Marco Polo: Man & Myth

I learned a LOT about the life and adventures of Marco Polo at the current Marco Polo: Man & Myth exhibition at Fernbank Museum of Natural History. I loved history in school, but my greatest focus was on Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt. 

Although...I've long been fascinated with Italy. I was almost stationed in Italy instead of Greece when I was in the Navy; that was my first choice, anyway. I'll make it there one day!

Fortunately, we have museums—learning centers for grownups as much as they are for kids—to reacquaint or enhance what we know about an incredibly wide range of subjects. If you haven't quite figured it out, I love museums!

Marco Polo: Man & Myth, Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Imagine my surprise...when exiting the exhibition, I ran into Marco Polo himself! In the spirit of childhood memories—having played many, many games of Marco Polo with my siblings and friends—I cartoon-ized our photo! 

Marco Polo: Man & Myth, Fernbank Museum of Natural History

The exhibition is filled with artifacts, placards, ceramics, maps, photographs, videos, and much more, and most importantly the stories that chronicle the life of one of the world's most famous adventurers.

Marco Polo: Man & Myth, Fernbank Museum of Natural History

One of the more surprising facts of Marco Polo's life that I learned was just how young he was when he left Venice for Asia. He was a teenager when he left Venice and of the many, many years he traveled, he lived in China for 17 years!

Marco Polo: Man & Myth, Fernbank Museum of Natural History

There will be some who are tempted to not read while exploring this exhibition—the artifacts are that fascinating, more than 80 of them! 

The artifacts indeed tell a story themselves, but not reading the placards in this exhibition would be like sleeping through half a movie and never having read the book—there's no way you'd get the full experience. Read!

Marco Polo: Man & Myth, Fernbank Museum of Natural History

It took four years for Marco Polo and fellow travelers to reach China. While their plans were to be in China for only a few years, they were away from home for more than 23 years, and many of those years Marco worked for famous leader Kublai Khan.

Marco Polo: Man & Myth, Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Marco impressed Kublai Khan so much that he was appointed to some fairly high positions, including tax inspector and even governor! From his time in Asia, Marco learned four languages.

Marco Polo: Man & Myth, Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Polo is credited with bringing quite a few spices back to Italy from along along the Silk Road. Unfortunately, on the four-year journey home, which started with hundreds and finished with less than two dozen people, three-fourths of the family's fortunate was stolen. They still had enough left over that they were fairly wealthy.

Marco Polo: Man & Myth, Fernbank Museum of Natural History

So, why is Marco Polo so famous? He's no the only one who ever traveled to Asia in that time period—he had family travel companions along, after all. What are their names? Most couldn't say without looking it up. Myself included.

Well, a short while after returning to Italy (side note: they'd been in Asia so long, they had to re-acclimate to their native tongue!), Marco Polo commanded a ship in a battle against the Italian city of Genoa. He was captured and spent years in a Genoese prison where he befriended a writer who eventually put the stories of Polo's travels to paper. 

The stories were later, after released from prison, published in a book titled The Description of the World, which was later renamed to the more familiar The Travels of Marco Polo.

One quick side note. Marco saw things that no one from Venice had ever seen...wondrous things! In his stories, he describes seeing a remarkable unicorn. Yes...a unicorn! There were skeptics, many who didn't believe Polo had ever traveled to Asia, but given his detailed accounts of the culture, many skeptics later changed their minds.

And the mythical unicorn that Polo saw was a...rhino! Oh, the things he saw...he must have been in a constant state of awe and wonderment!

Marco Polo: Man & Myth, Fernbank Museum of Natural History

This is one of my favorite vessels (pictured above) from the exhibition...the detail is remarkable! And we're only seeing a few inches here. I was rather impressed with the range of artifacts presented...from leather 'armor', to exquisite ceramics, to intricate silks...there's a lot to take in, so be sure to make ample time to explore.

Marco Polo: Man & Myth, Fernbank Museum of Natural History

I wonder what you'll remember most from Marco Polo: Man & Myth. I hope you'll share what that is. Just be sure to get to Fernbank Museum of Natural History before Sunday, January 5, 2014, when the exhibition comes to a close.

Oh, and yes, it's true, the above photo of Marco Polo and I...well, even with modern science being what it is, he'd look more like Dorian Gray's portrait than a 17 year old Italian merchant. That's me with a life-size cutout of Marco...a fun photo-op!

