With verdant coffee plantations, laid-back haciendas and a host of adventurous activities on offer, Colombia’s Zona Cafetera is proving there’s more to this country than the trigger-happy stereotype. While the Caribbean coast is luring tourists looking for the next big thing, it’s the lush coffee region, right in the heart of the country, that remains its workhorse. Here, every available slope is covered in the country’s signature crop – high-quality coffee beans – and old-time coffee growers continue to work the land much as they always have. This is old-style Colombia, a place where the coffee is free flowing and the future is looking bright.
In the architectural world, a once-futuristic design can quickly spiral into a shell-shocked state, when a design fails to capture public favour. The infamous Italian housing estate Le Vele di Scampia, originally designed in hopes of being revolutionary in its representation of Italian socialism, but which now symbolises its failure, has been visually documented by German artist Tobias Zielony at the Institute of Modern Art, until February 4.
A Francophile’s love affair with France might manifest itself in a spray of fine perfume, or an impressive collection of Breton-striped shirts. Whatever form the infatuation takes, the stylish allure of France captivates all the senses. Celebrating French charm, music and culture, So Frenchy, So Chic once again returns to the Brisbane Powerhouse to showcase the best of the vibrant French music scene. Bluegrass band Moriarty joins compelling French-Nigerian solo artist Asa in a double-billed performance when So Frenchy, So Chic comes to Brisbane Powerhouse on January 20.
If you think Rio is all beaches, parties and well-oiled bodies, then think again. Away from the crowds, up in the hills, sits the atmospheric suburb of Santa Teresa. This is bohemian territory, where the artists outweigh the beach bums, and the views across the city take your breath away. With its mix of artistic charm and crumbling mansions, ‘Santa’ is luring travellers away from the shoreline and into the hills. And once there, very few of them ever want to come down.
Christmas may be done and dusted for another year, but gift giving is a constant that remains throughout the seasons. Birthdays, Mother’s Day, Easter, the Queen’s Birthday, Friday… the occasions are limitless when it comes to gifting. Newcomers to the wrapping paper game, Gift Couture, have created a deliciously themed paper set. Complete with bun, pattie, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes, Gift Couture’s Cheeseburger Wrapping is so amazing it doesn’t really matter what’s inside the box! In another food-meets-wrapping twist, the crafty folk at Creature Comforts offer step by step advice on creating beautifully stamped paper using celery. Yes, celery! To top it off, home and lifestyle queen Martha Stewart offers a concise 45 point list on wrapping ideas. You know, just in case hamburger or celery inspired papers aren’t creative enough.
On August 15, 2007, Pisco, Peru was at the epicentre of an 8.0-magnitude earthquake that destroyed up to 80% of the city, killing more than 600 people and leaving thousands homeless. A year later, funding intended for the rescue and rebuilding effort had reportedly been squandered by local officials, leaving the citizens of Pisco with virtually nowhere to turn, and many ended up living in tents in shanty towns on the city’s outskirts. After working with one of the American-based relief organisations, Burners Without Borders, local twenty-something Harold Zevallos decided that something needed to be done on a grassroots level. So he started Pisco Sin Fronteras, a volunteer organisation that, for the last three years, has attracted people from across the globe to lend their hand to rebuilding the community and the hope of its people.
At the same time each year, many are faced with the daunting task of buying for the friend who has everything. The answer is simple: give them a goat. The hoofed beast is a quirky present for someone special and an amazing gift to a family in poverty. Goats, with their magnificent eating abilities, can provide nutritious milk, clean up scraps or be bartered for pay for a child’s education. A goat not really ‘your thing’? How about guitar lessons for children in Vanuatu, a well in Sri Lanka or toys for orphans in Africa? Sometimes we forget just how lucky we are. So this year when you are making your list and checking it twice, give the gift that gives a little something more.
Looks like a painting doesn’t it? Or, an optical illusion of sorts. This is Salar de Uyuni – the world’s largest salt flat. Located between the Potosi and Oruro departments of southwest Bolivia, the area is 10,582 square kilometers in size and elevated nearly 400 meters above sea level. There is no denying that such conditions make for the most beyond belief and picturesque of imagery. Once an area covered in prehistoric lakes, the area is now covered by meters of salt crust; it is estimated that up to 70% of the world’s lithium reserves are contained here. This salt dessert, which is a major breeding ground for pink flamingos, is subject to huge tourist numbers, with travellers and photographers alike hoping to take advantage of the clear skies and vast, uninterrupted landscape.
The eyes can detect an Andrew Baines work almost immediately and without question; his art has become one of the most recognisable and collectable of Australia’s contemporary artists. Moving to Australia from England in 1963 as a newborn, Andrew and his family settled into Australian life at Grange, just outside of Adelaide. It was the close proximity to the coastline and the subsequent beach culture that ensued, that has served as inspiration in most of Baines work: “the everchanging beach became a metaphor for my life”, he says. Work as a cartoonist for a local newspaper at the age of ten saw Baines receive his first paying commission, before becoming a commercial artist and working for brands such as BP Australia and Grand Prix Australia. In his early thirties, Baines became committed to his creative trade fulltime. Along with his appreciation…
Kickstarting the Queensland Theatre Company’s 2012 season, Australian classic Summer of the Seventeenth Doll will star theatre luminary Robyn Nevin. Later in the year, Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers will come to life on the stage, when QTC performs Romeo and Juliet. Set to transform into an artist’s lounge and workshop space, the company’s home turf Bille Brown Studio will morph into The GreenHouse – a creative incubator in May, July and October. The Queensland Theatre Company’s new season kicks off from February 22 at various local locations, including QPAC and Bille Brown Studio.
