Kuriositas

Blinded by the Flag – New Banksy Statue in Central London

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sat, 02 May 2026 07:16:54 +0000

A new work of art by Banksy appeared overnight (29 April) in London’s Waterloo Place. It depicts a man marching, his chest pumped in patriotic pride, holding his nation’s flag aloft. Unfortunately for him, the flag has blinded him, swathing itself around his head so that he has no idea in which direction he is marching. As luck wouldn’t have it, he is marching proudly towards an abyss (or in this case off the plinth). It’s a strikingly simple visual metaphor, but one with great premonitory depth. Image

As ever with Banksy, the work of art arrived without notification or fanfare – although he has now confirmed on Instagram that he created it. It is situated in Waterloo Place, in the St James are of the borough of Westminster. The location is craftily chosen for such an anti-imperialist piece, as Waterloo Place is littered with statues commemorating Britain’s past habit of stepping foot into countries without invitation. You do not have to walk far to encounter statues of Florence Nightingale (and the Crimean War Memorial) as well as one of Edward VII. The artist, who remains anonymous not just because that’s how it has always been but because he has been the target of threatening extremist behaviour, obviously thought long and hard about where to place the statue.

The statue in gold you can see behind Banksy's piece is one of Athena (also known as Minerva), the goddess of both wisdom and war. She seems, almost, to be greeting the new statue - to acknowledge, perhaps, the inherent contradiction of wisdom and war.

There has, of course, been speculation around the identity of the man represented by the sculpture. Some have suggested that it is a certain incumbent US President. Photographer Norman Craig added pithily to this: “Hopefully it will end up as the centre piece of Trump's new ballroom although Banksy will have to fatten up the figure so that we all know it's Donald”. Although the conjecture is fun, it is much more likely (in my opinion!) that Banksy meant this to represent the lot of us – a response to the rise in nationalism both in the UK and across the world. We know from history where it leads – but here we are, doing the “blind patriotism” thing all over again.

No one can say how long the statue will be in place – but apparently the local council (Westminster) is already taking “steps to protect the statue” – and although we’re not sure exactly what that means, there are no current plans to have the statue removed. Although I am sure that many will see this statue as an affront to British imperial history, just as many will see this as a sign that free speech (at least in a visual format) is still very much alive in the UK and long may it march on.

We Were Here Once – A Letter to the Ones Beyond the Stars

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sat, 02 May 2026 06:22:45 +0000

Voyager 1 and 2 each carried a Golden Record, a disc which carried sounds, images, music and greetings from our planet to anyone or anything that might come across the spacecraft as they travel through interstellar space. Yet what would you write if you were to send your own missive to the ones beyond the stars? This deeply thought-provoking short film by Véras Fawaz focuses on an elderly gentleman, approaching death with quiet dignity, who is about to send his final message.

As well as being a beautiful piece of film-making, with the visual richness of a full-length movie, the message that the old man sends into space is something very special. Shaped by the awareness of his own mortality, as well as that of those he loves and loved, the letter presents us as fragile, yet driven and very, very, well, human. It confronts issues that are very twenty-first century – how we fill our lives with stories and screens to cope with fear, even though that might make us feel more disconnected than ever. The old man identifies love as the defining human force, on which is quiet, enduring and found in moments both ordinary and extraordinary. It sends to the stars a simple message – that humans feel, fear and love. And even as we edge towards death, we still hope to connect.

Watch We Were Here Once below.

GENER8ION - Storm starring Yung Lean – A Visceral Dance Performance

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:48:32 +0000

Set in Leeds in 2034, GENER8ION’s new video for Storm, with Swedish rapper, singer, and songwriter Yung Lean taking the lead, is something very, very different. It is immediately reminiscent of “If…” the 1968 satirical drama set in a strict boys’ boarding school where the students rebel and things escalate into chaos. I’m not sure if that is where the inspiration for this video came from, but I was also reminded of the character of Mondain, the older, aggressive student who arrives partway through 2002’s Les Choristes and proceeds to terrorise the school. Lean plays one such student, who rules the school through a combination of sheer thuggery and menacing charm. Throw a little single-sex Battle Royale and a slice of Lord of the Flies into the mix and you get Storm. As you might expect, the video is brimming with testosterone and hats off to these boys - they don’t hold back.

Remember, though: chaos almost always has a still center. Like the eye of a hurricane.

In case you haven’t come across GENER8ION before, it is the stage name of Surkin, a French electronic music producer. He uses the GENER8ION name for a more experimental, audio-visual project that blends electronic music with striking visuals and film-style storytelling. One of the best-known works under this name is the track The New International Sound (Part II), which has a powerful, cinematic feel and a famous video set in a Chinese martial arts school. I have a feeling that this video is going to become equally as (in)famous. The first part comes across, as I have said, like “If…” on acid.

Yet it is the second part of this music video that makes it so special, extraordinary even. It's the end of the academic year - the end of school for these particular reprobates! The boys line up for a school photo, with Lean at its heart and then they dance. Finally they dance. And oh boy, do they dance. The choreography by Damien Jalet is superb, and the whole ensemble is directed with great panache by Romain Gavras. One of the commenters on YouTube said “AI – good luck trying to do something like this”. Well, that’s because this isn’t just a very clever music video that contains a bit of dancing. This is art. Another commenter said “Easily one of the best music videos I’ve ever seen. And I’m old.” I agree. This is phenomenal.

So, what is the fuss all about? Watch the video below.

Apocalypse Dog

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 15:12:00 +0000

This animated short is a blast from start to finish… it could easily form the basis of an excellent video game. It tells the story of Bob and Pasha (the apocalypse dog of the title), who go about their business scavenging a living, with everything they own tottering and teetering on top of their rusty, dilapidated old car. Bob does, frankly, look a little too well-fed for someone living after the end of the world as we know it, but perhaps the wasteland is full of calories as well as dangers. His companion Pasha, who I think might be a miniature Doberman (definitely as wilful as some I have met!), is the more gregarious of the two – and it is his inclination to go in search of the source of a tantalising aroma that causes a rift in their relationship… and exposes both to great danger.

