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Early spring is the time of year when the art scene in New York City is given over to all things Asian. Dealers, curators, academics, and collectors from all over the world descend to attend this focus on Asian arts — New York Asia Week.

Traditionally, the art fairs, gallery exhibitions, and symposia during New York Asia Week revolved around ancient and dynastic period pieces. But because of the drastic reduction in available pieces from those eras due to increasing market demand, as well as questions of cultural patrimony and provenance, New York Asia Week has expanded its scope. The material on view now includes artwork from less traditional regions and more of a focus on contemporary Asian art. The timing for this shift couldn't be better, as the interest in and market for contemporary Asian work is experiencing a well-publicized explosion worldwide.

Below you'll find information about the two major fairs taking place during New York Asia Week. Be sure to check local gallery listings as well for special Asia Week exhibitions that tie in to the fairs. The New Yorker is a great source for comprehensive information regarding current gallery exhibitions.

New York Arts of Pacific Asia Show
Gramercy Park Armory
Lexington Avenue at 26th Street
March 22 – 25, 2007

• Opening Night: Wednesday, March 21, 6 to 9 p.m. (Ticket Info)

This show, founded in 1995, is the oldest Asian art and antique show in New York. The quality and quantity of materials displayed, as well as the variety of representation from various regions of Pacific Asia, is staggering. You'll find everything from Chinese dynastic ceramics and Japanese wood block prints to Tibetan rugs and Korean Choson erotic art. The regions represented include China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Tibet, Nepal, and more. If you have even a passing curiosity about historic Asian artistic traditions, you'll find this show fascinating.

The International Asian Art Fair
The Seventh Regiment Armory
Park Avenue at 67th Street
March 23 – 28, 2007

• Benefit Preview Opening for Asia Society: Thursday, March 22, 6 to 9 p.m.

The International Asian Art Fair covers traditional areas of Asian arts as well as more contemporary and non-traditional work. Listed below are a few not-to-be-missed galleries exhibiting at the show:

Douglas Dawson Gallery
Chicago

Goedhuis Contemporary
New York City, London, and Beijing

Sundaram Tagore Gallery
New York City

Tai Gallery/Textile Arts
Santa Fe, New Mexico

Per Se
Time Warner Center
10 Columbus Circle at 60th Street
4th Floor
New York, NY 10019
              212.823.9335       

Per Se became instantly famous because of the following that Chef/Owner Thomas Keller has generated with the success of his other restaurant, The French Laundry in Napa Valley. The innovative French-inspired menu at Per Se changes daily and consists of three prix-fixe selections: a seven-course menu, a nine-course tasting of seasonal vegetables, and a nine-course chef's tasting menu, all served within an intimate and refined space. Reservations required well in advance!

Buddakan New York
75 9th Avenue New York, NY 10011
              212.989.6699       

Not yet a year old, Buddakan is a stunning addition to the hot Chelsea Market area on lower 9th and 10th Avenues. The interior, designed by Christian Liagre, is a dazzling and enormous 17,000 square feet. Like its sister restaurant in Philadelphia, the inventive menu has a Chinese emphasis, combining Cantonese, Shanghai, and American influences.

SIMON L.A.

Located in the newly renovated Sofitel Los Angeles, SIMON L.A. is a welcome addition to L.A’s local dining scene—not to mention right across the street form Club Monaco’s Beverly Center Store. As the brainchild of celebrity chef Kerry Simon and nightlife guru Rande Gerber (who recently opened a STONE ROSE Lounge at the hotel as well), this establishment offers guests an unparalleled dining and nightlife experience. Their menu is equipped with a well-executed selection of steaks and American comfort food — heirloom tomato salads, lobster rolls, mac ’n’ cheese, astonishingly good hamburgers and beachy seafood. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, SIMON L.A. is a sure crowd and palate pleaser for the most discerning of diners.

www.sofitella.com/sofitel.htm

Café Cluny

This new West Village corner bistro is the latest from Lynn Wagenknecht, Judi Wong, and Steven Abramowitz — the team behind The Odeon and Cafe Luxembourg. Both its charming character and interesting food make Café Cluny a great addition to the village restaurant scene.  Its interesting décor of bird dioramas, bathroom wallpaper and portraits sketched by a Central Park artist give it a quirky personality that sets it apart from its West Village neighbors. On top of that the food is delicious. From the beet salad with figs and goat cheese to the hanger steak and short ribs with foie gras,  their French inspired menu is full of flavor and sure to please your discerning palette.

Café Cluny, 284 West 12th Street, New York, NY 10014.
              212.255.6900       

newyork.citysearch.com

紐約不吃不可：嚴選特色餐館70家     作者：鄭麗園

一客US$99的松露鵝肝豪華漢堡；
四位慾女最愛的特調酒Bellinis；
一片才入口便融化於舌尖，值得你等上15分鐘的生魚片；
讓哈利與莎莉一見鍾情的猶太裸麥三明治Pastrami；
一家沒有店招、只認門牌的酒館，內有躲警察專用的假書架門；
湯姆．克魯斯也無從抗拒的巨無霸冷凍熱巧克力冰淇淋；
一份讓人甘心超時等待的法式brunch；
因黑手黨老大在店門遇刺而聲名大噪的牛排館；
一份索費千元美金的頂級魚子蛋餅；
坐擁中央公園浪漫美景的時尚法日餐館；
一塊讓珊曼莎自願當一天代班保母的布朗尼蛋糕；
名滿天下的料理鐵人現場督軍坐鎮的餐館；
當紅雙胞胎少女明星Mary-Kate及Ashley Olsen最愛逗留的小茶館……

