Whats this blog all about?

For my dream vacation I would love to be able to travel many differing places all of which share a strong connection to the art institutions of the world. After graduating this year, I feel as though the time to really travel and explore is becoming a reality within my transitional period from university to starting a career.  After pursing a bachelor in fine art, I would like to be able to travel and experience different areas of the world but also use it as a chance to view some of the best art galleries that I could ever hope to visit. I would like to seek inspiration for my own practices and gain a better understanding of how the art markets differ from those of Canada.

With that being said, the specific locations I would like to visit throughout a lengthy trip allowing me to spend at least a week in every place would consist of the following locations: Shanghai China, Paris France, Lisbon Portugal, London England, New York USA.

This does seem like a scattered and unrelated group of places to visit within one trip but as you continue through this blog it will become evident how all of these locations are relevant in terms of prestigious art institutions.

*With this in mind - The most recent posts are the beginning of the blog and the oldest post is the last.

With who and why?

Before entering into the fine arts I was immersed within graffiti culture. Looking back on that perspective really shaped my approach to art and certain conceptual backings towards my work. With this in mind, over the years I have met a group of artist who also explore the boundaries between graffiti and fine art. As we get older and need to express our work in a more structured and career oriented approach I feel as though a trip used to explore unknown places and view new art would be a great experience for us. Furthermore, it would be nice to travel with friends to provide some familiarity along the journey as well as travel with a group of friends who all share the same interests.

People I would travel with:


Michael Miller. Oil painter and sculptor with graffiti background.


Ryan Mayhy. Artfusion gallery director and curator with graffiti background.


Brad Biederman. Graphic arts illustration based work with graffiti background.

Cost - Just a reminder!

Cost:
This would be a very expensive trip to undertake and being able to afford the journey is highly impossible from my current economical standpoint; however in the light of this being a Dream Vacation I will ball park figure the key expenses.

Flights

Flights:
starting in china
A one way flight to Shanghai China leaving September 1^st 2012 with is priced at $541.00

A one way flight to Paris from China leaving two weeks later on September 16^th 2012 is priced at $356.00

From Paris to Lisbon in Portugal a week later leaving September 23^rd 2012 is priced at $100.00

From Portugal to London England a week and a half later leaving October 3^rd 2012 is priced at $124.00

From London England to New York City leaving a week later on October 10^th 2012 is priced at $3138.00

From New York to Toronto two weeks later on October 24^th 2012 is priced at $166.00

Total cost of flights will roughly cost $4500.00

Hotels

1.
Shanghai September 1^st 2012-september 16^th 2012
Deluxe two bedroom shared by 4 people:
Somerset Xu Hui is conveniently located a 10-minute walk from JianShan Road Station Metro Line 2. It offers modern accommodations with an indoor pool, a fitness center and free parking. The fully furnished residences at Somerset Apartment are equipped with a kitchen and ample sitting area. Apartments also feature a washing machine and a home entertainment system.Xu Hui Somerset has an aerobic room, jacuzzi and sauna facilities. Other recreational facilities include a tennis court and a game room. Babysitting services are available upon request.Somerset Xu Hui is a 5-minute drive from Xintiandi and Huai Hai Road Commercial Street. Hongqiao Airport is located 7.5 miles away.

16 nights costs CNY 10880 which translates to $1761.53

2.
Paris hotel near the Louvre September 16^th 2012-September 23^rd 2012
one hotel room for 4 people:
The charming Touring hotel is centrally located in Paris and welcomes guests in the traditional atmosphere of the French capital.
The reliability and experience of this city hotel, founded in 1903, as well as the numerous guest amenities provided, afford a pleasant and successful stay in Paris.
Touring features 53 comfortable guest rooms as well as a meeting room, facilities for the disabled, 24-hour reception, wireless Internet connection (at reception only), and helpful personnel.

7 nights costs 1330 euro which translates to $1851.49

3.
Hotel in central Lisbon Portugal from September 23^rd 2012-October 3^rd 2012
One hotel room for 4 people:
Hotel Príncipe Lisboa provides contemporary rooms just 550 yards from the Museu Calouste Gulbenkian. It is conveniently situated in front of São Sebastião Metro Station. The modern rooms of the Hotel Príncipe feature flat-screen TVs with satellite channels and light oak furniture. The private bathrooms come with complimentary bathroom amenities. Set in an area with many cafes and restaurants nearby, Príncipe Lisboa is situated 15 minutes by metro from the center of the city. Guests can also walk to the center through the picturesque Park Edward VII. Lisbon Portela Airport is 15-minutes away by public transportation. The hotel also provides laundry services and car rental facilities.

10 nights costs 1149 euro which translates to $1599.52

4.
While in London England I would have the privilege of living in my friend Patrick’s apartment which is intended to be used as a 4 person apartment but only he lives there with his wife Jessica. It is central London in the largest condo complex in the city called the Shakespeare tower. It is a very nice building which I have stayed in once before and it would be amazing to be able to stay with them and save some money to enjoy the city opposed to pay for a hotel room.

5.
When we visit New York I also have a friend David who is working his first job at a law firm in the Manhattan area. He has expressed many times that he is more than happy to house any of us who choose to visit and I am more than happy to take him up on that offer! Furthermore, it would be very nice to enjoy the city with a friend who will know the city and take us to some interesting places.

