One for the Road: Colour – Travels Through the Paintbox

by Kelly Amabile on

This book beckoned me from a front table at Artisan Books on Gertrude St. in Melbourne’s Fitzroy neighborhood. The 2006 paperback version I bought has the bold cover shown here, although I’ve seen several other versions of this book that was originally released in 2002. Regardless of what it looks like, Victoria Finlay’s Colour: Travels Through The Paintbox is a masterpiece. Just as I enjoy looking at Van Gogh’s Sunflowers again and again, so too will I delight in returning to passages from this multicolored exploration of our world.

From ochre to violet, Findlay unearths every possible facet of the rainbow. Her research takes her to Spain, for Consuegra’s Saffron Festival (yellow), to lapis lazuli mines in Sar-e-sang, Afghanistan (blue), and to Mexico, in search of the purple of the Mixtecs (violet). Finlay takes the reader along on this magical journey as she creates a spectacular canvas loaded with pigments, dyes, gems and stones. Her quest to uncover the history and origins of color reveals a rich palette that stretches to every corner of our planet. It would be wonderful to see a map painted to match the discoveries from her color expeditions.

One for the Road: Mundane Journeys

by Kelly Amabile on

I can’t quite recall how I came upon Mundane Journeys, but I’m certainly happy to have stumbled upon the explorations of Kate Pocrass, a conceptual artist with an eye for the overlooked. Kate kindly sent me a copy of her new book: Mundane Journeys: Field Guide to Color. It arrived in a dark chocolate envelope with my name in bright lemon yellow, encircled by fancy squiggles. It’s the most delicious delivery I’ve received in a long time!

And paying attention to details (like how something is packaged) gets to the heart of Kate’s message in her alternative guide to San Francisco. Whether it’s bubblegum, owls, spray painted dots, tree stumps or odd-colored macaroons, Mundane Journeys nudges urban explorers to look closer at the city around them. It suggests a delightfully inviting way to move through a place, uncovering colors and mysterious treasures with child-like curiosity.

Watch a video of a recent tour with Kate, or take one with her. She hosts 4-hour bus tours several times a year, usually once a season. But don’t wait for a scheduled tour to change your perspective — grab Kate’s guide and set out on your own! You’ll be sure to discover something magical among the mundane. And although her book is geared to San Francisco, the concept can be applied anywhere. It’s simple — as you travel, look with intention at the miscellaneous, and see what reveals itself to you.

One for the Road: Shaolin – Temple of Zen

by Kelly Amabile on

Although this book is not about a particular travel experience, it reveals an intimate look at the culture of a place that most do not see firsthand. Justin Guariglia has been studying and photographing the martial-arts monks at Shaolin Temple in Henan Province for the past eight years. He was the first photographer to get permission to photograph the monks inside the temple, and his new book, Shaolin: Temple of Zen, allows all of us an insider’s view of the stunning mastery that these warrior monks have perfected over the centuries.

These guarded monks belong to a Chinese Buddhist sect dedicated to preserving a form of kung fu known as the “vehicle of Zen.” Guariglia, a National Geographic photographer, received the blessing of the main abbot, and earned the trust and full collaboration of the Shaolin monks for his project. The result is a fascinating and valuable record of the Shaolin art forms and the individuals who consider themselves the keepers of these traditions.

The book includes an introduction by “American Shaolin” Matthew Polly and has a beautifully designed companion website. According to the Aperture Foundation website, it looks like several exhibits of the photographs are scheduled for 2008, in Los Angeles and Washington D.C.

One for the Road: Crying with Cockroaches

by Kelly Amabile on

South African born Marianne Du Toit had limited equestrian experience, but that did not deter her from embarking on a journey that would take her – and two horses – almost two years to travel from Argentina to New York City. Crying with Cockroaches tells the story of her undertaking, one that many considered downright mad. She titled her trip TATA: Travels Across The Americas, and from her home in Ireland, began planning this trek of personal discovery. But as the project evolved, she realized that she could also use the adventure as a way to raise awareness for the need of therapeutic riding facilities in Ireland.

The book is over 400 pages, and includes over 100 color photographs, mostly from the author’s collection of her trip, which was inspired by the writer, Aimé Tschiffely, who undertook a the most famous equestrian journey of the 20th century. Marianne’s expedition took place from May 2002 through March 2004. This fall, she’s been touring the US, and will appear in Rochester next Saturday, December 1. She’ll give a lecture at the George Eastman House, complete with photos and stories from her amazing solo adventure through the Americas, with two horses by her side.

One for the Road: Pauline Frommer’s Costa Rica

by Kelly Amabile on

Since Iva is in Costa Rica this week, and my pal Francesca is currently planning a January trip to this spectacular country — how about another new CR guidebook? (We featured two new Moon guides last month.) This time it’s Pauline Frommer’s turn to take a stab at the tropical Central American paradise. Her recently released guide to Costa Rica suggests ways for travelers to spend less and see more (just like in her other titles.) Pauline and her team of writers (David Appell, Nelson Mui and additional contributors) highlight “The Other Costa Rica”, a unique selection of tips and insider information that should help travelers get the most for their dollar.

Examples of some experiences suggested in the guidebook: hiking in Corcovado National Park, brushing up on your Spanish at one of San Jose’s language schools, art tours, cooking classes, scuba diving, nightime animal spotting and the Don Juan Coffee Tour outside Santa Elena. The book begins with a “Best of” section , then dives deeper into regions such as Arenal, Monteverde and the Osa and Nicoya Peninsula areas. Frommer’s book is one of the latest Costa Rica guides to hit shelves – be sure to check it out if your upcoming plans include a stop at this picture perfect place.