《如果我們的語言是威士忌》

我們的語言終究還是語言，我們住在只有語言的世界。我們只能把一切事物，轉換成某種清醒的東西來述說，只能活在那限定性中。不過也有例外，在僅有的幸福瞬間，我們的語言真的可以變成威士忌。而且我們──至少我是說我──總是夢想著那樣的瞬間而活著。夢想著如果我們的語言是威士忌，該多好。

這是一本主題旅行寫作，結合村上春樹的文字與夫人村上陽子的攝影，背景是全球最好的小麥釀威士忌家鄉：愛爾蘭。夫妻第一遭合作，當然引來好奇，尤其夫妻倆人不但造訪愛爾蘭的酒廠，更循著二十世紀頭牌小說家、寫作《尤里西斯》的喬伊斯故鄉，有所著墨。

《如果我們的語言是威士忌》，這是一本村上漫遊蘇格蘭和愛爾蘭的旅行紀事，村上偕夫人去這兩個地方的主題很簡單也夠清楚，就是「威士忌」。到蘇格蘭的艾雷島享受天下一品的 single malt 單一麥芽威士忌；到愛爾蘭鄉間具「尤利西斯」式深度的酒吧細細品味 Tullamore Dew，然後回國後，村上用文字搭配妻子所拍攝的照片，就這樣，難得一見的村上春樹為文，村上陽子攝影的作品集就此誕生。

村上春樹語：「如果我們的語言是威士忌，當然，應該就不必這麼辛苦了。我只要默默伸出酒杯，你接下來靜靜送進喉嚨裡，事情就完成了。非常簡單，非常親密，也非常正確。」

What We Talk About When We Talk About Love

「我覺得我們只是愛情的新手而已。

你們知道我現在說的那種愛吧，肉體的愛，那種吸引你接近某人的衝動，愛上另外一個人，不論是男的女的都一樣。肉慾的愛，你可以說它是多愁善感的愛，就是對另一個人日復一日的關懷。

你們認識彼此之前也可能愛過別人，就像我們一樣，你知道什麼事很可怕嗎？當然這也可能算是好事，那就是我們之中有一個人萬一發生了什麼事──很抱歉我要這麼說──如果明天我們其中一個發生了什麼事，我覺得活下來的那個人會悲傷一陣子，嗯，但他最後還是會繼續戀愛，很快就會找到別人。這所有的一切，我們談的這所有東西，都只是一種回憶，說不定連回憶都談不上。

我說錯了嗎？我有神智不清嗎？如果你們覺得我說錯了，你們要糾正我。我是說，我什麼都不知道，而我是第一個承認這件事的人。」

 --- Raymond Carver  

Miami is now one of the hottest art travel destinations on the international art fair circuit. This is partly due to the phenomenal energy Art Basel Miami Beach and its satellite fairs have bestowed on the city's cultural front. All the hype surrounding its new found "cultural" status overlooks the fact that Miami's flavor comes in large part from its evolution into a Latin American city.

Following that trend, Merrill Lynch takes advantage of its Miami position as an important Latin American business, banking, and media center to showcase its participation in the Miami art scene with Merrill Lynch arteaméricas - The Latin American Art Fair. The show features artists representing nearly all regions of Latin America, as well as Latin-American ex-pats working in the United States and the Iberian Peninsula.

Merrill Lynch arteaméricas -
The Latin American Art Fair
Miami Beach Convention Center
Miami Beach, FL
March 16 - 18, 2007

Merrill Lynch arteaméricas is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year. The small show of approximately 50 galleries hosts exhibitors from 18 countries. This is truly the only show where one can garner a comprehensive overview of current trends in the Latin American contemporary art world.

Miami Art Museum
101 West Flagler Street
Miami, FL 33130
              305.375.3000       

LeWitt x 2
February 23 - June 3, 2007

Andy Warhol: Moving Pictures
March 2 - April 1, 2007

Bass Art Museum
2121 Park Avenue
(between 21st and 22nd Streets)
Miami Beach, FL 33139
              305.673.7530       

Five Fridas
Continuing through April 29, 2007
Five intimate paintings by Frida Kahlo from the National Heritage Museum of Mexico.

Loews Miami Beach Hotel
1601 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach, FL 33139
              305.604.1601       

The Loews Miami Beach Hotel is one of the many newly renovated South Beach properties. The hotel is ideally located at 16th Street and Collins, in the heart of South Beach. The hotel's luxurious amenities provide a tranquil retreat from the glitz of the strip, should you so desire. This is a full-service hotel with six restaurants (including Emeril's Miami Beach from the famed celebrity chef), a fantastic oceanfront pool, and direct beach access.

Creek 28
2727 Indian Creek Dr.
Miami Beach, FL 33140
              305.531.2727       

Creek 28 is located in the lush private courtyard of the Indian Creek Hotel. Specializing in Mediterranean-inspired dishes, Chef Kira Volz, formerly the executive chef at the famed Abbey Dining Room at The Abbey Hotel, mixes the culinary influences of Morocco, Greece, Turkey, Spain, Italy, southern France, Algeria, and Egypt to create a truly unique menu.

The Armory Show: The International Fair of New Art

Contemporary Art from 148 of the most important contemporary international galleries will be brought together once again for the ninth annual Armory Show exhibition.  Thirty galleries will be making their debut, including one from Transylvania and one from Cape Town.  While New York has always been home to many collectors, galleries, critics and artists, this event elevates New York City to be the true center of the international art world.  Over 50,000 collectors, critics, curators and art aficionados will be in attendance.

The Armory Show: The International Fair of New Art is on view from February 23rd – 26th at Pier 94 [12th Avenue at 55th Street], NYC.

 www.thearmoryshow.com

Picture credit: Credit: Video still from "Homo Sapiens Sapiens Complex" by Pipilotti Rist. Courtesy of the Artist, Hauser & Wirth Zurich London and Luhring Augustine, New York.

