Iseltwald is a village and municipality on the southern shore of Lake Brienz in the Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. Politically, the municipality is located in the Interlaken-Oberhasli administrative district of the canton of Bern.
Monthly Archives: March 2021
Art & Nostalgia: ‘Glass, Meet the Future’ (Video)
This film was commissioned by North Lands Creative, as part of the UK in Japan 2019-20 bilateral campaign, a partnership between British Council Scotland and Creative Scotland. Supported by project partners Toyama Institute of Glass Art, Toyama Glass Art Museum and Museum of Arts and Design, New York.
The Premiere is part of the “Glass, Meet the Future” Film Festival 2021”
In Collaboration with Rusty Coin Production and Daniel Del Risco Animation.
Project Developed in part OUR COMMON HUMANITY
Commission for the Royal Edinburgh Hospital —
by Edinburgh Lothian Foundation
Large Scale Installation in Partnership with GRAS Architects ( project lead — Jan Hajek )
Edinburgh, Scotland
2016-2021
Morning News Podcast: Vaccine Blood Clot Risks, Hostage Diplomacy
Scattered reports of blood clots have sparked curbs across Europe, even though the jab is almost certainly safe. We take a hard look at the risks in relative terms.
After Canada arrested a Huawei executive in 2018, China detained two Canadians—we examine the hostage diplomacy still playing out. And how “non-fungible tokens” may benefit digital artists of all sorts.
Forest Homes: ‘Măgura – Eastern Romania’ (Video)
In Buzau Valley, following a charming road through forests, an unexpected view emerges: Carpathian Estate, a domain created as a micro-universe of relaxation and supreme comfort. Located on a previous 10 hectares orchard, the place enjoys a panorama that stretches to the balneary resort Sarata-Monteoru.
Măgura is a commune in Buzău County, Muntenia, Romania, located on the right bank of the Buzău River, in the hillside next to the Carpathian Mountains’ curvature. It is composed of two villages, Ciuta and Măgura.
The rustic feel of the wood (Romanian pine logs) and natural stone (brought from the French Alps, Norway and Brazil) merges with contemporary elements that create a truly original building. The main residence has 1200 square meters and displays five accommodation areas, each with an individual design (3 double rooms with en-suite bathrooms and 2 apartments), a master bedroom area of 80 square meters with its own fire place, a day area with 2 fireplaces, open kitchen, lounge areas, generous terraces and a SPA with a 22 meters long pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam bath.
The domain also features a farm, two lakes, a young orchard, 49 hectares of forest with oaks, cherry and lime trees, a garden with strawberry and raspberry and a greenhouse. The proximity to Dealul Mare creates proper conditions for exploiting a vineyard. Carpathian Estate represents an escape from the daily routine into a world subordinated to nature, harmony and well-being, where seasons enchantingly pass by and time has learned to be patient.
Winter Walks: ‘Sandefjord – Norway’ (4K HDR Video)
Sandefjord is a city and the most populous municipality in Vestfold og Telemark county, Norway. The administrative center of the municipality. The municipality of Sandefjord was established on 1 January 1838. The municipality of Sandar was merged into Sandefjord on 1 January 1969.
Trailer: ‘The Last Cruise’ – Covid Nightmare On The Diamond Princess (Video)
Using intimate footage recorded by passengers and crew, The Last Cruise is a first-person account of the nightmare that transpired aboard the ill-fated Diamond Princess cruise ship, which set sail from Japan on the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The HBO original documentary The Last Cruise premieres March 30 on HBOMax.
City Views: ‘Arles – South Of France’ (4K UHD Video)
Arles is a city on the Rhône River in the Provence region of southern France. It’s famed for inspiring the paintings of Van Gogh, which influenced the contemporary art displayed at the Fondation Vincent Van Gogh. Once a provincial capital of ancient Rome, Arles is also known for many remains from that era, including Arles Amphitheatre (les Arènes d’Arles), now hosting plays, concerts and bullfights.
Reviews: ‘Can Subaru Hold On To Its Recent Success?’
Subaru started as a small scrappy Japanese brand, brought to the states by a couple of American businessmen in the 1960s, and was quickly met with ridicule. But it persisted, and over the decades has gone from being a small niche player to one of the most successful brands in America.
Subaru has weathered economic recessions far better than much larger competitors, and it is positioned near the top of consumer satisfaction surveys. But the ever-changing auto market presents some challenges for them, and they need to adapt to keep up.
When Subaru entered the United States in the 1960s it was panned by critics, and actually advertised its own cheap ugliness. Over the next several decades it would become a highly successful brand through a combination of offbeat but practical cars and a relentless focus on understanding its own customers.
The scrappy brand enjoyed a 93-month sales increase streak that ended in 2019, and it has found ways to survive during the coronavirus pandemic. But it is not without challenges. The intense demand for its vehicles has at times brought growing pains — quality issues and recalls gave led to an unusual quarterly loss in 2018.
There is also pressure on the company, like all automakers, to develop some kind of electrification strategy. Subaru does have a partnership with the much larger Japanese automaker Toyota, which is expected to soon produce an electric vehicle jointly made by the two companies.
Analysis: Boeing Starliner Space Program (Video)
After years of cost overruns, errors and delays, Boeing’s space program is facing a major test: Later this year it will likely make its second attempt to launch its Starliner crew capsule to the International Space Station. WSJ looks at the company’s path to this crucial moment, and what’s riding on the test flight’s success. Illustration: Alex Kuzoian/WSJ
The Arts: ‘Water Gilding – How It Is Done’ (V&A Video)
Water gilding is a process which makes wood look like gold. Follow the stages involved in gilding a wooden frame – from brushing on layers of gesso (glue and chalk mixture), to applying and burnishing the gold leaf.
How to make a gilded frame: Glue applied to wood: 00:27 Gesso mixed and applied in layers: 00:34 Gesso smoothed with dried horsetail plant: 00:46 Details cut into the base: 00:58 Yellow ochre pigment applied: 01:07 Bole applied: 01:20 Surface is smoothed with a brush: 01:29 Water is brushed on and gold leaf is applied: 01:56 An animal tooth is used to burnish the surface: 02:15 Frame is coated with glue for an even finish: 02:33
Boomers Daily 