Saturday 8 September 2012
elucidation
Der Spiegel’s English language site has an interesting brief (that I could relate to) on the challenge faced by media outlets in finding fresh visual metaphors to illustrate the economic crisis in the eurozone. The standard seems to be subjecting the banners and mascots of statehood and national identity to various forms of torture and peril and most definitely showing euro coins in all denominations defaced and distressed.
Some subjects and themes, as determined by mood, rumour and the forecast, are highly popular. There are certainly a lot of creative and emboldened dioramas out there that demonstrate photographic ingenuity and that sometimes verge on silliness and hyperbole and sometimes a bit mean-spirited. I especially feel sorry for the poor stunt-money that’s afforded no respect.
Some subjects and themes, as determined by mood, rumour and the forecast, are highly popular. There are certainly a lot of creative and emboldened dioramas out there that demonstrate photographic ingenuity and that sometimes verge on silliness and hyperbole and sometimes a bit mean-spirited. I especially feel sorry for the poor stunt-money that’s afforded no respect.
catagories: ๐ฉ๐ช, ๐ช๐บ, ๐, economic policy, networking and blogging
Friday 7 September 2012
spoiler-alert
Laurels to the heuristically outstanding Super Punch for discovering the series of funny and honest—transparent, book titles from author, comedian and critic Dan Wilbur. There are dozens more examples on Mr. Wilbur’s blog.
By lampooning the classics of literature, I think, the talents behind this collection might hope to cause readers to think about what they aren’t reading right now but how sustaining and indulgent—effective and lasting, old reading is, with these covers especially.
What other titles can you think of that would make good candidates for this same treatment? I don’t know, however, if I would put Holden Caulfield’s story in the same category as the Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but I guess that is part of the joke.
gabriel blow your horn
The Way-Back Machine at the Retronaut featured some illuminated illustrations dating from the 10th century of the Spanish theologian Beatus of Liรฉbana’s Commentary on the Apocalypse.
It was the buggy, Picasso-esque figures that initially cause my attention in this particular rendering from the monastery at El Escoria. Perhaps the Spanish painter was influenced by such artwork on this manuscript. What is more interesting deeper within this study, however, is the de-symbolism, the stripping of allegory, behind the pictures. Contrary to popular historical context that makes fables out the oppressors of the day, reading the characters of Revelations as the Roman Empire, Gnostics, or, contemporaneously with Beatus’ writing, as the Muslims of then Islamic Spain, there is no mention of mistreatment or persecution and no topical interpretation of the biblical text. Rather than targeting heretics or people of another religious background for blame, the treatment instead suggests that the real nightmarish fiends represent elements within the established Christian community, holy-rollers, that profess one thing but really use the Church to advance their own interests. That’s a very modern technique from a classic source as well.
catagories: ๐, Europe, graphic design, religion
castle week: berlin-brandenburg
Throughout the ages and through to the present, Berlin as the seat of different ideologues and governments has become absolutely crowded with historic buildings and courtiers, though venue and use has evolved over the years. The grand city palace of Berlin was lost during World War II and the rubble has cleared away a long time ago, but there are long-term plans to rebuild the structure on the still vacant lot over the next decade. Such a project, I think, would bring the other fine and intact buildings of the city into sharper focus.
Politics and intrigue are ever stifling things, and in a great tradition of seeking refuge from the demands of the court and escaping for quiet and reflection, philosopher king of the Prussians, Fredrick the Great, designed and commissioned his retreat, San Souci (French for Without Worries) among the vineyards outside of Potsdam.
A patron of the arts and sciences and a man of letters, under the advice of his long time friend and confident, Voltaire, he promoted reforms in bureaucracy and governance (including such revolutionary ideas separation of church and state and personal liberties) and followed the French philosopher’s maxims about immersing oneself in nature—though the wine business never really took hold. While enjoying the king’s hospitality at San Souci, Voltaire penned probably the first work in the genre of science fiction, with his short-story, Micromegas.
Fredrick was a sensitive soul and never, I think, really aspired to be the military strategists that he became known as. Scholar and polyglot as well as visionary and diplomat, he left a substantial legacy that’s not only in his distinctive architectural penchant (found in many monuments populating Berlin and Brandenburg) but in many intangible footnotes of the age of Enlightenment.
catagories: ๐ฉ๐ช, ๐ซ๐ท, ๐, foreign policy, philosophy, travel
Thursday 6 September 2012
doctor pangloss, I presume
The ever engrossing and a sure bet for a good take-away to ruminate on, Boing Boing, recently presented two brief and chilling tracts about the echo chamber of communication and some dismal reflections on the realities draped by economic cheerleading. Boy, this was some bleak stuff, presented in a way that was hard to refute or not be disheartened.
catagories: America, economic policy, labour, networking and blogging, philosophy, revolution