Comprising over 25 photographs from the Museum of Modern Art’s collection, New York at Night: Photographs from the Collection celebrates the great ongoing tradition of photography in and of New York. The exhibit features over twenty-five photographs depicting nightlife in The Big Apple, from the infamous skyline to Studio 54.  Featured artists include: Diane Arbus, Garry Winogrand, Lee Friedlander, and Alfred Stieglitz.

New York at Night: Photographs from the Collection can be seen at the Museum of Modern Art,  11 W. 53rd Street in New York until March 5, 2007. 

www.moma.org

The exhibition is on view from September 28, 2006 through January 28, 2007 at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City.  The exhibition will then travel to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (February 25 – May 28, 2007) and then the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis (June 17, 2007 – September 9, 2007).
www.whitney.org
http://www.sfmoma.org
www.walkerart.org

Roy Lichtenstein  (1923-1997)
Girl with Beach Ball III, 1977
Oil and Magna on canvas
80 x 66 in. (203.2 x 167.6 cm)
Robert and Jane Meyerhoff Modern Art Foundation, Inc.
© Estate of Roy Lichtenstein
Image © 2006 Board of Trustees, National Gallery of Art, Washington
Photograph by Edward Owen

Focus on Amsterdam

We take you to the "City of Canals — Amsterdam — in our second visit to The Netherlands this art season. Due to the city's explosive growth during the 17th Century, which is generally referred to as the Dutch Golden Age, Amsterdam has one of the largest historic centers in Europe. Its familiar architecture, art of the Dutch Renaissance Masters, and a reputation as a liberal and open-minded society all stem from that period in Amsterdam's history.

Today, Amsterdam is a thriving contemporary city with a growing influence on trends in cutting-edge art, architecture, and design.

Art Amsterdam May 9 – 13, 2007 Amsterdam RAI, Parkhal (Hall 8) Amsterdam The 23rd edition of Art Amsterdam showcases 120 Dutch and foreign galleries providing an overview of the latest in contemporary European art. This year’s focus will be an exhibit organized by the Dutch National Academy of Visual Arts, which features 20 young artists working in the international scene. Included with the price of admission is a free pass to all major museums in town, including The Stedelijk Museum. Museums   Hermitage Amsterdam Nieuwe Herengracht 14 Amsterdam +31 (0)20 530 8755 The historical links between Amsterdam and St. Petersburg for more than 300 years deemed Amsterdam an ideal location for a satellite of the State Hermitage Museum. The first phase of this museum opened in 2004 and the exhibition currently on view through September 16, 2007, is Persia, 30 centuries of art & culture. Rijksmuseum Jan Luijkenstraat 1 Amsterdam +31 (0)20 6747000 This museum is currently undergoing its first major renovation, with the opening of The New Rijksmuseum planned for the end of 2009. During the construction, the Philips Wing remains open with an exhibition culled from the permanent collection. Four Hundred Masterpieces highlights the Dutch Golden Age, with Rembrandt’s The Night Watch as the centerpiece for the exhibition. Hotels   Seven One Seven Prinsengracht 717 Amsterdam +31 (0)20 4270717 This charming hotel is located in the very heart of the old city. The property, built in the 17th century by a sugar baron, is classic Golden Age architecture. There are only eight suites, each uniquely decorated in themes relating to different composers, writers, and artists. Breakfast, mini-bar drinks, and afternoon tea are included in the price of the suite. The Grand | Amsterdam Oudezijds Voorburgwal 197 Amsterdam +31 (0) 20 555 3 111 Situated between two canals, the buildings of this five-star hotel have been at the heart of city life in Amsterdam for more than 600 years. Originally a convent, before becoming a royal residence, the meeting place for the Admiralty Board during the Golden Age, and later City Hall, the site opened its doors as The Grand Amsterdam Hotel in 1992. The service and amenities are pure opulence, certain to make you feel like royalty. Restaurants   Restaurant Altmann Amsteldijk 25 Amsterdam +31 (0)20 662 7777 Altmann is an elegant and spacious restaurant located on the Amstel river, a bit out of the city center. The menu offerings span the globe in flavors and presentation. This is a very popular place with the locals, so reservations are necessary. Bond Valeriusstraat 128b Amsterdam +31 (0) 20 676 4647 Yes, that Bond! The overall golden hue of the interior is both chic and relaxing, inspired by designs of Charles Eames and Frank Lloyd Wright, as well as the most luxurious hotel lobbies of the 1950s. But the food is not retro. The seasonal, updated French menu is overseen by two of Amsterdam’s best-known chefs. It’s a popular spot for both lunch and dinner, so please call ahead.

SPECIAL EDITION

Focus on Chicago

Art Travel Guide is pleased to provide our readers with a Special Edition about Chicago. Chicago is our hometown, therefore it is difficult to be unbiased, but Chicago is really one of the best cities in America. The city is the birthplace of modern architecture, with an unparalleled skyline which can be seen from our beautiful lakefront parks. The restaurant scene is legendary, with some of the top chefs in the country calling Chicago home. And of course, Chicago boasts one of the largest and most vibrant cultural communities anywhere. With dozens of museums, theaters, classical and contemporary music venues, dance groups, galleries, and public art sites, Chicago enjoys an embarrassment of riches.

In this Special Edition, we highlight a new citywide cultural arts event that takes place at the end of April, and encompasses a variety of what Chicago has to offer.

