🌍 Culture

• 🎬Two clichés make us laugh. A hundred clichés move us

  Eco explores how _Casablanca_ transcends clichés to unveil narrative power and emotional depth.

• ⚙️Sublime technologies

  Christine Rosen reflects on the evolution of human awe toward machines from the marvel of the dynamo to the mundanity of modern technology.

• 🎹Piano transformers

  Who wouldn't want to dine or sleep inside an elegantly designed piano?

• 🪓Axe Cop!

  A unique collaboration between a child’s imagination and an adult's artistry brings to life the adventures of Axe Cop.

• 🎭Portfolio | StageGrade Logo

  I had the pleasure of designing the logo for the relaunch of StageGrade, an innovative publishing startup focused on theater reviews. The graphic element creatively incorporates StageGrade's unique bar graph representations of critical reviews, while the scalloped corners subtly nod to vintage theater tickets.

• 🎶A graphical analysis of national anthem lyrics

  My quest to learn "La Marseillaise" led me to explore the curious and often violent lyrics of national anthems from around the world.

• 🥦You Are What You Eat, photos by Mark Menjivar

  You can learn a lot about people by examining what's in their refrigerators, as shown in Mark Menjivar's insightful series.

• 💾Lander, by Nick Gentry

  Check out this striking piece by UK artist Nick Gentry, showcasing mixed media using floppy disks.

• 🌌Some awe

  A study finds that awe inspires the most-shared articles, highlighting our need to connect over extraordinary experiences.

• 🏷️Significant objects

  An exploration of how invented narratives can transform thrift store finds into valuable treasures.

• ⛪An archipelago of churches, one pebble at a time

  An incredible account of a unique tradition in Montenegro's Bay of Kotor, where devotion and geology intertwine through the art of throwing stones into the sea.

• 🎶The book of love is long and boring…

  A reflection on Peter Gabriel's upcoming album and its interpretation of beloved songs, highlighting the emotions they evoke.

• 🔪You need a good chopping scene

  This excerpt explores the cinematic artistry of cooking, particularly the act of chopping, as a means of character representation in film.

• 🍂Plundering tradition for helpful tips

  A reflection on how the pursuit of happiness may overshadow the deeper wisdom of ancient traditions.

• 🎨Jason Holly

  A captivating piece that blurs the lines between custom design and found object inspiration. "Love this. It made me slightly less happy once I saw that it was a custom designed-for-designers design rather than a found object. But only slightly."

• 📚What food books say

  A reflection on our complex relationship with food and cookbooks, revealing both knowledge and ignorance throughout history.

• 🍂Agate snuff bottle, China, 19th century

  Reflecting on the intriguing history and artistry of antique Chinese snuff bottles.

• 📚A new (fun) moral duty

  Reflecting on the ethics of book-buying and the value of supporting living authors.

• 🌭Hot dogs of Latin America

  Here's a fascinating look at how American hot dogs have taken on unique local twists throughout Latin America. The variations in Guatemala and Colombia showcase just how inventive cuisine can be.

• 🎭Twenty years of unintended consequences

  Quoting the Simpsons.

• 🧠Mental illness and missing stories

  An insightful exploration of how Western ideas of mental illness are shaped by culture and may lack the complexity of their scientific underpinnings.

• 🕌Sana’a sunset - a panoramic view of Yemen’s capital city

  An amazing interactive view of Yemen's capital, rich in architectural history and variance.

• 🥕Are carrots protestant?

  Exploring the colorful history of our adored carrots reveals a blend of agriculture and politics.

• 🎬Our year in culture - Books, movies, and music of 2009, part 1

  This piece explores personal favorites in film, literature, and music from 2009, weaving together experiences and reflections on art and culture.

• 🌦️Low Rising, by The Swell Season

  Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová explore the blend of joy and sorrow in their new album as The Swell Season, highlighted by the whimsical video for "Low Rising."

