Art · Observations · Paris · Humour
The Parisian gallery Massimo de Carlo presents a project by the Scandinavian contemporary artist duo Elmgreen & Dragset: a hyperrealist sculpture of a gallery assistant, installed in the window in full view of passers-by. The gallery office, usually hidden behind the exhibition space, has been brought to the fore:
Observations · Mores · People · Nature
As a boy, Robespierre was mad about birds and kept sparrows and pigeons as pets. Once his sisters asked to borrow one of his pigeons and ended up leaving it outside during a storm, and the bird died. On learning of this, Robespierre flew into a rage and wept for
The East · Art · Cinema · Observations · Ethnography
Miyazaki knows the folklore and art of his native Japan very well. I am convinced that Utagawa Yoshiuji's graphic rendering of the legend Kamikiri no kidan, about a maidservant who went to the privy at night and was attacked by something utterly black that seemed to fall upon
Art · Observations · Mores · Humour
Anyone Who Owned a Czechoslovak Suite of Furniture Should Also Enjoy a Czechoslovak Bruegel. Admittedly, ours was from the GDR, but I am very fond of this photograph from the 1970s
Art · Observations · Society
The programme has been running since 2022 and was launched to support the cultural sector after the pandemic. Of 8,200 applicants who met the criteria, 2,000 participants were selected at random (!) and received 1,500 euros a month each from the state. Can you imagine how this "
Art · Books · Monarchies · Observations · Paris
On the other hand, David's sketch indubitably depicts not the majestic Queen of France but a condemned, emaciated woman, made ready for execution. Marie Antoinette was only 37 at the time of her execution on 16 October 1793. After her trial she spent 10 months in the Temple
NB! · Observations
Observations · Mores · Society · Humour
The typical club of our day is where everyone has a “unique style” but the same trainers and the same playlist, and even the bouncer knows you came not for fun but for a top-up of self-esteem. The typical club of the era of the developed welfare state,
NB! · Observations
Faith · Observations · Society
Lenin is a scourge for our sins
Architecture · Observations · Heritage · Paris · Humour
Wherever cultural monuments are restored, the monuments themselves somehow rarely come out as the winners. Take, for instance, the statues by the Molière fountain in Paris, restored three years ago for half a million euros. They are now in rather a strange state, patched up with masking tape in several
Cinema · Observations · Pop Culture · Humour
It looks as though the new Dumbledore's Aguamenti charm has got out of hand. Let us hope that at least Protego Maxima SPF 100 held up. With tears in our eyes, we await the release of the Harry Potter series