Approximate cost of living throughout the trip will roughly cost $5220.00
which would be divided amongst 4 people which would cost us each $1303.00

Types of currency I would need

Chinese

CNY 1 = $0.16 Canadian

 

Euro

1 Euro = $1.39 Canadian

American

1 USD = $1.02 Canadian  

Shanghai (China) itinerary September 1st-16th 2012

China is a place that I have always wanted to visit. I am few fond of a packed urban environment with a lot of hustle and bustle growing up down town Toronto my whole life. I have always wondered what it would be like to explore the city streets of Shanghai and see what kind of interesting things we would come across. I am intrigued with their fondness of technology and am very fascinated to see what types of gadgets they have come up with to help even with the most mundane activity. Furthermore, Shanghai has recently been spotted as the potential next art capital of the world. The art infrastructure in Shanghai has been growing at a rapid speed and with this in mind I find it to be a very good time to both, visit a place I’ve always wanted to experience, and further to view the art culture within the city.

“Beijing has traditionally been considered the epicenter of art in China, with myriad studios and gallery clusters. But there's plenty to be excited about Shanghai's own burgeoning art scene.
“The Shanghai scene has come a long way in a short time and will continue to ramp up in the years to come,” says Adam Schokora, the chief editor of NeochaEDGE, a site dedicated to China’s creative community. “I feel Shanghai is not far behind, if not right on par with the capital.”

excerpt from - http://www.cnngo.com/shanghai/play/shanghai-art-scene-takes-center-stage-683322

Art Galleries and Museums in Shanghai

Shanghai has a thriving art scene, with several good art museums and a few world-class art galleries. If you appreciate art, these venues are well worth visiting. Shanghai also has a lot of low quality art, and you can find copies of the most famous Chinese contemporary artists' works on sale at markets around Shanghai.

** alert: We have heard of 2 very disreputable galleries in Shanghai One with numbers in the gallery-name, another with trees in the gallery-name. Beware! There are lots of con men in Shanghai.

	a guide to only the best art galleries in shanghai

Paris (France) itinerary September 16th-23rd 2012

Admittedly, Paris has never been a must go place for me. But in regards to going on somewhat of an artistic pilgrimage I would have to visit Paris just to pay homage to the Louvre. The Louvre, in its successive architectural metamorphoses, has dominated central Paris since the late 12th century. The original structure was gradually engulfed as the city grew. The dark fortress of the early days was transformed into the modernized dwelling of François I and, later, the sumptuous palace of the Sun King, Louis XIV.
Although I am not a traditional artist in terms of aesthetic choices and materials used, I have had to take a number of art history classes throughout my years at university and it would be nice to finally see some of these works in person opposed to in a text book.

The Louvre

The Louvre

Cheesy Music ^

Lison (Portugal) itinerary September 23rd-October 3rd 2012

Three years ago I went to Portugal on a Family trip. I have extended family from Poland that I have never met and Portugal turned out to be a good place to meet in between for a nice week long get away together. We initially stayed in Albufeira which was a truly beautiful place along the coast. However, when we were flying out of Portugal we had to leave from Lisbon. We were only there for 24 hours but within the short time I spent there I found myself completely amazed with the city. They had an absolutely thriving street art culture which I had never seen before. I couldn’t turn a corner without seeing a small gallery or an artist selling their work on the street. With this in mind going back to Lisbon and spending a week would be a great experience. Although Portugal is not a recognized artistic place to visit compared to some other locations throughout the world, I was fortunate enough to stumble upon the city and would love to be able to go back and explore some more.

Bull Fighting Ring

Mom, Dad, and Myself

My Sister and Myself

One of the interesting street performers that are all over the city!

London (England) itinerary for October 3rd-10th 2012

I have had the pleasure of staying in London for 2 days in the past however, it was such a quick visit that I really feel as though I didn’t have enough time to take in the sights and really enjoy myself. Considering that London is the travel hub of the world, it seems evident that I would be bound to land in Heathrow airport at some point and might as well hop of and stay a while.

Jessica and Patrick

My friend Jessica and her newly be wedded husband Patrick live in the Shakespeare towers which is part of Barbican. The Barbican is a residential estate that consists of 13 terrace blocks, grouped around the lake and green squares within the complex. The main buildings rise for up to seven floors above a podium level, which links all the facilities in the Barbican, providing a pedestrian route above street level. There is no vehicular access within the estate, but there are some car parks at the periphery of the estate. Public car parks are located within the Barbican center. This beautiful facility located in pretty much central London is an amazing place to stay and would definitely help with the woes of spending money during a long trip. 

The Shakespeare Tower

I would strongly like to see the Tate Modern again for it is definitely one of the most highly regarded art galleries in the entire world. They are known for having very fascinating installation based works within their main entrance and being an installation artist myself I would highly value being able to experience the works in person.

Tate Modern

Fake Sun Installation

More so, in relation to street art – London does host many original works from the artist known as Banksy which would be nice to see in person.


Lastly, I would like to just simply enjoy the city of London. Although my trip is intended to be oriented around viewing art it is also important to take our time and relax while shuffling about. A top interest would be to sit in a nice pub and get a proper meal of fish and chips!