Olek is a Polish crochet artist (don't call her a "yarn bomber"!) who's crocheted the Wall Street bull statue and various other items around NYC. She hasn't had an NYC exhibition since getting arrested in London a few years ago. Now she's back and crocheting skeletons, household items, people, and more. Check out her funny, subversive, and very touchable exhibition "The End Is Far" at Jonathan LeVine Gallery in Chelsea's gallery district until March 23. If you go on the right day, you might see me!

www.jonathanlevinegallery.com
529 W 20th St #9, New York, NY, United States
+1 212 243 3822
Google map: bit.ly/167CfZT

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No Dublin-based film would be complete without a shot of the capital's cultural quarter, Temple Bar. In the final few moments of the movie 'Once', Glen and Marketa take a walk through the sun-dappled cobbles. It's a bittersweet scene. On the one hand, they're celebrating the completion of their album but ultimately they know they will soon be going their separate ways. If you choose to stick around, you’ll easily while away an hour or so checking out the latest exhibition in the Gallery of Photography on Meeting House Square.

The Gallery, Booshop and Darkrooms are open Tuesday to Saturday 11am-6pm, Sundays 1-6pm.
Gallery of Photography, Meeting House Square, Temple Bar,
Dublin 2
+353 1 671 4654
Google map: bit.ly/YCR0hQ

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Mucha painted 20 huge canvases, inspired by the Czechoslovak and other Slav nations and with his trademark Art-Nouveau style. Monumental and stunning, with an excellent interpretive leaflet, see it while you can as they are destined for a permanent home, when Prague can agree where, and how to fund it.

www.ngprague.cz
Dukelských hrdinů 530/47, 170 00 Praha 7-Holešovice, Czech Republic
+420 224 301 122
Google map: bit.ly/WRdxtw

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If you treat your own shoe collection like a museum, then wait 'til you see how a real museum does it. The "Shoe Obsession" exhibit at The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) showcases more than 150 pairs of haute shoes, from the good to the very good to the "Who'd try to walk in those?" (Answer: Lady Gaga.) The museum free and open every day, except for Mondays and Sundays. It's located at 7th Avenue and 27th Street, a quick walk from Penn Station.

www.fitnyc.edu/
227 W 27th St New York, NY 10001, United States
+1 212 217 7999
Google map: bit.ly/YsIlgk

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Since the 1970s, the sculptor and conceptual artist Wolfgang Laib has been collecting pollen, pouring it in museums and galleries, and calling it art. Not that I'm skeptical — NYC's been so dreary that I think we could all use a burst of color, at the very least. "Pollen From Hazelnut" is on display in the Marron Atrium at Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) until March 11. Don't forget to bring antihistamines! MoMA is at 11 West 53rd Street and is open free for all every Friday from 4-8 p.m. Check the website for more hours.

www.moma.org/
11 W 53rd St New York, NY 10019, United States
+1 212 708 940
Google map: bit.ly/XNFKyX

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Hungarian artist Victor Vaserely created what we know as Op Art - images that trick the brain and make the eyeballs throb. The Sixties wouldn't have looked the same without him. Situated in a charming square in Obuda (Old Buda), the Vaserely museum has a huge collection of his (also huge) works - as well as suspicious staff who follow you around to check you haven't stolen an eight foot square painting. It also hosts changing exhibitions by contemporary artists and an interactive room for children to explore colour and light. The geometrical images make a refreshing break for eyes saturated with Austro-Hungarian opulence, but it's not a good idea after a few palinkas the night before ...
Entry is cheap and it's easily accessible from the city centre.

www.vasarely.hu
1033 Budapest, Szentlélek tér 6, Hungary
+36 1 388 7551
Google map: bit.ly/V1wgDV