Now, head over to the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page for a few more photos from the exhibition, but remember, there are more than 80 artifacts and LOTS to learn in this fascinating presentation of a man who transcends not only myth, but time as well.

A Closer Look at Rhodes Hall

I wrote about Rhodes Hall shortly after I returned to Atlanta, back in September 2010, so I won't go into great detail about the available tours or event rental space, but I would like to go into some of the finer architectural and decor details of the mansion...

Rhodes Hall

When you visit—and definitely splurge for a behind-the-scenes tour—observe everything...look up and down and sideways. There's so much detail to take in here!

Rhodes Hall

The stained glass windows, which depict the story of the U.S. Civil War, have a considerable amount of detail...you could spend the entire day just gazing at the windows!

Rhodes Hall

Those stained glass windows frame one of the most beautiful stairwells I've ever seen. It's no wonder so many Atlanta brides choose Rhodes Hall as the perfect location for their wedding ceremony.

Rhodes Hall

Already possessing a rich history, Rhodes Hall continues to make memories that Atlantans will recall for centuries...what's your memory here going to be, I wonder?

Rhodes Hall

There are numerous fireplaces throughout the mansion...be sure to study each in great detail, because that's exactly what they offer—an immense amount of detail!

Rhodes Hall

And keep an eye out for the more subtle details. Looking at this photo, you wouldn't think this radiator is at all subtle, but there's so much going on in this house that any of the hundreds, if not thousands, of details could be easily overlooked...so keep your eyes peeled.

Rhodes Hall

Not everything in the house reeks of masculinity...there are some gorgeous feminine appointments as well.

Rhodes Hall

Remember, I said to look up. If you don't, you'll likely miss this kind of detail...actually all of the ceilings have very intricate details, details you definitely want to see!

Rhodes Hall

Even knowing that Rhodes was the man behind Rhodes Furniture, I think you'll still be blown away at the detail he put into his home. I probably shouldn't be surprised, but still...

Rhodes Hall

And of course the total package is something right out of Hollywood. You would never dream that while standing on Peachtree Street looking in this kind of beauty awaits you. And I guarantee everyone who ventures in for a tour of Rhodes Hall is destined to be pleasantly surprised.

Haddon Sundblom's Santa

Imagine your art being responsible for one of the most recognized people on the planet, via one of the most recognized brands on the planet! Haddon Sundblom was such a person. 

Through December 8, the Oglethorpe University Museum of Art brings us a glimpse of that marketing genius in the exhibition Haddon Sundblom: Santa Paintings. Conceived during The Great Depression, Sundblom gave us the Santa that so many around the world now know, love, and recognize today.

Oglethorpe University Museum of Art, Haddon Sundblom's Santa

Mass marketing had created many, many versions of Santa, but he was later more standardized by famous artists including Thomas Nast, J.C. Leyendecker, and Norman Rockwell. 

In 1931, The Coca-Cola Company contracted Sundblom to create a "Coca-Cola Santa" painting that would be used in their marketing materials, specifically to encourage consumers to drink Coca-Cola during the winter months. Up to that time, Coke was widely considered a summer drink. Now, there's a testament to how times have changed!

Sundblom created for The Coca-Cola Company at least one Santa painting every year through 1964! 

Oglethorpe University Museum of Art, Haddon Sundblom's Santa

I'd like to offer an enthusiastic "Thank you" to Oglethorpe for the show and to The Coca-Cola Company for contributing their works to this exhibition. What a wonderful opportunity to see such a remarkable and festive aspect of American culture and cherished history.

For the record, Sundblom used the popular Clement Clarke Moore poem T'was the Night Before Christmas as inspiration for this Santa paintings, a theme that remained constant throughout his time painting for the company.

Oglethorpe University Museum of Art, Haddon Sundblom's Santa

In the exhibition, with the many Coca-Cola Santa original paintings are ads based on those paintings. Actually, when I first ventured into Skylight Gallery, I didn't realize that what's what is on display—Sundblom's original paintings! What a wonderful surprise...they're magnificent!

Oglethorpe University Museum of Art, Haddon Sundblom's Santa

Although I'm of Native American (largest percentage), English, and Irish decent, my family followed the Hollander tradition of placing our shoes out on Christmas Eve. 