Art Chicago April 27 – 30, 2007 The Merchandise Mart, Chicago The anchor event for the week is Art Chicago, the modern and contemporary art fair. Many may be surprised to learn that Chicago is where America’s first international contemporary art fair took place more than 25 years ago. This is long before The Armory Show in New York or Art Basel Miami Beach. This annual spring event has gone through some ownership and name changes over the years. Now under the The Merchandise Mart’s stewardship, Art Chicago is poised to regain its important status on the international art fair circuit. This year the fair has many significant international galleries returning after long absences, which guarantees the opportunity to see and collect world-class art. The Art World is Flat Globalism-Crisis and Opportunity April 26 – 28, 2007 Jay Pritzker Pavilion Millennium Park, Chicago This first annual symposium taking place concurrently with Art Chicago endeavors to address a variety of issues surrounding the topics of economic and technological globalization and its effects on cultural production and diversity, as well as the environment and development. The symposium brings together a diverse group of experts in a variety of disciplines. Each program is open to the public, but pre-registration is required. Click here to register. Chicago's Celebration of Art, Antiques, & Culture     Artropolis April 26 – 30, 2007 The Merchandise Mart Artropolis is the name for a variety of events taking place alongside Art Chicago. These events include the following: The Merchandise Mart International Antiques Fair Spring Fair, April 27 – 30, 2007 The Merchandise Mart, Chicago This show of more than 100 top-tier international dealers of antiques and fine art is the most important antiques show in Chicago.   The Artist Project April 27 – 30, 2007 350 West Mart Center Lobby The Artist Project is a smaller, juried show of individual artists. The Intuit Show of Folk and Outsider Art April 27 – 30, 2007 The Merchandise Mart 8th Floor, North The dealers in this show focus on self-taught artists, outsider art, art brut, ethnographic art, non-traditional folk art, and visionary art. Bridge Art Fair April 26 – 30, 2007 350 West Mart Center, 12th Floor The Bridge Art Fair marks its second year of concurrence with Art Chicago. This show focuses on dealers that represent younger artists. There will be approximately 70 dealers from all over the country, with a few coming from abroad.

Focus on Germany

This is Art Travel Guide's third installment in our series about 2007 as a rare year in which several international art events take place concurrently in Europe. In this issue, our focus turns to Germany, as we spotlight documenta 12 in Kassel and skulptur projekte münster 07 in Muenster, which is about two hours northwest of Kassel. Plan on spending a couple days in both towns so you can immerse yourself in the local flavor along with the art to be displayed at these two important shows.

documenta 12 June 16 – September 23, 2007 Fridericianum Museum Kassel documenta has taken place every five years since 1955. This impressive compendium of current artistic trends was initially founded as a vehicle to reintroduce post-war Germany into the international contemporary cultural milieu. Each documenta exhibition has been directed by a different person, who develops the theme that frames the event. This year, curator Roger M. Buergel is the event's artistic director and art historian Ruth Noack is the curator.

Kurparkhotel Kassel Wilhelmshöher Alle 336 Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe +49 561 31 89 0
This charming small hotel near a scenic city park is ideally located for exploring the town of Kassel and the events surrounding documenta. Its four-star rating assures each guest the utmost luxury and service.
Mauritzhof Hotel Münster Eisenbahnstraße 17 Muenster +49 251 41 72 0
The Mauritzhof is a four-star boutique hotel in the heart of Münster. Perfectly situated for exploring the sculpture projects around town, you will find this modern gem a delight. The hotel also boasts a beautiful terrace that overlooks the Promenade, a car-free "green belt" that encircles the city's old town.

Zum Steinernen Schweinchen Konrad-Adenauer-Str. 117 Kassel +49 561 940 48 0
Despite its rather strange name, "The Stone Pig," this is by far one of the top restaurants in Kassel. The restaurant features sumptuous continental cuisine with a variety of prix-fix multi-course menus. Be sure to save room for dessert, as the offerings are exceptionally creative.
Hof zur Linde Handorfer Werseufer 1 Muenster-Handorf +49 251 32 75 0
Located in a lovely rural area just a short drive from the center of the city, Hof zur Linde is a beautiful, rustic guest house with a wonderful restaurant. The cuisine is not the more typical heavy German fare. The chef uses mainly local products with Westphalian touches, but the preparations are modern and light.

  Focus on Buenos Aires

Founded in the 16th century, Buenos Aires has a fascinating and turbulent history. Despite its ups and downs, the city has always been an important commercial and cultural hub in the Southern Hemisphere and remains so today. Argentina suffered a severe economic crisis at the turn of the 21st century, but is experiencing a remarkable recovery that has been underway for the last several years. This is a great time to see a great city in its ascendance, with everything one would expect in a modern world-class capital city — museums, music, shopping, beautiful city parks, and more. Of course, one can’t mention Buenos Aires without acknowledging its special contribution to dance and music — the Tango!

arteBA’07
May 18 – 22, 2007
La Rural, Buenos Aires

arteBA is the largest and most important contemporary art fair in South America. Now in its sixteenth year, the fair is international but with a particular focus on art produced in Latin America, as well as a heavy emphasis on Argentinean and Brazilian work. The show is located at La Rural, which is the main exposition facility in Buenos Aires. It is conveniently located in the upscale Palermo district in the heart of the city, close to many other cultural attractions.

Museo de Arte Latinoamerico de Buenos Aires
(Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires)
Avenida Figueroa Alcorta 3415
54.11.4808.6500

This museum, often referred to as Malba, is devoted to Latin American art dating from the early 20th century to the present day. Here one can find all of the most important Latin American artists of this period, such as Diego Rivera, Wilfredo Lam, Frida Kahlo, Fernando Botero, Roberto Matta, Liliana Porter, and many more. This museum also maintains an important film archive and attendant viewing series.

Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes(National Fine Arts Museum)
Avenida Libertador 1473
54.11.4803.0802

As the national fine arts museum for Argentina, this museum has been collecting art for more than 100 years. One can find important European, Argentinean, and Latin American works, including a renowned collection of 19th-century French paintings.