Told at breakneck speed, Apocalypse Dog successfully uses a number of cunning structural devices to tell its story - right up to the end - as well as changes in animation style. It’s a fantastic piece of animation from a group of students at Rubika (in Valenciennes, France) which would be great as a supporting feature at the movies. I particularly like the facial expressions that both Bob and Pasha use to communicate their thoughts and feelings. All told, this is an animated short brimming with vitality and humour. It is quite amazing to think that this is an undergraduate project, given the high quality of both the animation and storyline.

Apocalypse Dog was directed by Aziliz Le Clainche, Camille Nasarre, Jing Qian, Juliette Barraux, Emma Plumey, Lucile Arnaud and Solène Cauchie. The music was composed by Cyrille Marchesseau, with sound design by Valentin Petiteau, and features voice work from Michel Elias (shout out here – great emotional communication using little more than grunts!).

What Happens When Phosphorus Runs Out?

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 14:09:25 +0000

Phosphorus is underestimated. We don’t talk about it enough - so here are some very cool facts about phosphorus. It is a finite resource and there is no point looking for it elsewhere as it is very rare in the universe (not all stars create it and that’s why, some say, that alien life is proving elusive). Phosphorus is the “unsung hero” in all life itself – it’s even in our DNA. We get it from the food we eat, and the plants get it from the soil – it’s a cycle – but one which we managed to inhibit once we started living in cities and developed sanitation.

Many scientists believe that we are going to run out of it this century. It’s a crisis that will happen but what will we do about it? Find out much more about this fascinating element than you probably ever wanted to, what happened when we discovered it and what the future might like without it in this fascinating short by BBC Earth Science.

Ducks: Cute, Clever… and Slightly Unhinged

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 14:09:06 +0000

I do love a cautionary tale about ducks. And, as luck would have it, this very funny animated short has just come up on my radar. A number of people, looking for a little recreation, visit their local park. They hope, of course, to do the normal “parky” things, stroll around, take in the scenery, feed the ducks a little bread – that kind of thing. Something of a shock waits in store for them – some of the local ducks have worryingly changed…

The animated short – entitled “Ducks” (well it would be, wouldn’t it?), is self-funded, and written, directed, designed and animated by one person - AJ Jefferies. Music and sound design is by Megalithic Sound. It was very well received on the festival circuit, reaping a number of awards. This includes the audience choice award at the Sweaty Eyeballs International Shorts Competition and it won the Best Short Film for Children award at the Kuki Festival in Berlin. As Kuriositas is, after all, a place for grow-up children who want to keep learning, it’s quite fitting and appropriate that we feature it here. Watch “Ducks” below…

Bird’s Nest Fungi: Tiny Nests, Big Trick

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 26 Apr 2026 08:46:00 +0000

Bird’s Nest Fungi are tiny – not much bigger than a fingernail. Yet if noticed, they are rarely forgotten as they appear like eggs, laid somewhat haphazardly in a nest by what would most definitely be the smallest, klutziest bird in the world.

As a cosmopolitan species – in other words one which is found across most parts of the world – you would probably not have to go far from your house in order to find them either. If you have a garden, they may even already be there waiting for you to discover them. Image

Image Credit

As long as you live close to somewhere that plant matter is breaking down – rotting wood, fallen logs, woodland floors, bark mulch, woodchip beds, compost heaps or even rich soil – you will likely find bird’s nest fungi. That’s because it is a saprobic family of species; they thrive where organic material is decomposing, feeding on the nutrients released as plant matter breaks down into simpler compounds.

Altogether, there are roughly 60–70 described bird's nest species (so you will see a variety here), though the exact number shifts a little depending on how mycologists classify and split them - fungal taxonomy is still being refined with genetic data. To give you a better idea of their size, here are some examples next to coins.

Image

Let’s look at the family name. It is Nidulariaceae which comes from nidulus the Latin for little nest. Nidus means nest and nidulus is the diminutive form. In fact, Italians still call a nest a nido (close enough) and a little nest a nidino – it’s a linguistic habit that has survived the centuries. Nidulariaceae have been around a little longer - for tens of millions of years, and have been quietly doing their thing all that time.

Image

That brings us on to the obvious question – what exactly is their thing? Why have they evolved to look like a bird’s nest? It isn’t a form of coevolution; birds have been around even longer. To us, yes, of course they look like a bird’s nest, but that is pareidolia, when the brain perceives recognisable shapes or patterns in random or unrelated things. these tiny structures are part of one of nature’s most ingenious reproductive systems - one that relies not on wings or wind, but on the well-aimed splash of a raindrop…

Image

The spores initially develop inside an enclosed fruiting body, a condition known as an angiocarpic development. This means they are not exposed to the air (or more importantly, the rain) while they mature. Fruiting body formation occurs when conditions are warm and moist rather than following a fixed seasonal timetable.

Image

As the fruiting body develops, it forms an outer layer called the peridium. This layer eventually splits open or disintegrates, and exposes the peridioles (the “eggs” visible in the nest). These peridioles contain the spores, which are then ready for dispersal - a stage in which this fungal family shows a particularly specialised bit of adaptive ingenuity.

Image

Although bird’s nest fungi were first described in the early 1600s, it was three hundred years before mycologists deduced that raindrops were the important factor in getting the eggs out of the nest, as it were. This mechanism is now known as “splash dispersal” and involves a raindrop hitting a nest at a particular angle which, thanks to the shape of the nest and the angle of its internal walls (70–75° with the horizontal), propels the eggs up to a metre (3 ft 3 in) from the cup.

Image

Some of the species in the family even have a sticky thread attached to the periodole, called a funiculus, which trails during propulsion and swings itself around any piece of vegetation it encounters during its rain-induced flight. Put simply, a raindrop hits the nest and throws out the eggs which then latch onto anything they hit.

So it’s a case of splash and grab, effectively.

Image

The spores are though to then be ingested by local fauna. They are not the main course (being too tiny) and then continue the lifecycle again in the droppings of animals such as deer. As a note, while not poisonous to us, the bird's nest fungi has zero nutritional value, so if the idea of trying some has entered your head, don't bother...

If you would prefer something visual (that's not too abysmal, apologies, Frank), then take a look at the video below.

