Art Gallery of Alberta: Guggenheim of the Prairies

Art Gallery of Alberta

“It looks like the Guggenheim,” Andrea exclaimed when she first caught a glimpse of the remodelled Art Gallery of Alberta. “They copied it."

And certainly anyone who sees what they've done with the re-imagined repository of art would have to admit that the architect was at least inspired by the curved lines and open spaces of the Guggenheim. And that's not a bad thing.

But the people at the AGA will also tell you that the architecture was inspired by the city itself – a rigid grid of streets and avenues, superimposed on the flowing lines of the river and valley.

It's an interesting synthesis. And wherever you go in the gallery, you feel like you're inside some synthetic jewel looking out to see the different facets of the city.

Well, at least you would on an clear day.

Roche Bonhomme: The Old Man of Jasper

Look Through Your Window...

The Stone Guardian of Jasper, as seen from my room with a view.

Goodbye, Norma Jean: Marilyn Monroe in Jasper National Park

The River of No Return

1953 B & W Photos by Ray O'Neil. 

Copyright Keith Allen Photography, Jasper, Alberta

In 1953, Marilyn Monroe was in Jasper to film River of No Return, co-starring Robert Mitchum.

While Marilyn was here, Jasper photographer Ray O'Neil managed to get a photo shoot with her. The result was a series of classic photos, some of which can now be obtained in Jasper's stores, especially Jasper Photography.

But River of No Return wasn't the only drama during Marilyn's stay: She was "asked to leave" Jasper's most exclusive hotel because she was wearing "inappropriate attire" for a lady: she was wearing shorts.

Marilyn then moved into one of the better hotels in town, but ended up leaving there also, after a row in the lobby. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) were called in to escort her from the hotel.

The Mounties arrived and made sure they got their woman.

Take a tour on the trail of Marilyn Monroe:

http://mrtaxi.wordpress.com/category/mr-taxi-and-tours/

More stories:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stephen-A-Nelson-Writer-Editor-and-More/374226352256

Formosa Displayed: The Magnificent Monuments of 'Chinese Taipei'

By Stephen A Nelson

The Brandon Sun

May 1, 2010

There is a new movie playing in Canada that's been drawing unexpectedly large audiences. There are no flying dragons or warring gods; but there is a story about Paradise Lost and the battle between good and evil.

The film is Formosa Betrayed, a story about Taiwan's dark days of martial law under the Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang or KMT) of the late Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and his successor, Chiang Ching-kuo.

Visit Taiwan today and you can’t help asking questions that are at the heart of Formosa Betrayed.