Travel
New York, Ireland and the UK:
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The 2007 Artpoints Tour of the United Kingdom
Travels to Museums, Galleries, Iconic Locations in New York, England and Ireland with recommendations for places to stay and places to eat.
Ms. Bonnie Barrett, MA, MFA.
June 7, 2007
We left the house at 7 am after a brief panic caused by our kitty escaping through the back door. The ArtPoints tour had begun. At LAX, Delta arranged the perfect LA sendoff for us. We were astonished to be greeted by a Mariachi band playing with full energy at that early hour. It was a fiesta to inaugurate a new non-stop service to Tijuana. We applauded each number enthusiastically while absorbing breakfast burritos. The flight was easy.
We checked into a cozy and clean room in the Lorelai B&B on a leafy street of Victorians in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn. Brooklyn is still an entry point for immigrants to our great nation. The streets are full of Halal butcher shops and restaurants, Sari shops, Jamacian jerk chicken joints and Hispanic corner markets.
Our gracious innkeeper, Robert directed us to “the Farm on Adderley” for dinner. The place was packed. The short menu featured fresh seafood, a few carefully chosen meat and vegetarian dishes. I had yellow fish with chopped snow peas and beets in a divine slightly tart sauce. Jim had a hamburger on an English muffin with lovely fries. We both cleaned our plates. We loved it so much, that we ate there the next night.
Our innkeeper, Robert surprised us with an unlimited use card (left by a previous guest) for the subways, so we were set to go. The Newkirk station is three blocks from the Lorelai, we took the Q train to Union Square, transfering the 6 train to 77th. Walking up Flatbush Ave to the museum, we were amazed by Union Square: an immense Civil War memorial that looked like the Brandeburg Gates in Berlin.
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The Brooklyn Museum of Art and Brooklyn Botanic Gardens
The contemporary exhibit: “Global Feminisms” showcased the work of a new international generation of feminist artists. The voices of young African, Asian and Latina all spoke of common themes. The work is powerful, sometimes so much so, that I had to catch my breath and move on. It seems that every generation of women must grapple for the first time with what it is to live in a woman’s body, to try to live authentically within their culture and time.
We were astonished by the fine permanent collection of Native American and pre-Colombian Art. Totem poles, Haida mask and some of the best Peruvian textiles I have ever laid eyes on.
We refreshed ourselves the late afternoon with a long stroll in the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens next door. It was the perfect day for adjusting to New York time.
June 9, 2007,
Our day in Manhattan
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The “Met” of course. We intended to see the Cloisters too, but did not allow for the hour-long bus ride from the Metropolitan Museum to get there before the 5:15 closing.
For a Quicktime video of the entrance to the "Met" Click Here
Back to Brooklyn with aching feet for the evening. Jim’s son, Gabe took us to The V Spot, and outstanding vegan restaurant. The atmosphere, young and artistic. The patrons: diverse. The menu: extensive. The food: fabulous. This is the spot if you want to please everyone.
The V Spot Brooklyn's Premier Vegan Restaurant
Gabe had a burger, sweet potato fries, and chocolate cheesecake. Jim had empanadas and I had the tortilla salad. It was all great. You cannot do better than this café.
Downtown Brooklyn is famous as an art district and bohemian haunt. Because of gentrification and the resulting increase in house values much of the bohemian residents have moved on. Nevertheless, the institutions, restaurants and shops that were founded by this population persist.
Brooklyn Academy of Music
After dinner at the “V” Spot we walked to The Brooklyn Academyof Music, located next to the Brooklyn Art and Music Center where a free music performance is presented nightly. A popular place for the young hip crowd, we waited behind a velvet rope until we could be allowed in. No worries, this was not the place where only the well dressed and attractive were allowed entrance, we went in when someone left. The music was brilliant; experimental music based on near-eastern themes and instruments by a strongly feminist Iranian woman. The crowd was cool, the room was amazing with arches lit in beautiful fashion and the music was profound. 
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