Archive for March, 2009

Singapore Artist, Cheong Soo Pieng

Arts & Culture, Travel | Posted by admin
Mar 30 2009

Cheong Soo Pieng was another Singaporean artist that had been born in China. He was born, the last of seven children, in 1917 and began his study at the Xiamen Academy when he was only sixteen. His family was not against his pursuit of art, though they also did not encourage it. However, he was extremely self-determined and finished his studies at the Academy in three years. He continued his education in Shanghai, though his study there ended during the Sino-Japanese war, during which the Academy had been destroyed. Pieng returned home and began teaching at the same school he had attended in his youth. He was also focused on his own work. He quickly gained a reputation as an inspirational instructor and it was his own passion for his work that drove him. He presented his first individual show at the school in 1942 with his work in watercolor. Oil paints were a luxury and difficult to acquire in China during this time.

He moved to Kong Kong in 1945 and spent time there before he moved on to Singapore. He was instrumental to the founding of the Nanyang Fine Art Academy and taught there. His teaching career spanned more than twenty years and he was highly esteemed for his inspiration to his students. Pieng loved teaching though his true passion lied in is own work. He retired in his late forties and devoted his time to his art. He remains one of Singapore’s most influential artists and educators and is known for his part in developing the Nan Yang style of painting. He continued to work in water color though he used oil paints once they became available to him. He also worked in sculpture. His works hang on the walls in businesses and some of the best Singapore hotels, offering beauty and inspiration to those who view him. He’s also strongly influential to young students of art. His life work was presented in a show by the National Museum in 1983, though unfortunately Pieng died four months before the exhibit opened. He remains respected today and proves to be an inspiration to young artists for generations to come.

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Cape Town Now a Top Jazz Festival

Arts & Culture, Travel | Posted by admin
Mar 27 2009

The Cape Town International Jazz Festival, which is about to celebrate it’s 10th Anniversary, received a wonderful present: Melodytrip, a website devoted to musical festivals all over the world, has ranked the Cape Town event above both the Montreaux Festival in Switzerland and the North Sea Jazz Festival which is held in Holland.

Event organizers credit the high ranking to the wide variety of musical styles heard in Cape Town. They also believe that the unique mixture of both local and international musicians adds to their event’s success.

When the event was first conceived a decade ago, many critics expected the festival to fail, as previous attempts to found an African jazz fest did. However, through by planning, partnerships, and the development of a winning formula, the event has gone from 9,000 visitors to 33,500 expected next weekend.

The event has evolved beyond a local music fest. In 2007 (the most recent study), over half the audience came from outside South Africa and oer 15% from countries outside Africa. The city’s tourist industry has benefitted greatly from the event. The best Cape Town hotels, restaurants, and shops see immediate increases in revenue and the entire city benefits from the improved global profile provided by the event.

This year’s festival will feature forty musical acts on five stages over the two-day event. In addition to some of the world’s best jazz music, the festival also showcases jazz-related genres as well as workshops and a free concert. This year’s free concert will be held on April 1st while the festival itself runs April 3-4 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

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From the Perspective of Local Artists

Arts & Culture, Travel | Posted by admin
Mar 22 2009

The city-state of Singapore has long desired to been seen as a viable participate in the world of art. The organizers of various shows and festivals have looked towards other cities in hopes of discovering ‘the way’ they achieved such acclaim and the reputations that cities such as Manhattan, or Paris, or Florence. The government of Singapore has created objectives towards this goal, the goal of a more Renaissance, culturally and artistically, society. Artists that live in Singapore contend that what happens culturally and becomes phenomenons in those other cities is something that must be created from within the city itself, not created by copying what the others have done, but by the originality and quality existing already within Singapore’s artistic, and local, communities. One artist stated that it is necessary to consider that the artistic culture nurtures the city, and that that can not be forced. That it must happen naturally.

So much of Singapore’s ideas and society is fostered by the economic successes in the business world, the technological world. Tourism is a growing industry based on the achievements of the business world, and the best of Singapore’s hotels and restaurants and convention centers. Artists of Singapore fear that the driving force of business, of making money, is altering and diluting the purpose and the pure of the art world. Singapore has many art festivals throughout the year, the Biennale and the Showcase Singapore being two main, and very large exhibitions. But the local artists are quite happy when the festivals leave town, as the commercialism that has over-whelmed the shows in the last few years takes away from the beauty and the meaning, or rather, the meaning art has to the artist themselves. They view these festivals as spectacles, and the wish is to bring back the local artist, the creative soul.

