Saturday, March 24, 2007
the Crazy House gets legal!
Dalat Crazy House to get official approval after 17 years
Dalat Crazy House to get official approval after 17 years
It has taken authorities in a Vietnam province 17 years to make up
their minds if a bizarre architectural structure that doubles as a
hotel can be given the official seal of approval.
Crazy House in Dalat, the mountain resort in the central Lam Dong
province, was built in 1990 but has remained an illegal structure
because the town authorities had been unable to bring themselves to
approve the abnormal structure.
But now the building, in the shape of an enormous tree trunk and one
of the most-visited sites in Dalat, could get authorities approval,
Tuoi Tre reported.
The newspaper quoted director of the provinces Construction
Department, Nguyen Huu Tam, as saying his agency would recommend to
the provincial chairman next month to issue an ownership certificate
to the owner of the building - architect Dang Viet Nga.
Is it art, is it..?
Hang Nga Crazy House on Huynh Thuc Khang street has drawn the
attention of foreigners, particularly avant-garde enthusiasts, who
admire it as a true work of art, a countercultural gem without
parallel anywhere else in Vietnam.
It was first opened to the public late 1992 when it was Ngas private
residence. Later, it became a hotel and the owner called it Hang Nga
Guesthouse. But beholders preferred to call it Hang Nga Tree House,
Spider Web Palace, or Crazy House, with the last name sticking.
Its all crazy. A gargantuan spider web hangs over a pond. Nearby in a
garden, thick vines curl around a tree trunk that grows into a nude
maiden, the main house. Two concrete giraffes house a cafe. A giant
eagle perches on an egg-shaped fireplace.
The main house is covered in dead roots and bare branches, as though
it has just been through a forest fire. Amazingly, it is not a real
tree but made of concrete and painted a hideous yellowish brown-gray.
A stone porch leads into a courtyard and a fairytale garden adorned
with sculptures of people and animals. In the center of the garden is
a small pond surrounded by several stone mushrooms that serve as seats
for customers to enjoy a drink.
They can also drink in the tea room at the end of the garden, inside
one of the two 20-meter-high concrete giraffes. Through the oddly
shaped glass opening, they can still admire the tropical trees growing
around the pond and the sky above.
But the most intriguing sight is the giant spider web made of wires
and tubes that hangs over the pond. The solitary spider is carved out
of wood, but it is not the only web. Others are woven through the
branches of the pines and extend to the roof of the house, making
bizarre patterns against the sky.
Nature statement
Viet Nga says when she moved from Hanoi to Dalat nearly two decades
ago she witnessed the devastation of many beautiful pine forests as
well as the deterioration of the environment.
And the woman with a doctorate in architecture from Moscow began to
dream of using architecture as a language to raise public awareness of
protecting nature and the environment.
Early 1990, she started experimenting with a mixture of architecture
styles in her 1,600-sq.m. villa as the first step to realizing her
aim.
She has so far spent VND7 billion (US$437,226), mostly borrowed from
local banks, on her work.
She has succeeded in creating something in which it is difficult to
distinguish between architectural works and nature as one enters the
hotel through huge tunnels in the twisted concrete trees trunk and
branches.
Each room has a theme animal, plant or insect and everything inside
fits the theme. Thus there are the Bird, Ant, Tiger, Pheasant, Bamboo,
and Gourd rooms.
Low furniture made from local hardwood is shaped along the curved
walls.
Handles and doorknobs are exquisitely carved into animal motifs;
stuffed animal heads hang on one wall, baskets made by ethnic minority
people around Dalat on another. Rooms are softly lit by hidden light
fittings and free-form windows.
Each of the 10 rooms costs $290 per night.
Crazy House finds mention in some famous international tourist guide
books like Le Guide de Routard, Trotter, and Discovery.
It also has a special room commemorating Ngas father, Truong Chinh,
who was the General Secretary of the Communist Party in 1941-1960 and
President of the country in 1981-1987.
Source: Tuoi Tre Compiled by Thu Thuy
Story from Thanh Nien News
Published: 20 March, 2007, 21:19:27 (GMT+7)
Copyright Thanh Nien News
Dalat Crazy House to get official approval after 17 years
It has taken authorities in a Vietnam province 17 years to make up
their minds if a bizarre architectural structure that doubles as a
hotel can be given the official seal of approval.
