In May 2005, Binkley lead an Art Tour on a Mediterranean cruise aboard Crystal Cruise Line’s Symphony. Crystal Cruise Line has won best cruise line in the world for many years and the Symphony is one of only a few 6 star luxury cruise ships afloat.
The cruise was called Renaissance Reflections, and Binkley gave marble carving lessons to the passengers on the Lido Deck every afternoon while the ship was at sea. Passengers were introduced to ancient hand carving techniques using hammer and chisel, as they helped sculpt a mermaid from a block of white Carrara marble from Italy. Binkley also led two private shore excursions to see stone sculpture marvels in Barcelona, Spain and in Florence, Italy.
In Barcelona, the Tour visited the works of Antoni Gaudi. Binkley explained the marvels of the apartment building of Casa Mila and the architecture and sculptures at Parc Guell before the visit culminated at the majestic Sagrada Familia Cathedral.
Binkley explained the complexities of allegorical sculptures adoring the Nativity Facade and the Passion Facade. These are all carved from limestone quarried in the neighbouring Pyrenees Mountains. The marvels of the interior of the church, including Gaudi’s signature parabolic arches were revealed. This Cathedral was begun in 1882, and is still under construction.
Binkley lead the group ashore to Florence, Italy to the very place of his own creative epiphany, the Accademia. This gallery is where Binkley, in 1980 was inspired to change his artistic course to stone sculpture after witnessing first hand the unfinished “Slave” sculptures which Michelangelo was carving for Pope Julius II’s tomb.
The mighty “David” statue is the crowning glory of the gallery. Binkley expounded on the history and many stories surrounding these famous sculptures, all carved from the beautiful white marble from the quarries of Carrara, Italy. Then Binkley led the group to the Mueso del Opera, where Michelangelo carved the “David” sculpture in secrecy from 1501 to 1504.
Back aboard the Symphony, the unfinished marble sculpture of the mermaid was raffled off among the Tour participants. Binkley finished the sculpture back at his North Vancouver studio, before delivering it to the lucky winner, Ms. A. Hanson.
