Zoocap

Beadwork is loosely defined as any craft or art that uses beads for decorative or artistic purpose. This includes attaching beads to cloth or stringing them together into jewelry. Beads can also be incorporated into sculpture, multi-media artwork, and wall hangings.

Most beadwork involves stringing or threading beads onto wire, thread, or yarn. However, some traditional forms of beadwork involves weaving beads together using special threads. The resultant patterns and images are similiar to woven fabric. This weaving can be achieved using special bead looms or with off-loom techniques. Other forms of beadwork include bead crochet, bead embroidery, and bead knitting.

Historically beads were predominantly used for personal adornment. The oldest beads discovered by archaeologists are nearly 100,000 years old. They are believed to have been used in jewelry such as a necklace or bracelet. Other uses for beads include religious purposes such as prayer beads and as good luck talismans. Some cultures even believe that beads have curative powers. Beads have also been used for trade, from the wampum beads of native tribes to the Madris Gras beads of New Orleans, though each had a very different value!

There are a dizzing array of brilliant beads available for the modern beadworker. Dichroic glass beads fuse a thin metal film to a glass surface. This results in a metallic sheen that appears to change color depending on the angle from which it is viewed. Furnace glass beads use traditional glassworking techniques in a large glass furnace. The resulting beads are often multi-colored or contain decorative stripes.

Other types of glass beads include lead crystal beads, lampwork beads, and fire-polished beads. Beads can also be made from semi-precious stones, bones, shells, plastic, paper, metal, clay, fiber, stone, and wood. Vintage beads are beads that are over 25 years old. Tagua beads are made from vegetable ivory. In fact, many faux beads are now in production to simulate precious metals, ivory, gemstones, and other expensive minerals and stones.

The public performances included in all puppet festivals around the world, tend to include, aside from the puppet shows themselves…films, classes and workshops, school shows, and, open classes for people, young and old alike, wanting to learn the art of puppetry, wanting to carry on the artist traditions of any given culture and society. Many children in various cities around the world do not have exposure to the performing arts, be it that they live in remote places, or if they are in the city, more and more art programs being cut from public school systems each and every day. These festivals tend to bring the forefront the simple joy of creative energy, and the harnessing of that energy into shows and classes that not only entertain, but are known (as all art forms are known to do) to promote social awareness, promote the integration of various cultures working toward similar goals and promote the necessity for cooperation. These are just a few elements that suffer during times of economic strife and cultural struggle around the world. The Singapore International Puppet Festivals are no different.

One of the festivals started in Africa in 2002. By 2004 the festival was to include twenty to thirty puppeteers from countries such as the USA, Austria, Germany, France and Singapore. The focus of the festival and the classes and workshops being offered was the building of cultural cooperation through theater and art, puppetry. The collaborative effort toured to these various cities, and will tour again in 2009. It is an attempt to heal people who have been living in countries at war with themselves and with each other.

Another known festival, which is more specifically relevant in tradition and the mythology of the particular regions in China, Malaysia, and Singapore is the Hungry Ghost Festival. This festival is to honor the dead who are said to pay visits to living relatives. This happens during the seventh month of the year. Along with preparing extravagant meals to feed the hungry deceased, the ghosts are fed in hopes of assuaging any ill will towards the living. During this time of remembering and honoring with food and meals, Operas are performed, live concerts attended and the puppet shows of the old traditions, Hokkien and Teochews, are performed and attended to by all. Thus carrying on the traditions of a culture celebrating itself and all those who have been a part of it. Many visitors to the festival find accommodation in 5 star Singapore hotels.

Barcelona is one of Spain’s major cities. It on the North Eastern coast of Spain on the Iberian peninsula. It is also a major Mediterranean port and is the second largest city in Spain.

Spanish is the major language in this area along with Catalan as the city is the capital of Catalonia. The city has a population of over 1 ½ million. The history of the city dates back to Roman times. The city experienced massive growth in the 19th century when industrialization expanded the population and the amount of jobs in the city. During this time the arts took hold and established Barcelona as a major cultural center.

Barcelona is a diverse place and hosts many exciting things to see and do. There is a gothic center located in a city famous for its modern architecture and flourishing industrial areas. One famous area is La Rambla which includes a tree-lined pedestrian boulevard home to many artists, buskers, and market stall. The area is home to the market Mercat de la Boqueria.

The Barri Gotic includes the medieval Gothic buildings and lies close to La Rambla. This is the area of Barcelona that was the center of the old town. It includes a maze of dark streets linked with squares and is home to restaurants, bars and 5 star Barcelona Hotels. The buildings date from the 14th and 15th century.

The Museu Picasso is Barcelona’s most popular museum. The museum shows numerous works that trace Picasso’s early years. La Sagrada Familia showcases the work of Antoni Gaudí, with magnificent spires and outlines inspired by the holy mountain Montserrat. Gaudí died in 1926 before it was completed and work is still being done on his masterwork.

