Art allows a culture to communicate its ideas and values to future generations. Tiling, weaving, border decoration, and other such systems allow cultures to survive and propagate themselves. Dictators and autocrats have attempted to control the creation and display of art since the beginning of history.

People are easier to control if their artistic horizons are narrowed to the rulers’ preferences. Art allows people to express meaning through craft, and potentially lets them share nontrivial insights about the world around them.

So is Art Is Not A Luxury? Art is sometimes thought to include only certain groups of people and to exclude others. Art is frequently held to be a plaything of the wealthy because of the time required to pursue artistic endeavors and the cost of obtaining them.

But art allows anyone to experience emotions and thoughts, because it now includes not only the artist’s ideas but those that the viewer brings to the artistic work. It can be used to educate, propagandize, control, and convert people to new ways of thinking. This is effective because art uses our automatic responses to biological stimulation in novel ways.

Art is something that stimulates an individual’s thoughts, emotions, beliefs, or ideas through the senses. It is also an expression of an idea and it can take many different forms and serve many different purposes. Art is the best way I have of figuring out what the world is trying to show me.

Art is a learning and a teaching process, said Beuys. Its not an elite activity reserved solely for experts ” its a part of everyday life, and its human nature to be creative. the question remains … Art Is Not A Luxury.

Artist holds freedom of expression, and the viewers the liberty of interpretation. Contemporary art longs for the communication between spectators and artists. Artists like Nara and Aya Takano use children as a subject in almost all of their art. While Nara creates scenes of anger or rebellion through children, Takano communicates the innocence of children by portraying nude girls.

Artists like Frida Kahlo and Damien Hirst are considered to be artists by the artworld under Dickies definition, but they are classified under different subsystems of art. Dickies art theory makes it possible the works of two very different artists to exist under the same heading of art, as well as much of what surrounds us in our everyday life.

Therapists, psychotherapists, and clinical psychologists have found that art can help a person deal with situations during therapy sessions. The goal of art therapy is to heal through creativity.

Art is not a luxury but an essential part of life and human experience. Art is a method of representing man’s interpretation of his environment and communicating that interpretation to others. As such, all art has to be intelligible. Art is a vital component of the human experience.  Author: The Art Fanatic

Chinaman’s Hat – Oahu, Hawaii

Chinaman’s Hat, also referred to as Mokolii (“little lizard”), is a small island located off Kaneohe Bay in Ohau, Hawaii. It’s a 12.5 acre, 206 foot tall basalt island, about one-third of a mile offshore of Kualoa Point.

Chinaman’s Hat is a cone shaped outcropping of lava off Kualoa Point. Chinaman’s Hat got its name because it resembles the peasant’s chapeau (straw hat) worn by rural Chinese immigrants.

The reef surrounding the island supports an abundance of marine life and is one of the O’ahu’s best offshore islands.

The island’s eponymous profile is well-known from numerous vantage points on Oahu’s windward coast.

You can see Chinaman’s Hat from numerous vantage points along the coast but the best view is to actually go out to the island. You can walk there during low tide but the best way to get there is via kayak.

On the island is a small beach nestled in a secluded cove. There is also a small cave carved out of lava and a steep volcanic cone perfect for exploring. The view of the Koolau Mountains, Mokapun peninsula, Kahaluu, Kaneohe, and Kailua is unmatched.

Directions:
Off the Kamehameha Highway offshore from the Kualoa Point State Recreation Area, approximately 45 minute drive from Honolulu.

Berlin, the capital city of Germany is the biggest city in the country. It is most famous for its historical places, nightlife, cafes, clubs, bars, museums, palaces, and further sightseeing options.

After the fall of the Berlin War, the city has become a genuine melting pot as far as culture is concerned. It has become a place where all types of art, music, and fashion come together.

The city has numerous museums. Museums managed by the government do not need to be paid for to enter four hours prior to their shutting down each Thursday, and there is also the three day Museum Pass which lets visitors have admission to about 70 museums.

Museumsinsel, also known as Museum Island is famous for housing the Pergamon Museum which has a huge compilation of Greek and Islamic art. Additional museums on the island consist of the Altes Museum with Egyptian collections, the Alte National galleries with mostly German collections, and the Bode Museum with Byzantine art.

You can discover a lot of museums that cover the history of the country, particularly the Holocaust. In addition, Berlin is one of those few cities that do not attempt to conceal the negative sides of its history. You can view remnants of the Berlin Wall as well as Jewish museums that cover the Holocaust.

