Paddling the Canals

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Stand up paddle boarders cruising along a canal
Rio de la Sensa, Cannaregio
Venice, October 2012

“After our preview of the canals by boat we were ready to tackle them on a paddle board. Eliana led the way as we dodged the boat traffic near our launch. After a few turns and some paddling we found ourselves on the quite back ‘streets’ of the city. Each long and narrow canal looked more picturesque and perfect than the one before. Venice is made for paddling. Eliana showed us all of the important historical sights as we glided by the beautiful buildings. Having a guide would prove important as I quickly realized I had know idea where we were. In addition to the maze of canals and side-canals, each blind corner has boats and gondolas jockeying for the right-of-way. There is a system of calls and hand signals that everyone on the canals use in order to keep traffic flowing smoothly.” (Paddling the Canals of Venice, Water Monkey)

See also: Water Bikes

Weltkugelbrunnen

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Weltkugelbrunnen (World Fountain) by Joachim Schmettaus, 1984
Breitscheidplatz, Charlottenburg
Berlin, September 2011

“Since 1983, the Weltkugelbrunnen or World Fountain has provided a refreshing addition to the City West district and forms the centre of a sunken square along the south-east edge of the Breitscheidplatz directly in front of the Europa Center. It is a popular meeting place for Berlin's many street artists and entertainers including acrobats and pantomime actors to portrait artists.” (World Fountain, Europa Center, Berlin)
See also: World Fountain - Breitscheidplatz

Africa, The Four Continents

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Africa, The Four Continents by Daniel Chester French, 1903-1907
Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House
Bowling Green
Financial District, Lower Manhattan
New York, September 2008

“Africa is the fourth sculpture of the group, located to the far right of the main entrance of the building. The central figure is shown sleeping on a chair of rocks. She is half nude, with fabric draped across her lower body. One elbow rests on the head of a lion, while the other rests on a crumbling sphinx. Her hair is in a long braid, falling over her shoulder. Behind her is another figure, almost completely covered in a long, flowing cloak. Only the figure's eyes are visible, and it is not possible to tell whether it is a man or a woman. The hand of this figure rests on a large jar.” (The Four Continents, New York City Public Art Curriculum)

See also: Asia - America - Europe (The Four Continents)

Rue de Sèze

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Légionnaires of the French Foreign Legion after the Bastille Day Parade
Rue de Sèze
Quartier de la Chaussée-d'Antin, 9th arrondissement
Paris, July 2009

San Moisè

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Church of San Moisè (Saint Moses)
Salizada San Moise, San Marco
Venice, September 2012

“An old church from the 8th Century, later restored several times. The final façade was only built in 1668 to a design by Alessandro Tremignon, paid for by the Fini family. San Moisè has a magnificent Baroque style and its massive overloaded façade full of statues and busts. One is particularly obvious: the big bust by the sculptor Heinrich Meyring depicting Vincenzo Fini, placed on an obelisk above the portal. The nineteenth-century English writer and art critic John Ruskin described it as the most ungainly church in Venice.” (Venice ant its Lagoon, World Heritage)

Monsterkabinett

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Welcoming monster outside Monsterkabinett
Rosenthaler Straße
Berlin, September 2011

“Through an old dirty alley housing an independent cinema, in the remnants of the cheap East Berlin that once was, is the most nightmarish art display I have ever set eyes upon. Approaching the Monster Kabinett, I was first greeted by a hulking metal bird creature, slowly and creakily flapping its wings. A skinny man with a shaved head introduced himself as one of the artists in the Dead Pigeon collective, the robotic art group who created the Kabinett, and invited us to the upcoming tour. He directed us then to the promoter, a woman with her pants covered in bright coloured paints, hustling all passers-by to come see the museum. When the time had come, our small group went down the stone steps and into a dungeon of darkness.” (Monster Kabinett, Indieberlin.de / by Kevin Sexton)

Abercrombie & Fitch, London

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People in line (or in a queue) outside Abercrombie & Fitch
Burlington Gardens, Mayfair
London, October 2009

“This Burlington Gardens version of popular US fashion retailer Abercrombie & Fitch is the flagship store in the UK. You'll find ‘store models’ instead of shop assistants selling preppy all-American college clothes. From low-slung jeans to fashionable flip-flops, there's everything the casual dresser could wish for. A storm of publicity was generated by their half-naked models and sexed-up Bruce Weber ad campaigns. The pleasing eye candy in the store may help to bring in the punters but typically hiked up UK prices mean you may still find it cheaper to get a friend in the States to do the shopping for you.” (Abercrombie & Fitch, LondonTown)