Archive for 2010
Flapping Free
July 4th, 2010
Get set for a history hit today: it’s the 4th of July and I’ve been finding out all about it. Independence Day (or the Fourth of July) has got to be the most gleaming, full-of-meaning of federal holidays (and there are lots to choose from) in the States. It’s the country’s national day, harking to the hallowed issue of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This set out plans for the American colonies then still living under British rule to sever from foreign governance, on behalf of the new nation: it ushered in the War of Independence, but also formed a firm foothold in the trek towards freedom.
Picture Postcards
July 3rd, 2010
The wedding’s in the bag, so brother and bride are soon-to-be off on their honeymoon. They did something quite common for couples these days, and made the trip the feature on their list, in a honeymoon registry. So as a gift-giving guest you logged into their site to select from a host of honeymoon experiences. There were bigger bits (plush hotels, champagne dinners), interesting ones (spa days, boat trips, cultural tours) and mini presents to pick too (coffees, cocktails, ice creams, picnics). So clever and such a wonderful way to ‘send off’ the couple (rather than with a crock pot, however useful that may be).
Blushing Blooms
July 2nd, 2010
Today’s video is dedicated to M and N on their wedding day! Stevens’s wonderful Woman in White, clutching her bouquet of bright-colored blooms, brings to mind a bridal scene. And the ways she’s standing, on the threshold of that frame, speaks of the start of a new life, awaiting. Congratulations M and N! All love, from Art 2010. Read the rest of this entry »
Dating Seen
July 1st, 2010
My oldest brother is getting married on-the-morrow, so we’re set and super-excited for the big day. Weddings of course are primetime for lots of love-themed conversation, and top of the small-talk topics must surely be “how did the happy couple meet?” So I wanted to go with that theme today and wander into the wonderful world of dating. Yes, dating. Because like it or loathe it, it’s the thing that pre-dates love, marriage and even so much as a sniff at a horse-drawn carriage. I recently read about a new on-line dating coach who’s sharing secrets he claims can help anyone get their heart’s desire. Here are the boiled-down, bite-sized best bits of Matthew Hussey’s advice:
Chills and Thrills
June 30th, 2010
It’s a fated day for Twi-hards: the next Twilight installment is achingly imminent. A recap for the over-fifteens: first came the 100 million-selling series of vampire-fantasy-romance novels by American author Stephenie Meyer, featuring Bella who falls for 104 year-old vampire Edward. Then came the films from 2008, shuttling their stars Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner and – sigh – Robert Pattinson to planet superstardom in the process.
Writer’s Block
June 29th, 2010
Today’s the feast of saints Peter and Paul, princes of the apostles who stood as early leaders for their faith, so Apostle Paul (c. 1657) is up for discussion here. It’s an incredible image (whether you’re Christian or not) by Rembrandt van Rijn (1606 – 1669) that most-glowing master among golden age Dutch painters.
For Pete’s Sake
June 28th, 2010
The feast of Saint Peter falls tomorrow, so I thought we’d take a peek at his story today (as seen in some of the works at the NGA), starting with the lead image, from the studio of Peter Paul Rubens (c. 1616). Before he met Jesus, Peter (original name Simon) was a fisherman, and it was his brother Andrew (also a fisherman) who introduced the two. The brothers hadn’t had much luck fishing, which changed as soon as Jesus arrived: suddenly they couldn’t haul up the fish-filled nets fast enough. Peter was amazed when Jesus told him: “You’ll be a fisher of men.” Here’s Duccio, Calling of Apostles Peter and Andrew (1308-11):
Bedroom Composition
Did you enjoy your bedroom this morning, get a good Sunday lie-in, and maybe a long laze with another half or the papers? If not, and your weren’t feeling the ...
Sand Storm
I recently came across a video of Kseniya Simonova, a Ukrainian sand artist. Beguiling to see, she scatters and shapes sand across a light box, as if painting with the ...
French Kiss
Ancient lovers believed a kiss would literally unite their souls, since the spirit was said to be carried in the breath.
Now we might not believe that anymore but we’re no ...
In Remembrance of Me
On the day before his crucifixion, Jesus gave his disciples a ‘mandatum’ (commandment), which was to love one another, and practiced this preaching by washing the feet of each disciple. ...
¿Te Gusta?
When was the last time you tucked into a tortilla de patatas, or piled some paella on your plate? Whether you’ve chomped on a chorizo or some hot, chocolate-dipped churros, ...
Sun Worshipper
Have you ever thought about how light can affect a building? Perhaps when you last saw a sun-beam beat through your bedroom window or the rising moon made your roof-gutters ...
Opposites Attract
It seems that rather like the Little Black Dress, some themes in art fail to go out of fashion. No matter what decade we’re in, the same subjects crop up, ...
Juicy Fruit
Oranges and lemons,
Say the bells of St. Clement’s.
You owe me five farthings,
Say the bells of St. Martin’s.
When will you pay me?
Say the bells of Old Bailey.
When I grow rich,
Say the ...
Musical Masterpieces
This weekend I unearthed an internet treasure. It’s a music video by a band called Hold Your Horses, for their song 70 Million. In it, the band-members mimic a whole ...
In the Lions’ Den
The Smithsonian National Zoological Park in DC is now only a few minutes from where we live. It’s a huge urban wildlife with species and habitats from tropical rain forests ...