So what looks like, at first glance, to be simply a whimsical woodland curiosity turns out to be a finely tuned piece of biological engineering. It is an elegant reminder that nature’s most astonishing solutions are often hidden in plain sight, disguised as something so small, so familiar, and so easily overlooked that you might walk past it without ever realising you’ve just missed one of evolution’s quiet masterpieces.

Image

S.O.U.R.C.E. - Water Wars on Alien Worlds: The Final Mecha Duel for Humanity’s Last Oasis

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 17:33:31 +0000

In the far future, water has become scarce in the universe, leading inevitably to war. On the planet Airon, a unit of mechas of the intergalactic corporation S.O.U.R.C.E. has been assigned to take over the last oasis, but met fierce resistance. Finally, there are only two left – and this is their last battle. Whoever wins will gain the only remaining pure source of water in the galaxy…

This animated short by a group of ESMA students is, effectively, one long battle sequence and as such shows off their animation skills with panache. It’s breath-taking, non-stop and ingenious. Yet there is also a poignant story at the heart of all this sound and fury, which you only appreciate right at the end. Hats off to these students for telling this story – a visual metaphor for how our own planet is going frankly!

The short was directed by Alexandre André, Louis Bonnaud, Adrien Gouloubi, Mathieu Hebrard, Pierre Lopez, Anton Markov, Evana Mingsisouphanh, Maxence Porelli, and Ludovic Vacher with music by Seiji Champollion. Sound was by Guilhem Favard, José Vicente and Yoann Poncet with the voices provided by José Vicente.

Bette Midler Sings Woody Guthrie’s All You Fascists (Bound to Lose) with a Stellar Supporting Cast

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 14:57:54 +0000

Bette Midler may be 80, but she can still belt out a good number. There are few better (or timelier) than Woody Guthrie’s All You Fascists (Bound to Lose). The lyrics have been updated a little (with permission from Guthrie’s family) and is an exhortation to voters to get to the polls and vote. It’s definitely a toe-tapper and Midler delivers it with her usual gusto. Not only that, it has a stellar supporting cast of backing singers, too.

You may be able to spot one or more of the following… Barbara Hershey (co-starred with Bette Midler in Beaches), David Hyde Pierce (appeared with Bette Midler in Down and Out in Beverly Hills), Brian Hargrove (married to David Hyde Pierce, linking him to Bette Midler), Shoshana Bean (Wicked), Marisha Wallace (Dreamgirls), Jennifer Lewis (The Preacher’s Wife), Christian Dante White (Ain’t Too Proud), Sara Edwards Butler (Sister Act), Ari Butler (Les Misérables), Matthew Mucha (Save Rock and Roll), Jaime Bartolett (The Phantom of the Opera), Aron Kaburick (Jersey Boys), Amanda LaMotte (Wicked), Elaine Caswell (Cats), Kristen Beth Williams (Wicked), James Ludwig (Law & Order), Cayden Smaka (The Voice), Corban Belle (Hamilton), and finally Don’Tae Mitchell (Dreamgirls). Phew – that’s quite a cast.

Guthrie himself wrote the song in the early 1940s as a response to the fascist threat of Hitler, Mussolini and the likes. Midler, who is concerned about the way that politics is going in her own home country, has sent out this message to her fans: “I hope you'll sing it when you are marching. Because sometimes people, sometimes you just gotta SING OUT!”. Indeed. Take a look at the video below.

How Fast Did Teen Gossip Spread Before Social Media? This 1963 Musical Number has the Answer

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:13:11 +0000

Want to spread gossip? Then tell a teen. The very worst age group with which to share a secret – or even something you don’t want spread about – is to spill the beans to a teenager. These days, emails, text messages, social media and apps of varying degree of iniquity – all combine to ensure that when Kim and Hugo get together, and Kim texts Kathy to tell her – that the entire world will know within approximately thirty seconds. It may seem like a modern phenomenon, but it is only the methods of communication that have changed. And this clip from 1963 proves it more than adequately but with a lot of charm.

Back then, it was all about the spoken word but way, way more importantly, it was about the telephone. I used to continually astonish my parents that after seeing my friends all day in school, I would find the need (let alone the things to say) to phone them in the evening. Not for a few minutes, of course. We would natter on about pretty much anything and everything, anyone and everyone, until I was told (in no uncertain terms) to put the phone down (usually by my mother who wanted to do some nattering of her own.

This clip from the 1963 movie Bye Bye Birdie shows us the teenage Pony Express at full throttle. When Kim McAfee (Ann-Margret) is “pinned” by Hugo Peabody (Bobby Rydell) – an American teenage tradition where a boy gives his girlfriend his school pin to show they’re officially a couple - the news spreads at lightning speed. The neighbourhood telephone chain erupts, with calls, gossip, and teenage hysteria bouncing from house to house in minutes. It all unfolds in one of the most energetic and memorable musical sequences directed by George Sidney. It’s something of a joy to behold. Watch it below.

The Fallen Angel: The Shocking Painting of the Devil that Nearly Destroyed a 24-Year-Old Genius

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:43:01 +0000

Painted almost 180 years ago in 1847, The Fallen Angel, created by Alexandre Cabanel when he was just 24 years old, still has the power to engage, to captivate, to horrify – you name the emotion, people will experience it when they see this painting for the first time. When I first saw it in my teenage years, I was amazed that Cabanel got away with something so daring, so risqué, so controversial at such a young age. The truth is – he didn’t get away with it. Like the Lucifer of Liege, which we covered several years ago, the story of both Cabanel and his painting of the devil is a little more complex.

The picture could have been career-ending for a young artist at this particular point of time. Cabanel was not expected to take on such challenging subjects at such a young age – and not only that, he presents Satan as an astonishingly beautiful young man. The painting’s reception was scathing, something which (rightly) incensed the young painter. I will leave the bulk of the story to the great video by Inspiraggio (great name for a YouTube channel) below, but I’m happy to say that Cabanel went on to a long and illustrious career – his most praised work, ironically, would be the Death of Moses, painted in 1851.