The Deutches Historisches Museum has an enormous assortment of German history items covering all ages. This museum is extremely huge, so make sure you have sufficient stamina to spend hours looking at the whole thing. The Judisches Museum is the Jewish museum. There are many historical items about Jews in Germany in this museum. In addition there is a Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe which covers one entire block. There is an underground museum with information concerning the Holocaust. This is one of the most visited as well as most striking museums in Berlin.

The Berlin Wall may not be there anymore, but a portion of it is still visible along the river. This has been preserved as a gallery, and there are very nice murals on it. There is also a Berlin War Memorial for those that died crossing the wall. There is a viewing platform that lets you imagine exactly what it must have been like when the wall was still in place. Checkpoint Charlie used to be a crossing point between the two sides of Germany, and is also well worth a visit.

The Tempelhof airport is the airport that was used for the duration of the Berlin Airlift in 1948. There is now a memorial here to remember the airlifts around the blockade. This airport has also been featured in numerous films, and has a matchless architecture. With its countless halls and buildings, it was built to become an entry point to Europe, and is still one of the most enormous buildings in the world.

Berlin is an amazing city to see for tourists, and if you can only go to one city in Germany then you should go to Berlin. Its history will help you connect to it, and you will be haunted the rest of your life by many of the historic sites you see here.  Author: Robert M Freeman

As Winter has set in with the snow and ice piling up, many people are looking to escape for a luxury winter getaway.

Located on the Pacific Ocean, also known as the Mexican Riviera, Manzanillo is an also an easily accessible winter destination. Known for its rich history, Manzanillo has preserved much of its turn of the century architecture for tourists to enjoy.

Take the colonial tour of nearby Colima and view its volcano. Visit the Zocalo downtown for a feel of the local marketplace. Or surf at Playa Miramar for a different perspective of Manzanillo. Manzanillo is also known as one of the top golfing destinations in Mexico.

Staying in a beachfront rental allows convenient access to the ocean while enjoying home amenities you won’t find in a Manzanillo hotel or resort.

If you are looking for a luxury resort during your Manzanillo stay, consider the Chateau Manzanillo.

This beautiful 15,000 square foot luxury retreat is overlooking Manzanillos’ bay of Santiago on the Mexican Rivera. There are 4 golf courses nearby and we have a 9-hole putting green on the premises. Visitors will also enjoy SCUBA diving and other adventures surrounding this wonderful tropical paradise.

The Chateau Manzanillo grand room includes a gaming table and bar area lit with a beautiful chandelier that hangs from the 22-foot tall ceiling. The indoor/outdoor pool is accessible from the Living Room area, which is next to the billiards room. There are 12-foot tall arched French doors that open onto the patio next to the pool for a wonderful nighttime swim and a sweeping view of Santiago Bay.

This newly constructed Chateau/Villa is complete with commercial kitchen, complete purified water throughout the house, (we test at laboratories) fully air-conditioned,(28 tons) 5 bedrooms, 4 of which have there own bathroom, cable TV, stereo, VCR and telephone. They also have sweeping views of Santiago Bay. All Chateau Manzanillo rooms have a great ocean view. The grand master bedroom has a king size bed separate Grand Bathroom, double showerheads, walk-in closets and a private balcony.

The Chateau Manzanillo is a private home. There is a staff of 4 with a English speaking host, and a day maid. You purchase, or we will do it for you, all groceries and prepare some of the meals, unless other arrangements for a chef or other special services are made prior to your visit. When you arrive there will be a fabulous meal waiting for you.

Take an inside look at Harry Winston, jeweler to the stars, and the dazzling looks for Hollywood’s Biggest Night – The Oscars.

Among the silver screen and all its stars, when it comes to true Hollywood glamour and scintillating style – nothing sparkles like a Harry Winston diamond. Harry Winston, the legendary Jeweler to the Stars, unveils its Red Carpet Trends for the 81st annual Academy Awards.

When the red carpet is laid out and the flashbulbs flutter, look for this year’s accessories trends to be inspired by the exotic beauty of India, bold colored gemstones, and statement diamonds that echo pure Hollywood glamour.

Capturing the iconic style that has defined Harry Winston for nearly a century, each exquisite piece of jewelry celebrates the beauty of the diamonds, as well as the beauty of the accomplished actresses who wear them.

Harry Winston has a long tradition of outfitting Oscar-nominated actresses, beginning in the 1940’s with actress Jennifer Jones.

Celebrating six decades of celebrity style, The House of Harry Winston remains an integral part of Hollywood’s glamorous history, dressing leading ladies such as Anne Hathaway, Angelina Jolie, Halle Barry, Gwyneth Paltrow, Renee Zellweger, Diane Lane, Jennifer Lopez, Kate Hudson, and Salma Hayek.

