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“The Red that Colored the World”

01.05.16

History buffs and art enthusiasts won’t want to miss Bowers Museum’s latest exhibition, “The Red That Colored the World,” on display through February 21. It tells incredible story of the cochineal bug used for centuries in the Americas, and then discovered in 16th-century Mexico by Hernán Cortés and other Spanish conquistadores. The bug’s juice was found to create a red dye unparalleled by any other in nature; it changed art, science, fashion, and history forever.

The dye fueled global economics as it was harvested by the natives of Mexico, and exported globally to China, Africa, and Europe. It was more expensive than gold and frenzy ensued in trading and to guard its origin. The global spread and intense secrecy of the dye led to espionage and piracy.

"The Red That Colored the World" follows the history of the cochineal’s impact from Mexico and South America, to Europe, the United States, and beyond. It features textiles, sculpture, paintings, manuscripts, decorative arts, and clothing in varying shades of cochineal red, and explores themes of art history, high fashion, empire and conquest, and world economics.

Artifacts are on loan from some of the most prestigious collections in the world, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museo El Greco in Toledo, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Highlights of the exhibition include Napoleon’s armchair from 1800; an18th century Japanese Fireman’s ceremonial coat; the painting The Savior (from the Apostles series) by El Greco, c. 1608–1614; and an Eleonora dress by Italian designer Mariano Fortuny, c. 1930–1940.

Tickets cost $13 for adults on weekdays and $15 on weekends.

Children (under 12) $10 on weekdays and $12 on weekends.

Bowers offers free admission to Santa Ana residents, with proof of residency, each Sunday, through a generous donation in memory of Dorothy Goerl and courtesy of the Lockhart Family.

Purchase tickets online at bowers.org/tickets.

Open 10 a.m. to 4 pm. Tuesday through Sunday. 2002 North Main Street, Santa Ana. 714.567.3600.

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Dining

Halal Guys Arrive In Long Beach

01.04.16

New York’s food cart with a cult following, Halal Guys recently opened its second West Coast fast casual location in Long Beach. It’s first location opened in Costa Mesa in October. It’s known for its gyro sandwiches, chicken-and-rice platters and delicious mystery white sauce.

You can also order delicious French fries, hummus, tahini and pita, olives and baklava.

The NYC-based concept signed a deal with Fransmart known for building other popular concepts such as Five Guys, to bring 50 franchised units to Southern California.

The Halal Guys grew from a modest food cart on the streets of New York City to a globally recognized American Halal street food. The Manhattan-based landmark was created by Mohamed Abouelenein, Ahmed Elsaka and Abdelbaset Elsayed of Egypt who recognized that many Muslim cab drivers in New York wanted a place to buy Middle Eastern street foods, so they created their first food cart and quickly became a destination for American Halal fare.

Open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

1804 Ximeno Ave., Long Beach. 562.986.9038.

Open 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday; and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

3033 Bristol St. in Costa Mesa. 714.850.1080

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