This place gets a brief mention in a story about tobacco heiress Doris Duke, which got me curious, so I went a-surfing, looking for more information.
When tobacco and energy magnate J.B. Duke died in 1925, he left $50 million to his 12-year-old daughter, Doris, making her the “world’s richest girl.” She received the first major installment of the inheritance at age 21, then married James H.R. Cromwell at 22 and went on a 10-month honeymoon with him to Europe, Egypt, India (where they met with Gandhi), Indonesia, China and, finally, Hawaii. This trip led to Shangri La’s creation in two ways: Duke became captivated by the art of the Islamic world on her travels (she was particularly inspired by the Taj Mahal); and she also fell in love with Hawaii. The couple had planned to spend only a few weeks there but ended up staying for four months. - DUJOUR
The museum is now surrounded by houses, so much so that there doesn't appear to be any access for motor vehicles.
Google's Streetview can give you a walking tour of almost the whole place. All this art is very nice, I suppose. I mean, it isn't ugly, but it all seems a bit overwrought, like something out of a hashish dream. I might like to have a bit of it, like a vase or a tapestry, but no more than that. I guess it's good that Doris gathered it all here. It seems to be confined to the premises and in no danger of spreading through the neighborhood.
Duke University and
Duke Energy both got their name from
J. B. Duke (Doris' father). He made his fortune with the
American Tobacco Company.
I have no desire to view the Culture of Death tonight. Thank you.
ReplyDelete