The familiarity to the actual tradition—placing shoes in the window, often with hay or carrots inside as a wishful trade for sweets—ended with the just the shoes. We placed ours under the tree and sure enough, that's where our individual gifts magically appeared the next morning--next to our shoes!

This visit to Oglethorpe was one time that I didn't at all mind seeing Christmas months and months before the actual holiday. 

Oglethorpe University Museum of Art, Haddon Sundblom's Santa

Haddon Sundblom: Santa Paintings is on display at Oglethorpe University Museum of Art through Sunday, December 8, along with two other prestige-caliber exhibitions. 

The other exhibitions are Victor Hugo: Selections from the Schlossberg Collection and Picasso, Braque & Léger: 20th Century Modern Masters, both also on display through December 8. More on the latter two later...

(Exhibition paintings are courtesy of The Coca-Cola Company)

Atlanta Greek Festival 2013

Opa! The 2013 Atlanta Greek Festival is this weekend...going on right now!

Atlanta Greek Festival, Dancers

I was fascinated with Ancient Greece even as a young child, and then had the wonderful opportunity to live in Greece for more than two years—when I was 19-21 years old—which was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. I was 19...how could it not be incredible?!

Atlanta Greek Festival, Cathedral

Since returning to the U.S., I've tried to attend the local Greek Festival wherever I lived, which translates into having visited the Atlanta Greek Festival many, many, many times. And it's been great fun every time! 

Atlanta Greek Festival, Cathedral

The Atlanta Greek Festival offers visitors quite a lot to see and do, including tours of The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation. It's one of the most beautiful cathedrals I've visited, and I've visited a lot!

The dome ceiling, pictured above, is 58 feet in diameter and the mosaic of Christ seated on a throne was created using approximately 3.5 million pieces of tile, each the size of a fingernail. It's beyond-words beautiful! The photo doesn't show the scale. If I remember correctly, it's about 100 feet high!

Atlanta Greek Festival, in the Cathedral

Cathedral tours are offered throughout the duration of the Festival and there are ample volunteers, presumably from the church, in the Cathedral lobby to answer questions. It's really one of the best-staffed tours I've been on. All are knowledgeable and quite friendly.

Atlanta Greek Festival, in the Cathedral

Photographs are allowed in the Cathedral during the Festival, just be sure to be respectful of the person leading the tour, as well as respectful of the fact that this is a place of worship. 

Speaking of which, the church serves more than 1,000 families in the Atlanta area. And the Cathedral has a seating capacity of 600 and standing room for another 400...it's certainly substantial.

Atlanta Greek Festival, in the Cathedral

The complex, located on Clairmont Road off of Interstate 85, is substantial in itself. On the 20-acre tract of land are the Cathedral (construction completed 1965, consecrated 1970), a school, library, ballroom, youth center, gymnasium, and administrative offices, to name a few. It's a well-known landmark in the City of Atlanta, which has grown substantially during my years in Atlanta.

Atlanta Greek Festival, Lykion Ton Ellinidon Atlanta Chapter

This year, for the first time, is an exhibition—a "Cultural Room"—that showcases Greek heritage and contributions of Greeks in the United States. The exhibit is presented by Lykion Ton Ellinidon Atlanta Chapter, which was founded in 1995. The parent organization dating back to the early 20th Century. 

A lovely lady named Helen told Barry and me about the organization and shared with us a little about the artifacts on display and upcoming events.

Atlanta Greek Festival, Lykion Ton Ellinidon Atlanta Chapter

The exhibition has quite a few truly amazing and intricately fabricated traditional costumes. There's lots more to see, but I was so fascinated with the craftsmanship of the costumes that I didn't explore too deeply into the other aspects of the exhibit, but definitely will if I make it back this weekend.

By the way, the organization and the Cathedral are partnering to bring a screening of SMYRNA: The Destruction of a Cosmopolitan City 1900-1922 to the Cathedral on Thursday, November 7. 

There are a lot more Greek culture activities in Atlanta than you may realize. I encourage you to explore the opportunities.

Atlanta Greek Festival, Dancers

There's a lot going on at this Festival...including lots of dancing! Dancing, and dancing lessons, take place throughout the Festival. Be sure to pick up a program on your way in so you can plan to be at the performance stage when they begin. 