Faena Hotel + Universe
Martha Solotti 445
54.11.4010.9000

Philippe Starck designed this new hotel and Condé Nast Traveller recently named it one of the best hotels in the world. For Starck, the design
is surprisingly conventional, making use of the
traditional Argentinean red and gold color palette and opulent Rococo style. The hotel provides every guest with an assigned “Experience Manager,” who acts as a personal assistant and guide for the duration of the guest’s stay.

Torre Cristoforo Colombo
Fray Justo S.M. de Oro 2747
54.11.4778.4900

This hotel is located adjacent to La Rural exhibition grounds, allowing easy access to the fair. The
all-suite property features fully equipped apartments decorated in a luxurious Italian style.

Restó
Montevideo 938
54.11.4816.6711

Chef-owner María Barrutia studied with renowned chefs Ferran Adriá and Michel Bras. The restaurant is small and intimate, the menu is carefully chosen, and the food is unforgettable. Cash only, and advance reservations are essential.

Oviedo
Beruti 2602
54.11.4821.3741

This restaurant offers mainly traditional Argentinean dishes that reflect the melting pot of European nationalities that make Argentina unique. Oviedo has the standard offerings of beef dishes, but is best known for its fish and roast suckling pig.

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Focus on Venice

Toward the end of the 19th century, the once opulent and powerful Italian city of Venice had fallen on hard times. Venice’s Golden Age in the late Renaissance was dimmed by invasions, wars, and a loss of its economic influence. In 1895, by which time Venice had definitely lost its shine, local civic promoters founded the Venice Biennale to highlight the city’s rich cultural history. Their efforts met success, and today, the Biennale (by which it is informally referred) is among the most widely anticipated art expositions in the world.

Venice Biennale
June 10 – November 21, 2007
Giardini and Arsenale
Venice

The Venice Biennale started small and local, focusing only on Italian artists. In the decades since, it has grown into an international art extravaganza that showcases art from around the globe. It now encompasses the Giardini (where several national pavilions are located), the Arsenale (the ancient shipbuilding works), and many other venues in the city. The modern, multi-dimensional Biennale is a must-see for any art enthusiast.

Cornice Art Fair
June 7 – 10, 2007
Tronchetto Area
Venice

Cornice is Venice’s first-ever international contemporary art fair. Shrewdly taking advantage of the nearly universal attendance of the Biennale by museum curators, art critics, artists, and gallery owners, the Cornice Art Fair is ideally poised to mesh with the first days of the Biennale, as well as lead into Art Basel, which begins only a few days after Cornice folds. This new fair will surely make its mark and seems destined to become another preeminent “must-do” international art fair.

Room with a View

Hilton Molino Stucky
Giudecca 753
Venice
+39 041 522 1267

This hotel is housed in a former flour mill built in 1895. After sitting vacant for nearly a half century, Hilton took on a four-year commitment to preserve the historic facade and renovate the 13 buildings into a 380-room luxury hotel and residential complex. The Hilton Molino Stucky is the host hotel for the Cornice Art Fair.

Hotel Danieli Venice
Castello 4196
Venice
+39 041 522 6480

This famous hotel was originally built for the Dandolo Doge of Venice in the 14th century. Since the late 18th century, Hotel Danieli has hosted some of the most famous royals, politicians, and movie stars. There is not another hotel in Venice that more fully epitomizes Venetian luxury. The rooftop terrace is a great place to dine and enjoy the view of the Venice harbor.

Artful Dining

The Met at the Metropole Hotel
Riva degli Schiavoni 4149
Venice
+39 041 520 5044

The Met is one of only two Michelin-starred restaurants in Venice. The cuisine is high-end Italian and offers an excellent selection of the local seafood. The wine list is one of the best in Venice.

Restaurant Do Leoni at the Hotel Londra
Riva degli Schiavoni 4171
Venice
+39 041 520 0533

This fantastic spot overlooking the harbor is one of the best places for Italian nouvelle cuisine in the country. The restaurant makes its own breads, ice cream, and chocolates, and preparations of local squid are one of its specialties.

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Focus on Basel Every 10 years the world is treated to a confluence of art events and festivals that engulf Europe in a transnational pilgrimage. 2007 is one of those rare years in which four major European art events can be experienced together. The journey begins with the opening of the Venice Biennale, which Art Travel Guide featured in the last issue. The next stop is Basel, for the 38th annual edition of Art Basel and the concurrent fairs taking place around the Swiss city. Following Art Basel is Documenta 12 in Kassel, Germany, which occurs only once every five years and will be the focus of our next issue. Rarest of all is the nearby Skulptur Projekte in Münster, which is presented every 10 years. Once again this June, the beautiful ancient city of Basel hosts more than 400 of the world's most important art dealers during the spectacular Art Basel 2007. For a relatively small city, Basel is rich in cultural offerings. There are many top-tier museums that coordinate their exhibitions to add to the overall experience of visiting Basel during the Art Basel fair. Below you will find the main art events comprising Art Basel, listed along with a sampling of the exhibitions on view at local museums, as well as our suggestions on where to stay and dine while you enjoy the fair.

Art | 38 | Basel June 13 - 17, 2007 Halls 1 & 2, Messe Basel Basel
Bâlelatina Contemporary Art Fair June 13 - 17, 2007 Brasilea Kulturhaus Westquai 39, Dreiländereck Basel
Design Miami/Basel June 12 - 16, 2007 Venue TBA Basel
Liste 07 - The Young Art Fair in Basel June 12 - 17, 2007 Burgweg 15 Basel
VOLTAshow03 June 11 - 16, 2007 Ultra Brag Südquaistrasse 55 Basel

《財星》雜誌解讀全球排名第6網站
上期本刊介紹了台灣第一大社交網站無名小站，同一時間美國《財星》（Fortune）雜誌也刊登了美國第一大社交網MySpace的故事。安德生和德沃夫創造了MySpace，但是新聞集團購併MySpace一年之後，MySpace變了嗎？
本刊精選《財星》報導，帶你一睹這個全球排名第6網站的點滴……