Crazy House in Dalat, the mountain resort in the central Lam Dong
province, was built in 1990 but has remained an illegal structure
because the town authorities had been unable to bring themselves to
approve the abnormal structure.
But now the building, in the shape of an enormous tree trunk and one
of the most-visited sites in Dalat, could get authorities approval,
Tuoi Tre reported.
The newspaper quoted director of the provinces Construction
Department, Nguyen Huu Tam, as saying his agency would recommend to
the provincial chairman next month to issue an ownership certificate
to the owner of the building - architect Dang Viet Nga.
Is it art, is it..?
Hang Nga Crazy House on Huynh Thuc Khang street has drawn the
attention of foreigners, particularly avant-garde enthusiasts, who
admire it as a true work of art, a countercultural gem without
parallel anywhere else in Vietnam.
It was first opened to the public late 1992 when it was Ngas private
residence. Later, it became a hotel and the owner called it Hang Nga
Guesthouse. But beholders preferred to call it Hang Nga Tree House,
Spider Web Palace, or Crazy House, with the last name sticking.
Its all crazy. A gargantuan spider web hangs over a pond. Nearby in a
garden, thick vines curl around a tree trunk that grows into a nude
maiden, the main house. Two concrete giraffes house a cafe. A giant
eagle perches on an egg-shaped fireplace.
The main house is covered in dead roots and bare branches, as though
it has just been through a forest fire. Amazingly, it is not a real
tree but made of concrete and painted a hideous yellowish brown-gray.
A stone porch leads into a courtyard and a fairytale garden adorned
with sculptures of people and animals. In the center of the garden is
a small pond surrounded by several stone mushrooms that serve as seats
for customers to enjoy a drink.
They can also drink in the tea room at the end of the garden, inside
one of the two 20-meter-high concrete giraffes. Through the oddly
shaped glass opening, they can still admire the tropical trees growing
around the pond and the sky above.
But the most intriguing sight is the giant spider web made of wires
and tubes that hangs over the pond. The solitary spider is carved out
of wood, but it is not the only web. Others are woven through the
branches of the pines and extend to the roof of the house, making
bizarre patterns against the sky.
Nature statement
Viet Nga says when she moved from Hanoi to Dalat nearly two decades
ago she witnessed the devastation of many beautiful pine forests as
well as the deterioration of the environment.
And the woman with a doctorate in architecture from Moscow began to
dream of using architecture as a language to raise public awareness of
protecting nature and the environment.
Early 1990, she started experimenting with a mixture of architecture
styles in her 1,600-sq.m. villa as the first step to realizing her
aim.
She has so far spent VND7 billion (US$437,226), mostly borrowed from
local banks, on her work.
She has succeeded in creating something in which it is difficult to
distinguish between architectural works and nature as one enters the
hotel through huge tunnels in the twisted concrete trees trunk and
branches.
Each room has a theme animal, plant or insect and everything inside
fits the theme. Thus there are the Bird, Ant, Tiger, Pheasant, Bamboo,
and Gourd rooms.
Low furniture made from local hardwood is shaped along the curved
walls.
Handles and doorknobs are exquisitely carved into animal motifs;
stuffed animal heads hang on one wall, baskets made by ethnic minority
people around Dalat on another. Rooms are softly lit by hidden light
fittings and free-form windows.
Each of the 10 rooms costs $290 per night.
Crazy House finds mention in some famous international tourist guide
books like Le Guide de Routard, Trotter, and Discovery.
It also has a special room commemorating Ngas father, Truong Chinh,
who was the General Secretary of the Communist Party in 1941-1960 and
President of the country in 1981-1987.
Source: Tuoi Tre Compiled by Thu Thuy
Story from Thanh Nien News
Published: 20 March, 2007, 21:19:27 (GMT+7)
Copyright Thanh Nien News
Real Tiger Balm
Former PM says raising tigers privately is praiseworthy
Vietnams former Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet expressed his concern
over a ministry proposal to confiscate 41 tigers raised in captivity,
instead extolling praise for wild animal preservation.