Visitors are drawn to Madrid for its art, culture, and energetic nightlife. Spain’s capital city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. With a population of three million, it’s much smaller than many world capitals, but the atmosphere in Madrid is irresistable. People here enjoy life to the fullest, whether savoring every bite of a traditional Spanish meal or dancing all night in one of the city’s many bars and clubs. They also appreciate art, culture and sport and invite visitors to join them in their pursuits.

With great weather all year, there really isn’t a bad time to visit Madrid. There are a variety of lodging options including some luxurious five star Madrid hotels. Some hotels feature traditional architecture and decor while others adopt a more modern style. Visitors will be able to find rooms that suit both their pocketbook and their personal preference.

Once settled in the city, take a stroll through the various boulevards and squares located throughout the city. They are great for people-watching and many have good restaurants and interesting shops. Just be careful of tourist traps in some of the more popular areas. Sometimes its enough to just soak up the energy and pace of a new city. Visitors will also find a multitude of architectural wonders throughout the city to enjoy: beautiful palaces, cathedrals, and mosques seem to be everywhere.

Art lovers will have plenty to do in Madrid. The city is home to the famous “Golden Triangle” of art. Three museums with world reknown collections ranging from ancient artifacts to contemporary art. Consisting of the Prado, the Reina Sofia, and the Tyssen Bornemisza Museum of Art, the combined exhibits feature works by Picasso, Dali, el Greco, Goya, Degas, and many, many others. There are many other museums and galleries in Madrid, some large such as the 25,000 piece collection of the Museo de America and others featuring the works of only one artist, like the Francisco de Goya museum.

The city also loves its sports. Madrid boasts one of the top football (soccer in the US) clubs in the world: Real Madrid. Matches are held in Bernabeu stadium. The Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas is one of the largest bullrings in the world and considered by many to be the world capital for the sport. Madrid is also proud of their basketball teams and the Madrid Tennis Masters tournament.

Hong Kong is famous for its blending of Eastern tradition and Western influences. This Special Administrative Region puts an Eastern spin on Western inventions such as modern steel skyscrapers and shopping malls, fine dining restaurants, and 5 star Hong Kong hotels. Hong Kong also offers an array of cultural landmarks that celebrate the area’s unique heritage, art, and history. Some of the best venues for understanding Hong Kong are its many fabulous museums.

Most would argue that the Hong Kong Museum of History is the best of them all. Unlike other Chinese museums, this one offers innovative exhibits that recreate places and times in Hong Kong history, such as the replica of a colonial street. The Hong Kong Museum of Art features panoramic views of Hong Island as well as exhibits of Chinese paintings and ceramics. It also devotes space to contemporary Hong Kong artists. Another arts venue is the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre.

The Hong Kong Science Museum as well as the Space Museum and the Museum of Medical Sciences offer insights into the region’s scientific contributions. Maritime heritage is exhibited in the Hong Kong Maritime Museum and the Museum of Coastal Defence. Other unique museums include the Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware located in Hong Kong Park and the Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery.

To further explore Hong’s rich cultural heritage, check out the Law UK Folk Museum, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum or the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Center in Kowloon Park. Hong Kong is also home to a Film Archive, a Police Museum, and a Railway Museum.

Any trip to India will be much improved by a visit to the colorful and vibrant city of Delhi. This ancient city is the capital of India and its second largest city by population, numbering over 17 million inhabitants. Visitors are drawn to the city’s contrasts, ancient and modern, East and West. The city is home to modern skyscrapers and ancient monuments. Street vendors sell local foods while world class restaurants offer cutting edge cuisine from around the globe. However, it is the ancient monuments that set this bustling city apart from every other urban metropolis.

One of Delhi’s defining monuments is Humayun’s Tomb. This is one of three World Heritage Sites designated by the UN in Delhi. Construction began in 1562 on this tomb for the second Mughal emperor. It is recognized as the prototype for the Taj Mahal in Agra. The tomb is surrounded by gardens which were designed in the four corners (Persian Char Bagh) style. The gardens underwent a major renovation in 2003 and are argued to be the best grounds in Delhi.

The Tomb itself is built of red sandstone and white marble and is the city’s first major Mughal structure. The entrance to Humayun’s crypt is on the second level. The central dome of the tomb rises 140 feet with two layers. The floorplan is an intricate “ninefold plan” containing 124 vaulted chambers.

The tomb of Iza Khan is also located within the grounds. It is a large, octagonal structure that was built about twenty years prior to Humayun’s. The South Gate was the original royal entrance to the grounds. It offers the best views of the gardens and structures. Also located on the site ist he Barber’s Tomb which is made of red and grey sandstone and believed to house the crypt of Humayun’s favorite barber.

Whether in the city for historical sight-seeing, modern business concerns, or simply to get a taste of India, visitors will find great shopping, incredible food, and a number of Delhi five star hotels. Once done exploring Delhi, travlers can easily move on to other destinations in central India, including Rajasthan, Himachal, Ladakh, and the Punjab.