《數位時代》編譯．撰文＝鍾沛君

今年四月，MySpace的創立者安德森（Tom Anderson，三十歲）一如往常地瀏覽MySpace.com，他在別的會員資料上看見名為kSolo的網路卡拉ＯＫ連結，愛唱歌的他馬上試唱了一首歌。第二天，他建議MySpace合夥人德沃夫（Chris DeWolfe，四十歲）看看這個網站。

德沃夫試用過後，兩人馬上請kSolo的創始人拉夫（Nimrod Lev）從紐約飛到洛杉磯來碰面。同時請新聞集團（News Corp.）的董事長柴寧（Peter Chernin）轉告執行總裁梅鐸（Rupert Murdoch）kSolo音樂網站一事。一周內，這個媒體巨擘就買下了kSolo，擴張了MySpace的版圖。

MySpace是一個文化現象，是一個單純的社交空間，主要使用者是青少年到二十多歲的年輕人，內容多為使用者個人資料、照片、音樂、影片、網誌與連結。截至八月為止，這裡有兩百二十萬個樂團、八千個喜劇演員、數千個電影人，以及一億個想成名的個人使用者。

點擊率最高卻也最受爭議

MySpace每天平均註冊人數是二十三萬人，其點擊率在一年前就超過了Google；每日瀏覽率高達十億次，僅次於Yahoo!。在目前數百個「社交型網站」中，MySpace占據了此類型網站總點擊率的八二％，但也是其中最傷風敗俗、最混亂的一個。

「成功的新興公司，通常都有一個靈魂人物，天生就了解使用者的需求，另外還要有一個眼光精準的聰明生意人，」去年初在MySpace投資一千五百萬美元的紅點創投楊卣銘（Geoff Yang）這麼說。安德森當然就是那個「靈魂人物」，他戴卡車帽、穿法蘭絨襯衫（不管多熱），個性直率。雖然最近他得去開會討論合夥與廣告事宜，他還是花很多時間和技術人員一起解決網站的問題或增加新功能。他晚上通常一個人在家上網，但他的網友卻多達一億人。

德沃夫的朋友人數則只有一百七十七個。他已婚，第一個孩子即將出世。這位生意人的想法比較圓滑謹慎，他有一頭蓬亂的灰髮，身材瘦長。雖然他自稱是工作狂（常常從早上九點半工作到晚上九點），但是周末時他還是會到海邊度假。他說：「我天生就不愛出鋒頭。」德沃夫和安德森（以及大部份的MySpace使用者）不一樣，他不太喜歡表達自己。

初期靠網友討論打出知名度

MySpace無為而治、反權威的特質來自於兩位創始人。德沃夫的父母是波特蘭的教師，但他抗拒家學淵源，在華盛頓大學學商，後來還進了南加大馬歇爾商學院。安德森有個企業家父親，但他卻在柏克萊主修英文與修辭學、玩樂團，最後去念電影學校。

這兩人在二○○○年認識，當時安德森還背負著學生貸款，要到資料儲存公司Xdrive應徵。德沃夫是當時錄取他的主管，從此兩人在工作上合作愉快。在Xdrive宣告破產之後，他們共同成立了一家網路行銷公司：Response Base，並在一年內用數百萬美元把公司賣給eUniverse，成為旗下一員。

二○○二年底，安德森決定賭一賭社交網站。他說服了德沃夫，因為德沃夫念南加大的時候，就寫過一份社群網站Sitegeist的經營計畫，拿到A-。當時教這門課的是威廉莫利斯經紀公司的主管布肯特（Paul Bricault），他對德沃夫Sitegeist的印象不深，「但我一學期只會給一個Ａ，所以那一定是一份很不錯的經營計畫。」（巧的是，MySpace現在是威廉莫利斯的客戶。）

他們的網站在二○○三年啟用，熱愛音樂的安德森和德沃夫邀請當地的樂團與俱樂部老闆來網站上發表文章，並允許其他使用者成為他們的「朋友」。這些樂團成了他們最佳的行銷工具，「這些有創意的人幫忙推廣了MySpace，因為他們用這網站做宣傳，」德沃夫還說：「大家喜歡談論音樂，所以樂團自然帶起了討論的氣氛。」一傳十、十傳百，去年夏天為止，已經有兩千萬人加入了MySpace。（MySpace的名字來自德沃夫先前買下的URL:myspace.com。）

梅鐸購併但不干涉經營

安德森和德沃夫都討厭規範，所以他們堅持網站的開放性，任何人都可以瀏覽、加入社群、發表文章，也因此一開始的經費籌措困難。安德森回想：「當時投資人都說『你們的網站不專業，怎麼能讓使用者控制網頁？醜死了』。」德沃夫表示，幾乎所有人都說：「使用者所產出的內容不會讓你們賺錢。」

但他們運氣不錯，二○○四年二月，eUniverse上任了一個認同社交網站的新總裁——羅森布拉特（Richard Rosenblatt）。他告訴安德森和德沃夫：「這是未來的趨勢。」他讓他們雇用高級技術人員、增設伺服器。即使eUniverse一季損失了四百萬，在這部份完全沒有盈餘，他還是從其他的獲利，挪出經費給MySpace，因為他覺得這兩個人是他見過最有創意的行銷人。

二○○五年六月，新聞集團前來敲門。梅鐸出價五億八千萬美元買下MySpace的母公司，使安德森和德沃夫陷入兩難。MySpace的母公司此時已改名為Intermix Media，需要資金來維持網站的蓬勃成長，但是又不想這個「反權威」的網站被權威統治。