Like Cabanel, The Fallen Angel we see here is down but certainly not out. The eyes are perhaps the most remarkable part of the composition. Look at them – is it anger, resentment, regret, or hatred we can see? Ultimately, it’s up to you. However, this painting has had a host of earthly admirers and detractors in its long history. If you are a science-fiction fan, you may look at the expression in the eyes, the way that the arms are held, and wonder where you have seen that before. It is believed that George Lucas was inspired by the painting when filming the final showdown between Anakin Skywalker and his old Jedi master, Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.

How true or not this is, I cannot say, not having a direct line to Mr Lucas. However, for this history of The Fallen Angel and its reception, take a look at the fascinating video below.

The Stained Group

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:51:00 +0000

If you fancy an extended visual metaphor, you’ve come to the right place. This heartfelt and very touching animated short tells the story of Finn, a young boy who has stains on his skin. He has met up with a trio of other kids that have similar stains, and together they form a community – one which helps them put up with the prejudice they encounter about their condition every day. I guess that doesn’t sound too cheerful – and it isn’t – but I was left at the end with a sense of optimism.

This animated short was created by a group of students at Rubika. It has taken quite a while for this to make it onto the schools YouTube channel, but it won the prestigious "Jury's Choice" award at SIGGRAPH 2019. The Stained Group was created by a talented bunch of students – directed by Mélanie Lopez, Chan Stéphie Peang, Alice Jaunet, Simon Boucly, Marie Ciesielski, and Béatrice Viguier. Music is by Valentin Lafort and sound design by Henri Petitprez and Kamal Ouazène. Watch The Stained Group below – and I am pretty sure you will know why I love this animated short so much by the time you get to the end!

The Most Popular Card Games for Solo Play and Social Gatherings

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:30:00 +0000

Image Credit

Card games remain one of the most adaptable forms of play. A single deck can support quiet solo sessions or lively social gatherings without requiring a complex setup. For players, the appeal lies in variety. Some games offer structure and focus, while others encourage interaction and quick thinking.

This article explores five popular card games that work well across different settings. Each section focuses on one game, with clear details to help players understand how and when to play it.

Solitaire for Focused Solo Play

Solitaire stands as the most recognized solo card game. It’s designed for one player and emphasizes sequencing, planning, and attention to detail. The most common version is Klondike, where players build foundation piles in ascending order by suit.

The gameplay begins with a tableau of cards arranged in columns. Players reveal hidden cards while moving them between columns in alternating colors. The goal is to organize all cards into the foundation piles.

Solitaire works well because it allows full control. Players can move at their own pace, restart when needed, and gradually improve their approach. Variations like Spider and FreeCell add different levels of complexity, offering new challenges without changing the core idea.

This game suits quiet environments and helps build patience. Over time, players become more efficient at recognizing patterns and planning several moves.

Baccarat for Structured Table Play

Baccarat offers a clear and structured format that appeals to players who prefer simple rules and an orderly pace. The game centers on comparing two hands, known as the player’s and the banker’s. Because each hand follows fixed drawing rules, the experience feels easy to follow and free from unnecessary complexity.

That simplicity becomes even clearer once players understand how card values work. The aim is to reach a total closest to nine, which gives each round a clean and consistent objective. After a few hands, the rhythm of the game starts to feel natural.

Baccarat’s appeal lies in its structured play, where each round follows a consistent flow. Players who prefer a controlled pace often choose to play baccarat in a casino platform, where the environment mirrors that same steady rhythm.

Each round follows a familiar sequence, which makes it easy to stay engaged without needing to track too many moving parts. The game doesn’t require extensive memorization, yet it maintains interest through its balance and predictable structure.

Rummy for Balanced Social Play

Rummy is a strong choice for small groups. It combines simple rules with enough depth to keep players engaged. The objective is to form sets of matching ranks or runs of consecutive cards in the same suit.

Each player receives a hand and takes turns drawing and discarding cards. Observation plays a key role, as players track what others pick up or discard. This adds a subtle layer of strategy without making the game difficult to follow.

Rummy is flexible. It can be played casually or with more structured rules, depending on the group. Gin Rummy, a faster variation, shortens rounds and keeps the pace steady.

The game works well in social settings because it encourages interaction without overwhelming new players. It creates a balance between thinking and conversation, making it suitable for relaxed gatherings where players want engagement without complexity.

Uno for Accessible Group Interaction

Uno is widely known for its accessibility and quick learning curve. It uses a specialized deck with colors and action cards, making it visually clear and easy to follow. Players aim to be the first to play all their cards by matching color or number.

The inclusion of action cards such as skip, reverse, and draw cards adds variety. These elements create dynamic rounds where the direction and pace can change quickly. This keeps all players involved throughout the game.

Uno works especially well for mixed groups. Players of different experience levels can join without needing extensive explanation. The rules are simple enough for beginners, yet the interactions keep it engaging.

The game thrives in social environments because it encourages direct participation. Each turn affects the group, creating a shared sense of movement and energy that keeps sessions lively.

Poker for Versatile Play Styles

Poker is one of the most adaptable card games. It can be played in various formats, but the core idea remains the same. Players aim to build the strongest hand using a combination of cards.

In casual settings, simplified versions focus on hand rankings and turn-based play. This allows new players to learn without dealing with complex rules. More structured versions introduce stages of play, where players receive cards, reveal shared cards, and compare hands.

Poker works well because it scales easily. It can be played with a small group or a larger table. The rules can also be adjusted to match the experience level of the players.

This flexibility makes it suitable for both relaxed gatherings and more focused sessions. Players can choose the level of structure they prefer while still enjoying the same core gameplay.

Finding the Right Card Game for Every Setting

Card games continue to stand out because of their flexibility. Some are designed for quiet focus, while others bring people together through shared interaction. The key for players is understanding what each game offers and choosing accordingly.

Solitaire provides structure for solo sessions. Rummy and Uno encourage social connection with simple yet engaging mechanics. Baccarat delivers a steady and organized experience, while Poker adapts to different play styles.

With just a deck of cards, players can shift between these experiences with ease. This variety ensures that there is always a suitable option, whether the goal is concentration, interaction, or a balance of both.

