Art in Sweden

The art scene in Sweden has attracted increasing international attention in recent years. Some may ask whether, in today’s age of globalisation, mobility and a growing exchange of information, it is appropriate and sensible to look at art from a country-specific perspective. After all, with the avant - gardes born at the beginning of the 20th century, common ideas, themes and formal languages were developed which went beyond national horizons. Upon closer inspection, the history of art and culture reveals that individual countries have provided the impetus for artistic developments in other countries time and again. Art and culture spring from a national context, while at the same time crossing national boundaries. The different nations and cultures of Europe are a valuable source from which Europe can draw inspiration. Without a curiosity for and receptiveness to cultural diversity, this potential would remain untapped, and there would be little room for innovation or for creating common experience.

Art in Denmark

Denmark is rich in craftsmen, who can often be visited in their galleries, potteries, glass and candle factories, weaving mills or other workshops around the country. Here you can observe the artists as they work and perhaps buy some of their art and unique specimens. In more candle factories you are able to make your own candles. At these Danish places you can see and buy everything from beautiful oil and watercolour paintings to graphics, lithographs, life-drawings, paper collages, figures and sculptures, made out of granite, gypsum, iron, wood etc., hand-made candles, home-made soaps, flower decorations, knitwear, woollens, textile art, leather goods, glass art in all colours and shades, amber ornaments, ceramic ware, raku as well as articles for everyday use of wood and pottery. The Art and Culture of Denmark are rich in its diversity and variety. However, there are some general characteristics of Danish Art and culture, associated with Danish society and daily life. Danish people are generally fun loving sympathetic, and expressive.

Art in Poland

The Art Culture of Poland is closely connected with its intricate 1000 year history. The culture of Poland has a lot to do with everything in Poland. Its unique character developed at the crossroads of the Latinate and Byzantine worlds, in continual dialog with the many ethnic groups living in Poland. The people of Poland have always been hospitable to artists from abroad and eager to follow cultural and artistic trends popular in other countries. In the 19th and 20th centuries the Polish focus on cultural advancement often took precedence over political and economic activity. These factors have contributed to the versatile nature of Polish art, with all its complex nuances. Nowadays music festivals, concerts, theatre performances and other cultural events make essential part of any trip.  Moreover they are becoming one of the main motives to visit other countries or cities.  And cities play here the major role in organizing events and festival and  creating the right atmosphere for enjoying and experiencing culture. Each Polish city has a calendar filled with local and international events that offer the highest quality, still at the moderate price.

Art in Hungary

You can get a real flavour of Hungary past and present by tasting the culture in its galleries and museums. Furthermore, there are clues all around in the country’s architecture. A single street can take you on a journey through several centuries; Hungary contains examples from a host of architectural periods, including Roman ruins, medieval castles, Baroque palaces, Art-Nouveau mansions and cutting-edge contemporary buildings. There are the remains of ancient castles and centuries-old country houses all over the country, and over 50 of these have been converted into elegant hotels where you can enjoy historic charm and aristocratic luxury while making use of the facilities and comforts you’d expect from 21st-century accommodation. Roman, Gothic, Baroque influenced the Hungarian art and architecture and Art Nouveau styles. The musical tradition of the country is also remarkable, famous works are the rhapsodies of Ferenc Liszt, the operas of Ferenc Erkel, the folk-music and gypsy music. Music enthusiasts should coincide their visit with one of several international cultural and music festivals. Lovers of opera and classical music are particularly well catered for – the capital’s beautiful State Opera House is world class, and there are many concert venues around the country hosting high-quality performances by famous Hungarian and international artists.

