanced psychological well-being are the museums in and around the District of Columbia. Living in the suburbs of Washington, DC offers one the opportunity to visit a myriad of historical and cultural exhibits that allow me to disconnect from daily stressors and just enjoy the value of seeing actual, physical objects [artifacts] in real time.
When the specter of a potential government shutdown (again) reared its unwelcome head, my thoughts turned immediately to those most directly affected. But artistic expression is still alive and well, and artist views are not being suppressed. Art is not being subjected to the shutdown because a few of the galleries do not require government subsidies to stay open to the public.
I’ve supported National Museum of Women in the Arts for many years and cannot imagine not having access to their gallery. And after a week of cooking it was imperative that I submerge myself in the local exhibitions to reset my frame of mind.
Artist are representing their vision of what they’re seeing of the world through their artwork. These paintings, and sculptures are created for each person to interpret, and is not for censorship……. this art is for expounding your intellect.
Viewing art is indeed personal and engaging, actually seeing art and understanding the artists intent is perhaps one of life’s simple pleasures and a welcome balm to the incessant noise we are bombarded with on a daily basis.
Pictures of the city were taken by Larry Levin, Photographer
Californian Diary [Black is Different], 1994. Serigraph on paper. NMWA, Gift of the Niki Charitable Art Foundation. Among her sculptures and prints, Saint Phalle developed curvaceous female figures she called “Nanas”, powerful and spirited feminine archetypes. The text in this work describes the artist’s growing consciousness later in life about the nature of race and the complexity of identity.
Yael Bartana, What if Women Ruled the World, 2016; Neon, 98 1/2 x 38 1/2 in.; National Museum of Women in the Arts, Museum purchase: Belinda de Gaudemar Acquisition Fund, with additional support from the Members’ Acquisition Fund;
Listed are three of my favorite museums in and around the city:
Stylish Heath 