最後他們還是屈服了。事實上，如果他們更有耐心，一定可以有更好的價錢。雖然他們很抗拒被別的企業買下，但梅鐸保證不會干涉網站的經營方式，德沃夫被說服，兩人決定留下擔任董事長與執行總裁。（公開資料指出，德沃夫和安德森在此次交易中獲得兩百九十萬美元，但他們在MySpace Ventures的股份也讓他們賺了好幾百萬美元，更別說新聞集團的優渥合約了。）

但安德森很快發現梅鐸還是有他的生意經。在購併數月後，新聞集團宣布要把MySpace從靠海邊的聖塔莫尼卡搬到比佛利山莊。安德森和德沃夫非常惶恐，安德森告訴柴寧他的未來發展目標，主張搬遷MySapce會破壞網站的慵懶特性。

走向商業化漸違背初衷

但最後他們還是搬進了Fox Interactive在比佛利山莊的辦公大樓，一個和聖塔莫尼卡截然不同，連想吃頓午餐都要走個老遠的大樓。但德沃夫並不討厭這裡，因為這讓他們體會到現實：他們不再擁有這個網站了。安德森說得更明白：「以前我要做什麼都可以，但現在要徵求更多人的同意，有預算、程序問題。我當然很痛苦，但這不算是阻力。」

然而有梅鐸當靠山，MySpace現在進行中的計畫多得令人吃驚。除了在英國、澳洲、法國設立國際網站外，還要在九個歐亞國家繼續開站。Google買下它的廣告權、建立MySpace音樂下載、開發撥打電話的VoIP功能、MySpace新聞網、運動網、時尚網、與eBay或Amazon合作電子商務等，甚至還打算出版雜誌。

德沃夫手上還有其他二十項發展計畫，而Fox Interactive Media還想要提升MySpace的影音儲存功能，想和YouTube與Yahoo!的Flickr一較高下。梅鐸在網際網路上的野心，使得新聞集團的股價在今年已經上漲了一八％。

然而這也讓MySpace的創始人有點尷尬。德沃夫堅決認為：「使用者才是這個網站的主宰。」MySpace成立的初衷就是要讓使用者有主導權、讓大眾文化能蓬勃發展、讓網友對網站有信賴感。但是德沃夫和安德森現在有新聞集團的財務目標壓力了，還要承擔維繫MySpace廣告主的重擔。

至於使用者的反彈聲浪也很多，網友設計了「湯姆（安德森）不是我朋友」的Ｔ恤大賣，還有人用「邪惡億萬富翁暴君」做標題，製作了假梅鐸的個人網頁。德沃夫和安德森現在面對的問題是：要怎麼賣出公司，但不出賣公司的精神？

致力服務平息使用者反彈

然而德沃夫的第一要務，還是要讓MySpace更好用，他盡量招攬科技人才，協助MySpace升級。但MySpace今年的盈餘低於兩億美元，購併又造成虧損，因此兩人必須努力開發網站的廣告收益。他們和ＦＩＭ合作調整廣告費率（MySpace的單日廣告費比Yahoo!便宜約六十萬美元），吸引更多全國性的廣告主。

MySpace現在的廣告主有可口可樂、百事可樂、Ｐ＆Ｇ、汽車、手機廠商等，想吸引年輕觀眾的電影公司，更是不能在MySpace上缺席。但MySpace也因為充斥著性愛內容，因此既要讓廣告主覺得不損害公司形象，又要讓使用者覺得不受限制，分寸如何拿捏就是技巧的所在。 以Ｐ＆Ｇ為例，它為新牙膏做了一個「Miss Irresistible」的MySpace網頁，馬上就吸引了三萬八千多個「朋友」，瀏覽次數高達三百萬次。

但MySpace同時也派有專人監控，負責刪除猥褻連結。本田、聯合利華、溫蒂也都以十萬美元的代價，在MySpace建立專屬網頁。百事可樂的兩個子品牌，甚至還分別贊助MySpace Comedy與Myspace Film。

德沃夫還是有他的堅持，只要他在MySpace一天，MySpace就不會有彈出式廣告視窗，也不會向樂團收廣告費。但梅鐸卻想利用MySpace販賣福斯（Fox）的電視節目與電影，其他電視網也在接洽中。德沃夫表示歡迎，但他同時也在打算怎麼讓廣告主為下載服務付費。

期待成為「風格品牌」

MySpace究竟會變成什麼樣子？德沃夫的目標是讓它變成「風格品牌」。但是一個品牌必須要有自己的主張，這個網站的成長和演變，已經讓人難以定義它代表的風格。

MySpace現在的基本使用族群已經改變，十八歲以上的使用者占了八七％，三十五歲以上的則占五二％。MySpace會不會因為規模太大、太成功，而變得不酷了？德沃夫認為：「酷不酷是我們的使用者決定的，MySpace就是讓大家表現自己、為所欲為的地方。」

安德森和德沃夫真的安於擔任新聞集團的員工嗎？

他們的合約在二○○七年十月到期，安德森說：「只要還有樂趣，我就想一直做下去，而且我覺得這能持續很久。」但德沃夫卻語帶保留：「只要我們每天早上都還是開心地進公司，保有某程度的自主權，能主導網站的方向……」他停頓了一下：「只要我們工作得開心就好。」

《數位時代》

撰文＝龐文真

一直希望擁有一棟房子的麥當勞，想用交換的方式換到一棟房子。他在部落格上貼出一枚紅迴紋針，一年之後，他真的換到了一棟價值約台幣一百五十萬元的房子……

二十六歲的加拿大年輕人凱爾．麥當勞（Kyle MacDonald），因為「用迴紋針換房子」的故事，成為媒體寵兒，報章雜誌上有著關於他數不清的報導。

一直想擁有房子的麥當勞，想試試能否用「以物易物」的方式換到一棟房子。然而他是個非正式的業務員，什麼也沒有，突然瞥見桌上一枚紅迴紋，於是他把迴紋針貼上部落格，二○○五年七月中旬開始，迴紋針和他展開驚奇之旅。

