Jammin my views on art, travel, worldviews ect.

We try to understand, but is that really necessary to become sympathetic or empathetic to one's pain? This is the theme that underscored the recent documentary Self-portrait, based on the life story of the renowned photographer Lena Marie Fossen, who struggled with the eating disorder anorexia nervosa. Lena’s anorexia began at 10 years old, when she decided that she wanted to remain a child and not grow up, why she came to this conclusion was never addressed in the documentary. I think to some extent all of us are nostalgic to our childhood, a time of innocence, being carefree, being protected and no worries at all, perhaps in some way she wanted to hold onto this time. However, her decision to remain a child spiralled into 23 years of struggle with the disease and mental illness anorexia nervosa. As you see her child-like frame speak to the camera, you see in the same moment someone so strong but at the same time so desperately weak. Her thoughts are conflicted, a...

The  Gulliver Airship (DOX) I am pleased to have been given the opportunity to visit the Dox Museum yesterday and not only did I experience VR(Virtual Reality) but also VR in 360 degrees. The museum itself is interesting as it’s architecture aims at people getting lost, there are even signs :-) which say “You first need to get lost to find yourself”. I can say that it is the first museum I have ever been so disoriented, even after being given directions twice :-), I guess this is a part of the fun and experience. The first VR experience I had was watching the Dark World, which focused on how the worms survive and thrive in the gold mines of South Africa. The second experience was watching the short documentaries with the VR 360. The short documentaries focus on the theme “No Man’s Land” the first highlights the border crossing in Cyprus, and that people do not visit the entire island of Cyprus because of the border crossing that divide...

Hi, take a look at Vysehrad at night, if you a visiting Prague, go for walk during the night at Vysehrad, it is simply breath-taking and not many people around ( perfect for a couple’s date :-) ).

About to enter the Rijksmuseum :-) What an amazing experience! If you plan on visiting the Rijksmuseum, prepare to see many paintings, artefacts from centuries ago, and also prepare to spend 4 -5 hours :-). As with most museums in Amsterdam, you are able to book your tickets online. I wanted to experience this museum on my last day in Amsterdam, and I am so grateful I did. Per recommendation, I began my tour on the second floor, which had Rembrandt paintings from the 1600s. As I saw the photos I came across several interesting facts, people of those times thought that tobacco was healthy and that they had unique cups where they played interesting games (the Dutch as in many European cultures, like to drink :-) ). Another thing I noticed was that many paintings were influenced by biblical stories, such as the story of “Adam and Eve”.  Drinking games cups The museum also focuses on the colonial times of the Dutch. I learned the sad truth of how the Dutch would...

Cimon and Pero (Roman Charity), Peter Paul Rubens, 1630 - 1640 Visiting the Rijksmuseum, this is the picture that stood out most to me. As I sat there I wondered to myself what could be the story behind this old man sucking on a woman’s breast. The breast of a woman is normally so sexualized, but as I was to find out later that her breast represented nourishment and saving a life. The story goes as follows, Cimon, the old man, is condemned to death by hunger, I am not sure what actions of his resulted in this punishment, however, he is sentenced to death by starvation. Not wanting to see her father suffer, his daughter chooses to secretly breastfeed her father each day as she visits him, so as not to let him die. When she is caught by the guards, and put to the courts, her father is set free because of her dutifulness as a daughter and the love she has bestowed on her father. This story is touching to be as it reflects the bond between a father and a child. Not...

The celebrated VanGogh, I have heard of this famous artist for many years, and to have the opportunity to visit  Amsterdam and to see his works, was a privilege in and of itself. The museum is beautifully laid out and even though the average time spent is 1,5 hrs, I could easily spend 4 to 5 hours trapped in time, looking at his thick strokes and seeing his message form with each line. Van Gogh, grew up in a time when Amsterdam was bustling with artists, to make yourself stand out, most artists committed to a specific genre of art, from painting only portraits, still life, to painting cheese ( Amsterdam is known for its cheese :-) ). For Van Gogh, he started out painting self-portraits, particularly because he could not afford models. Van Gogh self-portraits All of his self-portraits had different features, and probably they were indicative of what he was feeling at the time. Interesting for me was how he named his paintings, and the Dutch straightforwardness exemplifi...

Being in Amsterdam, I could not miss out on the opportunity to visit the Anne Frank House. Though knowing that it would bring some sadness, it was important to know about the world’s history, so as to be an agent of change for the future and not be a part of the problem.  The beauty of visiting the Anne Frank house is that you book your tickets online, as such there is no waiting time. I arrived an hour early, however, being alone I was permitted to enter the museum early. This was a surprise for me and was happy that the attendants were pleasant and allowed me entry. As I entered the museum, no photos were allowed and I respectfully obliged. The first thing that caught my attention was a large photo of Anne Frank, the youthfulness of the photo and the child-like innocence was only a mask to the darkness of what her family would have to endure. The story is told that the Franks had settled from Germany in Amsterdam as the war had begun. They opened a business...