The Painted Monasteries of Romania

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 14:19:00 +0000

You would reasonably expect a monastery to have frescoes - inside. Yet a number of monasteries in the Romanian region of Moldavia have centuries old frescoes on the exterior of their katholikon (main church) which have, incredibly, survived the years and the elements. Perhaps the most famous, which you can see here, is the Voronet Monastery with its bright azurite background – known to Romanians as Voronet blue - but it is not alone in this remarkable tradition.

Image Creditt Flickr User Waqas Ahmed

Image Credit Flickr User Waqas Ahmed

The scope of the fresco is enough to make you dizzy. Each part of the exterior wall seems to be dedicated to telling a Biblical story. On its western wall, it shows the Last Judgement. The northern wall shows Genesis with the southern wall featuring the family trees of people from the Old Testament. Yet what is, seemingly, implausible is that these frescoes have survived for so long without being touched up in any way. The paint, after all, is just a few millimeters thick. Yet here they are.

Image Credit Flickr User Marche-Lointaines

Image Credit Flickr Usre Chodaboy

Image Credit Flickr User Marches-Lointaines

Image Credit Flickr User GTravels
Although exactly when the frescoes were painted is not known the monastery itself was ordered by Stefan the Great of Moldavia in 1488 who wished to celebrate and venerate his victory in a recent battle against the Ottoman Empire. His construction of the monastery coincides with the arrival of Saint Daniil the Hermit who is buried inside the monastery and was its first abbot.

Image Credit Flickr User COsti31

Image Credit Flickr User Waqas Ahmed

Image Credit Flickr User Notanayron
The frescoes are, quite simply, astonishing. Yet when the Hapsburgs annexed the northern part of Moldavia in 1775 it was deserted soon after and the monastic community did not return until the 1990s. How it weathered its abandonment so well remains something of a mystery: some say it is little short of a miracle. It is little wonder, then, that Voronet is often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of the East.

Image Credit Flickr User Trekking the Planet

Image Credit Flickr User Em and Ernie

Image Credit Flickr User Prof Mortel
Yet Voronet is not the only Romanian monastery to have its exterior walls painted. There are other lesser known examples which add up to an extraordinary gift to the cultural heritage of the country. Humor Monastery (above) boasts its own external frescoes which may not have weathered the elements as well as those at Voronet but are still incredibly striking. Humor was built in 1530, abandoned in 1786 and, like Voronet, did not reopen again until the end of the twentieth century.

Image Credit Flickr User Prof Mortel

Image Credit Flickr User Prof Mortel
Unlike those at Voronet, we known when the Humor frescoes were painted and by whom. Choosing a dominant reddish brown for his work, Toma of Suceava oversaw the painting of the frescoes in 1535. His subjects were from the Bible – the Last Judgement and a visual paean to the Virgin. However, his work also includes the Siege of Constantinople which was a propaganda tool against the Ottoman Empire, which was at the height of its powers at the time the frescoes were created. Even though this particular siege of Constantinople was in 626CE and the invaders were Persians, they are still nevertheless depicted as Turks!

Image Credit Flickr User Marches Lointaines

Image Credit Flickr User Globetrotter Rodrigo

Image Credit Flickr User Marius Burlan
Moldovita Monastery was built in 1532 to serve as a symbolic and protective barrier against the Turks. It was built by Voivode (warlord) Petru Rares who was the illegitimate son of Stefan the Great (who ordered the construction of Voronet).

Image Credit Flickr User mkffcs

Image Credit Flickr User roncaglia
Rares was a Turkish vassal who, despite inheriting his father’s love of constructing religious buildings, oversaw a number of disasters for his country and actually lost the throne for two years in 1539. Moldivata remains one of his finest achievements, however.

Image Credit Flickr User Chodaboy

Image Credit Flickr User Globetrotter Rodrigo

Image Credit Flickr User Prof Mortel
The 1500s saw a massive investment in religious buildings in the country. In 1585, Sucevița Monastery (above) was built and this too had exterior frescoes. As with the other monasteries, Sucevita combines elements of both Byzantine and Gothic architecture and its paintings too show incidents from both the Old and the New Testament. However, it is probably the last of the monasteries to be painted: it is thought its frescoes date from the beginning of the seventeenth century. It is also different in as much that it was the residence of local nobility as well as monks.

Image Credit Flickr User Ark in Time

Image Credit Flickr User Prof Mortel

Image Credit Flickr User Prof Mortel
There is a certain mystery to Sucevita. The western wall of the monastery is unpainted – and so stands out as a certain puzzle. The local legend maintains that the artist responsible for the frescoes fell to his death from the scaffolding. The other artists, seeing this as a portent of evil, were too afraid to continue the work and abandoned it, unfinished. There is no other story offered, so perhaps it is best to believe this one.

Image Credit Flickr User Prof Mortel

Image Credit Flickr User Globetrotter Rodrigo

Image Credit Flickr User Globetrotter Rodrigo
Although Sucevita was never abandoned it had a period of relative inactivity. While the communists were in power, from 1947-1989 only nuns over the age of fifty were permitted a licence to remain at the site. Once democracy came to Romania after the 1989 Romanian Revolution, the place began to thrive once more.

Images by Waqas Ahmed, G Travels, Richard Mortel, iursu
Despite their UNESCO World Heritage status the painted monasteries of Moldavia remain little known outside Romania. These represent, however, an amazing story of survival through the centuries as well as contributing significantly to both Romanian and European heritage.

First Image Credit Flickr User Marius Burlan

Who are the Outstanding Ballet Power Couple Duos of Modern Times?

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 10:49:00 +0000

Now, there’s a question and although many will agree on some included on the list that Christina of Facethe Barre has compiled, it may be down to your own particular tastes when you draw up your own! Christina used to dance for the Estonian National Ballet, so she certainly knows her dancers (and she pronounces their names beautifully and authentically) – she will have studied their moves since she was a child. So, I think her list is excellent (although she includes just four ballet power couples!). I would probably included Giorgi Potskhishvili, with his most high-profile stage partnership at the Dutch National Ballet being Anna Tsygankova, but I am a bit of a Giorgi fan.