Arpad hid HEV station

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The Pinacoteca is home to a number of art works from thirteenth century triptychs to nineteenth century secular pieces as well as sculptures. My favourite saint, Sebastian, was much in evidence and it was interesting to see how his depiction - particularly his hairstyle - changed through the ages. The sculpture of the Sleeping Shepherd in the Shepherd's Room was incredible. Not since I'd first met Bernini in the Piazza Navona had I been so struck by the detailing created in marble.

www.ascolimusei.it/pinacoteca.html
Piazza San Tommaso, 63100 Ascoli Piceno
+39(0)736 298213
Google map: bit.ly/VcUrNg

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Single Fare just might be the most New York art exhibition of all. For starters, it's an open-call exhibition. And there's only one requirement: All art must be made on a MetroCard, the same plastic card you swipe to ride NYC subways. This year, artists of every discipline from all over the world will be part of the show. I've even submitted my own snarky homage to the inspiring — and often slow — lettered subway lines! The opening reception for Single Fare 3 is Wednesday, February 13, from 6-9 pm at RH Gallery on 137 Duane Street. You can check out the exhibition until February 22.

www.rhgallery.com/
137 Duane Street New York, NY 10013, United States
+1 646 490 6355
Google map: bit.ly/XmkujA

* Amanda is our Been there local for New York. You can check out her page here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/new-york-local-amanda-green.jsp and her own NYC blog here: www.noisiestpassenger.com/. She's also on Twitter: @amandagreen

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Prague Castle is equally gorgeous in snow or sunshine. However, as with any popular tourist attraction, the crowds can be a little overwhelming at times. Ducking into one of the small galleries dotted around the site is one way of escaping the throngs of visitors as well as any inclement weather. The Prague Riding School’s current offering – a retrospective of Stanislav Kolibal’s work – is an engaging collection of abstract sculptures and barely touched canvases which both know-nothings and connoisseurs can enjoy. The highlight for me was the exact replica of Kolibal’s 1967 debut exhibition where his talent and range as an artist are already in ample evidence. The minimalism of the massive iron installations dominating the gallery’s main hall are neatly juxtaposed by the familiar imposing gothic outline of St Vitus Cathedral which can clearly be seen through the huge windows. There’s no need to buy a ticket for the whole site: you can just pay for entrance to the gallery without coughing up the required 250kc to do a tour of the cathedral.
On until 6 January 2013

www.kulturanahrade.cz/en/exhibitions/programme/programme/stanislav-kolibal-another-world-324.shtml
Pražský hrad, 119 08 Praha 1 Czech Republic
+420 224 373 531
Google map: bit.ly/ZkE7xO

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If you’re keen to do more while on Old Town Square than take in the Astrological Clock, wander around the Christmas market and sample the mulled wine, make sure you pay a visit to the Czech Press Photo exhibition. This photojournalism competition, which takes place annually, spans two floors of the Old Town Hall and is an excellent way to get an insight into Czech society beyond beer and dumplings. Unsurprisingly the overall first prize was awarded to a shot capturing the national outpouring of grief following former Czech President Vaclav Havel’s death but the variety of images on display is impressive. Those which document contemporary Czech life are among the most interesting such as the shots of a zabijačka, or pig killing, the eighty six year old twins who wear identical clothing and the jockeys at the Velky Pardubice steepchase.

czechpressphoto.cz/en
Old Town Hall, Old Town Square
Google map: bit.ly/TXwa9N


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If you have time for a day trip while in Toronto, I highly recommend the McMichael Gallery for a truly Canadian art experience. Located about a one-hour drive northwest of Toronto, this gallery is devoted exclusively to showcasing Canadian art, including works by First Nations, Inuit and other artists.
This is the perfect place to enjoy Canadian landscape paintings: the rural-style building is built with hand-hewn logs and set on 100 acres of conservation land. Floor-to-ceiling windows allow visitors to enjoy views of the densely wooded Humber River Valley. Through a network of outdoor paths and hiking trails, you can also spend time outside.
A day can easily be spent gazing in any of the thirteen exhibition galleries, the theatre or gift shop. The gallery boasts the largest collection of the Group of Seven landscape painters in Canada, those who painted distinctly Canadian landscapes from 1920 to 1933. The First Nations Art includes traditional, ceremonial and religious art, as well as contemporary pieces.
The Inuit Art collection includes paintings, prints, drawings and sculptures created using many different materials.