Arts in Czech Republic

The territory of the Czech Republic traditionally has been between the German and Slav lands, and Czech cultural traditions are a mixture of both. Influences from farther afield also have been strong. Visually the most striking influences are Italian—in Renaissance and Baroque architecture, for instance—while literature, music, the visual arts, and popular culture also are indebted to a variety of external influences. Most of the Western cultural influences on the Czech Lands have passed through a German filter, and for this reason Czech traditions in popular culture are marked by a strong sense of national identity. The Czech Republic ranks among the most attractive tourist destinations in all of Europe thanks to numerous monuments which display a rich variety of artistic styles, combined with high preservation standards. After the fall of the Great Moravian Empire (905), which was artistically influenced by Byzantium, Czech art developed within the scope of West European artistic styles, though these styles were often adapted in unique ways. Czech Gothic painting in particular developed its own distincive style (anonymous Master of the Vyssi Brod Altar, Master Theodoricus etc.). 

Spanish Art

Long influenced by Europe and North Africa, as well as drawing upon it’s own interminable layers of tradition and deep regional roots, Spanish art and culture has been one of Spain’s greatest sources of pride and one of its greatest exports. From tall Gothic spires to the unmistakable sounds of flamenco-rock, Spain and its cadre of artists, writers, and architects have long been both cosmopolitan and inward-looking, able to live in the world and apart from it, often managing to combine both at the same time, all in the name of Spanish culture. Spain is probably best known for bullfighting and flamenco dancing but it has also produced some world famous painters over the years. The most well known are obviously Salvador Dali, Pablo Picasso, Goya and Velásquez whose works can be seen in the Prado museum in Madrid. With Goya, a new era in art was born. Spain has also produced some world class composers and opera singers. World famous Spanish composers include Enrique Granados, Isaac Albéniz, Manuel de Falla and Joaquín Rodrigo. Flamenco music and dancing were born here in southern Spain, Andalucía in particular. It has strong gypsy roots and is still very much a part of gypsy (Gitano) culture. Bullfighting or “La corrida de toros” as it’s known, still has an enormous following in Spain. It became popular in the 18th century, when the two first breeds of fighting bulls were created - El Toro Bravo (fighting bull).

Art in Scotland

Arts and culture is central to all aspects of our lives. A nation's artistic and cultural life says much about its people and the vibrancy and creativity we display across a wide range of art forms quickly dispels the myth of the dour, downbeat Scot. Scotland has a rich heritage of art and culture and today the traditional and the contemporary, the Celtic and the diasporic, all have their place in the fabric of the country. In successive generations, Scotland has produced writers, painters, sculptors, musicians, composers and dancers whose talents have received both national and international acclaim. Some of these art forms - such as our traditional dance and music - are uniquely Scottish both in style and inspiration and are appreciated chiefly at home. Others - such as theatre, opera and painting - draw on and incorporate influences from elsewhere in the world and consequently receive wider recognition. All, however, have the power to enthral, challenge, provoke and inspire.

Art in Athens

Athens perhaps has the most long-standing and impressive cultural heritage of any town in Europe. However, Athens is not only recognized through the world for its ancient culture but definitely also for its present day culture. Greek life was dominated by religion and so it is not surprising that the temples of ancient Greece were the biggest and most beautiful. They also had a political purpose as they were often built to celebrate civic power and pride, or offer thanksgiving to the patron deity of a city for success in war. Athens has given the world some of the most popular play writers, poets, philosophers and orators and its long standing cultural tradition is continuing to the present day. Museums keep the old history alive while a vast number of theatres, concert halls, big and small exhibition galleries etc. make new cultural history. In Athens these two often go hand in hand. Greek art is mainly five forms: architecture, sculpture, painting, pottery and jewellery making.

Art in Lisbon

Throughout the centuries, Portugal's arts have been enriched by foreign influences, including Flemish, French and Italian. The voyages of the Portuguese discoverers opened the country to Oriental influences and the revelation of Brazil's wealth of gold and jewels fed the Baroque flame in decoration. Portuguese culture is based on a past that dates from prehistoric times into the eras of Roman and Moorish invasion. All have left their traces in a rich legacy of archaeological remains, including prehistoric cave paintings at Escoral, the Roman township of Conimbriga, the Temple of Diana in Évora and the typical Moorish architecture of such southern towns as Olhão and Tavira. Lisbon also hosts a great number of remarkable museums of ancient and modern art, some of which are Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, National Museum of Contemporary Art, National Coach Museum, Berardo Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and Carmo Archaeological Museum. But, Lisbon isn't all culture and history; Bairro Alto is the center of nightlife with various restaurants and bars where melancholic traditional Portuguese music, Fado, is played.