The four couples that Christina focuses on are Natalia Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev, Ekaterina Maximova and Vladimir Vasiliev, Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev, Gelsey Kirkland and Mikhail Baryshnikov. I particularly like the way that she describes the partnerships, really showing her in-depth understanding and knowledge of why these partnerships are obsessed over by so many. Ivan Vasiliev and Natalia Osipova are my favorite choice of hers (we featured Ivan on Kuriositas back in 2011). Once engaged in real life, their on-stage chemistry was always palpable, especially in their supreme performances in Romeo and Juliet. Their infamous decision to leave the Bolshoi is also something which Christina covers here.

As for the other couples – so many of these names are well-known outside of ballet circles and if you were asked on the street to name some amazing partnerships in the ballet world, I would expect you to come up with one or two of these! Take a look at her video below – I must say that I haven’t seen many ballet videos on YouTube that are presented by someone with such an extensive knowledge of the form as Christina.

King's Return Michael Jackson Medley: 34 Hits in a Stunning A Cappella Tribute

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 08:30:00 +0000

There are 34 Michael Jackson hits featured in this medley of his hits by the King's Return a capella group of singers. So, the chances are that your favorite Michael Jackson songs are in here somewhere! It starts off gently with Human Nature, and transitions from there into so many different Michael Jackson hits that you might have difficulty keeping up with them all as they speed by. The transitions are pretty amazing – and I would not like to imagine how long it must have taken to first of all put this together (hats off to whoever did it) not to mention rehearsal time to come up with this pitch-perfect rendition of so many of Jackson’s hits. The harmonies are incredible.

So, who are King’s Return? They’re a Dallas-based a cappella quartet whose sound feels far bigger than four voices ought to allow. First gaining attention through viral stairwell performances, they’ve built a reputation for rich, soothing harmonies that blend R&B, gospel, jazz and classical influences into something seamless and distinctive. Formed in 2016 and finalised in 2020, the group - Vaughn Faison, Gabe Kunda, JE McKissic and Jamall Williams - quickly found a global audience. Their debut work and viral videos brought critical acclaim, even Grammy recognition, but it’s their warmth, versatility and understated virtuosity that make them truly compelling. King’s Return created this video in honor of the upcoming Michael Jackson movie starring Jaafar Jackson (Michael’s real-life nephew).

Take it away, gentlemen!

Britain’s Lost Rainforests: How the UK Once Had Lush Forests – and the Plan to Restore Them

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 07:44:00 +0000

When I was a kid, I thought that rainforests were only located in more exotic parts of the world (I grew up in the UK, which can be called many things, but exotic isn’t one of them!). I associated rainforests with places like Africa, India and even Australia – with huge trees and ferns, and animals like tigers and elephants living in them. It wasn’t till much later that I learned that the UK itself had rainforests – but temperate ones – and that, unfortunately, where they once spread across the land, especially the east coast of the UK (even on the Isle of Man), what was left were just fragments of the grandeur that was, before we came along and pretty much ruined it!

Of course, this degradation panned out over a couple of thousand years, speeding up once the Industrial Revolution too hold of the UK (which may not even have been called that at the time) and it is going to take a hundred years to renew them. Where once extended rainforests flourished, land was cleared for growing populations and for the food which was needed to sustain them. This was done methodically but without any particular care and forethought – it was done in response to demand and without any real conservation laws in place, it was open season. Just look at the wildlands of Scotland – their bareness is so embedded within the Scottish and British psyches that we can easily believe that was how they have always been. But the Roman name for Scotland was Caledonia, derived from Celtic origins and thought to mean “land of the hard woods”.

But how do we recover our British rainforests? Over a long period of time is the answer. Over at least a century. We can’t just plant trees and walk away – it’s much more complex than this. So, step forward the Wildlife Trusts, with their ambitious plan to join up many of the remnants of the rainforest on the east coast of the UK (Wales gets a great mention!). It isn’t going to be ready by next summer, unfortunately, but as smaller programmes that have already started have shown, this kind of venture starts generating jobs and visitors much more quickly than you might imagine - because recovery itself can surprise us all with its speed if it is properly planned and managed. This beautifully animated video explains the rainforests, how they came to shrink and what is proposed to do about restoring them (or perhaps renewing them) to at least some of their former glory. It’s ambitious – and it’s going to take a century. Watch the video below.

It doesn't say which animation house created this, but hats off to them - gorgeous work!

Hope-65 – a Chimp Explores the Stars to Find a New Planet for Humanity

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:46:00 +0000

In the not too distant future, we reach out beyond our own solar system in search of a new home. To do this, space ships are launched, “manned” by our closest relative – chimpanzees. Specially trained, they must ascertain whether or not our exodus may begin, giving us a new home full of natural resources to claim as our own. One of these chimpanzee explorers is Hope-65, one of a long line of her kind to go into space on our behalf. She eventually arrives at a planet which fulfils all the necessary criteria to sustain us into the future. It’s time to let us know, so we can journey to our new home…

This beautifully made animated short was created as a graduation project over a two-year period by students at Ecole Brassart, a French school of the creative professions. The character animation of Hope-65 herself is expert, belying the fact that this is a student made film. The new planet is gorgeous - realised with great care and attention - I think anyone might wish to live there! Although one does have to suspend disbelief around a chimp being allowed to make such a final final decision, that's not too much to ask!

Hope-65 was created by Eliott Curaba, Louis Grand, Nolan Vercasson, Alicia Serra, Mathilde Peis, Evan Mastropietro, Tonin Molina and Léo Soler with music and sound design by Görkem Agar, Eliott Manche-Gentelet, Hugo Bressaud and Ayden Heurtevent. I think this is probably the first time we have featured something by Brassart students on Kuriositas, and from the quality of this, I very much doubt it will be the last. A huge congratulations to all the students (and their teachers) involved in this animated short – it really is something to be proud of.

Zas Dance Platform - Nemesis by Benjamin Clementine

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 17:20:00 +0000

You may remember the irrepressible dance film of Stromae’s “Mauvaise Journée” by Zas Dance Platform, featured on Kuriositas last August. Well, they have delivered another blinder. This time, it’s an interpretation of Nemesis by Benjamin Clementine. Directed by Zaslavskyi Yevhenii and Bazela Oleksii (who also dances), the 2014 track, from Clementine’s debut album At Least for Now, is a great choice and complements the ZAS dancers’ elegant urgency perfectly.