Talking with Thanh Nien, Vietnams former PM said confiscating the
privately-raised tigers was illogical because the Government should
encourage local residents to protect and raise wild animals,
particularly rare species.
The agriculture ministry recently proposed to confiscate tigers
which are being raised by Ngo Duy Tan, director of a beer company in
southern Binh Duong province, and three other families in the same
locality, to transfer them to authorized organizations.
Raising wild animals, for instance, bears to extract gall fluid hurts
the animals and must be prohibited, Kiet said.
But on the other hand, the individuals raising 41 Indochina tigers to
prevent them from extinction are worthy of praise for their efforts,
he stressed.
Kiet said he adored Tan for his success in raising the five ailing
tigers that he had bought in 2000, and his success in propagating them
to more than 20 now.
The former PM said when Tan bought the 5 tigers he informed local
authorities, and in the past seven years he has worked hard to nourish
and propagate the wild animals, a feat too difficult for zoos in
Vietnam right now.
Kiet suggested, instead, that the Government reward the raisers.
If the current law lacks detailed regulations on raising wild animals
it should be supplemented to encourage people to join hands with state
agencies to protect and preserve rare and wild animals, he added.
In related news, the Binh Duong province Peoples Committee the local
government recently asked Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and the
agriculture ministry to allow the tiger raisers to continue rearing
the rare animals, Tuoi Tre newspaper reported.
Reported by Hoang Hai Van Translated by Thu Thuy
Story from Thanh Nien News
Published: 22 March, 2007, 11:46:07 (GMT+7)
Copyright Thanh Nien News
Vietnams former Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet expressed his concern
over a ministry proposal to confiscate 41 tigers raised in captivity,
instead extolling praise for wild animal preservation.
Talking with Thanh Nien, Vietnams former PM said confiscating the
privately-raised tigers was illogical because the Government should
encourage local residents to protect and raise wild animals,
particularly rare species.
The agriculture ministry recently proposed to confiscate tigers
which are being raised by Ngo Duy Tan, director of a beer company in
southern Binh Duong province, and three other families in the same
locality, to transfer them to authorized organizations.
Raising wild animals, for instance, bears to extract gall fluid hurts
the animals and must be prohibited, Kiet said.
But on the other hand, the individuals raising 41 Indochina tigers to
prevent them from extinction are worthy of praise for their efforts,
he stressed.
Kiet said he adored Tan for his success in raising the five ailing
tigers that he had bought in 2000, and his success in propagating them
to more than 20 now.
The former PM said when Tan bought the 5 tigers he informed local
authorities, and in the past seven years he has worked hard to nourish
and propagate the wild animals, a feat too difficult for zoos in
Vietnam right now.
Kiet suggested, instead, that the Government reward the raisers.
If the current law lacks detailed regulations on raising wild animals
it should be supplemented to encourage people to join hands with state
agencies to protect and preserve rare and wild animals, he added.
In related news, the Binh Duong province Peoples Committee the local
government recently asked Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and the
agriculture ministry to allow the tiger raisers to continue rearing
the rare animals, Tuoi Tre newspaper reported.
Reported by Hoang Hai Van Translated by Thu Thuy
Story from Thanh Nien News
Published: 22 March, 2007, 11:46:07 (GMT+7)
Copyright Thanh Nien News
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Tyrone Hill Has Left the Planet
TYRONE HILL
TROMBONIST EXTRAORDINAIRE
10/22/48 TO 3/11/07
Tyrone Hill has left the planet and those who had ever crossed his
path are deeply saddened and will miss him. He leaves behind his
sister, Elizabeth, his brothers, his nieces and his large spiritual
musical family. He also leaves us with a wealth of amazing music
and a sound on the trombone that was unique and powerful. The
discography is extensive but his highlights were his recordings
with Billy Paul, Sun Ra, NRBQ and his own releases on the wonderful
CIMP label.
