Carlos Gardel Museum

Buenos Aires is a city full of museums. Art, architecture, design and culture are showcased in this beautiful city.  Over the past six years I have visited most of the art museums.

However, where ever you go in this city you see images of Evita and Carlos Gardel. These cultural icons run deep in the Argentine soul.

Carlos Gardel is the famous tango singer, actor and composer.  There is a museum is dedicate to him in the Abasto neighborhood. The museum is his former home, that he shared with his mother in the 1920's & 1930's

Like many icons and entertainers, his life was cut short by a tragedy, and he is remembered being forever young. The memory of Carlos Gardel on the psyche of Argentine soul is similar to Elivs' legacy to Americans. Where ever you go in the city you see his image, photograph and hear his music. Even today there are new remastered, remixed recordings of his work.

His former home sits on a modest side street. Entrance fee is $1.00 peso ( about .20 cents US). The museum features his piano, office, artifacts, furniture, sheet music, and ephemera.

The house exhibits daily life for a Porteno  in the 1920's. Many of Gardel's artifacts and furniture are displayed. The original bathroom is intact, as well as the kitchen. The concept of the museum is to preserve, showcase and safeguard the work of Carlos Gardel, on which the city of Buenos Aires is solidly grounded.

The Details

Museo Casa Carlos Gardel

Calle Jean Jaures, 735

Buenos Aires

Open everyday except Tuesdays

Admission $1 AR peso

www.museocasacarlosgardel.buenosaires.gob.ar

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dStp5hq294

Ogunquit Fire Company Museum

Ogunquit is known for the Ogunquit Museum of American Art and the Ogunquit Heritage Museum,
but there is one museum that is in plain view that people often overlook.....

The Ogunquit Fire Company Museum is located on the corner of Shore Road and Cottage Street next to the Fire Station.  This miniature museum houses an antique fire engine and other accoutrement from a bygone era.

The engine is a horse drawn steam boiler from 1883 called Little Lulu.  Little Lulu was manufactured by the Button Fire Engine Company of Waterford New York. The Engine was made for the Reading Massachusetts Fire Dept. In 1966, the steam engine was given to the Ogunquit Fire Company by retired Reading Fire Chief Hugh Ames.  Ames retired in Ogunquit and became a member of the Fire Company.

The engine was coal fired, and three horses were needed to pull the steamer. Lulu could pump 500 gallons per minute with the piston pump. The original cost of the steam engine was $500 in 1883. The estimated value is now @ $1,000,000.

Also housed at this micro museum, is a collection of firemen's hats from days gone by; a collection of trophies from fire musters that Ogunquit Fire Company has participated in, and other fire related apparatus. The museum is located in Firemen's Park next to the Fire Station.

Today's firefighters in Ogunquit are trained professionals that serve a four square mile town with up to 50,000 visitors a day. The Fire Department and Company respond to medical, rescue and fire calls. The Company also sells unique Ogunquit Fire Company Breast Cancer Awareness T-shirts for $15.

Ogunquit Square in flames.

International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum

Treat your body well, and it'll see you through for many years.

                                            -Johnny Weissmuller

Every day I run past the Swimming Hall of Fame. Located near the beach, this complex houses a museum, Olympic size pools and a library. Over the years, I have swam at the Hall of Fame and visited the museum. Today, I decided to re-visit this Smithsonian of swimming. The International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum showcases exhibits related to swimming, water-polo, diving and pool related activities.

Fort Lauderdale is internationally  recognized  as the World's capital of swimming, diving and water polo since the Hall of Fame opened in 1965. For generations, university and college swimmers would train in Fort Lauderdale in the wintertime. The omnipresent Gulf Stream keeps ocean waters warm in the winter, and the abundant sunlight creates ideal conditions for year round training.

The main building showcases, a kaleidoscope history of swimming. One such exhibit is Ben Franklin's Useful Hints for Learning to Swim from 1788. The "Black Splash" exhibit features the Civil Rights struggle in the Jim Crowe south during the 1960's with photos.

There is also an exhibit wing located above the Pro Shop that features the art of swimming. Paintings, prints and photographs related to swimming, diving and water polo throughout history are displayed. Bruce Weber's photos are showcased as well as other photographers like Guillaume Deutsch.

Bruce Weber's B&W swim photos on display.

Johnny "Tarzan" Weismuller is immortalized at this museum, with a life size figure.  Also included are Tarzan ephemera, and Weismuller's  swimming gear from different competitions and movie memorabilia. The museum also showcases swimming in the entertainment industry.

Greg Louganis' five Olympic medals, swimsuit and memorabilia are on display.

