http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34723 The Gemaldegalerie has a good restraurant, and a museum shop offering popular as well as scholarly books, prints and postcards.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34723 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34674 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34674 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34648 The theatre has a modern facade and a wonderfully ornate interior. If you are in Berlin for a few days at least I recommend you see a production at the Komische Oper. People of all ages go there and while some are clearly all dressed up, a majority dress simply and go for the music - which is as it should be.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34648 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34647 The Bode offers a quiet environment in contrast to the Pergamon and the many beautiful works of art there can be contemplated without being jostled or otherwise hurried along. There is also a good cafeteria adjoining the museum shop.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34647 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34607 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34607 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34606 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34606 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34605 This month though, Hong Kong is the epicentre of culture and it’s virtually impossible to miss. As you travel along the Central Mid-Levels escalators, you can’t help but notice the red white and blue lights that illuminate the posters proclaiming that it’s ‘Le French May’.
Celebrating its twentieth anniversary, this French arts festival is bigger and better than ever before. Comprising of over 500 events (some of which run until the end of August) Le French May is dedicated to all elements of art from dance to opera, photography to sculpture and fashion to food. With all bases covered, there truly is something for everyone.
Personally, I’m most excited about Crazy About Yves: a free fashion exhibition featuring stylist, Olivier Châtenet ‘s private collection of Yves Saint Laurent clothing collected over the last fifteen years, and the Picasso Masterpieces Exhibition: an exhibition of 55 Picasso works which belong to the the Musée National Picasso in Paris and span the eight decades of his career from his Blue Period to Surrealism.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34605 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34572 From research, I have discovered that it is also a crafts centre grouping together the handiwork of many artists (silk, ceramics, puppets, glassware, etc).
Will definitely be popping by there again soon!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34572 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34551 The Jerwood Foundation has been collecting examples of British painting for some twenty years and the work on show at the new gallery features an anthology from the early Twentieth century through to the present day. There are figurative and abstract pieces to suit all interests and the emphasis is on what I call real painting, that is, stuff done with paints, brushes and a sharp visual intelligence.
Works by Maggi Hambling, Frank Brangwyn, Ivon Hitchens, Matthew Smith and all sorts of other fine and delightful paintings to see at the Jerwood Gallery. Highly recommended.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34551 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34529 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34529 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34412 The festival includes an art exhibition of pieces created under a common theme (2012's theme is 'The Road Ahead'), as well as other music, film or literature events that also aid cultural understanding.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34412 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34355 An incredibly modern cafe frequented by tourists and Prague hipsters - the perfect place to rest gallery-wearied feet.
Offers tea, coffee and a small range of sweet snacks.
Open throughout summer 2012.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34355 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34259 Located in the heart of Barcelona’s Eixample, the Museum of Catalan Modernism occupies the ground floor and basement of a building by one of Barcelona’s most prolific architects, Enric Sagnier. Sagnier built many of Barcelona’s public buildings, including the old Law Courts on Passeig Lluis Companys, the Customs House at the bottom of the Rambla, just across the road from the Gothic Shipyards and the church by Tibidabo funfair. If you’ve seen Woody Allen’s film, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, you’ve
seen one of his many family dwellings, this particular one being built for Manuel Doncel and featuring Plateresque ornamentation.
Back to the Museum.
There is a collection of beautiful furniture and marquetry work by some of the period’s best cabinetmakers and designers: cabinets, sideboards and other pieces by Joan Busquets, chairs, office furniture and other pieces by Gaudí; religious and decorative marquetry by Gaspar Homar.
Eusebi Arnau was a leading sculptor when the Eixample was being built and his superb decorative vase made for the entrance hall of the Garriga I Nogués building (Diputació 250, also by Sagnier) is on display. There are also pieces in terracotta and marble by Enric Clarasó a member of the Quatre Gats and friend of Ramon Casas and Santiago Rusiñol.
There is a large selection of characteristically modernist polychrome terracotta busts by Lambert Escaler.
Josep Llimona, one of modernism’s greatest exponents is also well represented. With Gaudí he founded the Cercle Artistic de Sant Lluc (which is still active) to defend an ideal image of art and preserve a spirit of Christian commitment.
Finally, there are several charming stained glass screens and windows, the one called “Life” by Joaquim Mir is stunning in its vitality. So is the screen and doorway at the entrance.
Modernist painters are of course present, the languid ladies of Gaspar Camps, the elegant Parisian ladies of Joan Cardona, Ramon Casas’ studies of Barcelona characters, the military themes of ex-soldier Josep Cusachs and many more.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34259 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34135 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34135 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33983 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33983 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33961 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33961 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33929 It's on Queen Margaret Drive, which is growing into a quirky neighbourhood, a bridge between the arty West End and down to earth Maryhill.
The Yarn Cake itself is bright, the large window revealing three tables, and shelf after shelf of yarn, knitting books, and knitting supply. There's a large loo, unusually for the size of the place, which is easily wheelchair accessible and has baby changing facilities.
You'll usually be welcomed by staff and regulars before you get a step into the place. If you come on a Saturday, you might get press-ganged into helping with the Saturday Guardian quiz.
The yarns range from cheap but good quality (Drops) all the way up to hand-died hanks from local indy dyers.
The teas and coffees are also from local suppliers, with half a dozen teas and two coffee blends, ground to order. The hot choc on a stick can come in anything up to four varieties, depending on how quickly they're selling out that day.
Cakes are home made, on the premises, with German tarts and loaves a speciality (though I love the baked cheesecake most).
All in all it's a very welcoming place for knitters and cake fans alike.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33929 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33912 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33912 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33835 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33835 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33810 All set in the beautiful Le Marche hills, complete with views of the medieval town of Camerino. Meanwhile Andrea's amazing regional cuisine will challenge the fussiest of eaters. Really, really good fun.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33810