Tag: culture
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IGA Berlin
Berlin is a city known for its hedonism but from April 13th to September 15th the city will host the International Garden and Cultural Exhibition.
As a fan of gardens and parks it was exciting to get a tour of the event before the opening.
Numerous landscaped and garden themes cover the 104 hectares park with ranging from tropical to vertical gardens to desert terrain to open spaces collections.
Another highlight of the event is the various cultural activities that will take place, more than 5000.
The IGA exhibit can be reached by the U5 Metro line in Berlin, station IGA Berlin.
For more information go to: IGA
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Berlinale-Reports
Berlinale opening film Django received a lukewarm response according to press room feedback. Clichéd, typical, and wooden Nazi characters is how the biography feature on jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt has been described. Judging by the reactions I think I will pass.
The Dinner with Richard Gere and Laura Linney. Director Oren Moverman’s film based on the Herman Koch novel just finished the press screening. Was it any good? I am waiting for the instant reviews. The applause before the Q&A was less than enthusiastic. Attention was turned to politics with responses on the state of the US Executive Branch, Gere gave a blistering rebuke of Mr. Trump. Mr. Gere and Ms. Linney noted The Dinner is there third collaboration.
Berlinale
The 67th Berlinale opened with some political questions on the agenda but Jury President Paul Verhoeven stating he was here to judge the quality of the movie, not the political perspective. Mr. Verhoeven said he expects to see a lot of movies that are different and have heated arguments with respect.
Jury member Diego Luna addressed the current global political tones by saying, “I am not here to send messages but I am here to listen.” When asked about the proposed wall between the US and Mexico Luna commented, I have good memories crossing the border from both sides.
As a film festival Berlinale has always had a political edge but this year the jury seemed more pragmatic, less overtly ideological.
Berlinale makes an effort not to be taken over by market forces said fellow jury member Olafur Eliasson.
Addressing the issues concerning the state of Hollywood and the lack of Adult Movies, the bottom line mentality has taken control of the industry. Studios and Producers only want to invest in films with big returns. Film Director (Total Recall, Elle, and Robo Cop) Verhoven discussed the challenges of trying to get his latest film Elle produced.
Berlinale Jury: Paul Verhoeven, Dora Bouchoucha Fourati, Olafur Eliasson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Julia Jentsch, Diego Luna, and Wang Quan’an
Berlinale continues until February 20th.
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Perfume Museum from France 24.
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The Color Line
While in Paris for Fashion Week I had a chance to see a moving exhibition on the African American experience at the Musee du Quai Branly. In these times of uncertainty it reminds a person of how far a country has come and needs to go concerning race relations.
THE ONE Grand Show
French fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier has arrived in Berlin collaborating with the Friedrichstadt-Palast for the stage show The ONE Grand Show. Opening October 6, the 11 million euros spectacular show features performers from 26 nations with 500 costumes on the world’s largest stage. Director and writer Roland Welke is the creative force behind “THE ONE Grand Show” employing streams of images in the form of slow motion effects, cross fades, and multi-dimension effects. The show is nothing if not ambitious on all levels from staging to the physical movements and acrobatics of the performers.
Starring German Eurovision Song Contest representative Roman Lob as the young party guest and Brigette Oelke from the musical “We Will Rock You” in the role of the theatre manager THE ONE Grand Show is packed with tunes from Kate Victoria and Gregor Meyle.
I sat for a preview press performance of THE ONE Grand Show in Berlin. The costumes were classic Gaultier albeit a little toned down, with eye catching looks filled with, counter culture sexuality mixed with plaid men’s kilts, conical bras, Breton stripes, panel, nude toned body suits, and iconic corsets. A perfect combination of dancers and Gaultier, the former understood the fluidity and fun of the creations by the Parisian couturier without being dominated by them, not an easy feat but they pulled off.
I admit it. I wanted to see the costumes from Mr. Gaultier and they did disappoint. Androgyny, a wide color palette all infused the stage like a field of butterflies. I would not say the looks were provocative for 2016 but titillating for mainstream audiences, pure eye candy delight. There are so many signature looks it is a bit difficult to include them all but the ones that stood out were: Red conned dress with red hairstyles, the nude tones on the male dancers, colored splashed suit, and of course the feathered outfits. If you are a John Paul Gaultier fan you will not be disappointed.
THE ONE Grand Show is currently at the Friedrichstadt-Palast in Berlin.
Images by Vladimir Sichov.