/tags/painting.rss en-us London is a long-standing magnet for talented artists from around Europe and further afield; and the city's Tate Modern is consistently voted among the continent's top modern art galleries. Innovatively housed in the former Bankside Power Station, located along the River Thames' South Bank district, the Tate Modern provides a cavernous, dynamic space for international modern and contemporary exhibitions. The Tate Modern is ideally placed for anyone staying in the old town district (known as the City of London area) where you'll find St Paul's Cathedral, the London Eye and London Bridge. Just take a stroll across the Millennium Bridge and see some great art. Aside from the art, the best draw of all to the Tate Modern is the free admission (apart from some major temporary exhibitions). From Bacon to Dali, Duchamps to Kandinsky, Matisse to Rothko, and Tanguy to Zalensky, the museum has works in its permanent collection from virtually all the greats of the last 100 years. In particular, the Tate Modern has several masterpieces by Picasso and Matisse, as well as one of the world's best collections of Surrealist art, including works by Dali and Magritte. Pollock and Rothko are represented in the gallery's collection of Abstract Expressionist art, while most of Pop Art's best creators (including Andy Warhol) are also well represented. The Tate Modern's permanent collection is displayed in four wings on levels three to five of the museum. Each wing has a central hub based around one of four major themes: Surrealism; Minimalism; Post-War Innovations; and the three linked movements of Cubism, Futurism and Vorticism. If this sounds like a mouthful, there are special audio guides available for both children and adults, with contributions from artists and critics. Furthermore, the gallery's entire collection is catalogued online, and there's also a special multimedia tour available at the Tate Modern website for you to preview your entire visit before you go. The best tactic for the Modern Art newbie is to approach each artwork with your own perspective while giving consideration to what the artist was trying to achieve. Each piece comes with its own description either on the wall or in a gallery handout. Moreover, given that there's so much on display, don't feel any pressure to see every single piece of artwork. Just wander around and see what catches your eye. Chances are you'll come across something interesting at the very least, and maybe you'll find something that will leave you thinking you've seen a truly remarkable creation. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:01:04 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/tate-modern http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/tate-modern For some nothing can be as dreary as a cold winter’s night, except in captivating Quebec where the city lives by three words, "Joie de Vivre!”, meaning "The joy of living!" The opportunity for a whole new way to experience winter in Quebec, Canada awaits you. Savvy travelers from around the world have noted that the winter wonderland reigns here! The foremost event of the year is the annual Winter Carnival. The festivities commence in late January through to early February, and have been a tradition since 1894. The Quebec Winter Carnival has garnered attention as a premier global celebration, rivaling the best of any Winter Carnival from around the globe, set amid one of most quaint and picturesque cities. Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:54:41 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/winter-carnival http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/winter-carnival