Tyrone lived his life as a true musician. His friend, Terry Adams, said there was no one he knew who was a more loyal person and to have known Tyrone was to be blessed with his loyalty and kind soul. When you traveled with Tyrone you quickly learned that no matter where you were on this planet, whether it was the Midwest, San Francisco, Italy, Japan or even Siberia, there would always be someone who walked up and put his or her arms around Tyrone to greet him and welcome him back. Every fan was a friend to Tyrone and he has these unique friends all over planet earth.
The music that a musician plays or the art that the artist creates is the total sum of his or her life's experience. I feel grateful to have the chance to share my experience with you. If this music touches one person's sprit or makes anyone's life more positive, I feel my job is done.
All praises to the Creator for giving me the life, energy and wisdom to be an artist. Tyrone Hill.
Space,
Rest In Peace my dearest friend.
Sue Pearlstine
PLEASE JOIN TYRONE'S FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN WISHING HIM SAFE PASSAGE
AT A MEMORIAL EVENT ON APRIL 14, AT 3:00pm AT THE CHURCH OF THE ADVOCATE LOCATED AT 1801 DIAMOND STREET IN PHILADELPHIA, PA.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
They were at the Sheraton in December...
Associated Press Online
March 13, 2007 Tuesday 9:21 AM GMT
SECTION: ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
LENGTH: 232 words
HEADLINE: Jolie to Soon Bring Home Adopted Son
DATELINE: HANOI Vietnam
BODY:
Angelina Jolie's adoption application is being processed quickly and she could pick up her new 3 1/2-year-old son within a few weeks, Vietnam's top adoption official said Tuesday.
Officials in Ho Chi Minh City are reviewing Jolie's file and should complete their work by the end of the month at the latest, said Vu Duc Long, director of Vietnam's International Adoption Department.
Jolie can pick up the child anytime after the application is approved, he said.
The child was abandoned at a Ho Chi Minh City hospital as a baby and then taken to the nearby Tam Binh orphanage, where he has lived ever since, said Nguyen Van Trung, the orphanage director.
Shortly after he arrived at the orphanage, the Tam Binh staff tried unsuccessfully to locate the boy's birth parents.
"He is in good health," Trung said. "He is a little bit shy."
The boy gets along well with other children and loves to play soccer, Trung said.
The adoption is being processed quickly because the boy is an older child, and his files were nearly complete before Jolie decided to adopt, Trung said.
Jolie and Brad Pitt have three children: 5-year-old Maddox, adopted from Cambodia; 2-year-old Zahara, adopted from Ethiopia; and another daughter, Shiloh, who was born to the couple in May.
The pair made a surprise visit to the Tam Binh orphanage at Thanksgiving, when they were spotted cruising around Ho Chi Minh City on a motorbike.
March 13, 2007 Tuesday 9:21 AM GMT
SECTION: ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
LENGTH: 232 words
HEADLINE: Jolie to Soon Bring Home Adopted Son
DATELINE: HANOI Vietnam
BODY:
Angelina Jolie's adoption application is being processed quickly and she could pick up her new 3 1/2-year-old son within a few weeks, Vietnam's top adoption official said Tuesday.
Officials in Ho Chi Minh City are reviewing Jolie's file and should complete their work by the end of the month at the latest, said Vu Duc Long, director of Vietnam's International Adoption Department.
Jolie can pick up the child anytime after the application is approved, he said.
The child was abandoned at a Ho Chi Minh City hospital as a baby and then taken to the nearby Tam Binh orphanage, where he has lived ever since, said Nguyen Van Trung, the orphanage director.
Shortly after he arrived at the orphanage, the Tam Binh staff tried unsuccessfully to locate the boy's birth parents.
"He is in good health," Trung said. "He is a little bit shy."
The boy gets along well with other children and loves to play soccer, Trung said.
The adoption is being processed quickly because the boy is an older child, and his files were nearly complete before Jolie decided to adopt, Trung said.
Jolie and Brad Pitt have three children: 5-year-old Maddox, adopted from Cambodia; 2-year-old Zahara, adopted from Ethiopia; and another daughter, Shiloh, who was born to the couple in May.
The pair made a surprise visit to the Tam Binh orphanage at Thanksgiving, when they were spotted cruising around Ho Chi Minh City on a motorbike.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
A message from Orlando Tengo
Monday, October 30, 2006
You have taken the first step...
