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Monday, August 30, 2010

THE STRANGEST MUSEUMS IN BUENOS AIRES. PART 1 (By Hostel Buenos Aires)


Buenos Aires has a large network of museums. Some of the are famous like the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Latin American Art Museum or the Open Sky Museum Caminito, among others. Other museum are less known, but some specialists look for them (like the Architecture Museum or the Natural Sciences Museum). But other museums are just curious. Hostel Colonial introduces you to the strangest museums of Buenos Aires.

Forensic Museum of the Judicial Morgue. Located in 760 Junin Street, this museum hosts the most famous police cases of the pasr century. You can find the conserved brain of one of the most famous serial killers known as “El petiso orejudo” (The big-eared short man) or the corroded guts of a person that was poisoned with acid. Mondays to Fridays, from 8AM to 3PM.


Museum of Urology. In 1307 Paraguay Street, 3rd floor, the visits must be booked on the phone 4811-8457. In exhibition are the first instruments used in the beginnings of Urology. Also, old pictures and sketches and a specialized library with books of the specialty dated in the XVI Century.

Museum of Musical Instruments. In 564 México Street, 1st floor, you can see our largest collection of musical instruments preserving a social, anthropological and historical interest. More than 400 instruments of all kinds which rescue our indigenous and hispanic musical tradition at its best.

Museum of Pathology. In 950 Presidente José E. Uriburu 950 Street, 4th floor. The place counts on 2500 anatomical pathological pieces in exhibition covering almost all of the possible pathologies, many of them in their natural evolution. Also on exhibit, a collection of pathology, obstetrics and pieces of animal spontaneous and experimental pathology.

Para una versión en español, haga click aquí.

Friday, August 27, 2010

STREET ART IN BUENOS - THE 2010 HUNTING - POST #1 (by Hostel Buenos Aires)

It is a good habit in this blog. Street Art in Buenos Aires. Graffiti, murals, stencil. Since 2008 trying to get across what they transmit the walls of my city. The works are becoming better and the quality of artists is growing every day. Artists like Gualicho, Jaz, Pum Pum or Lean Frizzera are internationally recognized. Here we begin, I hope you enjoy it. Street Art in Buenos Aires - Argentina
























Related blogs

http://dondequierasquemires.wordpress.com/ by Hugo Villalobos

http://claugraffitis.blogspot.com/

http://www.graffitimundo.com/ Promoting Buenos Aires Street Art & Graffiti

In our Tumblr
http://hostelcolonial.tumblr.com/search/buenos+aires+street+art

Thursday, August 26, 2010

LIVROS EM PORTUGUĒS (Por Hostel Buenos Aires)



Tirando férias, muita gente desfruta lendo um livro. Há quens aproveitam o tempo para ler toodo o que quiseram ler durante o ano e não puderam, os que lêem para se relaxar, os que o fazem antes de dormir e aqueles que cuando chegam ao destino esqueceram trazer o livro e se perguntam cómo conseguir um na sua língua. Se você vem de um pais de fala portuguesa, Hostel Colonial te da uma dica de onde conseguí-los.

Em Buenos Aires há muita livrarias especializadas em idiomas forâneos, e ainda muitas das grandes redes de lojas de livrarias oferecem livros nos idiomas mais freqüentes (inglês, português, francês, alemão). Masi a oferta com a que contam é pequena e dedicada aos chamados de best seller. Há um lugar, no entanto, que tem uma ampla oferta de livros de todo tipo em idioma português: a Casa do Brasil.



Localizada na Avenida Callao 433, andar 8, perto da esquina com a Avenida Corrientes, a Casa do Brasil é uma escola de línguas que ademais conta com uma das maiores e melhores livrarias lusófonas. Um espaço dedicado à língua portuguesa e à cultura brasileira. Alí, os alunos, professores e público em geral podem adquirir desde material didático ou dizonários até romances, livros para os mais pequenos, livros de história, música, Cds e DVDs.