Turkish Art

The first main contributions that the Turkish made to the arts coincided with the zenith of Ottoman power between the 16th-18th centuries. Aside from the splendid and unique Ottoman architecture that can still be seen in mosques and buildings across Turkey today, the Ottoman Turks were active in many disciplines within the arts. Through the centuries, Turkish artist and artisans have developed styles of art that are uniquely Turkish. Forbidden by Islam to portray human and animal forms in art, early Turkish artists turned their creative talents to architecture, music, weaving, wood and metal working, ceramics, glassblowing, jewellery, manuscript illumination and calligraphy. Another form of Turkish expression of arts came through horticulture and landscape gardening. Ottoman Turkish literary arts comprised of poetry that is influenced by Persian and Arabic with subject matters of mystical love and the quest for divine union being a prevalent theme throughout this form of Turkish art. Towards the end of the 19th century arts in Turkey began to be influenced more heavily by European art and for the first time Turkish artists started painting still life portraits which had previously not been pursued as a form of art because of religious injunctions discouraging such art. Turkish arts today can still be found in the villages of Turkey where traditional Turkish embroidery and the making of lace has been going on for hundreds of years and is still taking place. These examples of Turkish arts are usually found on sale in the bazaars of most Major Turkish cities. Perhaps the most commonly sold piece of Turkish Art that tourists bring back with them is the small turquoise coloured charm that is supposed to ward off the evil eye, made of clay or glass.

Arts and Crafts in Jakarta

The diversity evident in Indonesia's 300 plus ethnic groups is reflected in the diversity of its art forms. Just as every ethnic group throughout the archipelago has its own language/dialect, cuisine, traditional dress and traditional homes, they have also developed their own textiles, ornaments, carvings, items for daily use and special celebrations. The rich cultural heritage of art and handicrafts is one of Indonesia's true national riches. From 17th century, the Javanese arts and culture has left its mark in Jakarta. The ancient beliefs and traditions still exist in the art forms. Influence of China and India are very much prominent in the art and crafts of Indonesia. Later Indonesian art and craft was also influences by the Arabs and the Europeans who visited the islands. You can feel the influence of the Javanese culture in the music, theater and dance in the Betawi culture, like seen in  Wayang Kulit Betawi and Lenong. Few of the arts forms that are influenced from Islam are The Japin/ Zapin dance, the Rebana and Gambus orchestra. The Tanjidor orchestra which is quite famous in Jakarta has its origin from the Dutch. The Chinese gave Jakarta various dance forms such as Cokek, Gambang and Kromong. You will find the influence of Bali culture in the Betawi Cokek dance shows. In Jakarta you can find well established culture and foreign art centers. These centers help in the promotion of various arts and culture and language by the use of art galleries, learning centers, libraries. Jawaharlal Nehru Indian cultural center, Netherland Erasmus Huis, France Centre Cultural Français, UK British Council, Japan Foundation, Germany Goethe-Institute are few cultural centre in Jakarta.

Arts and Crafts of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s art history dates back more than 2,000 years and includes ancient temple paintings, rock sculptures of Lord Buddha and frescoes. Owing to its long, rich history, Sri Lanka endows exquisite arts evolving through the course of time which has refined its culture to be a unique and precious heritage of the nation. Its pivotal position on the ancient Silk Route made Sri Lanka a crossroad of cultural and trade exchange of the West and the East. India and China's record have proved the cultural, political and trade exuberance of this island. In many ways Sri Lankan arts is an inspiration of its long and lasting Buddhist tradition which in turn absorbed and adopted countless regional and local tradition for thousand of years, evolving to be a unique variant of Sri Lankan arts. Unsurprising, most of Sri Lankan arts originated religious beliefs, represented in many artistic forms such as painting, sculpture and architecture. One of the most notable aspects of Sri Lankan Art are cave and temple painting such as the frescoes found in Sigiriya and religious paintings found in temples in Dambulla and Temple of the Tooth Relic in Kandy. Other popular forms of art have been influenced by both natives as well as outside settlers. For example, traditional wooden handicrafts and clay pottery are found around the hill country while Portuguese-inspired lacework and Indonesian inspired Batik has become notable. Handwoven Beeralu lace (pillow lace) is a recognised national craft and a vital source of income for rural women of the south coast. This intricate, handmade pillow lace is woven into exquisite tablecloths, doilies, and clothing accessories. Sri Lanka is known for precious and semi-precious gem stones which are found around Ratnapura.