There are exhibits on Water Polo. Water Polo for years was dominated by the Hungarians, which is fascinating considering Hungary is a land locked country....

The Mark Spitz exhibit is interesting. A Life-size wax figure depicts Mark Spitz' 1972, 7 gold medal performance. The display includes the actual Munich pool starting block.

The swim suit exhibit features bathing suits throughout modern history. This is the pious hijab Islamic bathing suit, I don't think this would be good for doing laps...

The Details:
International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum

One Hall of Fame Drive ( one block south of Las Olas Blvd, East of A1A)

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Telephone: 954.462.6536

http://www.ishof.org/

Admission is $8. Special pricing for students and seniors. Parking available on site. However, there is cheaper metered parking across the street starting at $.75 per hour.

Open Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm

Sat & Sun - 9am to 2pm

Also at the ISHOF are pools for public use, a 25 yard and a 50 meter pool. Swimming programs and swim camps are also held there.

The Pro Shop/Gift Shop has a great selection of swimwear, books and accessories.

A trip to the Barn Gallery in Ogunquit

CAPRICCIO: (Noun) Fancy, Whimsy. A musical piece in free form usually lively in tempo and brillant in style.
                                                                      -Websters Dictionary

The air is different in Ogunquit post Labor Day. The crowds are less maddening and the absence of school age children is apparent. It is also the time of year that Ogunquit celebrates Capriccio, A two-week long celebration of the arts. Events include: performing arts, lectures, film, and fine arts. I decided to go to Ogunquit's Barn Gallery.

The Barn Gallery, is not a barn, but a modern mid-century museum type edifice, built in 1958 with a welcoming array rainbow banners. The Barn Gallery is a non-profit cultural institution that fosters artists and hosts chamber music concerts, art films, workshops, art lectures and panel discussions. The Barn Gallery is administered by the Ogunquit Arts Collaborative.

The Barn Gallery features local renowned artists like: Norman West, Jayne Adams, Ted Jaslow, Hara Harding and Russel Whitten. Artists are allowed to have two pieces of art to display. The gallery has three exhibition rooms that are well lit with an abundance of natural light.

I enjoy this "museum" type of gallery. The variety of artists and subject matter is intriguing and inspiring. All artwork is for sale, and there is also a small gallery with smaller pieces for sale from exhibiting artists.

The Barn Gallery also features a terrace with a variety of sculptures, bas reliefs and other interesting mid-century furniture.  Autumn is in the air, and its the time of year that we love in Ogunquit. While visiting Ogunquit Beach Inn, the  Barn Gallery is also worth a visit!

The Details:
The Barn Gallery

Bourne Gallery at Shore Road

Ogunquit, ME 03907

Telephone 207.646.8400

Open 11 to 5pm, Sunday 1 - 5pm

http://www.barngallery.org/

Admission is free, donations accepted.

Well worth a visit if you are a lover of art. Gallery has juried art selections, many are local renowned artists. The Barn Gallery is part of the Ogunquit Art Association, Maine's oldes artists' group, founded by Charles Woodbury.

Ogunquit Heritage Museum at the Captain Winn House

I Enjoy Anything which Has the Flavor of the Salt Air in It

-Charles Woodbury

Dotted throughout the town, Ogunquit features art venues like: the Barn Gallery, Ogunquit Museum of American Art, Ogunquit Playhouse and the Ogunquit Heritage Museum. The museum is small, so you don't need a lot of time, but it is truly a jewel set in the village centre.....

The Ogunquit Heritage Museum is housed at the Captain James Winn House. The historical cape house from the 1700's is nestled in an English style common in the centre of Ogunquit on Obeds Lane (between Main Street and Shore Road). Its a quick walk from Ogunquit Beach Inn. The Common  features herb and flower gardens that were typical in the 1700's. The Common is quite peaceful and pastoral, and one can imagine Mainers from the 1700's with their herds of livestock.

The exhibits at the Ogunquit Heritage Museum include: maritime history, including coastal trade and fishing in early Ogunquit; the artist colony with many paintings from Charles Woodbury, John Neill, Channing Hare, and many others. Other Exhibits include ephemera from Ogunquit's hotel and hospitality trade.
The Winn house features typical Maine architecture from the 1700's, complete with original "Indian Shutters".

This museum is a great place to see how all the  unique pieces of Ogunquit fit together: fishing, the arts and tourism. There are artifacts from the all three categories. The Assistant Curator, Paula is helpful and resourceful. She is quite knowledgeable about the Ogunquit art history, the maritime artifacts and genealogy.

