Shangra La La: Where East meets West in Honolulu, Hawaii
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The Shangri La is a stunning collection of Islamic art, housed in the house built by Doris Duke in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1937.
I’ve heard and seen accounts of the famed Shangri La in movies and from those who have gone to see it. I half expected a gaudy homage to this most mystical form of art and religion, however upon entering the walls of Doris Duke’s seasonal home – I was awestruck by the contrast between the traditional and mystified Islamic world inside and the stunning blue vista of the Pacific Ocean, which lay right beyond the gilded curtains.
Duke built the Shangri La in 1935. An extended honeymoon brought her to Honolulu, where she was captivated by the art of the Islamic world, culture and art. I was stunned by how well the Islamic world, with its art, mosaic panels, rich textiles, earthen ceramics and intricate mosaic tile displays were blended with the lushness of Hawaii, with its exotic gardens, ocean views – and even a 75 foot salt-water pool.
Shangri La houses a collection of Duke’s most precious Islamic artifacts – all in all she commissioned about 3,500 – including ceiling murals, carved doorways, intricate mosaic tile displays, and rich and colorful textiles and ceramics.
Shangri La is open to the public for guided tours care of the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art (or the DDFIA). For more information please visit http://www.shangri-la.com/