China: Arts and Crafts

China has a long and glorious history in both arts and traditional crafts. These are just two of the many jewels in China's over five thousand-year culture. The arts and crafts are not only the embodiment of the people's longing for aesthetic beauty but also great treasures for China and the rest of the world. Many of the master artisans have had their skills handed down via one generation to the next so that only the offspring of such an artisan could learn the necessary skills required. Chinese arts are influenced by three major religions: Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. Another major influence was nature. The three major kinds of subject they liked to paint were birds, flowers, and landscapes from the countryside. All the religions stress love for nature. All landscape painters tried to get a feeling of the human spirit and the strength of the wind, water, mist and mountains. Painting became an art form more than 2000 years ago then influenced the later painters. Chinese arts come in many different forms such as: painting, folk arts, silk, calligraphy, pottery, sculpture, metal arts and paper cuts. Chinese Performing Arts is different and unique. Folk Arts, Acrobatics, Opera, Dance, and Puppetry. These are truly Chinese and bring inspiration and enchantment to its viewers. Another thing that sets Chinese Performing Arts apart is how good the performances and performers are. How exactly do those dancers move about and leap with such alacrity and synchronization? How can those young acrobats flip and throw each other and shoot bows from arrows by the feet? How can those opera singers act so well and sing from this note to that with such accuracy? The answer lies in the fact that all performers in China are true professionals. They train day in and day out, every single day and night, since their early childhood. Practically ever since birth these performers enrol in special training schools to become professional performers and they do not live normal lives. Such hard work does pay off for the respect and admiration they receive from their audiences.

Art in Tokyo

Tokyo, the capital of the Land of the Rising Sun or Japan and one of the world’s most modern cities and a leading center of contemporary culture and art. Art was one of the ways the Japanese found to preserve their cultural uniqueness. This city is home to some of the world’s greatest collections of Japanese art housed in major museums and is thus a fitting place to get an overview of Japanese cultural history. The city is a mix of ancient Japanese culture and modern technological innovation. An integral part of Tokyo, its art, culture and entertainment reflect the unique artistic creativity and rich traditional heritage of its indigenous inhabitants. The residents of Tokyo have acquired worldwide popularity for their wide range of artistic creations. Japanese art covers a wide range of art styles and media, including ancient pottery, sculpture in wood and bronze, ink painting on silk and paper and more recently manga, cartoon, along with a myriad of other types of works of art. One of the major influences on ancient Japanese Culture was Zen Buddhism. The contribution of Zen to Ancient Japanese Art is seen in a Japanese Rock garden, the Japanese style garden, flower arrangement (Ikebana), architecture, Haiku or poetry, ceramics, calligraphy and other Japanese crafts. Just as an example – according to Zen emptiness is a key element. That's why the landscape in Japanese paintings is brought to life with just a few strokes of the brush. Japanese poetry - Haiku, also influenced by Zen, believes in simplicity. Zen also believes in making minimal changes to nature and emphasizes natural materials when it comes to architecture and design. You will never see a Japanese flower garden for instance. No flower beds. The elements used are rocks, water, sand and trees. The gardener takes care of the Japanese style garden helping the landscape to stay as it is. Each tree is taken care of meticulously.