The Winn House also has an Ogunquit Dory. The Ogunquit Dory is a sturdy little boat that was built to take the rough north Atlantic surf and had a sail. Fisherman used the dories to catch cod, mackerel and halibut. The dories were also subject of many paintings by Charles Woodbury and his students. In 1898 Woodbury started Ogunquit School, and thus the beginning of the art colony. Woodbury was one the most influential teachers of his time, training over 4000 students – many of whom were already important painters.

(Dories at Wharf Lane) Wharf Lane is Off of Shore Road, near School Street.....

The Museum is a great way to explore a little bit of Ogunquit History from the three major populations that influenced the salty flavor of the town!
The Details:
Ogunquit Heritage Museum at the Winn House on Jacobs Common
http://www.ogunquitheritagemuseum.org/
86 Obeds Lane
Ogunquit ME 03907
Telephone 207-646-0296
Open Tuesday to Sunday June to end of Sept 1pm to 5pm
Paula Cummngs, Assistant Curator is helpful and knowledgeable.
Admission is free. Museum is small, and will not take too long. The Common is beautiful.

Ogunquit Museum Of American Art 2010

It is never difficult to see images – when the principle of the image is embedded in the soul.

-Marsden Hartley, 1932

Another favorite pastimes of mine is visiting the Ogunquit Museum of Art . I have always enjoyed museums. As a child, my dad would take me to the Harvard museums. I was fascinated and in awe with the vast collections. The Ogunquit Museum of American Art is located past Perkins Cove on Shore Road.  The museum is now open for the season.

The grounds are spectacular, the museum is surrounded by gardens and a reflecting pool. Craggy inlets along the Atlantic, showcase the Ogunquit Museum of Art . The site is the former property of Henry Strater. Strater built the museum where artists painted en plein aire. Its easy to see why the artists painted here. There is an abundance of subject matter: dramatic tides, sailing vessels, scenic coves and layers of rocky strata stretching out into the Atlantic....

The museum showcases the works of: Henry Strater, Charles Woodbury, Antonio Mattei, Rockwell Kent, Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, Joseph Davol, Walt Kuhn, and many many more. The grounds of the museum are surrounded by modern sculptures, gardens, and amazing views.

Vistas of Adams Island, Perkins Cove, and the wooden draw bridge have been "drawing" artists to this location for generations!

The exhibits are always changing. There are over 1600 pieces in the permanent collection, focusing on American modern art.

The museum is currently showcasing the collection of Selma Koss Holtz. Holtz was a fixture in the New England art scene. She was a curator, and art historian. Her collection included works by Winslow Homer, Alex Katz, Rockwell Kent, Ernest Lawson, Michael Palmer, Fairfield Porter, Neil Welliver,  Charles Woodbury, and many more. Holtz donated over 58 works of art to the museum in her lifetime.

The Details:

Ogunquit Museum of America Art

543 Shore Road Ogunquit, ME 03907

207- 646-4909

http://www.ogunquitmuseum.org/

Hours Mon to Sat 10 - 5pm Sundays 1 - 5 pm

Open May to October 31

Admission $8 Seniors $7

Plenty of parking, spectacular gardens, bring a camera. Restrooms and Gift Shop on premise.

Located past Perkins Cove 3/10 of a mile on the left hand side.

Remember to bring a camera. Photos are not allowed in the museum, but there are plenty of photo opportunities on the museum grounds.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Blogger Greg of Ogunquit Beach Inn Enjoys the Ogunquit Museum and frolicking on the rocks!

Museums of Buenos Aires

One of my favorite things to do while visiting Buenos Aires is to go to some of the city's museums. The most prestigious and favorite is the National Museum of Fine Arts ( Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes).

This museum is located in Recoleta and it is free! The museum host works by Goya, Picasso, Monet, Rodin, Van Gogh, and many more. The Museum's 11,000 piece collection includes works from 18th and 19th century European, and Argentine artists.

The Picasso collection is worth just visiting!

You can also go to the new MALBA ( Museum of Latin American Art) Which has an extesive collection of Latine American artists. http://www.malba.org.ar/web/home.php

There is a new museum  that just opened up located in the chic Puerto Madero district. Coleccion de arte Amalia Lacroze de Fortabat  Museum is a modern  cement structure that houses a collection of art from Amalia Lacroze collection. Locroze de Fortabat was a wealthy industrialist. The colections include: Warhol, Dali, Brueghel and Klimt. Also included are Argentine and Latin American artists. http://www.coleccionfortabat.org.ar/

Portrait of Sra. Amalia Lacroze de Foratbat by Andy Warhol

The Details:

There are many museums in Buenos Aires.  The National Museum of Fine Arts, is free and cannot be missed

http://www.info-recoleta.com/museo-nacional-bellas-artes.html