i'm glad you brought this up, rapunzel; i've always avoided using this expression since i don't know the preferred pronunciation. i'd tend toward something along the lines of a single-word 'plenn-AYRE', but i think i may have heard it said as simply "PLAIN air".

which is preferred and/or 'correct'? is it said one way when describing dining, and another when describing the art form?

[non-word rambling]the city where i live hosts a plein air art contest at the beginning of each summer, and it's quite a lovely sight to behold... scores of talented artists dotting the beachscape, creating amazing works of impressionistic art in just a few days. IIRC there's a fairly impressive purse shared by the winners. neat stuff =)[/non-word rambling]