Aberta de segunda a sexta de 13.30 a 19.30, a livraria é uma opção ideal para os que necessitem conseguir um bom livro ou informação específica da cidade no seui idioma. Além disso, a mesma está localizada só 15 quadras do Hostel Colonial e é de fácil acesso com o metrô, linha B.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

TUNNEL UNDERNEATH THE OBELISCO (By Hostel Buenos Aires)


Known as Paseo Obelisco, South and North, depending on the side you get in, this tunnel crossing the 9 de Julio Avenue is one of the more memorable street passages of Buenos Aires. Its construction was promoted by an excentric millionaire, forbidden writer of its time who lived a shady life. Hostel Colonial introduces you to the passage which appeared in Julio Cortazar’s short stories and Oscar wiinning movies.

The North Paseo Obelisco was opened as a commercial gallery in 1960, although it was built in 1949. The same occured with the south side, opened in 1964. 50 years of existance built the fame of this Porteño underground which keeps some of its original stores (a leather goods shop, a clockmaker’s store and a shoeshine place), along with its special mystic which attracts millions of visitors.



His creator was Raúl Barón Biza, a millionaire in the beginning of the XX Century, son of plantation owners who also participated regularly in politics and literature. He had a provoking style, inspired by the Marquis de Sade, which caused the prohibition of his books, still impossible to find. Also persecuted in politics, this excentric character financed the construction of this passage that crosses the widest avenue in the world.

Barón Biza was later exiled and commited suicide in Buenos Aires, months alter the oficial opening of the passage. Before dying he burn his second wife’s face with acid after she asked him the divorce. The thrilling story of Barón Biza and the mystic of the passage attracted the famous Argentine writer Julio Cortazar who mentions it in his short story “El otro cielo” (The other heaven), and also inspired shots from the film “El secreto de sus ojos” (The secret of their eyes), which recently won the Oscar to Best Foreign Language Film.

Monday, August 23, 2010

ArtFutura: DIGITAL ART IN THE CITY (By Hostel Buenos Aires)


From November 3 to 7, hill take place the 2010 Edition of ArtFutura in Buenos Aires, a festival dedicated to the digital culture and creativity that explores new projects and the most important ideas that came up in the international panorama of new media, interactive design, videogames and digital animation. The venues this year will be the Latin American Art Museum (MALBA), the Recoleta Cultural Center and other spaces in our city.
This international festival was born in Spain in 1990, including among its activities: conferences, workshops, interactive installations, exhibitions and live performances. For the third time in Buenos Aires, ArtFutura reinforces the idea that art and science are closer than ever and that it’s impossible to understand modern art apart from new media, the Internet and digital technology.

In this year’s edition, the highlight is the documental “We Live in Public”, an extraordinaire film on social media and privacy on the Internet, which won the past edition of Sundance Festival and is now part of the regular collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. More that eight hours of high impact images, including the last contributions on 3D animation, motion graphics, videogames and special effects.

For those who want to participate sending their works, the registration is opened. Until October 1st you can send your short movie, music video clip, motion graphic, videogame, 3d work, Internet clip or any other kind of work that’s not included in the mentioned formats. The presentation of the material is free of charge but those of the dispatch are on the contestant. Although, if you’re coming to Hostel Colonial that week to enjoy the festival live you might save the dispatch.
For more information, visit ArtFutura website: www.artfutura.org/v2/index.php?lang=En


Thursday, August 19, 2010

O JARDIM BOTÂNICO (Por Hostel Buenos Aires)

O Botânico, como os portenhos o conhecem, é um dos jardins mais bonitos da cidade. Desenhado pelo mesmo paisagista que projetou os maiores e mais belos parques da cidade, é um pulmão verde no meio de Palermo. Famoso pela sua variedade de espécies, as estátuas que moram entre elas e os centos de gatos que se passeiam pelos seus caminhos, é um lughar de Buenos Aires que você não deveria se perder.