View more details and videos by Clicking Here

Life in today’s society is very stressful and it takes a big toll on our precious bodies. We all need to make time to relax and be pampered now and then, to re-energize and better face the future.

If you are looking for luxury resort spa destinations for romance, renewal, and relaxation, then California is the place to visit.

Reconnect with a loved one at one of California’s luxury spa resorts. Champagne and strawberries, feather beds and plush robes, and bathtubs big enough for two.

Relationships need to be nourished and taken care of, and a weekend at a luxury resort spa will do the trick. Here are five wonderful and romantic Spa Resorts in California that specialize in the 3 R’s important for adults —Romance, Renewal, and Relaxation.

The Lodge at Torrey Pines, La Jolla:
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean and almost sitting on the 18th green of the Torrey Pines Golf Course, a Craftsman style resort with a full service spa and two restaurants is ready to please. The spa is located beside a nature preserve and a forest of rare pine trees. In celebration of the coastal freshness, the spa features marine-based extracts with restorative properties.

Kenwood Inn and Spa, Kenwood:
Located in the historic Valley of the Moon, the Kenwood Inn and Spa is a luxury destination that looks like a secluded Mediterranean villa. The readers of Condé Nast Traveler named it the BEST Resort in the USA. Champagne, chocolate, candles, and a pre fixed dinner with paired wines certainly enhances the mood. The Spa at Kenwood embraces the power of the grape, as it should, being in the heart of the Sonoma Wine Country.

Claremont Resort and Spa, Berkeley:
The Claremont Resort, conceived as an English estate, sits on a hill with expansive views of San Francisco across the bay. It’s the epitome of sophistication, elegance, and luxury. The Spa has drawn its knowledge and expertise from the diversity of the individuals in the Bay Area. Because of this, the spa has earned a reputation as a local favorite as well as a destination retreat.

Bernardus Lodge and Winery, Carmel Valley:
Tucked within the oaks and vineyards of beautiful Carmel Valley, the lure of feather beds, cozy fireplaces, and oversized bathtubs is too hard to refuse. Step into a vintage wine and cheese welcome and plan on having dinner at Marinus, voted one of Zagat’s top restaurants in the Bay Area. The on-site organic gardens supply the essence of lavender, rosemary, and lemongrass, to nurture the mind, body, and spirit during luxurious spa treatments.

Auberge du Soleil, Rutherford:
Built on a hillside looking over the Napa Valley, the Auberge du Soleil is home to one of the first premier wine country restaurants. The Mediterranean inspired décor and contemporary art, along with fine Italian linens, give the feel of Tuscany at its best. Private outdoor terraces are perfect for enjoying a glass of local wine while the sun sets over the vineyards. Have a grape seed crush body exfoliation then bathe together in a garden bath, all in preparation for a warm grape seed oil massage followed by a grape seed crush foot therapy treatment. This is truly heaven on earth.

Pinhole photography has been around for a long time. In the most simplest terms, pinhole photography is lensless photography. A very small hole replaces the camera lens. As light passes through the tiny hole, an image is formed inside the camera.

Pinhole cameras come in sizes both small or large, and are designed with great care. Cameras have been made of a wide variety of things, including sea shells, oatmeal boxes, coke cans or cookie containers.  People have even used station wagons as a pinhole camera, as well as rooms in large buildings.

Simply stated, a pinhole camera is a box, with a tiny hole at one end and film or photographic paper at the other.

The pinhole camera is a type of Camera Obscura, the first camera invented in the 1850’s.  Before it was used as a camera with film, it was a tool to help artists learn to paint and draw with more detail, a tool devised to help tell time and a tool used by scientists for observing a solar eclipse.

Sheila Bocchine is an international pinhole portrait photographer. She has traveled the world doing pinhole portraits and weddings. Sheila’s style of portraiture is a unique luxury, is the only photographer doing it commercially.

What makes Sheila Bocchine’s photos so special is the unique process she uses. Her pinhole camera is lensless, uses medium format (120) film, is made from teak wood and produces square images. The exposures are longer to compensate for the pinhole, which is why you will see subtle blur and motion in all of her images.

Since the world rarely stands still, my pinhole camera captures all the beautiful motion and energy onto the negative, thus resulting with dreamscape-like qualities. Sheila Bocchine feels like each pinhole photograph is a marvelous dream… a surreal and whimsical moment in time that has swirled around her daydreams before coming out as the perfect pinhole photograph.