www.mcmichael.com
10365 Islington Avenue, Kleinburg, Canada
+1 905 893 1121
Google map: bit.ly/TBJyRc

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Mundo King is a unique museum in Sosua, Dominican Republic that promotes local and Haitian art, set in a high land of Camino Llibre. This museum has a characteristic architecture that reflects its owner's vision of art and life, portraying space and man as one symbolic journey towards fulfillment of the spirit. If you're a fan of the uncommon and good original art, visit Mundo King when you travel to Sosua and don't forget your camera, there's a lot to photograph there.

Camino Llibre, Sosua 57000, Dominican Republic
Google map: bit.ly/11FGcSv

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The exhibition, Frida & Diego: Passion, Politics and Painting, features over 70 works by these prolific 20th century artists, a couple who shared a passion for each other and for Mexico's revolutionary culture during the 1920s and 1930s.
Running until January 20, 2013, the exhibit features almost one-quarter of Kahlo’s paintings, a selection of Rivera's works, with styles from his early cubist period, to his Mexican murals and his portraits and landscapes. There are also watercolours, prints and over 60 photos of the couple. As the name of the exhibit suggests, the works showcase Rivera and Kahlo’s lives together and apart, their politics and how their passionate views and social activism affected their work.
Kahlo is best known for her surreal self-portraits, while Rivera was famous for his mural frescos, which helped establish the Mexican Mural Movement in Mexican art. This exhibition highlights both their developments as artists through the years.

www.ago.net
317 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Canada
Google map: bit.ly/10E074C

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Toronto is the second city in the world to showcase Designing 007: Fifty Years of Bond Style, following its premiere at London’s Barbican Centre this past summer. What claims to be the largest and most comprehensive exhibition ever devoted to the famous spy, it features costumes, gadgets, set designs, artwork and other special gadgets.
The exhibit runs until January 20, 2013 and is part of the 50th anniversary of Bond in cinema, and examines how the famous spy has influenced design, culture and technology. Bond items featured in the exhibition include the poker table from Casino Royale and multiple gadgets from Q Branch. Also on view are elegant clothes designed by Giorgio Armani, Donatella Versace, Tom Ford, Hubert de Givenchy and Oscar de la Renta.
Special tours are also available on a first-come, first served basis and run weekly: Thursdays at 6 pm, Saturdays at 11am & 6pm and Sundays at noon. Each tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.
Prices, not including taxes, are:
Adults: $15
Students & Seniors: $12
Children: $10.50
Don’t forget to stop for martinis and great food at the Luma restaurant, also located in the TIFF Bell Lightbox upstairs, or for something more casual, Canteen restaurant, located on the main floor.

www.tiff.net
TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King Street West, Toronto, Canada
+1 416 968 3456
Google map: bit.ly/UUYNny

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401 Richmond is a restored, heritage-designated, industrial building in downtown Toronto that houses over 140 artists, including some of the city’s best-run art galleries, a vibrant community of designers, arts organizations, festivals, and shops. A few tenants include the Textile Museum of Canada, Centre for Indigenous Theatre, Faustwork Mask Theatre, Native Women in the Arts Studio and South Asian Visual Arts Centre.
Since 1994, 401 Richmond has undergone a dramatic transformation from rundown factory to a thriving centre for the arts in Toronto. Constructed in 1899, the building originally operated as a tin lithography factory. The original character and architectural features have been preserved, including over 800 double-hung, wood frame windows. In 1994, the building underwent a dramatic transformation by adding more modern and green elements such as the 6,500 square foot roof garden and an interior courtyard.