O Jardim Botânico da cidade é um dos nossos espaços especiais. Desenhado por Carlos Thays, um paisagista francês que desenhou a majoria dos espaços verdes da cidade, foi inaugurado em 1898. Seus 69.772m², alojam quasi 5.500 espécies vegetais, uma infinidade de estatuas e uma coquete mansão de estilo inglês na que o seu criador morou quando era o Diretor de Parques e Passeios da Cidade.

Aquí se encontram os três estilos principais do jardinagem paisagista: o simétrico, o misto e o pitoresco, recriados nos jardins romano, o francês (estil séculos XVII e XVIII) e o oriental (com exemplares de Ginkgo Biloba, Acácias e Casuarinas). Somando à beleza estão as 33 obras de arte entre esculturas, bustos e monumentos. Se destacam: “Los primeros Fríos” (Os primeiros frios), do catalão Miguel Blay y Fábregas; “Sagunto”, de Querol e Subirats; “Figura de mujer” (Figura de mulher), de Lola Mora e “Saturnalia”, por Ernesto Biondi.

Outro dos atrativos do Jardim Botânico são seus cinco hibernáculos. O mair, de estilo art nouveau, foi premiado na Exposiçao de Paris do ano 1899, tem 35m de longo e 8m de largo e, pelo seu desenho, se considera que é o único do seu tipo que se conserva no mundo. Um espaço cheio de mágica, que convida para você isolar na sua calma, ainda esteja no meio das mais circuladas avenidas de Palermo.

Para una versión en español, haga click aquí.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

OUR FINEST CONDUCTOR IN THE OBELISCO (By Hostel Buenos Aires)


A free live show in the traditional Obelisco of Buenos Aires City is a privilege that few artists can afford. A space and event usually kept for prominent local and international artists. A space which the finest Argentine orchestral conductor Daniel Barenboim is familiar with. He presented there in 2007 and is ready to do it again this next Saturday August 21st for the delight of Porteños and those who visit us.

This recital estimates an attendance over one million people, that’s why it’s recommended to get there early to grab a good spot. 3PM is the starting time for this unforgettable show of Barenboim accompanied with its West-Eastern Divan Orchestra. A company that gather Israeli and Palestine musicians in a call for peace.

Daniel Barenboim was born in Buenos Aires in 1942. At the age of 10 he made his international debut as a pianist in Rome and Vienna. His initiation as a conductor occurred in 1967 heading the London Philharmonic Orchestra. From 1991 to 2006 he conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and since 1992 he’s Artistic and Main Director of the Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin. Currently, he’s also Artistic Director of the La Scala Theater in Milan.

Barenboim has received many awards; among them are the prestigious Príncipe de Asturias along with the philosopher Edward Said, the Tolerance Prize by the Tutzing Evangelical Academy, the Buber-Rosenzweig Medal, the Wolf Foundation Arts Prize by the Jerusalem Parliament and the Vocento Prize to Human Rights.

Monday, August 16, 2010

FOR VISUAL ART LOVERS (By Hostel Buenos Aires)


Until September 12, in the Nacional Fine Arts Museum, there’s an exhibition dedicated to one of the most renowned visual artist of Argentina: Antonio Berni. Under the title: “Narrativas Argentinas” (Argentine Narratives) and in the context of the Argentine Bicentenary, the exhibition presents a large part of the work of this genius that captured the esence of the Argentine working class.

Berni gave his work a social an political character, he worked painting, sculpture and collage, with his brush and diferent objects he used too pick from the streets and street wastes that he turned into masterworks. The exhibition compiles a good portion of this corpus, between the 30’s and the 80’s of the past century. A creative existance focused on the life of the working class and the outlaying areas of the city.

30 works that include his most famous work “La manifestación” (The Demonstration), that art critics place as one of the three most relevant and representative works of Argentine art. Also “Los Desocupados” (The Unemployed), another work full of social commitment and the series of Juanito Laguna and Ramona Montiel, two fictional characters that appear from time to time in his work in situations of abandonement and social marginality.