Art in Mauritius

Mauritius is a world of culture and traditions, a mosaic of ethnic groups due to which it has inherited great cultural traditions of Europe, Asia and Africa. Mauritian identity is not a uniform or static concept. It is dynamic and constantly changing and evolving through interaction with other cultures and ideas. Art and entertainment is under the Ministry of Art and Culture to foster a balanced and harmonious Mauritian society through consolidation of existing pluralism, promotion of creativity, preservation, fostering and celebration of cultural values and maintaining and upgrading cultural infrastructure. Handicrafts mirror peoples’ degree of civilization. Handicrafts date back to the colonial period and are a fusion of French and Afro Asian cultures. The National Handicrafts Promotion Agency in Mauritius works to promote the same. Some popular handicrafts are pottery, ship models, tropical batiks, textiles, paintings, jewellery, baskets, wooden art, cabinet work, Chinese embroidery and souvenir items.

Art in Taipei

If you want to observe the multifaceted manifestations of 5,000 years of art and culture, or feel for yourself the joy and harmony of life in a heterogeneous society, then a tour of Taiwan is just what you need. Perhaps the best thing about experiencing the endless variety of Taiwan's artistic wonders is that whatever you like, whether it be folk festivals, religious faith, traditional skills, or modern art, is that everything is right at hand. You can find expressions of the island's rich and varied art on every street and lane, and in the lives of the people. Every part of Taiwan shows its own unique local characteristics, profoundly different yet centered on a common cultural core. Taiwan has a profuse history of both visual and performing arts which have survived over the centuries to carve an exclusive niche for Taiwan in the realm of art. By mixing traditional and contemporary, Eastern and Western, local and international, Taiwan's artists in both the visual and performing arts are exploring different approaches and developing their own unique styles. 

Art in Maldives

The fact that the Maldivians are sheer craftsmen is evident when you visit mosques, cemeteries and tomb stones. The delicate carvings are witness to their intricate skill. They are master calligraphers and their work has strong connection to Islam. The Islamic centre is the biggest example of this. Maldivian handicrafts, sculptures, wood carvings and other forms of art and craft have their own unique charm and beauty. The skills have been passed down through generations and the craftsmen take pride in possessing these artistic skills. The are deft at producing beautifully crafted pieces of what is available locally. The island is known for having strong cultural heritage with Indian, African, Sri Lankan, Arabian and South East Asia influences. They produced ornaments with black corals and tortoise shells for years. But that has reduced now and become almost obsolete due to awareness with regards to preservation of nature and the environment.

Hong Kong Art Attack

When the name Hong Kong comes, the first thing that comes to mind is its arts and crafts. For centuries, Chinese arts and craft have formed a significant part of China's total exports. In Hong Kong, ancient Chinese arts and craft are widely available in several department stores and retailers in Wan Chai, Kowloon, and in Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong's close proximity to China enables these artefacts to be brought in for sale. Furthermore, the cost of manufacturing in Hong Kong is much too high. Hong Kong is a city that has the mixture of both Eastern and Western flavour. Various ancient artefacts of Chinese tradition still exist in the city. Porcelain, embroidery, brocade, carpets, jade products, carvings and paper decorations called 'scissor-cuts' are considered traditional Chinese arts and craft.

Art Zone in Manila

Unlike most other countries in the region, the Philippines culture was almost completely transformed by the Spanish and American influences it was subjected to for centuries. Under American occupation, the Philippines rose to become one of the most westernized nations in Southeast Asia. Yet, especially among Muslim and upland tribal groups, certain old Malay traditions related to dance, sculpture and music still remain. Under the patronage of the Roman Catholic Church, architecture drew on religious icons for expression.

Art Scene in Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur is a melting pot of artistic flair - right from the galleries to artists to performing arts to music, it is truly a treasure trove of Malaysian art. Although the artistic community is small and not comparable to those in Paris or Venice, it is nevertheless growing as can be testified by the many art galleries, art centres and performance arts bodies that have sprouted over the last five years in Kuala Lumpur. Within Kuala Lumpur are a number of very impressive art galleries.