I guarantee you'll be clapping along with the dancers, or tapping your feet at the very least. 

Atlanta Greek Festival, Dancers

As I mentioned, there's a lot to do at this festival. The dancing, the shopping, the exhibit, the Cathedral tours, a children's section with colorful rides, music—lots of music, and an incredibly wide selection of pastries and food! 

And be sure to stop by the ice cream tent for a Baklava Sundae! I ate every bite of mine, barely able to resist the urge to lick the bowl! There are some things we just shouldn't do in public.

On the Festival food menus are: souvlaki (I almost always have one of these, if not two!), kapama, pastitsio, moussaka, gyro, Greek salad, Greek pizza, and LOTS of pastries and other sweets! Arrive hungry!

Atlanta Greek Festival, Dancers

Hands down, this is yet another fantastic Atlanta Greek Festival! Thank you and kudos to all the Festival organizers and volunteers...I know it's a LOT of work to put on an event of this size and duration. So, know that your work and commitment to bringing an exceptional experience to Atlanta and her tourists is greatly appreciated.

Σας ευχαριστώ!

Now, head over to the wanderlust ATLANTA Facebook Page for more photos...

Callanwolde

I recently visited Callanwolde Fine Arts Center...my first time there in approximately 20 years. It's more beautiful than I remembered!

Callanwolde Fine Arts Center

As a tourist, you might want to check out the tours, available every day except Sunday. The Callanwolde, 27,000 square foot Gothic-Tudor mansion completed in 1920, is the former home of the Charles Howard Candler family. Howard Candler, the oldest son of Asa Griggs Candler (founder of The Coca-Cola Company), was the President of The Coca-Cola Company from 1916 to 1923.

On the National Register of Historic Places, Callanwolde is definitely a tour that should be on your to-do list when visiting Atlanta. And then there's "Christmas at Callanwolde"...

Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change

The title alone, Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change, hints of the multiple layers of the Museum of Design Atlanta's (MODA) current exhibition, which features a collection of artifacts—furniture mostly—designed by noted Italian designers, as well as some international designers, and manufactured by residents of San Patrignano.

Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change | Spiros

I have many favorite pieces in this exhibition, one of them being "Spiros" by Paolo Nava. One of the first things you'll notice about the selections in Barrique is that they're all made from staves—the slats from up-cycled wine casks.

The various pieces in Barrique have been, as I understand it, designed by professional designers, but crafted by residents of San Patrignano. Carpentry is among the more than 50 professions residents may learn. Others include farming, baking, and graphic design, to name a few...all of which are potential future careers for the program participants.

Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change

Opening Night was beyond fantastic! The well-attended event included dignitaries and a resident of San Patrignano. Pictured above are a few of the distinguished guests. Left to right are Francesco Fadda, Coordinator of the American tour of Barrique; Angela della Costanza Turner, Honorary Consul of Italy; and Mike McKeaige, Barrique Project participant and resident of San Patrignano.

All were gracious hosts and Ms. Costanza Turner and MODA Executive Director Laura Flusche were presented with absolutely beautiful cased works of art. It was a great evening of learning about San Patrignano and mingling with other visitors.

Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change | Stave Table

The above "Stave Table" was designed by Giuliano Cappelletti. Which brings me to a confession. No, I did not take incredible notes nor am I relying on my memory to know the artifact names and designers' names. Each ticketed visitors received an exhibition catalog—a rare treat, regardless of the museum. "Thank you, MODA," for the catalog and such an amazing exhibition.

One of the more fascinating aspects of this exhibition, at least to me, is that the shipping crates are the displays! Even the posters and panels with each piece are attached to the inside walls of the crates are part of the display. That in itself is brilliant design!

Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change | Arche

"Arche" is a bench designed by Daniel Libeskind. One of the fascinating aspects of this piece is that you can still see sparkling sugar crystallization on the interior side of the staves. 

There's a note on the first page inside the catalog that I'd like to share here:

"We would like to dedicate all the 'moments of growth'

which led to the creation of these beautiful objects

to all the young people of San Patrignano,

to all those living there now and all those who will.

Because only those who have the strength to rise up again

and the courage to change, will be able

to make their dreams come true."

Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change | Instabila

I find myself emotionally touched by what's being done at San Patrignano. And I'm touched that Atlanta has done such a fine job of presenting Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change, the MODA exhibition of The Barrique Project, at its final destination on this American tour. 