• 🌬️California dreaming, on such a winter’s day

  A beautiful capture by Mary Amor evokes the serene yet windy essence of a Southern California winter.

• 🎁Spend less, give more

  Exploring a meaningful approach to the holiday season that emphasizes giving, creativity, and community rather than consumption.

• 📽️Home Movie Reconstructions 1974/2004, by Elliott Malkin

  Elliott Malkin's "Family Movie" revisits 1970s Super 8 footage, merging past and present through shot-for-shot reenactments.

• 📞You had me at 'hello'

  An exploration of how the word "hello" transcended technology and culture through the evolution of telephonic communication.

• 🍽️“To eat good food is to be close to God”

  A lovely exploration of food in cinema, showcasing the connections between culinary delights and storytelling.

• 📞Ahoy, I love you, won’t you tell me your name

  Discover the fascinating history behind the word "hello" and its profound connection to the invention of the telephone.

• 🎼The sparrow and the phonograph

  An insightful warning from John Philip Sousa about the impact of mechanical music on American musical artistry.

• 🧩The private languages of Lego

  A reflection on the unique vocabulary developed by children during Lego play and the importance of naming in their imaginative worlds.

• ⏳Consuming like it’s 2007

  A reflection on the advantages of embracing two-year-old media and technology for a more fulfilling lifestyle.

• 🇺🇸Mix CD | District of Columbulous!

  A visual representation inspired by the iconic design of the Bush and early Obama-era Oval Office, this cover is part of the "50 States!" series. The relevant geolocation coordinates for the national capital, Washington, D.C., are approximately 38.8951° N, 77.0364° W.

• ✋Not all thumbs

  This study reveals how counting gestures differ across cultures, particularly between Germans and Canadians.

• ✉️Circadian writing

  The similarities between email and letter-writing reveal more about communication patterns than universal truths about human correspondence.

• 🎶Grocery Store Musical

  A delightful exploration of spontaneous joy in everyday places, exemplified by Improv Everywhere's charming "Grocery Store Musical" in Queens, NY.

• ✝️St. Bartholomew’s Church, redesigned by Maxim Velcovsky

  Two Czech designers transformed St. Bartholomew's Church, revealing its historical layers while blending iconic design with religious elements.

• 🖌️Highland Light, North Truro, Massachusetts, by Edward Hopper

  This painting captures my admiration for Edward Hopper’s portrayal of desolation and his quick outdoor sketching style.

• 🍵Present to our food

  In this reflection on mindfulness and cultural connections to food, the importance of being present while eating is highlighted through wise teachings and personal anecdotes.

• 📸Wedding Preparations, Davao City, Philippines, by Ryan Anson

  This photograph beautifully captures the blend of activity and stillness during a wedding moment in Davao City.

• 🎨Unimportant enough to be criticized

  A reflection on Dave Hickey's "Frivolity and Unction," exploring the idea that the perceived importance of art can hinder genuine appreciation and critique.

• 🎨Austin, Texas, by Christa Palazzolo

  A captivating exploration of Christa Palazzolo's portrait work, particularly its intimate and revealing nature against the backdrop of irony in her other pieces.

• 🍈Ode to a mangosteen

  I've always been curious about mangosteens, despite never having tasted one.

• 🖼️Gold Rush, by Francesca Gabbiani

  Francesca Gabbiani's work captivates with its rococo naturalism and reflective voids, echoing themes found in circular panoramic photography.

• ✍️Beach calligraphy by Andrew van der Merwe

  South African calligrapher Andrew van der Merwe showcases his unique sand carving technique on a Belgian beach.

• 🎤Perils of a great preformance

  In the realm of operatic improvisation, the influence of early recording legends like Enrico Caruso has overshadowed the art of individual expression.

• 📸light-test.com

  A fascinating glimpse into the behind-the-scenes world of professional photography, showcasing how much work goes into creating stunning images with assistants often taking center stage.

• 🏏Only a game, but not just a game

  A thoughtful reflection on the complexities of life mirrored in the nuances of test match cricket.