Extreme heat has turned much of the country into a tinderbox. More than 350 fires have broken out in the past five days, the government said.
‘India Is on the Moon’: Lander’s Success Moves Nation to Next Space Chapter
The Chandrayaan-3 mission makes India the first country to reach the lunar south polar region in one piece and adds to the achievements of the country’s homegrown space program.
A Stroke Stole Her Ability to Speak at 30. A.I. Is Helping to Restore It Years Later.
The brain activity of a paralyzed woman is being translated into words spoken by an avatar. This milestone could help others who have lost speech.
The Morgan Library & Museum (August 23, 2023) – Isabelle Dervaux, curator of “Ferdinand Hodler: Drawings—Selections from the Musée Jenisch Vevey”, discusses the artist’s legacy and his impact on modernism.
A modern art pioneer, renowned Swiss painter Ferdinand Hodler (1853–1918) created works that range from vast symbolist compositions to intimate, realist portraits and nearly abstract landscape paintings. This exhibition of approximately sixty works, primarily on paper, will focus on the role of drawing in his practice, from quick compositional sketches to elaborate oil studies.
Most of the drawings Hodler produced were preparatory studies for his large-scale figure compositions; these offer a fascinating account of his working process, which involved technical experiments with imprints, tracing, and collages. A few of his portrait drawings will also be featured, including a poignant series in which he recorded the illness and death of his lover Valentine Godé-Darel.
These rarely seen drawings offer a compelling survey of Hodler’s singular contribution to early modernism.
The Local Project (August 23, 2023) – The revitalisation of this heritage brick house by Matt Gibson Architecture + Design was grounded on the ethos of changing as much as necessary but as little as possible.
Video timeline:00:00 – Intro to the Modern Brick House 00:32 – The Location of the Home 00:49 – William Tappin and His Designs 01:05 – Handling the Connection Between Old and New 02:01 – Requirements of the Brief 02:25 – The Interpretation of Arts & Crafts 03:07 – Behind the Kitchen Design 03:30 – A Walkthrough of the Upstairs 04:18 – The Architect’s Proud Moments
Located in the eclectic neighbourhood of South Yarra in Melbourne, William Tappin House depicts the sensitive layering of a historical footprint with contemporary innovation. Originally designed and occupied by its namesake, William Tappin – a renowned Queen Anne-style architect – the connection between old and new was something the architect wanted to handle sensitively, and this influenced the positioning of the building on site.
The existing structure is restored to remain the hero, whilst the new addition is recessive and humble in design. Restorations include revealing the original brickwork and limestone, restoring the existing verandah and carved wooden features. Exposed details, such as the fingerprints of makers on the tiles and original brick, become a symbol of the heritage façade of this home. New additions are highly sensitive to the brick home’s foundation.
The rear addition is constructed from limed timber and off-form concrete that calls back to the tonality of the limestone and basalt detailing of the original structure. Terracotta tiles also wrap the faceted roofscape in an ode to the bespoke red brick. What the house tour shows is a strong connection between inside and out, which prevails throughout the home. The entire ground floor, which contains the kitchen and living areas, opens to the exterior, with views extending all the way out to the garden and beyond – made even more accessible through sliding glazed doors.
National Trust (August 23, 2023) – A behind the scenes at Belton House in Lincolnshire, built between 1685 and 1687 by Sir John Brownlow, which is looked after by the National Trust.
A filming location for Queen Charlotte: a Bridgerton Story, this 17th-century home has been used as a set for many popular TV series and movies. Belton can be seen in the 1995 production of Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth and, most recently, has featured as King George III’s palace in the Bridgerton universe.
Along with a tour of some familiar scenes from the silver screen, you’ll take a closer look at a jewel in the furniture collection – a one-of-a-kind lapis lazuli cabinet. A deep blue gemstone, lapis lazuli has been used as decoration for centuries – perhaps most notably in the funerary mask of Tutankhamun. For a cabinet to be almost entirely covered in the material makes it an extremely rare object.
