Posted on by James Kampas

The Breakers: A Gilded Age Masterpiece

Aug. 20, 2023 - The ocean-facing facade of The Breakers.
Aug. 20, 2023 - The Great Hall at The Breakers.
Aug. 20, 2023 - The Music Room at The Breakers.
Aug. 20, 2023 - The Gilded Age Morning Room in The Breakers.
Aug. 20, 2023 - The Dining Room at The Breakers.
Aug. 20, 2023 - The Library at The Breakers.
Aug. 20, 2023 - The Loggia at The Breakers.

Our 2023 visit to The Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island, was an unforgettable journey into the lavish world of America’s Gilded Age. This magnificent “summer cottage” built by Cornelius Vanderbilt II truly lives up to its name, with every opulent room showcasing breathtaking European artistry and an astounding attention to detail, from the monumental Great Hall to the more intimate, yet still grand, family quarters upstairs. Wandering through the meticulously preserved interiors and manicured grounds, with the stunning Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop, was simply breathtaking.

Posted on by James Kampas

Palm Springs Public Art

May 14, 2025 - Sculptures by David Černý.
May 14, 2025 – Sculptures by David Černý.

You never know where you’ll encounter art when walking around downtown Palm Springs. Two large sculptures by renowned Czech artist David Černý are affixed to the side of the Rowan Palm Springs Hotel (if you’ve ever visited Prague, you’ve likely seen more of Černý’s work there). Meat is a 17-foot-tall classic red car, reminiscent of a Porsche, with a body stylized to resemble a slab of raw meat. The other, from his Babies series, is intentionally ambiguous and surreal. I can’t say exactly what the artist means by these two pieces, but they’re certainly thought-provoking.

Posted on by James Kampas

Palm Springs “Neighbors”

April 3, 2025 - "Neighbors" art installation by John Cerney.
April 3, 2025 – “Neighbors” art installation.

“Neighbors” is a whimsical public art installation by California muralist John Cerney. It features five 12-foot-tall cutouts of Hollywood icons who once lived in Palm Springs—Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Marilyn Monroe, Liberace, and Sammy Davis Jr. Inspired by celebrity house tours, Cerney imagined these stars in everyday moments, like collecting their mail. It’s a fun, larger-than-life tribute to the city’s glamorous past.

Posted on by James Kampas

Desert X Returns

March 18, 2025 - "Soul Service Station" by Alison Saar.
March 18, 2025 – “Soul Service Station” installation by artist Alison Saar.

Desert X 2025 is a site-specific international art exhibition held at different locations across the Coachella Valley. It features eleven installations by artists from Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. The exhibition explores themes such as Indigenous futurism, design activism, and the impact of human intervention on the desert landscape. Desert X 2025 continues through May 11.

Posted on by James Kampas

David Hockney Exhibit

Feb. 13, 2025 - "David Hockney: Perspective Should Be Reversed"
Feb. 13, 2025 – Art patrons examining Hockney’s work.

We visited the Palm Springs Art Museum tonight to see David Hockney: Perspective Should Be Reversed. It’s a wonderful exhibition featuring nearly 200 of the artist’s works in a variety of media, including prints, collages, and photographs. David Hockney is considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th & 21st centuries. I had the pleasure of meeting him at a 1993 Los Angeles Opera press conference at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, where he spoke about his set designs for the opera Die Frau ohne Schatten.

Posted on by James Kampas

Basilica of St. Michael

Aug. 15, 2022 - High altar in Basilica of St. Michael.
Aug. 15, 2022 - The nave of Basilica of St. Michael.
Aug. 15, 2022 - Basilica of St. Michael exterior.

Our visit to the Basilica of St. Michael in Mondsee was a beautiful blend of history, art, and movie nostalgia. As a fan of The Sound of Music movie, seeing the church famous for the wedding scene in person was incredible. Its soaring Baroque interior and twin towers were even more striking than I imagined. The basilica itself is part of the former Mondsee Abbey, a Benedictine monastery founded back in the 8th century that later transformed into a significant spiritual and cultural center.

Posted on by James Kampas

Liszt Ferenc Square

Liszt Ferenc Square
Aug. 21, 2022 – A cool, drizzly day in Budapest.

The statue of Franz Liszt by sculptor László Marton in Budapest, Hungary, shows the great composer dramatically poised mid-performance. Seated before an invisible piano, his large right hand reaches outward, symbolizing his legendary virtuosity. The sculpture captures Liszt’s flair and intensity. This is the last stop on our Europe trip—tomorrow we fly home. I’m still recovering from COVID, but we had a nice day exploring the city.

Posted on by James Kampas

Sanssouci Palace

Aug. 11, 2022 – Visiting Sanssouci & Neues Palais.

Ever since I read James R. Gaines’s Evening in the Palace of Reason: Bach Meets Frederick the Great in the Age of Enlightenment, I’ve been fascinated by the enigmatic Prussian monarch. Frederick the Great’s complex legacy—his influence on music, philosophy, and military strategy during the Enlightenment—continues to captivate me. His architectural vision lives on in places like Sanssouci, his intimate rococo retreat in Potsdam, and the grand Neues Palais, a symbol of Prussia’s rising power built to impress visiting dignitaries.

Posted on by James Kampas

The City of Lights

November, 1999 - Jim Morrison's Head Stone at Père Lachaise Cemetery.
November, 1999 - Oscar Wilde's tomb at the Père Lachaise Cemetery.
November 1999 - Standing in front of "Pyramide du Louvre."
November, 1999 - In front of Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris.

Visiting Europe—especially Paris—had always been a dream of mine, and in November 1999, it finally happened. We spent seven unforgettable days exploring the City of Lights, then hopped on a train to Amsterdam for a few more days, before heading home. These photos are scans of the originals I took on that trip, capturing moments from a journey I’d imagined for years.

Posted on by James Kampas

Greystone Mansion

Greystone Mansion
March 8, 2011 – Exploring one of Beverly Hills’ best-kept secrets.

Tucked away in the hills of Beverly Hills, the grounds of Greystone Mansion and Gardens are a quiet gem—a serene escape where manicured lawns, stately architecture, and trickling fountains offer a rare sense of calm. When we lived nearby, I’d often find myself wandering its peaceful courtyards and shaded pathways. It quickly became one of my favorite respites from the noise and rush of the city below.

Posted on by James Kampas · 2 Comments

The La Brea Tar Pits

La Brea Tar Pits
March 4, 2011 – Columbian Mammoths in the La Brea Tar Pits.

LACMA was closed when we went there on Wednesday, but there are interesting things to look at on the museum grounds, including the La Brea Tar Pits.

The La Brea Tar Pits are one of the world’s most famous Ice Age fossil sites, where natural asphalt has bubbled up from the ground for tens of thousands of years. Over time, the sticky tar trapped animals like mammoths, saber-toothed cats, dire wolves, and even ancient camels—preserving their bones in incredible detail. Visitors can explore active excavation sites, see fossils up close at the Page Museum, and stroll past life-sized replicas of prehistoric creatures caught in the tar. It’s a fascinating mashup of science, history, and a little bit of Hollywood drama right in the middle of L.A.

Posted on by James Kampas

Museum of Science & Industry

Chicago Museum of Science and Industry
Jan. 27, 2011 – Chicago Museum of Science & Industry.

The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is one of the largest science museums in the world, housed in a historic building from the 1893 World’s Fair. It features hands-on exhibits, a WWII German submarine, a working coal mine, and dazzling displays on space, genetics, transportation, and more, making science fun and accessible for all ages.