Foggs Museum Tour

In two weeks' time, I will be watching  Mary Poppins at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). Along with three couples, and nine children. This type of scenario invariably leads to a mild panic attack over - where to eat!   The QPAC website lists a few options of its own. The Bistro  has got a nice outdoor feel to it, they have options for less sophisticated palates and you can enjoy a relaxing glass of wine while you wait for your show to start. The Cafe also has outdoor seating and rather successfully recreates a garden feel. This is no small feat given its proximity to the busway. The tables are surrounded by vegetation, and there is even a stage for live music. The Cafe is currently closed for a refurb but will be open again for the warmer months. The Lyrebird restaurant, QPAC's fancier dining option, has always lacked atmosphere in my opinion. It's certainly a convenient option for those visiting the theatre, but not my first choice for a night out....

I've spent the last week mulling over the question of museum sponsorship and trying to unravel my own feelings on the subject.   Frankly, I'm not sure I even want to think about it too much.  I'm as exhausted as I believe everyone else is. The media seems to have a never-ending appetite for controversy. Our society's continual struggle with self-improvement makes for good print but also perpetuates a feeling of hopelessness. A sense that we're stuck exactly where we were 100 years ago.   And to exacerbate this feeling of failure, big corporations such as British Petroleum (BP) persist in gaslighting the general public about the nature of their sponsorship of the arts. Waving their hands in the air, pretending as if they are not using their wealth and power to exert undue influence over institutions that are meant to serve the public interest.    What exactly is BP doing sponsoring the Hieroglyphs Unlocking Ancient Egyp t exhibit at the British Museum?...

There have always been collectors in our societies. Scholars date the establishment of the earliest museums during the 17th and 18th centuries . The Ashmolean Museum, in Oxford, opened its doors in 1683.  The Louvre, British Museum and Uffizi gallery all opened their doors during the 18th century.  Detail of a carving above the main entrance to the Ashmolean Museum photo credit: Ruth Swan, Shutterstock 168202407 Before the advent of the modern museum though, there existed cabinets of curiosities . Private collections of art, technology, minerals, taxidermized animals and dried plants. These objects were put on display so that they could deepen the viewers' knowledge of the world. Earlier than this, Roman soldiers were known to display the booty they had won during military conquests . It seems a natural human instinct to surround ourselves with that which we admire, either for its beauty or its cleverness.  Cabinet of Curiosities  photo credit: Mathew Hollinshead, Sh...

The first time I visited the Louvre in Paris, I thought that nine hours would be enough, and still, I found myself frantically rushing about trying to fit one more thing of beauty in before the doors closed. I remember the moment I turned the corner and saw Psyche being revived by Cupid's kiss.   Cupid revives Psyche with his Kiss Photo credit: Paolo Gaolo. Shutterstock. 95023339.  How could a marble statue convey such intimacy and warmth? How could love be represented through stone? My eyes felt starved for the magic of the paintings and sculptures contained within those walls. I am blessed that this experience has repeated itself for me again and again. I have spent an eternity in the Rijksmuseum studying the veins on the hands of subjects, meticulously painted by Rembrandt. I have felt dumbstruck trying to understand the skill and patience of the artist who carved the Ivory Puzzle ball displayed at the National Palace Museum in Taiwan.  Chinese Puzzle ball carve...

  Hello! My name is Louise. I was born in South Africa, but I have lived all around the world, including Ireland, and China, and I now call Australia home. I love learning about history.  When I was a child, I found the stories which shaped our current reality fascinating, it is only through understanding where we have come from that we can make sense of who we are today. I studied several art history subjects at university and, thanks to my wanderlust, I have visited many amazing museums and galleries around the world. With FoggsMuseumTour I hope to take you on a journey of exploration as I learn more about art history and museums.