Baltimore Sonnets

Inside the huge  Pergamon Museum (German: Pergamonmuseum) on the 2nd floor is the Museum of Islamic Art (Museum für   Islamische Kunst). There, you will find some impressive original and reconstructed carved stucco wallpapers. These decorative stucco gems were excavated by German archaeologist Ernst Herzfeld from 1911-1913. Created in Samarra, 123 km North of Baghdad on the banks of the Tigris, these 9th & 10th century beauties once decorated the dadoes of houses and palaces. Samarra decorative stucco wallpaper: Style B  Classified into three styles: Samarra decorative stucco wallpaper: Style C  Style A: Vine leaf scroll patterns with tendrils, closely following traditions of Late Antiquity.  Style B: Vegetal patterns with a touch of abstraction.  Style C: Flat cut, bevelled style.  Much more abstract, with some geometric motifs. Thanks for visiting!

Staying in central Berlin allows me to walk all around town.    Checkpoint Charlie is in the Friedrichstadt neighborhood.  Here are a few views of my morning walk.

Reflections   from Berlin Luminous surroundings.  Illuminated benches  giving off all types  of thoughtful energy.  Energized Berlin streets  captured on  Film Historical locations  Maps Direction

Today's Fortune is inspired by my visit to the National Museums in Berlin.  I saw an interesting quote on the 16th century portrait of Duke of Alburquerque by Giovanni Battista Moroni.  Lucky Color: Bone

At the Neue Wache (New Guardhouse) on Unter den Linden boulevard, Kathe Kollwitz's moving Mother with her Dead Son sits under a breathtaking oculus. Built in the early 1800's as a guardhouse for the Prussian monarchy, the Neue Wache now serves as Germany's central memorial for victims of war and tyranny.    Visiting the Neue Wache, with its impressive Doric columns and brick structure was just the beginning of an enlightening day.  Sony Center's beams of light were so invigorating, I couldn't stop shaking as I tried to  capture its energy and colors.  In the end I came away with wonderful impressions of how light shines, not only through things, but through us.

Looking forward to Berlin. From Baltimore to Berlin

You will make many changes before settling satisfactorily. Lucky color: electric blue Lucky numbers: 4, 15, 18, 21, 33, 42

When I received this gift of sugar carefully wrapped in sugar cane leaves, I didn't want to open it.  I waited a few days before I decided to photograph this epicuriosity. Sitting on my table I began to smell a wonderful aroma.  Unrefined SUGAR! I couldn't wait any longer. Thank you Mary.

My friend Mary sent me this lovely postcard from Bogota. Illustration is by Colombian artist Ana Paula. I love the postage stamps too!  Thank you ladies.

Want to see a modern day Medusa and read her story?   How about the Iroquois Thunder God Heno?  Or the Korean fairy tale The Fox Sister? Graduating students of FIT's Visual Presentation and Exhibit Design program bring these, and many other cultural myths and tales from around the world, to life in the form of huge storybooks and mannequins. The students incorporate wonderful details into their presentations.  On the day that I visited the exhibition, The Fox Sister's robust and hairy paw foot, peeking through her beautiful topcoat, caused a teenager to initially shriek.  (Later, she could not stop talking about her "amazing"experience!) Even the lace on La Befana's handmade veil is spectacular! Cultural Folklore and Legends: On exhibit until April 21 at the Fred P. Pomerantz Art & Design Center Lobby, 227 West 27th Street.   **These are the graduating students who created this enjoyable and insightful exhibition: Chelsea Blackman,...