About Me

I ramble about a number of things - but travel experiences, movies and music feature prominently. See my label cloud for a better idea. All comnments and opinions on this blog are my own, and do not in any way reflect the opinions/position of my employer (past/current/future).

07 April 2014

Neue Pinakotek

The Neue Punakotek was originally built by Bavarian King Ludwig I in 1853; but was destroyed in WW2. The current museum building has a great layout for viewing; allowing the visitor to slowly spiral through the building, viewing the works chronologically in 22 main rooms. Some of the original collection was damaged or perished in WW2, but most was saved - and the gallery has a fine collection of art from 18 and 19 centuries. 

Of the artists, I was only familiar with latter period French Impressionist artists Renoir, Gaugin, Manet, Monet and Van Gogh - but I enjoyed most of the 18th century more - perhaps because they were more realistic. 

It is a great collection of paintings and sculptures; and Sunday was especially good given the 1 Eur entry fee (not sure if it is a regular deal); and the audio guide is excellent. 




Nazi Era Events

In South Africa, the statement raised in many political discourses is that "it seems that no one supported Apartheid" - ie a sort of amnesia on the injustices that have been committed in the past. This is common everywhere that has similar cases such as slavery in the Americas or treatment of aboriginals in Australia. In Germany, Nazism is the skeleton in the closet.

Admittedly, the Nazism past is not exactly hidden - memorials such as the Holocaust memorials and other such museums are well maintained and highly effective. But, as you walk around Munich (and for that matter Berlin and other German cities), there often seems to be one sided memorials and commentary. 

Munich's Feldherrnhalle is a good example. Apart from being a monument dedicated to the 30 Year War and the war against Napoleon fought by Bavaria; it is also the scene of the Beer Hall Putsch; where Hitler and his supporters tried to being down the Weimar Republic; and failed. Both police who quelled the riot and supporters of the Nazi parties died that day - but the current plaque on the side commemorates only the fallen policemen; and makes no mention of the circumstances on what drove the Nazi party to its action. It is as if, the Nazi party was a small party - not a well supported nationwide movement. 

There is also a monument to the "shirkers" who protested silently by using a lane behind the Feldherrnhalle to avoid passing the Nazi era memorial plaque (which required a salute) to those who died in the Putsch. 

This is not to say that these memorials are not warranted - they are. But by providing one side of the story, it remains incomplete and seems sometimes like an exercise in collective amnesia.



06 April 2014

Glockenspiel

A highlight of the Munich Townhall (Rathaus) at Marienplatz is the Glockenspiel - a carillon comprising of a knights tournament (complete with jousting knights), and a second scene with a traditional dance. Although I have seen it play before, I have never seen the full 10 min show - can't think why not ...