www.401richmond.net/events/specialEvents.cfm
401 Richmond Street West, Studio 111, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5V 3A8
+1 416 595 5900
Google map: bit.ly/10UfHsb

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The contemporary art gallery DOX takes its name from the ancient Greek word ‘doxa’ meaning ‘common belief’ or ‘popular opinion’. Don’t be fooled though: the exhibitions held in this relatively new space are anything but orthodox. Since opening to the public almost four years ago, featured works have included David Cerny’s infamous Entropa, a giant sculpture which controversially depicted Germany as an autobahn in the shape of a swastika and Bulgaria as a Turkish toilet as well as an eclectic range of paintings, installations and drawings by both emerging and established artists. It may be a little off the beaten track but still DOX remains the ideal place for visiting art lovers to check out what it means to be a 21st century Bohemian.

DOX, Poupětova 1, Prague 7
dox.cz/en/
Google map: bit.ly/YMaLEz

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Set up in 1970s and designed in a typically Soviet manner of the time, this is now one of the main event spaces in Moscow. Non/fiction Book Fair, Art Salon, Antique Salon, Moscow Design Week - this is just a scoop of the events to attend. Adjacent exhibition space is dedicated to contemporary art. The CHA also hosts exhibitions, most recently that of a great Russian Impressionist painter Konstantin Korovin. Altogether, the CHA tend to specialise in Art, Literature, and Design.
There is a friendly cafe on the ground floor, and a museum park of contemporary sculpture nearby and across the Krymsky Bridge is the famous Gorky Park.

www.cha.ru/
ulitsa Krymskiy Val, 10/14, город Москва, Russia, 119049
+7 499 238 9634
Closed Mondays, open Tue to Sun 11am to 8pm.
Easily reached by Oktyabrskaya and Park Kultury metro stations.
Google map: bit.ly/RxcCLz

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Townhouse Gallery isn't just a gallery but is really a hub for artists and arts activities that runs across a number of streets just off Talat Harb.
You can use the Townhouse Gallery website to find out what is going on; maybe an exhibition, or a gig, but the cafes that spill on to the streets and the open-fronted artist's studios are worth a visit in themselves.

www.thetownhousegallery.com
Hussein El Me'mar Pasha Street
+202 2576 8086
Google map: bit.ly/N11u8M

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The Kulturforum in Berlin is something of a curate's egg. It is incomplete in terms of what its original architect, Hans Scharoun, intended. Partly for that reason it is in visual terms a bit like an upmarket light industrial estate with relatively low level modernist buildings apparently scattered around an open area with little clear sense of order. Moreover there are steps, stairways and ramps everywhere making the site a challenge for anyone with a mobility difficulty. However set against these criticisms the idea of bringing together a modern concert hall (Philharmonie, 1963), the Kunstgewerbe or museum of applied art (1968; currently closed for refurbishment until 2014), the Kupferstichkabinett (1988), with prints, drawings and musical instruments, and the Gemaldegalerie (1998), a world class collection of paintings from the end of the Middle Ages to around 1800, is a good one. It accordingly offers the chance for the visitor to concentrate their visit in much the same way as Berlin's Museuminsel does farther to the north-east of the city.
The Gemaldegalerie has a good restraurant, and a museum shop offering popular as well as scholarly books, prints and postcards.

www.smb.museum
Kulturforum, Matthaikirchplatz, D-10785 Berlin
Served by Bus 200 (stops directly outside the Philharmonie; U-bahn U2 (Potsdamer Platz).
Google map: bit.ly/LuERr5

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Visiting London we happened upon a free drop-in drawing session at the National Portrait Gallery. The welcoming tutor placed sheaf of cartridge paper and some pencils in our hands and we were away! A great hour's fun. Even my wife, who hates drawing, found it engaging and was proud of her finished efforts, which we still have.

www.npg.org.uk/
St Martin's Place, London WC2H 0HE
+44 (0) 20 7306 0055
Google map: bit.ly/wMtJSN

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