This Berni exhibition in the National Fine Arts Museum (1473 Del Libertador Avenue) is a unique chance for visual art lovers to find a large portion of his work gathered. An opportunity to know a crucial man for modern Argentine painting. The tickets are free and can be visited from Tuesdays to Fridays from 12.30PM to 8.30PM and Saturdays and Sundays from 9.30AM to 8.30PM. There are guideed visits everyday at 6PM.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

MAPAS COM PERCURSOS DE BUENOS AIRES (Por Hostel Buenos Aires)

Num trabalho em conjunto, o Governo da Cidade de Buenos Aires e Google Maps, oferecem mapas interativos com diferentes percursos pela cidade. Desde audio-guias móveis até percursos temáticos (tango, desenho, literatura, os clássicos e imperdíveis) e os entretidos percursos biográficos, que permitem seguir a vida de pessoagens destacados da ciudade, a oferta propõe muitas maneras diferentes de conhecer Buenos Aires.

O serviço está disponível em três idiomas (espanhol, português e inglês). As audio-guías móveis oferecem informação sobre os lugares turísticos mais visitados como: a Plaza de Mayo, a Avenida de Mayo, a Avenida Corrientes os bairros de Retiro, Recoleta, Palermo (seus bosques e Palermo Viejo), San Telmo, Montserrat, Puerto Madero, Abasto e La Boca. Se acede às mesmas marcando um número e código no telefone celular.

Entre os percursos biográficos, pode se conhecer a Buenos Aires de figuras portenhas como: o escritor Jorge Luis Borges, a mítica Eva Perón (Evita), o cantor mais famoso da ciudad Carlos Gardel, os poetas de tango Homero Manzi y Julián Centeya, o escultor Francisco Reyes e o dramaturgo José González Castillo. Um passeio pelos seus lugares especiais, as casas onde moraram, suas fontes de inspiração e memoriales.

Finalmente, nos percursos temáticos está toda a informação necessária para quens procurem algo específico como, por exemplo, no Tango (casas de tango, academias e museus, classes de tango, vestimenta e acessórios, entre outros). Também há informação de Lugares Imperdíveis como: a Rua Museu Caminito, o Cemitério da Recoleta, o Obelisco, a Plaza Dorrego, o Ponte da Mulher, o Teatro Colón, o Palacio Barolo, o Edifício Kavanagh e o Museu Nacional de Belas Artes, entre outros.

Para aceder aos mapas, visite a página: www.bue.gov.ar/bue/maps

Para una versión en español, haga click aquí.


Wednesday, August 11, 2010

LATIN AMERICA’S LARGEST PHOTO EXHIBITION (By Hostel Buenos Aires)



The 16 Edition of the Festival de la Luz (Light Festival), the largest photo festival in Latin America, has started. A meeting that been going on for 22 years and became biannual 12 years ago, traveling round our country with the best photography in our region. This year its subject is Migrations, entitled “Identities in transit”. The different activities will take place in 31 cities of Argentina, including Buenos Aires City.

Today, at 7PM, in the Rojas Cultural Center (2038 Corrientes Avenue) is one of the official inaugurations of this event that will last until September 30th. Other locations for the exhibitions are: The Nacional Fine Arts Museum (1473 Del Libertador Avenue), the Borges Cultural Center (525 Viamonte St.), the Recoleta Cultural Center (1930 Junín St.) and the House of Cultura of the Buenos Aires City Government (575 Avenida de Mayo), among others.

There will be 101 official exhibitions in museums and cultural centers around the country, as well as 50 supports from art galleries and art spaces which exhibit their own artists with free subject. Some of the outstanding exhibitions are:

Discoverings. Exhibition of the three prize winning artists of the 15th Edition of Light Festival: Florencia Blanco, Cayetano Arcidiacono (Italian-Argentines) and Leopoldo Plentz (Brazil), in the Recoleta Cultural Center.

Brassaï (Hungary - France). For the first time in Argentina, one of the fathers of universal photography, Gyula Halåsz, better known as Brassaï, 150 pictures in the National Fine Arts Museum, since August 3rd.

Invasion 68: Prague. Exhibition on the work of the Czech photographer Josef Koudelka in the Art Space of the OSDE Foundation in Buenos Aires (658 Suipacha St., 1st Floor), since August 5th until October 2nd.