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Recent Corporate Games in Dubai a Success

Business | Posted by admin
Mar 20 2009

The 4th Annual Dubai Corporate Games were held last weekend at the American University in Dubai. The event, which concluded on Sunday, is designed to “promote health and wellness among the local corporate community.” The Games are organized by High 5 Events FZ LLC of Dubai Media City and this year’s conducted under the patronage of the Dubai Sports Council.

The games were attended by 30 multinational corporations as well as numerous local firms. Nearly 900 athletes gathered to compete in events such as volleyball, soccer, tennis, dragon boat, and the intercompany tug of war. The games also included competitions in basketball, running, and swimming.

The two companies with the overall best finishes were Aramex and The Holding Group. Awards were handed out during an award ceremony on Sunday. Sponsors of this year’s Games included Nestle, Sony Ericsson & TECOM Investments, ITP Aujan Industries, Choueiri Group, and AUD.

Over the last decade Dubai has made changes to tax laws and import restrictions to encourage foreign business. Many multinational corporations moved into the area to take advantage of the virtually tax-free business environment. The emirate’s reputation for hospitality makes it an easy sell for foreigners coming to the area on business. It is easy to find a 5 star Dubai hotel that has all the cutting edge technology and business services that corporate travelers need when setting up business in the UAE.

The Corporate Game provide an atmosphere of casual interaction and friendly competition that encouraged networking, especially among executives, while helping to build company teamwork. It also provides an opportunity for companies to boost their morale — especially when a team is winning.

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Port Adriano Expansion, Majorca Spain

Society, Technology, Travel | Posted by admin
Mar 15 2009

The environmental group in Majorca, Oceana, has been conducting research in the waters surrounding the island. The have collected samples from over 300 species and about 15 different ecosystems. The expansion of a wellness resort and spa, with golf courses and conference rooms and 5 star hotel Majorca residents are worried that this will upset not only the diverse and abundant life just under the water but the plant life and wildlife that will be affected by the golf courses. They members of Oceana and the environmentally concerned locals fear that it will only get worse, as the wetlands and natural grass has been already negatively affected. They are making a desperate plea to the marine reserve there, El Toro to expand the area that should remain protected, the prohibiting future development in the area.

In the waters just east of the protected land, many species of coral have been found using under water robots. Coral that is already in danger of becoming extinct. Also found was a rare form of seaweed, calcified and not rooted in the sea floor, which provides home and habitat for many different species, and contributes to the wealth of this marine biodiversity. Laminaria, the most abundant species of algae in the Mediterranean is abundant but was seriously damaged with the trawling of the under water nets. And in amongst these species of underwater plant life, the robot found abundant trash. Garbage such as plastic bags, tires and lawn chairs. Thus leading to a call for further expansion of the reserve to protect the waters and the ocean floor gardens from fisherman. What is being proposed is an underwater scuba park in the waters between Ibiza and Majorca. This would insure growth in the tourism industry, will protecting and preserving the environment and the life that lives in that environment.

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New York’s JFK Airport

Travel | Posted by admin
Mar 14 2009

Currently undergoing a renovation and redevelopment estimated at $10.3 billion, John F. Kennedy International Airport is the busiest airport in New York. It’s tops in air freight entering the US (by cargo value) as well as the leading gateway for international passengers entering the country. Some ninety airlines operate out of the airport, which is located a mere twelve miles from Lower Manhattan.

Previously known as “Major General Alexander E. Anderson Airport,” JFK was originally named Idlewild Airport and became New York International Airport in 1948. The JFK name was adopted in 1963 in memory of the late President. While usually referred to as “JFK” the airport is sometimes called “Kennedy.”

Some interesting stats about the airport:

JFK has the largest share of US passengers heading overseas: 17%. An average of 59,000 international passengers pass through its gates every day.

JFK handles over 21% of international air freight in the United States. This figure relates to the value of the shipments. By raw tonnage, the figure is 11%.

JFK employs around 35,000 people at the airport. However, the airport generates over $30 billion to the NYC economy, including 229,000 direct and ancillary jobs and nearly $10 billion in salaries and wages.

JFK has eight passenger terminals designed in a U-shaped pattern. The center of the U contains a power plant, parking, and various airport facilities. This is also where visiters will find their favorite New York airport hotel.

