ideophone

We enjoyed very much indulging in this discussion on sound symbolism and phonosemantics that attempts to triangulate humans’ first vocalisations through the focus of what strikes as intuitive.
Though rarer in Western languages—though there’s zigzag, yo-yo, tick-tock, and Charivari to name a few examples—bearing structure and quality through words is universal and the opening exercise in the essay that consisted of choosing the traits that Japanese ideophones described was illustrative and immediately recalled these gourmet and phenomimic chocolates we encountered a few years back.

6x6

don’t seem to rouse themselves for anything besides the birth and death days of idolised rock stars: a Stasi guide of negative-decadent youth subcultures in East Germany

backboard: neglected community basket ball courts revived and rehabilitated as canvases for monumental paintings

sandbox: the development of electronic music owes a debt to songs aimed at a very young demographic

what pedantry is this: more questions and answers from the Chicago Manual of Style—via Coudal Partners

i’ll be waiting for you on the dark side of the moon: Earthrise from above the lunar far-side from the Longjiang-2 orbiter

tilt-shift: an immersive tour of the North Korean capital

worshipful company of stationers and newspaper makers

Via the always excellent Boing Boing, we are given a taste of the dazzling collection of ephemera of a confessed letterhead obsessive.
There are quite a few amazing Art Deco specimens to consider that are not only the height of typography but also serves as important historical record of millions of aggregated business correspondence of decades past. A blog, in itself and as a landing page, is certainly informed in terms of layout and format by the sheet banner, masthead, body and background and we bloggers should cultivate such aesthetics.

haut de gamme

We really enjoyed this retrospective review of 1960s fashion that ought to be revived from vintage maven Messy Nessy Chic. In addition to the pictured attire suitable for Star Fleet cadets from “Moon Girl” and Go-Go boot originators André Courrèges (*1923 – †2016) and Dame Mary Quant, the decade’s trends included paper dresses, outlandish eyewear and experimentation with new materials, including the use of Polymerising Vinyl Chloride (PVC) for weather-proof clothing and accessories. Much more to explore at the link up top.

freedom river

Via Kottke, we are directed towards a 1971 animated parable narrated by Orson Welles that illustrates how creeping intolerance (metaphorically and in tandem with actual erosion and ruination) undermines democracy and the exercise of liberty that attends free and fair societies.
Some of the script is a bit reductive and jingoistic and there’s an underlying current of patriotism American-style that reflects the milieu of fear at the time with the Vietnam War and the Nixon administration, but the overall message is as resonant today as it was back then, the inuring forces of regression and xenophobia as much of a threat to be vigilant against as they were nearly fifty years ago.

captain america

The US Army is scheduled to introduce retro-style service uniforms with an initial issue of some two hundred of the World War II era service dress first to military recruiters before general distribution.
Presently, in all settings outside of formal social events, the standard attire is camouflaged fatigues and combat boots (previously here and here), drawing some derision in non-combat situations and the “Greens” would be worn in the office and during conferences. Soldier reception to the new professional look is reportedly positive but at the same time were not eager to add more to their service wardrobe.

oh border where art thou?

After presenting an interesting tutorial on how to use map and satellite telemetry as movie narrative, Maps Mania was directed towards the work of Keith O’Faoláin—who took a break from surveying ring forts to consider the soft and porous border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (previously) and how uncertain Brexit outcomes exacerbate the situation immensely. More to explore at the link above including resources to learn more about the border in decades past.

the valley and bailiwick

Having declared independence once before only to have it reigned back in, the Caribbean island of Anguilla held a second referendum whose votes nearly unanimously favoured disassociating itself from the colonial governor of Saint Kitts and proclaimed itself a republic on this day in 1969.
The chairman of the freshly constituted Island Council expelled the British envoy and for about forty days basked in its freedom. On 18 March, a contingent of paratroopers and London constables peacefully occupied the island and restored order. Disappointed by this denial for self-determination, negotiations ensued and Anguilla was granted the right to “secede” from Saint Kitts, which ironically gained full independence as the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis in 1983 while Anguilla remains an overseas territory. The triskelion of dolphins on the flag and coat of arms reminds one of the Manx flag, itself a crown dependency and neither part of the United Kingdom nor a part of the former empire.