Nelson-Atkins to Take Visitors on Quite a Ride | Shuttlecarts Launch with Monet Exhibition
In an ongoing effort to make The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City more accessible for all, the Museum will pilot a program in which transportation carts take museum-goers on two different routes inside the Museum. The two electric carts, called Shuttlecarts, will debut at the opening of the Monet’s Water Lilies exhibition April 9.
“The amazing growth of the Nelson-Atkins has sparked so much excitement that we want everyone to experience this entire Museum,” said Julián Zugazagoitia, Menefee D. and Mary Louise Blackwell Director & CEO. “I had a conversation with Crosby Kemper in which he echoed a concern we have heard from many others, that some visitors have difficulty navigating the distances. After discussions with Museum staff, the carts seemed to be the best solution, and Crosby wholeheartedly embraced the idea and was instrumental in securing the donation that made this possible.”
R. Crosby Kemper, Jr., Chairman Emeritus, UMB Bank, championed the use of electric carts, and funding for the pilot program was approved by The Carter Community Trust on Kemper’s recommendation.
The Nelson-Atkins covers 23 acres, with 400,000 square feet of space in the Museum. The Bloch Building expansion increased the Museum square footage by 71 percent, providing new galleries and Museum support. The Shuttlecarts will operate on a rotation of two separate routes, one down the gallery walk in the Bloch Building and the other to Kirkwood Hall and Rozzelle Court Restaurant in the original building, making it easy for any visitor to go from one part of the Museum to another in a short time.
“To our knowledge, no other art museum offers this service,” said Mark Zimmerman, Director of Administration. “These carts are all electric, so there will be no noise and no pollution. They were thoroughly tested for vibration, and meet rigorous environmental and conservation requirements.”
The carts will be operated by trained drivers who will offer passengers information about current and upcoming exhibitions, yet another free service to visitors. People of all ages are invited to ride on the carts.
“It’s important to note that this is not a tour or a taxi service,” said Michael Cross, Facilities/Security & Visitor Services Manager. “The carts have an established route and timing. It takes a cart about one minute to safely go the length of the gallery walk in the Bloch Building, which is about 400 feet. We have heard from many visitors that this is a long walk, so we’re providing this free service to make the entire Museum more accessible.”
I'm really excited about this! Now if the shuttlecarts could only resemble shuttlecocks.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
NAMA-Bloch Building- Cited for Beauty
NAMA's Bloch Building - Cited for Beauty
Among the World's Most Beautiful Buildings listed by Travel + Leisure - February 2011, you will find The Bloch Building expansion to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, designed by Steven Holl.
What are the other most beautiful buildings?
Here's a list:
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/worlds-most-beautiful-buildings/1
Karrie Jacobs, who wrote Travel + Leisure says, "So are we consistent? Nope. But however capricious our choices may seem, we don’t take beauty lightly. After all, the ongoing search for beauty is what travel is all about. It’s certainly the best reason we know to leave the house." I can't argue with that.
For more about Kansas City's, and NAMA's Bloch Building expansion, go to Travel + Leisure Names Nelson-Atkins' Bloch Building One of World’s Most Beautiful
What are the other most beautiful buildings?
Here's a list:
- Sagrada Família, Barcelona
- Burj Al Arab, Dubai, UAE
- Institute for Sound and Vision, Hilversum, The Netherlands
- Design by Neutelings Riedijk Architecten/Photo by Scagliola Brakkee
- Institute for Sound and Vision, Hilversum, The Netherlands
- The Golden Temple, Amritsar, India
- National Congress Hall, Brasilia, Brazil
- The Guggenheim, Bilbao, Spain
- The Chrysler Building, New York City
- Mont St. Michel, Normandy, France
- ICMC at Brandenburg Technical University, Cottbus, Germany
- Wat Rong Khun, Chiang Rai, Thailand
- Akron Boys and Girls Club II, Akron, AL
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/worlds-most-beautiful-buildings/1
Karrie Jacobs, who wrote Travel + Leisure says, "So are we consistent? Nope. But however capricious our choices may seem, we don’t take beauty lightly. After all, the ongoing search for beauty is what travel is all about. It’s certainly the best reason we know to leave the house." I can't argue with that.
For more about Kansas City's, and NAMA's Bloch Building expansion, go to Travel + Leisure Names Nelson-Atkins' Bloch Building One of World’s Most Beautiful
Bad Boy: An Inspector Banks Novel
Book Review by Reader Maid
My friend Reader Maid based this review on a copy provided by the publisher through an early review program.