JFK has four runways, including the second longest commercial runaway in North America. It houses seven aircraft hangars, a 32-million gallon fuel storage facility, a truck garage, and an engine overhaul building.

JFK ranked second in a 2006 survey for “overall traveller sastification.” The survey was conducted by J.D. Power and Associates and focused on large US airports. McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas finished first.

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The Waters Surrounding Mallorca, Spain

Business, Health, Travel | Posted by admin
Mar 12 2009

Illegal fishing, water traffic, tourism. These human activities are providing detrimental effects on the reason people travel to this area of the Mediterranean in the first place. Beautiful days of sunshine, over 300 to approximate, clear blue waters perfectly suited for scuba diving and snorkeling, un-touched mountains for hiking and white sand beaches create quite a draw for the rest of the world, to this area. And while this is all good for the economy of the places to stay and of island hotels, and is good for the people living here and making a living, the oceans and the marine life are being affected. In a bad way. Of the pollution for example, not emissions from the water sport vehicles nor the cruise ships, but plastic makes up about 75 percent in the waters of the sea. 95 percent of that plastic-pollution is in the way of simple plastic bags. Plastic bags! The writer of this would perhaps find this an incredulous claim had she not seen this first hand, not in the Mediterranean Sea, but in the Sea of Cortez off the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico and the Baja Strip of California, the city of San Felipe in Mexico. Beautiful warm waters, secluded from oil tankers, teaming not with marine life, but market place plastic bags. One should really consider the effects when asked ‘Paper or Plastic’ at the local grocery store. Or better yet, say ‘neither, I’ve brought my own’.

Anyway, the governments of the over twenty European countries have come together to save the sick Mediterranean Sea. The Spanish Island of Mallorca is among the first to install energy saving light bulbs in all of the traffic lights on the island. When all the electricity used on the island, in the clubs and the shops and the resorts switch over, we’ll talk. The transition to these bulbs in the traffic signals alone will reduce carbon emissions by 2,000 tons. Just the traffic lights.

With all the financially successful ports and fishing companies that run along the coasts of Europe, this is a huge task to take on, but one that is so important. Many species that inhabit these waters, migrate and reproduce are in danger of extinction. Regardless of one’s own belief system of the cruelty towards the ‘lesser’ species, they play a part in the whole. ‘When a butterfly flutters its wings in China’ is a statement that comes to mind. Every species is part of the whole, and a part necessary in the continuation of the existence of all life forms and the world as we know it and have come to love it.

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The Attraction to the Balearic Islands

Arts & Culture, Entertainment, Travel | Posted by admin
Mar 04 2009

The Balearic Islands offer much more than other destinations around the world. In the Mediterranean Sea and just of the coast of Spain, four main islands have become popular locations for travelers. There is a rich culture history in this region, that continues to grow and expand. From the excellent and varied cuisine, to the scenic views, to the history to the fun, the best Balearic hotels, restaurants, museums and beaches offer much to the rest of the world. Aside from the tranquil relaxation or the night-time parties, the islands are well known for their attention to the environment. To protecting it as well as caring for it. Off the coast of any of the islands, Mallorca, Ibiza, Formentera, or Cabrera one may witness the appearance of an endangered species, or horse back ride across the white sand beaches at sunset, or participate in any one of the many festivals.

Long known for flavor, not the flavor found in the many dance clubs…but the flavor of the cuisine of the Mediterranean, Spain has gained quite the reputation. One may find curious to note that mayonnaise comes from Menorca. Mayo and bologna, common lunch fare in the States, who would have thought. Most of the diet and dishes of which there are more than six hundred variations, often includes fresh vegetables and seafood. Eggs and lamb are often cooked in the fat produced by the cooking of the famous spicy sausage dishes. Soups make up for the nutritional deficit of the fat, as they are usually clear broth with again, fish and vegetables and fruit. Red sauce and pasta are staples, as well as pomegranate stuffed chicken and almond crusted roasted turkeys. The variation of flavor is one aspect that brings people from the world to this area.

Combine the food and the sunshine and what you come up with are festivals that occur weekly. Outdoor markets and celebrations are part of the draw. Every religiously or historically significant event is not overlooked but celebrated in the fine fashion of food, music, dance and a love of life that happens in too few locations around the world these days. It has been said that should you vacation on one of the islands and you don’t end up buying property, you are of the minority. People visiting just don’t want to leave, and when they do, they can’t wait to come back.

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