從魚型筆、怪怪門把、發電機、雪橇車、一趟旅行到一紙唱片合約，麥當勞的「一枚紅迴紋針」網站（http://oneredpaperclip.blogspot.com/），愈來愈受到矚目。接著，他又換到了與搖滾明星共度時光、一部電影的角色……。經過十四次交易，最後如願以償地換到了一棟位於加拿大肯普林（Kipling）小鎮的房子。

只花了一年，整整一年，麥當勞的夢想實現！一枚迴紋針換到一棟房子！

麥當勞的MySpace頁面上，詳細地介紹著自己，裡面貼著許多接受訪問的新聞片段（YouTube影像連結），看著這些報導，發現最常出現的字眼就是「啟發」（inspiration）。

這的確是一個鼓勵人們追逐夢想的真實故事。剛開始時，連麥當勞的親朋好友都對「迴紋針換房子」嗤之以鼻。他現在的成功卻讓大家重新省思：「我的那個紅迴紋針在哪裡？」、「我的夢想和目標又是什麼？」

網路配合自我行銷才圓夢

這也是一個萬丈高樓平地起的激勵人心故事。只要願意努力，即使無本錢，從點滴開始，也能有一番成就。這同時也是一個人性互動的好故事，人們願意互相幫忙，幫別人完成願望的溫暖故事。

這更是一個網際網路的傳奇故事。只有網路，才能幫一個遠在加拿大、無錢無名的年輕人變成家喻戶曉的人物，真正說明「網路＝個人化平民媒體」的概念。突發奇想無所謂，只要網友埋單，網路一傳十、十傳百……，靠著網友的貢獻，經由互相打氣與交換，就可換得美好的結局。

然而，天底下沒有白吃的午餐，這是麥當勞個人魅力、創意和辛勤工作的結果。不是每一個人在部落格裡貼上迴紋針就能換得到房子。他的成功來自傑出的自我行銷，網路只是他的強力行銷平台而已。

麥當勞辭掉原先的業務工作，全心全力地在網路上推銷自己，親自開車和網友見面，以自己的魅力說服對方和他進行交換。以他目前所造成的旋風（媒體曝光率、網站在Alexa的流量），價值絕對超過上百萬美元，而他只不過換了一棟價值五萬元加幣（約台幣一百五十萬元）的房子。

接下來，他會出書、拍電影（合約都已簽好），而他現在所住的小鎮，也將建造一個全世界最大的紅迴紋針，變成一個觀光景點。明年七月，從Google Earth的衛星空照上，就能看到這座啟發人心的迴紋針小鎮。網路無遠弗屆的影響力，真的是相當驚人！

Focus on Buenos Aires

Founded in the 16th century, Buenos Aires has a fascinating and turbulent history. Despite its ups and downs, the city has always been an important commercial and cultural hub in the Southern Hemisphere and remains so today. Argentina suffered a severe economic crisis at the turn of the 21st century, but is experiencing a remarkable recovery that has been underway for the last several years. This is a great time to see a great city in its ascendance, with everything one would expect in a modern world-class capital city — museums, music, shopping, beautiful city parks, and more. Of course, one can’t mention Buenos Aires without acknowledging its special contribution to dance and music — the Tango!

arteBA’07
May 18 – 22, 2007
La Rural, Buenos Aires

arteBA is the largest and most important contemporary art fair in South America. Now in its sixteenth year, the fair is international but with a particular focus on art produced in Latin America, as well as a heavy emphasis on Argentinean and Brazilian work. The show is located at La Rural, which is the main exposition facility in Buenos Aires. It is conveniently located in the upscale Palermo district in the heart of the city, close to many other cultural attractions.

Museo de Arte Latinoamerico de Buenos Aires
(Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires)
Avenida Figueroa Alcorta 3415
54.11.4808.6500

This museum, often referred to as Malba, is devoted to Latin American art dating from the early 20th century to the present day. Here one can find all of the most important Latin American artists of this period, such as Diego Rivera, Wilfredo Lam, Frida Kahlo, Fernando Botero, Roberto Matta, Liliana Porter, and many more. This museum also maintains an important film archive and attendant viewing series.

Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes(National Fine Arts Museum)
Avenida Libertador 1473
54.11.4803.0802

As the national fine arts museum for Argentina, this museum has been collecting art for more than 100 years. One can find important European, Argentinean, and Latin American works, including a renowned collection of 19th-century French paintings.

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Room with a View

Faena Hotel + Universe
Martha Solotti 445
54.11.4010.9000

Philippe Starck designed this new hotel and Condé Nast Traveller recently named it one of the best hotels in the world. For Starck, the design
is surprisingly conventional, making use of the
traditional Argentinean red and gold color palette and opulent Rococo style. The hotel provides every guest with an assigned “Experience Manager,” who acts as a personal assistant and guide for the duration of the guest’s stay.

Torre Cristoforo Colombo
Fray Justo S.M. de Oro 2747
54.11.4778.4900

This hotel is located adjacent to La Rural exhibition grounds, allowing easy access to the fair. The
all-suite property features fully equipped apartments decorated in a luxurious Italian style.

Artful Dining

Restó
Montevideo 938
54.11.4816.6711

Chef-owner María Barrutia studied with renowned chefs Ferran Adriá and Michel Bras. The restaurant is small and intimate, the menu is carefully chosen, and the food is unforgettable. Cash only, and advance reservations are essential.

Oviedo
Beruti 2602
54.11.4821.3741

This restaurant offers mainly traditional Argentinean dishes that reflect the melting pot of European nationalities that make Argentina unique. Oviedo has the standard offerings of beef dishes, but is best known for its fish and roast suckling pig.

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