Bad Boy: An Inspector Banks Novel - by Peter Robinson
DCI Alan Banks, on leave from the Major Crimes Unit of the Western Area Headquarters in Eastvale, is thoroughly enjoying his visit to the United States, so he isn't there when his former neighbor, Juliet Doyle, arrives at the police station seeking his help over what to do about a gun she has found in her daughter's bedroom. Instead, DI Annie Cabot interviews Mrs. Doyle and that, as they say, makes all the difference.
Jaff McCready, the titular bad boy of this story, is the son of a wealthy Englishman and successful Bollywood actress. He desperately wants to be a player in the organized crime operation headed by "The Farmer," who sees him as a possible to successor to his empire.
Jaff has been dating Erin Doyle, the childhood friend and current roommate of Banks's daughter, Tracy. When Erin catches Jaff kissing Tracy on the dance floor, she decides to get even by stealing a gun from Jaff's apartment--a gun Jaff was instructed by the Farmer to destroy--and hiding it in her old bedroom at her parents' house where she has retreated to lick her wounds.
Once her mother discovers the weapon and reports her daughter to the police, all hell breaks loose beginning with a botched police raid on the Doyle's home. Jaff takes Tracy hostage as he flees both the police and the wrath of The Farmer, who wants the drugs and cash Jaff has taken returned and Jaff silenced. When Banks arrives back from America, he finds the entire police force trying to locate Jaff and Tracy. He must use all his mental and physical resources to try to save his daughter.
Whether or not you have read any previous Inspector Banks novels, you will thoroughly enjoy "Bad Boy," Peter Robinson's latest offering in this popular British crime series. Banks makes a sympathetic if somewhat flawed hero--unlucky in love, sometimes too wrapped up in his job, and not afraid to break a few rules to get results.
Tracy also comes across as real--the "good girl" who wants to be noticed and loved by her father. Although the constant drip of brand names seems a bit too obvious at times, the various music titles and artists mentioned make for a silent but interesting soundtrack to this great read.
My friend Reader Maid based this review on a copy provided by the publisher through an early review program.
Bad Boy: An Inspector Banks Novel - by Peter Robinson
DCI Alan Banks, on leave from the Major Crimes Unit of the Western Area Headquarters in Eastvale, is thoroughly enjoying his visit to the United States, so he isn't there when his former neighbor, Juliet Doyle, arrives at the police station seeking his help over what to do about a gun she has found in her daughter's bedroom. Instead, DI Annie Cabot interviews Mrs. Doyle and that, as they say, makes all the difference.
Jaff McCready, the titular bad boy of this story, is the son of a wealthy Englishman and successful Bollywood actress. He desperately wants to be a player in the organized crime operation headed by "The Farmer," who sees him as a possible to successor to his empire.
Jaff has been dating Erin Doyle, the childhood friend and current roommate of Banks's daughter, Tracy. When Erin catches Jaff kissing Tracy on the dance floor, she decides to get even by stealing a gun from Jaff's apartment--a gun Jaff was instructed by the Farmer to destroy--and hiding it in her old bedroom at her parents' house where she has retreated to lick her wounds.
Once her mother discovers the weapon and reports her daughter to the police, all hell breaks loose beginning with a botched police raid on the Doyle's home. Jaff takes Tracy hostage as he flees both the police and the wrath of The Farmer, who wants the drugs and cash Jaff has taken returned and Jaff silenced. When Banks arrives back from America, he finds the entire police force trying to locate Jaff and Tracy. He must use all his mental and physical resources to try to save his daughter.
Whether or not you have read any previous Inspector Banks novels, you will thoroughly enjoy "Bad Boy," Peter Robinson's latest offering in this popular British crime series. Banks makes a sympathetic if somewhat flawed hero--unlucky in love, sometimes too wrapped up in his job, and not afraid to break a few rules to get results.
Tracy also comes across as real--the "good girl" who wants to be noticed and loved by her father. Although the constant drip of brand names seems a bit too obvious at times, the various music titles and artists mentioned make for a silent but interesting soundtrack to this great read.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
A Small Death in the Great Glen: A Novel
Book Review by Reader Maid
My friend Reader Maid likes to read international crime fiction, and I like to read her reviews.