Sheila’s pinhole portraits are romantic, surreal, whimsical, beautiful, and unique. Pinhole photography is a photographic experience, a fanciful interpretation of life. The energy of your soul dances onto film through sunbursts, subtle motion and interesting angles.

To see more pinhole portraits, as well as learn more about Sheila Bocchine and her amazing pinhole photography, please view her website at: www.sheilabocchine.com

The Rat Pack Is Back, now playing at the Plaza downtown, is an amusing trip down Memory Lane. It is appearing at the Plaza Showroom on Main Street, and well worth the trip for anyone who loved the “Old” Las Vegas and/or the original Rat Pack.

Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford made up the Rat Pack. They played the Sands Hotel Copa Room. Not only were they great singers and comedians, but also were renowned for their wild night life and all night partying. Almost more entertaining than their music and jokes was the camaraderie and banter that went on endlessly whenever they were together.

Being led to your table by a distinguished, tuxedo-clad maitre’d, you will notice the red walls, red banquette seating for VIP’s amd ornate chandeliers, and be plummeted back to the 60’s, when this kind of grandeur could be seen at all hotels on the strip.

There is a dinner show available (now that is something from the past!) and the only part of it that is not authentic, is that the food is good.

This show is produced by Dick Feeney and Sandy Hackett (son of Buddy). It has a revolving cast, with some of the performers taking the show on national tours for a few weeks at a time. When seen by this reporter, Frank was played by Brian Duprey, Sammy by Kyle Diamond, Dean by Eric Martin, and Joey by Mickey Joseph. Peter Lawford was no longer part of the show.

You will enjoy listening to all of the Rat Pack’s most famous songs and laughing at their good natured banter. The 12-piece Tribute Orchestra is terrific. The true magic of this group was the way they played to each other, and this is captured perfectly. Mickey Joseph deserves special kudos for never allowing a lull in the performance with his zany antics, dead-pan jokes, and impeccable timing.

So take a giant step back in time and go see The Rat Pack Is Back.

Showtimes are Monday through Friday, 7:30 PM, with the option of dinner at 6:00 PM; Saturdays at 7:30 PM and 10:00 PM. They are dark on Sunday.

Authored by: Sandra Oertell

The Plaza Showroom
Plaza Hotel and Casino
Las Vegas, Nevada 89125
1 Main Street
www.ratpackvegas.com
(702) 386-2444

Last month in Shanghai, China, over 40 designers from around the world shared a catwalk for the first time in mainland China at the EcoChic Shanghai fashion show www.ecochicfashions.com. The celebratory event, supported by leading financial firm UBS, seeks to promote environmental sustainability in the fashion industry.

EcoChic was developed by the Hong Kong-based non-profit organization www.green2greener.com, to display and promote eco-fashion. The EcoChic Shanghai gala evening is part of the UBS Greater China Conference which this year focuses on sustainable development.

We initially did a story on the Hong Kong EcoChic event. Click Here to read that story.

“Style is about attitude and behaviour – not about the way you dress,” according to international designer, Nathan Jenden, who includes in his portfolio a cocktail dress made of recycled Indian saris. “More and more mainstream designers are using eco-fashion in their collections. Eco-fashion is not just about the future of fashion – it is about the future of the world!”

The fashion industry is the second only to agriculture in terms of the consumption of water worldwide while the production of cotton alone is responsible for the use of 25 percent of the world’s chemical pesticide.
Eco-fashion not only makes use of eco-friendly textiles, such as organic cotton, silk and hemp, but also seeks to use reconstructed clothing, with an eye to making the fashion industry more environmentally friendly.

The event in Shanghai focused on three different types of fashion: ready-to-wear, eco-couture and vintage. Around 15 eco-friendly ready-to-wear labels from around the world including three from China, showcased eco-friendly clothing alongside eco-couture designs from international superstars, Diane von Furstenberg, Thakoon and Nathan Jenden. Promoting vintage clothing as the epitome of recycling, the show also featured edgy and glamorous fashion favored by celebrities including Kate Moss and Maggie Cheung.

“This amazing and collaborative event is the fashion industry’s response to increased concerns for the environment,” says Dr. Christina Dean, founder of www.green2greener.com. “The fashion industry is often seen as being inherently un-eco-friendly because it encourages us to consume more and more new fashion. But we are showing that we can still love fashion, look great and also consume in an environmentally-friendly way.”