Nemesis is one of Benjamin Clementine’s best-known tracks and is emotionally very intense and as such, the backdrop here is dark, the movements exploring the themes of consequence and karma. The song tells the story of a relationship where the betrayers becomes the betrayed and the Zas trademark jerky movements and a hundred emotions expressed in a few seconds reflects the message of the song – that if we don’t treat people with fairness and integrity, there will always be consequences. You know what karma is, after all…

A little about ZAS Dance Platform – it is a creative initiative showcasing innovative contemporary dance from emerging and established choreographers. The platform provides a space for artists to experiment, collaborate, and bring new perspectives to the stage, highlighting both technical skill and artistic expression. Through this performance, Bazela and his fellow dancers explore movement and storytelling in a dynamic and engaging way. As ever, the dancers are also quite pleasing to the eye…

Watch Zas Dance Platform’s interpretation of Nemesis by Benjamin Clementine below.

Yallah! - Animated Short Film

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 15:55:00 +0000

Yallah! is an Arabic term and can mean anything from “Let’s go!” or “Come on!” or “Hurry up!”. I guess it could be any of the three in the context of this animated short from students at Rubika. Set in the middle of the Lebanon war of 1982, we meet Nicolas, a man about to flee his virtually destroyed city, Beirut. However, before too long he encounters Naji, a teenager who lands abruptly on the bonnet of his car. Despite the chaos and destruction of war (or perhaps because of it), he has become determined to go swimming – and the pool is only a few blocks away. Ignoring Nicolas’ warnings and protestations, Naji is determined to swim – and Nicolas feels the need to try and somehow protect him as he makes his way there.

This is a beautifully made film, and you may find yourself disbelieving that it is a student film, such is its exceptionally high standard of animation. Exploring identity and movement through powerful visual storytelling, It has a certain lyrical quality to it, despite the backdrop and is much more fun than you might expect, given the time and place in which it is set. Yallah! was directed by Nayla Nassar, Edouard Pitula, Renaud De Saint Albin, Cécile Adant, Anaïs Sassatelli, and Candice Behague. This animated short won "Best Student Project" at SIGGRAPH 2022 (prestigious because it showcases world-leading innovation in computer graphics, judged by experts, and launches careers in film, gaming, and technology). It has only just become available to stream and I’m really pleased to be able to share it with you on Kuriositas.

Jodhpur - India's Blue City

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 09:39:00 +0000

Image Credit Flickr User Johntrathome

Travellers journeying through the desolate landscape of the unforgiving Thar desert in the Indian state of Rajasthan would know when they had reached their destination. The sky would fall to the ground and everything would become a single color – blue. Jodhpur would lie before them, opening up like a blue treasure in the desert.

Image Credit Flickr User ciamabue

Image Credit Flickr User Nomad Tales

Why the population of the fortress city – the Blue City as it is universally known – took to painting their houses in various shades of blue is not completely certain. Yet most believe it is to do with the prevailing caste system in India.

Image Credit Flickr User dietollevonlioe

It is thought that Brahmins – members of the priestly class – first took to coloring their houses blue (yet perhaps it should really be called indigo) to signify their domicile and to set them apart from the rest of the population. Soon, however, the rest of the population followed suit. History does not tell us which brave non-Brahmin was the first to do it, yet it happened and since that day the people of Jodhpur have steadfastly maintained this tradition.

Image Credit Flickr User strudelt

Ask a local why all the houses are painted thus and the usual reply is that the color keeps the interiors cool and fends of mosquitoes. Yet if this truly worked then it would be quite likely that the whole subcontinent would be awash in various hues of indigo.

Image Credit Flickr User 40cima

Image Credit Flickr User Anxious K!

More likely is symbolism. Although an unscientific response, what answer would most give when asked the color of water? It is likely that the ubiquitous blueness of Jodhpur is an exuberant display of human resilience against the stark Thar desert which surrounds the town. Against the bleak backdrop of parched brown earth the blue city exerts itself magnificently.

Image Credit Flickr User Tom Maisey

Image Credit Fl;ickr User dietollevonlioe

You might think that closer inspection would lessen the impact of the color, yet a look at many of Jodhpur’s streets immediately puts that idea to rest. The word unremitting springs immediately to mind.

Image Credit Flickr User a tea but no e

Image Credit Flickr User Tom Maisey

The modern trappings of life go side by side with evidence that many people still live as simply as they have always done. Although Jodhpur was only founded in 1459, the state of Rajasthan is significant in Indian history as it formed the bedrock of the Indus Valley Civilization, thought to be one of the most ancient human civilizations on the planet.

Image Credit Flickr User Tom Maisey

Image Credit Flickr User pondspider

Image Credit Flickr User lamoney

Perhaps the color has a calming effect but humans and animals seem to coexist peacefully side by side in Jodhpur. Even with the animals, inter-species friendships are not unheard of.

Image Credit Flickr User melomelo

Image Credit Flickr User dms_303

Image Credit Flickr User lumiere

Squatting above the city like a giant bird mourning its broken blue eggs is the mighty Mehrangarh Fort the foundations of which were built in 1459, the year in which the English knight John Fastolf died – to be immortalised much later by Shakespeare as Falstaff.

Image Credit Flickr User duetollevonlioe

Image Credit dms_303

The fort was ordered by Rao Jodha the ruler of Rathore who had decided to move his capital there. One legend has it that in order for the fort to be built the only human resident, a hermit, had to be forcibly evicted.

Image Credit Flickr User Alicia Nijdam

Image Credit Flickr User lumiere

He cursed Jodha with the words May your citadel ever suffer a scarcity of water! Although the ruler did eventually appease the hermit by building him a temple the city is still hit by drought every four years or so.

Image Credit Flickr User Michael Clarke Stuff

Image Credit Flickr User selmerv

A much darker legend is that of Rajiya Bhambi. Jodha promised that his family would be looked after eternally if he did one thing for him. The request was that he would be buried alive in the foundations of the fort. Rajiya agreed. To this day his descendants still live in a blue house on the land they were gifted by the ruler which is known as Rajiya’s garden.