Reader Maid feels international crime authors provide insights and perspectives into their countries yielding societal, cultural, and artistic information that you don't find in a travelogue.
A Small Death in the Great Glen - by A. D. Scott
It's 1950 in the western Highlands of Scotland. Little Jamie Fraser has gone missing on his way home from school and Joanne Ross's daughters, Annie and Wee Jean, were the last ones to see him alive: "We saw him," she [Wee Jean] explained, "me and Annie, we saw this great big black hoodie crow. He opens the door, all of a sudden like, an' he spreads out his wings . . . and he picks up Jamie in his wings and takes him . . . ." When Jamie is later found dead in the canal and the coroner determines the boy was "interfered with" and murdered, Joanne and her coworkers at the local newspaper wonder--Do the girls actaully know something, or is it just their imaginations trying to make sense out of the death of a friend?
"A Small Death in the Great Glen" is Scottish writer A. D. Scott's debut novel in what looks to be a very promising new series centered around a local newspaper in Inverness, Scotland during the 1950s when the scars of World War II were still red and raw. While the plot of the story turns on the murder of the young boy Jamie, the theme revolves around abuse--child abuse; spousal abuse; alcohol abuse; the abuse of power and position, both civic and religious--and the community's silent acceptance that enables such abuse to continue.
The narrative juggles multiple plot threads that are woven into and around the hunt for Jamie's killer. There's Joanne, a part-time typist for the Highland Gazette, a job of which her husband, Bill Ross, greatly disapproves. Their marriage is one of constant mental and physical tension but divorce is not an acceptable option 1950s rural Scotland. Also, there's Joanne's Italian friend, Chiara, whose family has settled in Scotland after fleeing Italy during the war and now owns a successful cafe in town. She's engaged to Peter Kowalski, a Polish imigrant. Then there's the Polish seaman who jumped shipped hoping to find asylum. Not everyone is eager to embrace those from outside their country's borders. And when Jamie is murdered, the natives naturally look to the outsiders for the killer. The seaman makes a very convenient scapegoat for Inspector Thompson who doesn't see the reason for looking any further when the solution is so obvious. Add in the Tinkers, Scotland's roving band of gypsies who aren't anxious to come forward with their knowledge of events, and the Gazette's editor-in-chief, John McAllister, who has his own mystery concerning his brother's suicide to solve, and you have a constantly shifting flow of action and perspective with a meanwhile-back-at-the-ranch quality that keeps you thoroughly engaged.
While there are some abrupt shifts between storylines that can be somewhat jarring, "A Small Death in the Great Glen" is packed with plots, personalities and all the drama of a close-knit community struggling to adjust to a post-war world. Yet the story never loses sight of the central plot and ties off all the seemingly loose threads neatly in the end. I'm very much looking forward to the sequel that is due to be released in the summer of 2011.
My friend Reader Maid likes to read international crime fiction, and I like to read her reviews.
Reader Maid feels international crime authors provide insights and perspectives into their countries yielding societal, cultural, and artistic information that you don't find in a travelogue.
A Small Death in the Great Glen - by A. D. Scott
It's 1950 in the western Highlands of Scotland. Little Jamie Fraser has gone missing on his way home from school and Joanne Ross's daughters, Annie and Wee Jean, were the last ones to see him alive: "We saw him," she [Wee Jean] explained, "me and Annie, we saw this great big black hoodie crow. He opens the door, all of a sudden like, an' he spreads out his wings . . . and he picks up Jamie in his wings and takes him . . . ." When Jamie is later found dead in the canal and the coroner determines the boy was "interfered with" and murdered, Joanne and her coworkers at the local newspaper wonder--Do the girls actaully know something, or is it just their imaginations trying to make sense out of the death of a friend?
"A Small Death in the Great Glen" is Scottish writer A. D. Scott's debut novel in what looks to be a very promising new series centered around a local newspaper in Inverness, Scotland during the 1950s when the scars of World War II were still red and raw. While the plot of the story turns on the murder of the young boy Jamie, the theme revolves around abuse--child abuse; spousal abuse; alcohol abuse; the abuse of power and position, both civic and religious--and the community's silent acceptance that enables such abuse to continue.