Nicole Yuen, Head of Equities China, UBS Investment Bank, said: “A focus of our Greater China Conference in Shanghai this year is sustainable development. I’m delighted that EcoChic is a part of the conference. It has proved to be highly effective in raising awareness of environmental issues among the investment community. A sustainable business does not need to compromise profits, technological advancement and competitiveness, but rather seeks to combine business strategies that meet its financial needs with measures aimed at protecting, sustaining and enhancing human and natural resources.”

EcoChic Shanghai has drawn support from leading Chinese designers, including Jenny Ji, Lu Kun and Dorian Ho, who all used textiles produced in China and made from bamboo, hemp or organic silk that do not require as much pesticide as conventional textiles.

“I am using certified organic silk from China, my Motherland,” says Dorian Ho, who has designed an iconic ‘EcoChic’ red organic-silk eco-couture dress with a distinctive East-meets-West look.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness about using fashion to attain a more eco-friendly lifestyle,” says celebrity Josie Ho.

At the EcoChic Shanghai gala evening, following the fashion show, Sotheby’s auction house will conduct a live auction to raise funds for WWF (World Wide Fund For Nature) China.

Further funds will be raised by the sale of some of the clothes that appear on the catwalk via online trading platform www.green2greener.com.

Without a doubt, Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Louisiana is by far …. America’s greatest party.

The origins of Mardi Gras can be traced back to Medieval Europe. Although there is no evidence of any written record of how that really transformed into the current Mardi Gras of today. The origins of the Mardi Gras we celebrate today, with Kings, Mardi Gras colors, and brass bands are traced to New Orleans, Louisiana.

One thing that was bothered many people is the unpredictable dates of the event. Mardi Gras can occur on any Tuesday from February 3 through March 9. The fluctuating date was initially established by the Catholic Church, which designed the Gregorian calendar with a fixed date for Christmas, but with moveable dates for other religious holidays.

Since Rex, the King of Carnival, selected them in 1872, the official colors of Mardi Gras have been purple, green and gold. The reasoning appears to be that purple represents justice, green stands for faith, and gold signifies power.

There’s not a generic theme for Mardi Gras, as each individual parade will depict a specific subject. The numerous parade floats then reflect the krewe’s theme for that year. Maskers are costumed in a manner that illustrates the overall parade theme and the individual float title.

Since 1857, the actual themes depicted by the nearly 2,000 Mardi Gras parades staged in New Orleans have ranged from the ridiculous to the sublime.

Most Mardi Gras Carnival parades will follow a standard parade format. Usually the captain appears at the head of the procession, either on a special float, in a convertible or on horseback. Next in line are the officers, the king or queen, and in some parades, the maids and dukes, followed by the title float and the floats that carry riding members.

For example, an 18-float procession of a 200-member krewe may feature more than 75 units. When you include band members, dance groups, posses, clown units and motorcycle squadrons, it is not uncommon for the total number of participants to surpass more than 3,000 people.

Records show that baubles have been tossed off floats since at least 1871. Historians say that a masker costumed as Santa Claus aboard float No. 24 in the Twelfth Night Revelers parade handed out gifts to the crowd.

The King of Carnival is chosen by the inner circle of the School of Design, the sponsoring organization for the Rex parade.

In 1873, the first parade floats were constructed entirely in New Orleans instead of France. Then in 1875, Governor Warmoth of Louisiana signed the “Mardi Gras Act” making it a legal holiday in Louisiana, which is still is to this day.

Most Mardi Gras Krewes today developed from private social clubs that have restrictive membership policies. Since all of these parade organizations are completely funded by its members, it’s often referred to as the “Greatest Free Show on Earth!”

Contemporary design and high tech amenities combine for a unique Vegas experience at the new Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel!

This full-service property offers a superior location on Paradise Road just one half mile east of Las Vegas Boulevard and adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The Renaissance features five hundred forty-eight rooms including executive level accommodations with private lounge and thirty VIP suites and specially designed exhibitor suites. Elegant style and modern convenience come together in a perfect balance of nostalgia and technology in the large guest rooms.

Fine fabric and wood combine with flat screen televisions and high speed Internet access to bring what was the best of old Las Vegas to the new millennium.

From the moment you step into the lobby of the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel, you will be taken back to a time lost, but not forgotten. You can almost hear the voices of a Vegas past resonating from the classic restaurant and lounge.

A fitness center, outdoor pool and whirlpool, spa services, twenty thousand square feet of flexible meeting space and seventeen fully ADA compliant rooms are also available. Parking is complimentary for registered guests.

For those who wish to enjoy the area attractions, the world famous Las Vegas Strip is just a short monorail ride away.

Renaissance: Consistently unique hotels and resorts. Stay interesting!