It was noted during Opening Night remarks that Atlanta has given the best and most remarkable attention to the exhibition, particularly with all the accompanying programming. You've heard me say it before—this is an area where MODA excels! They 'get it' when it comes to creating community and I'm proud of MODA for celebrating the San Patrignano community.

Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change | DOC

The beautiful DOC Chaise Lounge pictured above was designed by Marc Sadler. You'll notice the inclusion of fine leather. In this case, the leather is by Poltrona Frau.

The artifacts in the exhibition range from chairs and tables to a baby bassinets and a bicycle...38 designers worked on this show!

Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change | The Atlanta Opera

On Opening Night, The Atlanta Opera performed at MODA. They've performed there before, but given 2013 is "The Year of Italian Culture in the United States," it was a little more special this time.

As part of the Year-of, The Atlanta Opera is performing Tosca in early October at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center. If you've not heard the Opera or been to the Cobb Energy Center, treat yourself...they're both quite fantastic!

Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change | Panca San Patrignano

Luca Scacchetti designed "Panca San Patrignano", a beautiful bench you'll see in Gallery 3. There are approximately 35 pieces on display in the exhibition, each fascinating in its own right. 

The Barrique, A Third Life of Wood roadshow has shared with the United States since May of this year the values of "beauty, know-how, taste, regard for local communities and for the environment, and also solidarity." And a fine job they're doing of it here in Atlanta.

Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change | "Look" Lamp

The "Look" Lamp is one of two pieces in Barrique by designer Elio Fiorucci. And yes, it's an actual lamp...there's an LED light in the lower stave and the lamp can be placed on a table or wall-mounted.

I'm told that at the end of the exhibition's tour, there will be an auction in New York City, which was great news for the quite a few visitors who asked if the works are for sale. 

There are far too many layers to this exhibition to go into here, but one that I would like to point out is sustainability. The wine casks used in this exhibition, and in the training program at San Patrignano, are up-cycled when they've completed their three years of use for aging wine...thus the "third life of wood" that I mentioned earlier.

Barrique: Wine, Design & Social Change

Also in attendance Opening Night were, left to right in the above photo, Matteo Origoni,architect of the Barrique Project; Max Salmi, Marketing Operations Manager at SCM Group USA; and Mike McKeaige, Barrique Project participant and resident of San Patrignano. 

Getting to hear a first-hand account of what San Patrignano does—from Mike McKeaige—really brought home the life-saving and life-changing mission and results of the program. The program, which is totally free to participants, currently is home to 1,300 participants. The program, founded in 1978, has a high success rate with more than 72% achieving full recovery.

The exhibition is brilliant, moving, touching, and inspiring. I hope you have a chance to see it during its short time here...through Sunday, October 13.

One last thing, I have to draw attention to how fortunate we are to have exhibitions like this here in Atlanta. Whether visiting Atlanta from a nearby town, from the other side of the planet, or from just down the street, museums like the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) are good for us and good to us. Consider me grateful for seeing things and meeting people that I would not have the opportunity to otherwise. Keep up the great job, MODA!

Atlanta's Tallest Downtown Skyscraper

I've noted my love of architecture before and that I will feature architecture here on wanderlust ATLANTA because as a tourist, I frequently find myself fascinated with a city's architecture. 

One of the skyscrapers in Atlanta's skyline that captures my imagination is SunTrust Plaza, the tallest skyscraper in downtown Atlanta. Atlanta's tallest building is the nearby Bank of America Plaza, but she's in Midtown, thus SunTrust Plaza's claim as the tallest in downtown Atlanta, at 871 feet tall (902 feet tall with antenna spire), with 60 stories.

SunTrust Plaza, Atlanta's Tallest Downtown Skyscraper

My love of architecture combined with my love of the camera has given me some unique views of buildings around the world.

This particular shot was made from the balcony of a friend's penthouse home in nearby Museum Tower.Being that high up, makes for some beautiful photo ops, which I sometimes am so engrossed in the beauty before me, that I forget to break out the camera—not necessarily a bad thing.

Follow the links within to learn more about SunTrust Plaza and when you visit Downtown Atlanta, be sure to enjoy all the artwork surrounding SunTrust Plaza, much of it designed by renowned architect, and architect of SunTrust Plaza, John Portman.