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ARTZUID 2025

Der Vogel (bird), Armando, 2012, bronze ARTZUID, the Amsterdam Sculpture Biennale is celebrating its 9th season. I’ve been lucky to have attended the last three outdoor exhibitions in 2021, 2023 and now, 2025. The sculptures are on display in Amsterdam Zuid particularly in the neighborhoods of Apollolaan and Minervalaan where towering trees form the backdrop for the seventy sculptural pieces by established international artists as well as Dutch artists. This year’s edition includes works by Jaume Plensa, Nelson Carrilho and Jean Marie Appriou. The sculptural pieces in the free outdoor exhibition are thought provoking, engaging and fun as you’ll see from the images I’ve posted here. Artzuid 2025 runs through September 21, 2025.  Yolandita, Jaume Plensa, 2024, bronze Inhebantu from the Kuchu Eastern Busoga Kingdom, Leilah Babirye, 2023-2024 glazed ceramic, wire, bicycle tire inner tubes and found objects The Ones XI, Mickey Hoogendijk, 2024, bronze Horizons, Jean Marie Appriou, 2023,...
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Cool Georgian Bites

Khinkali Khinkali is a soup dumpling that resembles a lot like what you order at a Chinese restaurants but much bigger in size. The way to savor this dish is to hold the top handle, perforate the flour wrapper a little bit and drink the soup before eating the dumpling. These khinkali are from Pasanauri in nothern Georgia. Pasanauri is widely known to have the best khinkali in the region, if not the country. Trivia: khinkali is supposed to ease a hangover.  Khachapuri Megruli (cheese pie) There are several kinds of Khachapuri. The one we see most often in social media is the Acharuli which is boat shaped and has a raw egg in the center. There are also Imeruli with cheese on the inside and Shampurze which is on a metal skewer. Breads of Georgia This bakery is in the Old Town off of Kote Afkhazi Street. In addition to selling a varied selection of local breads, they also offer hamburger, pizza and hotdog. Badrijai Nigvzit - Eggplant with walnut paste and pomegranate Grilled Dorade Thi...

The History and Architecture of Garni Temple

  The Garni Temple was built in the first century AD, during the reign of King Tiridates I of Armenia. It is believed to have been dedicated to the pagan god Mihr (Mithra), who is associated with fire . Other scholars suggest that Garni was built as a tomb or mausoleum. One of the theories advanced by some scholars is that a pagan temple could not have survived after Armenia became a Christian state in the fourth century AD.  The elegance  of Garni Temple comes from the fusion of architectural styles and building materials of these three cultures, Hellenistic, Roman and Armenian. Twenty-four Ionic columns are inspired by classical Greek architecture. The structure incorporates arches and vaults which are of Roman origin. The temple is built with local basalt stone which was carved and fitted together without using mortar. The second important element of this Temple is its location. It sits on a promontory above Garni Gorge with views of surrounding mountains. A symbiosis ...

Cafesjian Center for the Arts, Yerevan

Foreigners, Zadik Zadikian, Gold leaf from Return , the first exhibition of Zadikian’s work in his home country The Cascade Complex of Yerevan is undeniably one of the most iconic landmarks of the city. With its terraced gardens and fountains, it is a sight to behold as it ascends to the top of the hill where you’ll find incomparable views of the city and Mount Ararat on a clear day. You can climb up 572 steps to the top or you can take an escalator inside the building and enjoy the modern and contemporary art collection of Gerard L. Cafesjian who gave $120 million towards the renovation and completion of the Cascade. This complex is a triple treat: indoor galleries with a stunning art collection, outdoor terraced gardens and fountains with sculptural pieces and the tree-lined sculpture garden. And there is no entrance fee. Make that a quadruple treat! Foreigners (entirety) Cause and Effect, Do-Ho Suh, South Korea, 2007 acrylic, resin, aluminum, stainless steel Pegasus, Manuel Marin, S...