The miniature fantasy world created by Perth-based artists Pip & Pop is everything you ever imagined as a child plus more. Think the land of the Ning Nang Nong meets Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. A place where the tooth fairy might wind down after a hard night’s work. Using sand, sugar and cake-decorating tools, artists Nicole Andrijevic and Tanya Schultz play on mythology, cosmology and nostalgia. As part of the Brisbane Gallery of Modern Art’s fifth anniversary celebrations, We Miss You Magic Land! is an excursion into a world of colour for the young and young at heart. Relax on the grassy knoll and gaze upon the giant sugary clouds, wander past the glitter lagoon and peer through portals into a tiny universe of creativity. The installation will be at the GoMA until March 2012, but you can always take a virtual tour.
There is no denying that the French have a great sense of pride and keep their history and the people who inhabit it, close to their hearts – despite the nation often being subjected to much criticism and cruel stereotypes. Although perhaps best known as the home to various iconic monuments such as Notre Dame and Arc de Triomphe, the nation is also home to the world’s most visited cemetery. Père Lachaise Cemetery in the 20th Arrondissement in Paris is reputed to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Opened in 1804, the Christian people of Paris refused to lay in their graves in a place that had not been blessed by the Church, and as a result the cemetery experienced a slow and highly criticised start. Through a clever marketing strategy, the administrators of Lachaise organised for the transfer of the remains of…
Too easily can our existence become mundane and painstakingly routine – the daily grind of waking up and beginning the journey to work is perhaps the most ideal example of this. The users of the Odenplan subway station in Stockholm, however have been the recipients of a slight shake-up and life-intervention of sorts, acting as human guinea pigs in regard to “The Fun Theory”. The Swedish Piano Stairs, which were implemented to encourage people to use the stairs, rather than the escalator, fulfills the notion that the easiest way to change people’s behaviour for the better is by making the process fun. Once installed, the initiative of uber-contemporary German car brand Volkswagen saw 68% more people than usual channeling their inner Beethoven and choosing to take the stairs over the escalator.
Synonymous with exquisite Danish design, the Georg Jensen collection celebrates Nordic culture and craft. Located off Edward Street in the recently refurbished Wintergarden shopping precinct, the new Georg Jensen boutique exudes a sleek aesthetic and a sense of unruffled serenity. Browse striking pieces from the homewares range or stunning jewellery such as bangles from the iconic Fusion collection. We have our eye on the smooth polished-steel curves of this pitcher – the perfect vessel for a colourful punch laden with summer fruit.
Whether you lean towards craft workshops, picnic events under shady trees or games on the giant sprawling lawns, you are sure to discover delightful treats as part of the festive Made with Love campaign at South Bank. Inspiring a sense of community, handmade gifts and authentic experiences, Christmas at South Bank will bring a sense of old-world charm, including lounging areas, live music and a themed marquee. Throw on a summer frock or don your dapper best and join in outdoor lawn games such as badminton, chess, croquet, ping pong or quoits.
In addition to his unique fashion sense, way with the ladies and penchant for walking around barefoot, Spanish painter Pablo Picasso’s works of art are among some of the world’s most recognisable. But in addition to his iconic cubist paintings, Pablo also extended his creative hand to other mediums including ceramics, sculpture … and light. The archives of LIFE magazine have recently revealed a series of photographs of the enigmatic artist painting with light. From abstract animals and people, to a dazzling vase of flowers, it’s amazing to witness the man’s creativity in action through the movements of the artist himself as his works pour from his imagination. You can view the comprehensive series, photographed by Gjon Mili, here.
Via Retronaut
Inspired to bring a touch of greenery to her otherwise urban abode, Britta Riley began to think laterally. Wanting to be able to grow her own food, but lacking the yard to do it, Britta came up with the idea of using discarded plastic bottles as a means of starting a garden in her apartment. The concept soon grew and, as part of her work as a technologist and artist where she aims to problem-solve for environmental issues using crowdsourced R&D techniques, Britta created the organisation Windowfarms. Using vertical hydroponic platforms to grow food in city windows, Windowfarms have brought an element of self-sustainability to urban dwellers. The concept is constantly being improved upon by an online community known as ‘Windowfarmers’, whose feedback via social media allows the design to be tweaked and researched further accordling.
Once known as ‘the drink of the gods’, sake is Japan’s most famous alcoholic beverage. An industry equal in popularity to the famed rice wine is the production of the vessels from which to drink it. Usually found in ceramic form, cute little sake sets are almost a requisite souvenir when making a trip to Japan. For those who would prefer to try their hand at creating their own sake set, there’s a 21st-century solution that doesn’t require you to get your hands dirty. The Sake Set Creator from Shapeways allows you to create your own sake set using 3D computer modelling. You can customise your cups and sake flute according to smoothness, twist and size and then order your bespoke set in food safe 3D printed ceramic.
For some, a beloved pet can be a lifesaver – the perfect listener, always ready for a cuddle, and willing to forgive almost anything. But despite their unconditional love, sometimes these furry friends aren’t treated as well as they should be and are cast out on the street or, worse, treated inhumanely. Every year thousands of animals turn to the RSPCA for help and hundreds still remain in desperate need of financial support so they can find new homes. Christmas is a particular time of need for the RSPCA, when pets are given as gifts but sometimes become unwanted or mistreated. The RSPCA has launched its Guardian Angels appeal, allowing people to become a Guardian Angel to an animal in need this Christmas. The campaign’s ‘angel ambassadors’ are some of the survivors who have benefitted from the RSPCA’s foster program – you can read their stories and…
