The medieval artisans of Poland

On a visit to the Muzeum Narodowe we Wrocławiu in the Polish city of Wrocław I discovered fascinating medieval shop signs and merchant guild coats of arms that illustrated the professions of artisans, traders and merchants of medieval times. Here are some images I took without the flash on in the Wrocław museum. The remarkable artistry of theseContinue reading “The medieval artisans of Poland”

10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #172

Lee Scratch Perry’s rules for life Here are 10 life rules from a man who lives in a truly extraordinary way. Jamaican artist Lee Scratch Perry is a wildly creative musician and producer who has sprinkled his inimitable magic on to projects in collaboration with the likes of Bob Marley and the Wailers, The Clash, The BeastieContinue reading “10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #172”

Book Review: Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

An emotionally and physically eviscerating exploration of what it means to be a human and what it means to be an animal. And the morbid and savage extent that humans will go to dehumanise the living beings they eat. Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Genre: Horror, animal rights, human rights, speculative fiction Publisher: Scribner Review in one word: Provocative * Contains noContinue reading “Book Review: Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica”

Mysterious Rongorongo Glyphs from Easter Island

A collection of 24 sacred wooden objects from Easter Island bear Rongorongo inscriptions, a system of glyphs that was discovered in the 19th Century and is still a mystery to historians. Numerous attempts at decyphering the proto-writing have been unsuccessful. These pieces of wood (a lot of it driftwood) are weathered, burned and damaged andContinue reading “Mysterious Rongorongo Glyphs from Easter Island”

Comforting Thought: Your Mind Is Part of the Ecosystem

Our mental and ecological health are linked writes Timothy Morton for the MIT Press Reader. Recognising this interdependence can change how we relate to the world and to ourselves.

To Won’s Father: An Ancient Love Letter Rediscovered

In 1998, archaeologists in Andong City, South Korea to their amazement discovered the tomb of Eung-tae a man who lived in the 16th century. The mummified remains were a rare find for the time. Eung-tae was unusually tall, even by today’s standards. He was 5”9 and well built with skin and beard still intact. “TheContinue reading “To Won’s Father: An Ancient Love Letter Rediscovered”

10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #171

Ten rules for living by writer and founder of Playgrounds for Palestine Susan Abulhawa Via We Transfer Stewart Keller – Coloring Book UNESCO has launched a virtual museum of stolen objects to draw attention to illicit trade in indigenous artefacts UNESCO has launched the Virtual Museum of Stolen Cultural Objects, the first of its kindContinue reading “10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #171”

Sunrise

Sunrise, as you enter the houses of everyone here, find us.We’ve been crashing for days, or has it been years.Find us, beneath the shadow of this yearning mountain, crying here.We have been sick with sour longings, and the jangling of fears.Our spirits rise up in the dark, because they hear,Doves in cottonwoods calling forth theContinue reading “Sunrise”

Comforting Thought: Seek Respite Wherever it Exists, Even the Heart of the Battle

“We may hope, of course, as I do, for smaller flames, a moment of respite, a pause that will allow us to dream again. But perhaps there is no peace for an artist other than the peace found in the heat of combat. “Every wall is a door,” Emerson rightly said. Do not seek theContinue reading “Comforting Thought: Seek Respite Wherever it Exists, Even the Heart of the Battle”

10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #170

Irish rappers Kneecap and their ten rules to live by If you are interested in music, it’s likely that you will have read something, or heard someone banging on about how amazing Kneecap are. They are Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí: a dynamic, charismatic group of rappers from Belfast, whose punchy, sometimes satirical, output movesContinue reading “10 Interesting Things I Found on the Internet #170”