brigadoon or memory and function (and memory)

All of Collectors’ Weekly show-and-tell sessions are highly recommended reading but I am really intrigued by this new take on nostalgia with a visit to the dystopian town of Scarfolk condemned to cycle forever through the decade of the 1970s, accompanied by council chair himself, Richard Littler.
With a truly twisted but inspired imagination, Littler has crafted endless ephemera and paraphernalia that could pass as authentic vintage posters and pamphlets, drawing on faded memories of growing up. Not that the artist had a traumatic childhood under the cynical, totalitarian regime he showcases, Littler, like us all, is able to distil those odd, incongruous moments—like the very special episodes when parental-guidance was suggested or the peculiar repertory of songs we sang in elementary school music class: Don Gato to be followed by a little number called If I had a Hammer—calling the practise proto-hauntology. Visit Collectors’ Weekly for the full interview and a curated gallery of Scarfolk’s artefacts.

crowd-sourced

Some with the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council might be smarting over its decision to ask the internet to choose the name for its newest research vessel that will ply the Arctic seas and was expected to christened after a great explorer or naturalist. Instead with due ceremony in the finest naval tradition, Boaty McBoatface will be launched on its maiden voyage in 2019. I heard this on Radio 4 yesterday, but Boing Boing had the scoop and ran with it. One of the Happy Mutants was advertising a product from its emporium under a similar moniker, and I thought to myself, “you had me at McBoingface,” not yet knowing the reference.

We wholeheartedly agree with Belgium’s reaction to this assault, as this further attempt at destructive social-engineering—baiting the innocent and peaceful with yet more aspersions as it’s exactly what the Cosplay Caliphate is hoping to engender. Sewing distrust and fear only promotes their cause by backing those who fled that way of life and outlook into a corner, and those who recruited a handful of listless losers to do their bidding did so that we as hosts could no longer discriminate and assault those migrants living among us and block the escape-routes of those who have no share in this and are themselves terrorised. Our thoughts and prayers are with the suffering, but this, as the corridors of power of the European Union, is an affront to us all. “French-fries” are of course Belgian cuisine become a contribution to the entire world.

Þörungar

Via the always brilliant Nag on the Lake comes happy and hopeful news that a design student named Ari Jónsson of the Reykjavik Academy of the Arts has made a prototype, fully biodegradable plastic container out of powdered algae, an agar-like binding material that allows the vessel to keep its shape while holding something—like a full water bottle—but quickly decomposes once empty. While we’ve gotten somewhat better about recycling, more than half of all plastic packaging is used once then tossed and becomes an unwelcome and eternal addition to the environment. Read the full article at Dezeen magazine for more brainstorming and innovative solutions to problems both wee and seemingly overwhelming.

ohrwurm oder he do the song about the knife

Making the rounds in cyber-space and probably a subject already familiar to you all, the realisation that the Dire Straits number “Walk of Life” can foster a happy-end out of any exposition is one of those perennial re-discoveries that I absolutely treasure.
Regardless of whether it always holds (the exception makes the rule) and whether it’s appropriate as we tend to go very dark by making light, it is another one of those sandbox moments, like the jaunty Yakety-Sax theme or the Tetris song. When I was in elementary school, I remember our PE teacher choreographing a complicated dance routine that we’d all be nancing around and having fun for to that tune and “Centerfield” from John Fogerty (Put me in Coach—I’m ready to play) and a medley other other songs. Maybe Miss Boozer wanted us all to be background dancers, and I think was a nice wish. Too few films, I think, end on an upbeat and ironic note—and I think that maybe “When the Going Gets Tough (The Tough Get Going)” from The Jewel of the Nile by Billy Ocean might be another suitable candidate, rather than opting for an orchestral bombast. Maybe it ought to be made an honour to be part of a soundtrack again, like for James Bond openers. What songs would you recommend for this treatment?

grotesque or come out of the garden, baby, you'll catch your death in the fall

Growing up, I remember how my parents hung frightening Hieronymus Bosch miniatures in the living room. Far from finding it tortuous, abusive or nightmare-inducing, however, I always found myself fascinated with the detail of the little creatures and enjoyed making up stories about them.
I was excited to learn about this immersive exhibition, sponsored by Google’s Cultural Institute, not on Bosch himself but rather on one of the visionary artist’s important influences, Pieter Bruegel the Elder. This panorama, buffeted by the latest that virtual-reality technology can deliver, pulls one into the canvas of the 1562 Flemish masterpiece “The Fall of the Rebel Angels,” and makes the observer witness to archangel Michael’s expulsion of Lucifer, and that transfixing, psychedelic fall from grace from a privileged point of view. If you happen to visit the Belgian Royal Museums of Fine Arts, please let us know what it was like. Further, I was unaware of the internet giant’s artistic initiatives and would like to learn more about their projects as well.

contrast and harmony

Via Public Domain Review and John Ptak’s Science Bookstore, comes the beautiful, modernist colour analysis charts of æsthetic maven Ms Emily Noyes Vanderpoel (1902), whose pixelated palettes look like something in between the works of artist Piet Mondriaan and Pong or Tetris tiles. From mummy-wrappings to butterfly wings, Vanderpoel’s plates stir the viewer’s imagination for composition and compliment. Pursue a gallery of dozens of deconstructed illustrations at the links at the top.