Image Credit Flickr User selmerv

The color of Jodhpur tells the history – and makes it legend - of a populace who shaped a paradise in the heart of the heat and sandstorms of Rajasthan.

Image Credit Flickr User dms_303

Image Credit Wikimedia

Why Greenwich Became the Prime Meridian: The Story of Longitude and the Royal Observatory

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 09:16:00 +0000

The historic observatory at Greenwich is now a museum, but how did it get to be the historic Prime Meridian (the zero longitude line that divides the Earth into eastern and western hemispheres for navigation) of the world? Why a relatively obscure place in South London? This animated short, created by the Royal Observatory, delves into its history and explains these and other questions getting a little existential – why does it even exist at all? It all boils down to longitude – the measurement of position east or west of the Prime Meridian, used to locate places on Earth accurately - and the need to calculate it using the moon and the stars. There was a very good reason for this - accurate navigation at sea and preventing ships from getting lost, not to mention speeding up journey time. This depended on knowing precise longitude for safe global trade and travel.

As a quick aside, many people assume that the Royal Observatory in Greenwich is still an active astronomical research site, but this isn’t the case. The Observatory stopped being a working research facility in Greenwich in the mid-20th century, when its scientific work was moved elsewhere in the UK, including to Herstmonceux in Sussex and later into institutions connected with Cambridge. Today, the Greenwich site mainly serves as a museum and public attraction.

Modern UK-based observational astronomy often makes use of large international observatories in places such as the Canary Islands, where conditions are much better for stargazing, but these facilities are not a continuation of the Royal Observatory itself. Aside over (not as quick as I anticipated), watch the fascinating video below.

Disney Princesses do the Cell Block Tango while the Princes are Fed Up!

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 21:58:00 +0000

Sometimes, weird synchronicity happens. So, today, I came across this very funny pastiche of Cell Block Tango, starring six of your favorite Disney Princesses. I suppose it answers any questions I might have once had about what happens to a Disney Princess (or at least these six) after the credits roll and she settles down with her Prince. Frankly, each one of them did not get the happy ever after that they envisioned – and I must admit that - if the princesses are telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth - one or two of the princes might have got what they deserved (best line: “some guys just can’t hold their pufferfish…”). Yet, to put the Beast down simply because he stomps all over the palace… is that fair? After all, it is his palace.

Regardless of where I stand on the fates of these princes, this very clever and funny parody is brought to us by the super-talented Just Josie. Take a look at the video below and ask yourself – did he really have it coming? Did he only have himself to blame?

Wait… now we really must hear from the Disney Princes. Right? Right!

As luck would have it, the very same day my YouTube feed presented me with Charming (starring Jordan Litz who is probably best known for performing in Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and featuring Steven Moeslein and Justin Beard). Also a delight, this (original) musical number has Prince Charming bemoaning his name (he compares it to a perfume), his habit of losing girls at balls and life in general. No one bothers to ask him about the war, or taxes - they just want to see him grin and twirl girls around the dancefloor.

Then add Prince Philip and Prince Florian (best line: "you find a princess that you love and then, you find out there are seven other men") into the mix. They are also pretty cheesed off with the roles that they have in their respective fairy tale stories and you end up with a trio of heirs to the throne who are really quite fed up. This fantastic musical number was created by Pattycake Productions. Watch and enjoy below.

So, members of the jury, now all you have to do is choose your side. Who do you really sympathise with here? Most importantly, who do you believe? The stories of infidelity and fishing that the princesses are telling are radically different to the princes' plaintive cries for more of a say in their lives... Or all they all just a bunch of self-entitled whingers?

Answers on a postcard, but before that a word or two of gratitude to the makers of both videos. What perverse algorithm led to them both being in my feed, I know and care not; I am eternally grateful to it. Both videos were an absolute joy to watch - playful, inventive, and lyrically very, very clever - they had me chuckling from start to finish. I did end up wondering why it was just the princesses who became homicidal - call me old-fashioned - the guys want to be more than just a charming prince for a girl but they end up as the murder victims of those very (naughty) girls. Yes, they did bad things, yes they cheated. But maybe they just wanted to drive the plot for once?

The Dance of the Armenian Queens

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:52:00 +0000

This is elegance incarnate. Led by Artistic Director Karen Gevorgyan, the Berd Dance Company of Armenia have come up with the dance production Armenian Queens to highlight the pivotal role by three women (who just happened to be queens) to Armenian culture and history. The dance communicates themes of elegance, authority, and unity, using costume, symmetry, and restrained movement to create a powerful visual impact. Almost a thousand years separates these queens – the most recent being from the 1200s. However, what unites them is the endurance and continuity of Armenian culture.

On the right hand side in purple we have Queen Parandzem from the 4^th century. To Armenians she embodies strength and devotion and defended the country against invading Persians till her gruesome death at their hands. On the left in green we have Katranide I from the 9^th century, symbolizing spiritual, Christian values. Then in the middle in Burgundy we have Zabel from the 13^th century who symbolizes statehood and dynastic continuity. She opened hospitals, shelters for the needy, and supported the education of young people . I hope I have got them in the right order!

Watch the Dance of the Armenian Queens below.

Red Moon

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:18:00 +0000

Two girls meet in their youth and become inseparable, even though there are obstacles. This short summary doesn’t do Red Moon justice. It tells a coming-of-age story about two girls who move through life side by side, sharing its highs and lows as they grow, change, and learn what it means to step into womanhood together. Red Moon is an animated poem (metaphorically) to female friendship and the bond between women and girls that cannot be broken. It’s a quietly crafted film, which doesn’t preach and doesn’t give answers – it just presents things as they are, as they should be – and it does this with subtlety.

As well as the story – so brief but with such depth – I was particularly drawn to the way that the characters have been drawn and also the backgrounds (particularly towards the end) which are just beautiful. Red Moon was directed and animated by Katherine Yuan during her time at RMIT. The fact that this is an undergraduate film makes it all the more impressive, demonstrating a level of creativity, emotional depth, and technical skill that feels far beyond what one might expect at this stage of study. Watch Red Moon below: