Can design whose chief objective is to solve everyday problems be beautiful? Particularly in today’s world where our aesthetics change rapidly as anything, from anywhere can be sought out anytime, can an object designed to function at one point in time be enduring? Glitzy shop displays and industrial-strength banner adverts force feeding us elaborately beautiful, ornate and glamorous images remind us that utility-based design can hardly be enduringly beautiful. Tour ofContinue reading “Castiglioni Studio, Milano”
Author Archives: Purposeful Traveller
Museo del Novecento Milano (& Ristorante Giacomo Arengario)
How does one who is terrified of large crowd enjoy what is arguably the most touristy destination in the city of Milan? Museo 900 (Novencento) was my answer to the unhindered, spitting distance view of Milano Duomo without the hassle that you normally endure. Novencento is a museum of 20th century Italian art right at the footContinue reading “Museo del Novecento Milano (& Ristorante Giacomo Arengario)”
Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑) in summer
Take a sharp right as you enter the turnstiles of Shinjuku Gate of Shinjuku Gyoen and follow the big loop along the western end of the park, you arrive at the traditional Japanese koi pond (Kami No Ike, Upper Pond). This western most located pond is one of the most picturesque in the park complete withContinue reading “Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑) in summer”
This time is different
This blog is called the Minimalist Travels for a reason. It’s supposed to be an observation of the world that surrounds me and be a witness to the beautiful and express it with minimalist prose. Yet, this morning it is the brutalist ugly that compels me to be a witness to. As the tv, print and online media re-peddleContinue reading “This time is different”
Berlin Tegel Airport
First thing that struck me when I entered Terminal A at Tegel was ‘why did taxi drop me off on arrival floor and where’s the escalator to departure and check in hall’? It then occurred to me that I’m at Berlin Tegel, apex of two things the world needs more of: mid-century modernist design andContinue reading “Berlin Tegel Airport”
MuCEM (Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée)
MuCEM, together with the renovation of the waterfront, was supposed to be the centerpiece of Marseille’s reboot into the new century when it was named European Capital of Culture for 2013. The historically gritty port’s moment in the sun to look up … a transformation of sorts. The museum is built on reclaimed land atContinue reading “MuCEM (Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée)”
Toyko Matsuya Washi paper show/sales room
Tokyo Matsuya is a Japanese Edo Karakami washi paper producer established in 1690. Edo Karakami is the hand-crafted patterned washi paper for interior decorating such as Fusuma sliding doors and folding screens. It has been handmade by artisans in downtown Tokyo since the Edo Period. Japanese motifs and craft of Edo Karakami paper ooze traditional charm but itsContinue reading “Toyko Matsuya Washi paper show/sales room”
One Hundred Views of Edo by Hiroshige at Suntory Museum of Art
At the time of writing, Suntory Museum of Art in Midtown, Roppongi is exhibiting Utagawa Hiroshige’s One Hundred Views of Edo and Famous Views of Sixty-odd Provinces (collection of Japanese businessman Hara Yasusaburo). These two series, almost all in superb condition, are being exhibited in their entirety which must be a rare occurrence. First brieflyContinue reading “One Hundred Views of Edo by Hiroshige at Suntory Museum of Art”
Pirouette
Just down the street from my apartment towards Toranomon on the street level of Toranomon Hills Mori Tower is glass encased, airy and hanging Edison bulbs lit Pirouette. Pirouette is one of those cozy, elegant neighbourhood über-canteens, if there ever was one. Cass and I looked at each other and exclaimed ‘this is it’ asContinue reading “Pirouette “
Cathay Pacific Business Class
Few business classes do minimalist travel better than Cathay Pacific. Their lounges are in transition from being kitted by Forster+Partners to Ilse Crawford replacing bright, airy and efficient spaces with more warm and comfortable elegance. Professionally economical is their service and aesthetically adult are the fittings, you are distracted little from concentrating on things that matterContinue reading “Cathay Pacific Business Class”
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