Word of Mouth: Amman

Hidden boutiques, no-nonsense falafel, arts outposts and more in Jordan's capital

By Emily Millett Surprisingly edgy and forward-thinking, Amman—the capital and largest city of Jordan—is cruising confidently along the cusp between contemporary vision and deep-seated Arabic tradition. Evident in its cuisine, lifestyle and vibrant emerging arts scene, the often-bypassed capital city is a perfect choice for young culture vultures seeking a taste of real Arabia with an unconventional twist. Here, a handful of places that make …

The Art of Clean Up

A collection of artist Ursus Wehrli's neat and tidy compositions

From Swiss artist Ursus Wehrli comes “The Art of Clean Up: Life Made Neat and Tidy,” a collection of everyday objects that have been obsessively organized into systematic still lifes. Wehrli shows off his penchant for comedy and color composition in the series, which is a follow-up to his earlier book “Tidying Up Art.” His meticulous reconfigurations range from meals to plants to groups of …

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Artist Michael Sieben updates the children's classic with characteristically kooky illustrations

Originally published to great admiration in 1900, L. Frank Baum’s “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” has since secured itself as one of the most recognizable children’s classics of all time. While the beloved story has stood the test of time HarperCollins teamed with Austin-based artist Michael Sieben to update the illustrations, and his charming but mature graphic edition will drop 19 February. As longtime supportes …