The rich variety in Malaysia is always stunning, where cultures and architectures seem to blend together, demonstrating a rich and complex history.   There are many splendid attractions here that will appeal to every guest, no matter what age, and there is a sense of style here that speaks to the complicated mix of histories and traditions.  There is also a keen sense of the contemporary here, with a love of innovation that’s reflected in the fashion, art, and amazing architectural wonders.  Malaysia is a consistently fascinating place, and it’s easy to travel in luxury.  Malaysia hotels are known for their spectacular sense of hospitality, offering a sumptuous blend of the traditional and the innovative, with state of the art amenities, and old world manners.

It’s a gorgeous place to get lost in, making it a wonderfully romantic country, and rich with a sense of adventure.  Your wanderlust can certainly be satisfied here, with a constant sense of the new and unusual.  Some would call it exotic, although that’s a particularly relative term, but there is something here that tries to appeal to the tourist’s sensibilities.  It’s very successful in luring in visitors, as if by a magical spell, but there are also less mysterious reasons why so many guests come back.  The art that is coming from Malaysia in recent years is both beautiful and challenging, and the galleries here display some of the most interesting works in the international art scene.

A splendid place to begin looking into the incredible variety of art here is none other than the National Art Gallery, where the Malaysian government has maintained a permanent collection with an exciting program of exhibitions since the 1950s.  It’s been in a number of locations, having moved into its present building in 1998.  It’s exquisite, and shows an amazing array of art from this region.  There are five inter-connected galleries here, as well as a coffee shop, bookstore, and space for performances as well as public talks.  It’s got a fabulous number of great works, speaking to the diversity in the country, showing paintings, sculpture, as well as experimental video.

National Art Gallery of Malaysia is a post from: The Map Seeker

Related posts:

1. Family Controversy for Malaysia Dairy Industries
2. International Film Festival of India
3. Lee Wen in Singapore

One of the many things that I love about New York is that there are so many events, activities and performances that are either free, or very affordable.  Not too long ago, I went to a Lyle Lovett concert in Phoenix, and the ticket prices were $75.  Everything worthwhile in Phoenix seems to cost an arm and a leg.  Not so in Manhattan.  I took a trip to the Big Apple last month, checked into a  very fine room at the best New York City hotel in my opinion, the Chelsea Hotel, and headed out for adventure.  And it was not long before I found it.

The Chelsea Art Museum is known for provocative and experimental bookings of live performance companies, and I happened upon a show for just $25.  The Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet Company was performing, accompanied by the live music of Reza Derakshani.  The cool thing about this dance company is that they based their choreography on the exhibits of visual art that were hanging on the walls at the time in which they would be doing their show.  The exhibit on the walls was titled “Iran Inside Out”.  The installation of this visual art, was also the work of the accompanying musician, Derakshani.

It was one of the most unique dance experiences I have ever had.  The dancers literally transformed themselves into the pieces of work by Derakshani, which served to combine the visual art world with the performance world of dance and music.  And when I say ballet, we are not talking about tutus and men in tights.    The company often performs in street clothes, which in my opinion and through my 35 year history of the dance world, brings the audience into the performance in a different way.  Yes, the dancers are moving in ways that most people do not move, but they dress just like every person walking down the street.  It somehow feels more real, more attainable.  The New York Times always gives this company raving revues, and after my night with them in Chelsea, I know exactly why they do so.

The Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet Company in Chelsea, New York is a post from: The Map Seeker

Related posts:

1. The Nutcracker Remains Swiftrank Popular Ballet
2. Celebrity Sighting in New York
3. New York Residents Spend Weekend in Atlantic City