Origin. Work of the Brazilian photographer Fifi Tong depicting 15 years of work on family portraits of Brazilian people. Families that came from Germany, China, Japan, India, Congo, among others. In Borges Cultural Center from August 4 to August 20.

More information on the exhibitions in the website: www.encuentrosabiertos.com.ar

Monday, August 9, 2010

ARGENTINA’S FOOTBALL/SOCCER TOURNAMENT STARTED (By Hostel Buenos Aires)




Last weekend, the Argentina’s Football/Soccer Tournament 2010 started. Considered by FIFA as one of the world’s most competitive tournaments, it promises good football and, as usual, a thrilling final. The defending champion, Argentinos Juniors, along with the champion of Latin America, Estudiantes de La Plata and the five most important and traditional teams (Boca, River, Independiente, Racing Club y San Lorenzo), are the candidates.


This tournament adds the attractive of the challenge that the 5 traditional teams have to recover the championship after 3 tournaments in a roll where other teams have champion (Argentinos Juniors, Banfield y Vélez Sársfield). The most expected match, confronting Rover Plate and Boca Juniors, will be played on November 7th in the River Plate Stadium. The other classic match between Independiente and Racing Club is on October 10th in Independiente Stadium. Hostel Colonial gives you the date and place of the most relevant matches you can enjoy in our city.

Match Date Stadium

Boca Juniors vs. Racing Club (August 15, Boca Juniors Stadium)

Racing Club vs. San Lorenzo (August 22, Racing Club Stadium)

River Plate vs. Independiente (August 29, River Plate Stadium)

Boca Juniors vs. Vélez Sársfield (August 29, Boca Juniors Stadium)

Boca Juniors vs. San Lorenzo (September 5, Boca Juniors Stadium)

Vélez Sársfield vs. River Plate (September 5, Vélez Sársfield Stadium)

San Lorenzo vs. Vélez Sársfield (September 12, San Lorenzo Stadium)

San Lorenzo vs. Estudiantes (October 3, San Lorenzo Stadium)

Independiente vs. Racing Club (October 10, Independiente Stadium)

Independiente vs. Boca Juniors (October 24, Independiente Stadium)

River Plate vs. Racing Club (October 24, River Plate Stadium)

Vélez Sársfield vs. Estudiantes (October 24, Vélez Sársfield Stadium)

Boca Juniors vs. Argentinos Juniors (October 31, Boca Juniors Stadium)

San Lorenzo vs. Independiente (October 31, San Lorenzo Stadium)

River Plate vs. Boca Juniors (November 7, River Plate Stadium)

San Lorenzo vs. River Plate (November 14, San Lorenzo Stadium)

Independiente vs. Estudiantes (November 21, Independiente Stadium)

River Plate vs. Estudiantes (December 5, River Plate Stadium)

Full fixture on the Argentine Football Association (AFA) website: www.afa.org.ar

Thursday, August 5, 2010

OSCAR NIEMEYER EM BUENOS AIRES (Por Hostel Buenos Aires)






Durante o mês inteiro, pode se desfrutar na Embaixada do Brasil em Buenos Aires (Rua Arroyo 1142), a exibição “Oscar Niemeyer: uma criação do tempo”, que procura contar a trajetória do mais famoso arquiteto brasileiro. Uma olhada além das suas principais obras arquitetônicas no Brasil e no mundo, incluindo suas incursões na criação de mobiliário e seu trabalho como editor da revista “Módulo”.

A exposição organizada pela Embaixada tem desenhos de época, fotografias das suas obras arquitetônicas e reproduções de croqui, pequenas edições em vídeo de detalhes de obras específicas referidas a importantes momentos da sua vida e da sua carreira, lay-outs originais de livros e revistas criados pelo arquteto, ademais de vídeos dos seus projetos mais recentes e declarações do mesmo Niemeyer exclusivas pela exposição.