The narrative juggles multiple plot threads that are woven into and around the hunt for Jamie's killer. There's Joanne, a part-time typist for the Highland Gazette, a job of which her husband, Bill Ross, greatly disapproves. Their marriage is one of constant mental and physical tension but divorce is not an acceptable option 1950s rural Scotland. Also, there's Joanne's Italian friend, Chiara, whose family has settled in Scotland after fleeing Italy during the war and now owns a successful cafe in town. She's engaged to Peter Kowalski, a Polish imigrant. Then there's the Polish seaman who jumped shipped hoping to find asylum. Not everyone is eager to embrace those from outside their country's borders. And when Jamie is murdered, the natives naturally look to the outsiders for the killer. The seaman makes a very convenient scapegoat for Inspector Thompson who doesn't see the reason for looking any further when the solution is so obvious. Add in the Tinkers, Scotland's roving band of gypsies who aren't anxious to come forward with their knowledge of events, and the Gazette's editor-in-chief, John McAllister, who has his own mystery concerning his brother's suicide to solve, and you have a constantly shifting flow of action and perspective with a meanwhile-back-at-the-ranch quality that keeps you thoroughly engaged.
While there are some abrupt shifts between storylines that can be somewhat jarring, "A Small Death in the Great Glen" is packed with plots, personalities and all the drama of a close-knit community struggling to adjust to a post-war world. Yet the story never loses sight of the central plot and ties off all the seemingly loose threads neatly in the end. I'm very much looking forward to the sequel that is due to be released in the summer of 2011.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Kung Fu Panda 2 - Zoo Naming in Atlanta
The Zoo Naming: The only Giant Panda cub born in North America in 2010 will be named on February 15, 2011, in an extraordinary event unlike any other ever hosted by Zoo Atlanta. The baby giant panda is the son of Lun Lun and was born on Nov 3, 2010.
The 100 Day Giant Panda Cub Celebration will feature a surprise appearance by a major international celebrity as well as the following guests: Governor Nathan Deal, Chief of Staff Candice Byrd, Raymond King (President and CEO, Zoo Atlanta), Dr. Hayley Murphy (Director of Veterinary Services, Zoo Atlanta), and Dr. Rebecca Snyder (Curator of Mammals, Zoo Atlanta).
Zoo Atlanta, 800 Cherokee Avenue, S.E., Atlanta, GA 30315
The Dreamworks' Kung Fu Panda 2 Tie-in:
Synopsis: In “Kung Fu Panda 2,” Po is now living his dream as The Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and fellow kung fu masters, the Furious Five. But Po’s new life of awesomeness is threatened by the emergence of a formidable villain, who plans to use a secret, unstoppable weapon to conquer China and destroy kung fu. Po must look to his past and uncover the secrets of his mysterious origins; only then will he be able to unlock the strength he needs to succeed.
Dreamworks’ Kung Fu Panda 2 will be released in theaters nationwide THURSDAY, MAY 26th, 2011, featuring the voice talent of: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, James Hong, Gary Oldman, Michelle Yeoh, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Victor Garber
If you can't attend in person:
Sattelite Coordinates:
KU-BAND:
SATELLITE: Galaxy 17 KU BAND @ 91 DEGREES WEST
TRANSPONDER: K-24 (twenty-four) SLOT F, DIGITAL
UL FREQUENCY: 14487.5 HORIZONTAL
DL FREQUENCY: 12187.5 VERTICAL
FEC: 3/4
SYMBOL RATE: 6.1113V
C-BAND TURN:
SATELLITE: GALAXY 28 CBAND @ 89 DEGREES WEST
TRANSPONDER: C-15 (fifteen) ANALOG
UL FREQUENCY: 6225 HORIZONTAL
DL FREQUENCY: 4000 VERTICAL
AUDIO: 6.2 6.8
*Technical trouble, contact:
Carolyn Smith 323-533-3051
 | ||||
| Baby Panda born on Nov 3, 2010. Photo courtesy of Zoo Atlanta | . |
Zoo Atlanta, 800 Cherokee Avenue, S.E., Atlanta, GA 30315
The Dreamworks' Kung Fu Panda 2 Tie-in:
Synopsis: In “Kung Fu Panda 2,” Po is now living his dream as The Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and fellow kung fu masters, the Furious Five. But Po’s new life of awesomeness is threatened by the emergence of a formidable villain, who plans to use a secret, unstoppable weapon to conquer China and destroy kung fu. Po must look to his past and uncover the secrets of his mysterious origins; only then will he be able to unlock the strength he needs to succeed.
