Arts, Crafts And Entertainment

History

The earliest known structure on the site was the Convent of Santa Isabel, whose church was built in 1680. However, significant Aztec finds, such as a sacrificial altar in the shape of a plumed serpent have been found here. The convent area suffered frequent flooding during the early colonial period and development here grew slowly. In spite of this, the convent remained until it was forcibly closed in the 1860s by the Reform Laws. It was replaced by a textile mill and lower-class housing.

Facade of the Palacio

A section of this housing, on Santa Isabel Alley, was torn down and replaced by the National Theater in the latter 19th century. During the late 19th century and very early 20th, this theatre was the site of most of Mexico City high culture, presenting events such as theatre, operettas, Viennese dance and more. It was then decided to replace this building with a more opulent one for the upcoming Centennial of Mexican Independence celebrations in 1910. The old theatre was demolished in 1901, and the new theatre would be called the Gran Teatro de pera. The work was awarded to Italian architect Adamo Boari, who favored neoclassical and art nouveau styles and who is responsible for the Palacio del Correo which is across the street. Adamo Boari promised in October of 1904 to build grand metallic structure, which at that time only existed in the United States, but not to this size. The first stone of the building was place by Porfirio Daz in 1904. Despite the 1910 deadline, by 1913, the building was hardly begun with only a basic shell. One reason for this is that the project became more complicated than anticipated as the heavy building sank into the soft spongy subsoil. The other reason was the political and economic instability that would lead to the Mexican Revolution. Full hostilities suspended construction of the palace completely and Adamo Boari returned to Italy.

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In the late 18th and 19th centuries, there was a hearkening back to the ancients, more specifically the Greeks and the Romans, in the fields of literature, the fine arts, architecture and the decorative arts. Thus was born the neoclassical age. Inspired and influenced by classical art, there was a surge to recreate its ideals and make people aware of the great body of work left to the world by the ancients. What the neo-classicists did was to draw inspiration from the past. They created a new format, but preserved classical ideals. Reason was their watchword.

Neoclassicism was an 'uprising' against the Rococo style, characterized by its elaborate ornamentation and the Baroque, with its excessive decoration. Restraint and regularity of form as embodied by the classicists is what the neo-classicists laid emphasis on in the architectural and visual art fields. These characteristics were incorporated into new 'arrangements'.

Neoclassical leanings were evident during the French Revolution, as also the American War of Independence. The Byzantine influence was apparent in the neo-classic style of certain countries. In the 19th century, several European and American buildings were constructed in the elaborately imposing classical mode. The Lincoln Memorial, a white marble edifice and the National Gallery of art are fine examples of the neo-classic style.

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Asheville, North Carolina is fast becoming known as one of the hottest cities in the United States for established professional artists and new, up-and-coming artists working in every medium imaginable. Situated in the mountains of Western North Carolina, Asheville boasts one of the vibrant creative communities in the South East United States and the world. The quaint downtown area is filled with galleries, museums and boutiques filled with the arts and crafts of the eclectic local creative community. A walking tour of the beautiful Art Deco style architecture and rich artistic history leaves one feeling refreshed and inspired by the many wonders of the human artistic mind.

The newly revitalized River Arts District on the French Broad River has an incredible concentration of studios and galleries. Artistically crafted homes dot the landscape and neighborhoods designed around progressive, green building theories thrive on all sides of the area. Cafés and pubs, including a craft brewery have popped up in the River Arts District of Asheville, making this a destination for travelers and tourists looking to find cutting edge artistic flavor. A mixture of artistic sensibilities prevail, combining the graffiti covered urban landscape of the old parts of the district with the new, eclectic art community.

Asheville's neighboring towns such as Black Mountain and Weaverville add to the strength of this area, supporting even more artists and crafters of every kind. Studio strolls and art walks are a regular fixture of the creative events and the artisans tend to be open, welcoming and friendly in these little mountain towns. The area of Appalachia where Asheville is situated has a long and famous history for folk art and craft, boasting some of the finest schools in the country for such pursuits.

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Have you ever played one too many computer game or watched one too many old rerun?  You just can't get into another mystery and you just feel flat?  Maybe you are suffering from boredom, that familiar accomaniment to our automated, precooked lifestyles.  If so, you need to check out these hobby ideas.  Hobbies have been found to be therapeutic as they relieve stress and get the mind active.  In this article, you'll find hobby ideas for every sort of person, from the intellectual to the athlete, from the homemaker to the attorney.

Many times we are bored because we have become too inactive.  If this is your problem, you might like a sports hobby.  Have you ever tried tennis?  How about golf?  Many people simply love bowling until it becomes an important part of their lives.  Sports hobbies get you out of the house and often are a way to make friends with others.  Then again, some active hobbies can be enjoyed in our own homes, such as weight lifting and doing aerobic dance to a video.

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No visit to New York would be complete without a visit to Rockefeller Center. Located in midtown Manhattan at 50th Street, the complex spans 5th and 7th Avenues, is easily accessible from anywhere in the city and contains many more sights than the average New Yorker is aware!

Rockefeller Center is synonymous with the notorious industrialist and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller who became America's first billionaire. Built largely after the stock market crash of 1929, the project was the largest private building project ever undertaken during modern times and was finished in the art deco style of the times.

Making up Rockefeller Center are Radio City Music Hall, The GE Building and many works of art. Radio City is of course the place to go during Christmas time to see the Rockettes and was originally intended for variety entertainment but films proved more popular and Radio City became a movie theatre - the biggest of its time. Many big award shows have taken place in the huge hall including the Daytime Emmy Awards and the Grammys. It is recommended that visitors book tickets well before their trip if they intend to see a show there.

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