Skip to content

Tag Archives: Italy

Zooming windows

Interview with members of the George Formby Society, as they attempt to break an online ukulele-playing record. — For The Critic

The One That Got Away – Dylan Seedin

The Sri Lankan destination-wedding photographer talks about the greatest shot he never got… and one he did. — For the Sri Lankan Sunday Times

A biographical note on Duncan Grant (apropos one of those Facebook challenges that do the rounds occasionally)

A weapons-grade Bloomsburyist, Duncan Grant (1885-1978) spent much of his early childhood in India (natch), where his grandfather had been Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal. He ‘became interested in Japanese prints’ while still at prep school. After attending St Paul’s, Westminster School of Art and the Slade School – interspersed with stints in Italy and France, of […]

NEWS AT A GLANCE #8

Of queens, Slovenes, and the birthplace of James Douglas Morrison. — For Queen Mob’s Tea House

NEWS AT A GLANCE #2

The Spanish Inquisition, and other matters unexpectedly arising. — For Queen Mob’s Tea House

NEWS AT A GLANCE

. There are more Jews in New York than there are in Germany, Great Britain, France, Italy, Spain, and Switzerland put together. They worship in 37 synagogues. Every fifth person belongs to the family of Abraham. — The Nelson Evening Mail, December 1 1906   . Coleraine Blackjack is the cheapest porter in the world. Thomas Nelson […]

“Festooned with Saxons” – or; How great-grandfather won the Triple Crown

‘If success does not throw the Irishmen off their balance, they may go on winning and winning until the height of a season’s ambition may be attained.’ — Athletic News and Cyclists’ Journal, 3 February 1896 . When it comes to the 6 Nations, in recent years the fixtures guys have done well making sure […]

NEWS AT A GLANCE

. Few of those who know and admire the camellia, that waxlike and pure flower, are aware that the parent plant, the origin of the million plants scattered throughout Europe, is still alive and is in Italy. — The Nelson Evening Mail, January 22 1907 . The Taliban now control more territory in Afghanistan than they did […]

NEWS AT A GLANCE

. The typewriter is more largely used in Mexico than in France. — The Nelson Evening Mail, August 2 1906 . In 1943 a British pilot made an emergency landing on the Italian island of Lampedusa, only to have it surrender to him. Kelo trees live for up to 3,500 years, and remain standing for another 700. […]

Other ways of seeing

An A-W of (alternative) artistic terminology   Arte Povera – affordable art Brücke, die – German successors to the Fauvists (later disbanded amid accusations of Fauvoritism) colour – the new ‘black’ deconstruction – critic’s hatchet-job Edvard Munch – AaaaaaaaAAAAARRRGHH!! Freud – act of ripping people off Gauguin – one employed in knocking out Tahitian pearl […]