Dreamworks’ Kung Fu Panda 2 will be released in theaters nationwide THURSDAY, MAY 26th, 2011, featuring the voice talent of: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, James Hong, Gary Oldman, Michelle Yeoh, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Victor Garber
If you can't attend in person:
Sattelite Coordinates:
KU-BAND:
SATELLITE: Galaxy 17 KU BAND @ 91 DEGREES WEST
TRANSPONDER: K-24 (twenty-four) SLOT F, DIGITAL
UL FREQUENCY: 14487.5 HORIZONTAL
DL FREQUENCY: 12187.5 VERTICAL
FEC: 3/4
SYMBOL RATE: 6.1113V
C-BAND TURN:
SATELLITE: GALAXY 28 CBAND @ 89 DEGREES WEST
TRANSPONDER: C-15 (fifteen) ANALOG
UL FREQUENCY: 6225 HORIZONTAL
DL FREQUENCY: 4000 VERTICAL
AUDIO: 6.2 6.8
*Technical trouble, contact:
Carolyn Smith 323-533-3051
Friday, February 11, 2011
"Ferment" Coming to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in April
Yesterday's post showed Jason Edward Kaufman embraced by giant shining tree branches on the roof of the Museum of Modern Art. The artwork was "Maelstrom," affectionately called "Roxy on the Roof," and created by internationally acclaimed sculptor Roxy Paine.
In April, 2011 NAMA will be getting its own beautiful silver tree. Kansas City's 56-foot stainless steel sculpture of a leafless tree will be permanently installed in the Kansas City Sculpture Park at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. "Ferment" was constructed at Paine’s studio in Treadwell, NY and will be transported to the Museum. It will be installed at the site over a period of two weeks. The Museum will record the installation of Ferment in real time, and visual updates will be available at www.nelson-atkins.org.
"Ferment" was commissioned by Martin Friedman, Hall Family Foundation consultant for the Museum’s Sculpture Park for 20 years, and was funded by the foundation.
Read more about "Ferment" at
http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/45857/
Roxy Paine talks about his art at
http://www.jamescohan.com/artists/roxy-paine/video/
In April, 2011 NAMA will be getting its own beautiful silver tree. Kansas City's 56-foot stainless steel sculpture of a leafless tree will be permanently installed in the Kansas City Sculpture Park at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. "Ferment" was constructed at Paine’s studio in Treadwell, NY and will be transported to the Museum. It will be installed at the site over a period of two weeks. The Museum will record the installation of Ferment in real time, and visual updates will be available at www.nelson-atkins.org.
 |
| Roxy Paine, American (b.1966). Drawing for “Ferment,” 2009. India ink on paper, 41 x 33 ¼ inches (104.14 x 84.46 cm). Purchase: acquired in honor of Martin Friedman and his critical role in the development of the Kansas City Sculpture Park through a gift from the Hall Family Foundation, 2010.54. |
"Ferment" was commissioned by Martin Friedman, Hall Family Foundation consultant for the Museum’s Sculpture Park for 20 years, and was funded by the foundation.
Read more about "Ferment" at
http://www.infozine.com/news/stories/op/storiesView/sid/45857/
Roxy Paine talks about his art at
http://www.jamescohan.com/artists/roxy-paine/video/
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Jason Edward Kaufman | In View
This is Jason Edward Kaufman who is concerned about the fate of the Whitney Museum’s longtime home on Madison Avenue. The Whitney plans to open a new flagship in the Meatpacking District in 2015.
Kaufman's latest culture bulletin proposes a re-purposing for the building. He would be delighted if the Whitney's landmark building designed by Marcel Breuer became home for the International Center of Photography (ICP). He also proposed that New York City should help it make a return to Museum Mile.
Read Kaufman's article at http://blogs.artinfo.com/inview/
If you would like to receive a gratis subscription to the twice monthly IN VIEW bulletin go to http://jasonkaufman.info to sign up.
 |
| Jason Edward Kaufman |
Kaufman's latest culture bulletin proposes a re-purposing for the building. He would be delighted if the Whitney's landmark building designed by Marcel Breuer became home for the International Center of Photography (ICP). He also proposed that New York City should help it make a return to Museum Mile.
 | ||
| Whitney Museum-designed by Marcel Breuer-photo by Gryffindor-Wiki Commons |
Read Kaufman's article at http://blogs.artinfo.com/inview/
If you would like to receive a gratis subscription to the twice monthly IN VIEW bulletin go to http://jasonkaufman.info to sign up.
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