Também se expõem maquetas dos seus últimos projetos que ainda não tem sido levados a cabo, uma maqueta de parte de Brasilia, com os edifícios ideados por ele e uma edição em vídeo de imagens de vários dos bosquejos executados na capital brasileira, desde os croqui até a obra terminada, passando por fotos da construção da cidade.

Junto com este legado, a exibição faz foco nos trabalhos do arquiteto no nosso pais. Há três maquetas que o público pode tocar, entre as quais se inclui a do “Porto da Música”, teatro projetado por Niemeyer para a cidade de Rosario (na Província de Santa Fe). A entrada é livre e as visitas são de segunda a sexta-feira de 12 a 19 e os sábados de 11 a 16.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

TANGO FESTIVAL AND WORLD CUP (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

The Tango Festival and Dancing World Cup is back this August. From the 13th to the 31st, the city will be full of the tango spirit that dancers and musicians offer. In different stages, people will enjoy free shows with large dancing and music productions, along with some special surprise events. Also scheduled, are homages to great tango interpreters that honored this genre for many years now and a nostalgic sections that will remember the history of the presence of tango in the media.

For 19 days in a roll, a generous schedule will be display in different theaters as: the 25 de Mayo, the Alvear, the De la Ribera, the Coliseo, the Luna Park, La Trastienda, the Recoleta Cultural Center, the Planetarium and also in the so called Punto de Encuentro (575 Bartolomé Mitre St). All the shows are free and you can get two tickets by person in the Casa de la Cultura (575 Avenida de Mayo).

One of the most awaited presentations is that of the traditional salsa musician Rubén Blades with the historical tango orchestra of Leopoldo Federico, in the finals of the tango saloon competition (August 30th in the Luna Park). Another highlight is the “Salgán Night”, with the live presentation of the tango genius Horacio Salgán and the 50 years of his Real Quintet (one of the defining formations of tango history).

Among other great figures participating of this edition of the Tango Festival are: Raúl Lavié, Pablo Agri, Mora Godoy, Guillermo Fernández, Jean François Casanovas, Susana Rinaldi and Juan Carlos Copes, among others. A homage to radio tango shows is also one of the main events. You can listen again to classic broadcasts as Glostora Tango Club (Monday the 16th, 3PM in the Punto de Encuentro). Also on the schedule are tango shows for kids, to make them learn while they play.

Monday, August 2, 2010

TOURIST SPECIALIZED ORGANIZATIONS (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

The City of Buenos Aires offers its visitors a series of specialized organizations to see their needs and consults. These different offices speak several languages to facilitate the service, taking special care for our visitors. Hostel Colonial brings you a short list of those addresses you can count on if visiting Buenos Aires.

Tourist Ombudsman Office. If you receive any kina of mistreatment, abuse or discrimination, this office will help you. There’s three different service points.

La Boca
Phone: (54 11) 4302 7816
Address: 1835 Pedro de Mendoza Avenue (Benito Q. Martín Museum)
e-mail: turista@defensoria.org.ar

San Telmo
Phone: (54 11) 15 4046 9682
Address: 1250 Defensa St.
e-mail: turistasantelmo@defensoria.org.ar

Retiro. Cruises Terminal
Phone: (54 11) 15 4078 8654
Address: in the corner of Ramón S. Castillo Avenue and Comodoro Py Avenue

Tourist Police Station. This office takes the all kind of reports about robberies, pilfering, missing persons, etc. It also prevents crime and helps with special procedures in embassies or consulates. It disposes interpreters in many languages as English, Italian, French, Portuguese, Ukrainian and Japanese.

Address: 436 Corrientes Avenue
Phone: (54 11) 4346 5748
e-mail: turista@policiafederal.gov.ar

Information on trips to other Argentina’s regions. National Information Centers depending from the Tourism Secretary.

Donwtown
Adress: 883 Santa Fe Avenue
Phones: (54 11) 4312 2232/5550

Jorge Newbery Local Airport, Costanera Norte
Phone: (54 11) 4771 0104

Ministro Pistarini International Airport, Ezeiza
Phone: (54) 4480 0224