American strategists say Ukraine’s troops are too spread out and need to concentrate along the counteroffensive’s main front in the south.
Extreme August Arrives With a Warning: Expect More
A mix of devastating wildfires, tropical storms, mudslides and heat waves foreshadows a future of intensified extremes as the world warms.
How Mark Meadows Pursued a High-Wire Legal Strategy in Trump Inquiries
The former White House chief of staff, a key witness to Donald J. Trump’s efforts to remain in power after his 2020 election loss, maneuvered to provide federal prosecutors only what he had to.
O-KI Films (August 22, 2023) – Laos is a Southeast Asian country traversed by the Mekong River and known for mountainous terrain, French colonial architecture, hill tribe settlements and Buddhist monasteries.
Vientiane, the capital, is the site of the That Luang monument, where a reliquary reportedly houses the Buddha’s breastbone, plus the Patuxai war memorial and Talat Sao (Morning Market), a complex jammed with food, clothes and craft stalls.
Over the years, Mr. DeSantis embraced and exploited his Ivy League credentials. Now he is reframing his experiences at Yale and Harvard to wage a vengeful political war.
After bracing for the worst, the state so far has recorded no deaths from Tropical Storm Hilary, officials said. Some desert and mountain communities are digging out from a deluge of mud.
For Hawaii’s Governor, a Balancing Act With No Margin for Error
Gov. Josh Green of Hawaii sees lessons far beyond the islands in the disaster that has unfolded on Maui.
Bail for Trump Set at $200,000 in Georgia Election Interference Case
Mr. Trump, who said he would turn himself in on Thursday, was told not to intimidate or threaten any witnesses or co-defendants in the case.
Portugal Walking Tour (August 20, 2023) – Sintra is a resort town in the foothills of Portugal’s Sintra Mountains, near the capital, Lisbon. A longtime royal sanctuary, its forested terrain is studded with pastel-colored villas and palaces.
Video timeline:00:00 – Intro Sintra and Map 00:47 – Rua Dr. Alfredo da Costa 03:01 – Volta do Duche 13:00 – Escadinhas do Teixeira 13:55 – Beco da Judiaria 16:22 – Rua Padarias 17:32 – Largo Dr. Gregório de Almeida 19:25 – Largo Rainha Dona Amélia 20:24 – Sintra National Palace 31:01 – Rua Padarias 33:47 – Rua Ferraria 35:24 – Miradouro da Ferraria 36:25 – Rua Ferraria 37:13 – Rua Mal. Saldanha 37:55 – Rua Costa do Castelo 38:52 – Rua Ferraria 39:54 – Escadinhas Félix Nunes 40:46 – Praça da República 41:35 – Rua Biquinha 43:52 – Escadinhas do Briamante 44:26 – Rua Gil Vicente 45:29 – Rua Consiglieri Pedroso 51:11 – Avenida Almeida Garrett
The Moorish- and Manueline-style Sintra National Palace is distinguished by dramatic twin chimneys and elaborate tilework. The hilltop 19th-century Pena National Palace is known for a whimsical design and sweeping views.
Despite tough fighting and heavy casualties, Ukrainian commanders say their forces are in better shape now than just months ago, while Russian troops appear worse off.
Tropical Storm Hilary brings widespread flooding and small landslides, as authorities fear more significant damage could be coming.
Inside the Collapse of Hunter Biden’s Plea Deal
An examination of confidential correspondence and interviews with those close to Mr. Biden and lawyers involved in the case show how the deal ultimately fell apart amid schisms and withering external pressures.
The South Knows a Hot, Sticky Summer. But This? ‘It’s Hell.’
It’s not just the heat, as Southerners have explained for generations. It’s the moist, soupy, suffocating humidity. And this year the punishing conditions have been relentless.
DW Travel (August 20, 2023) – The Raven’s Nest is tucked away in the mountains of Transylvania in Alba County. This isolated high-end retreat celebrates nature and sustainability. For many, this is the luxury that Romania has to offer as a travel destination, a world away from mass tourism.
News, Views and Reviews For The Intellectually Curious
The Morgan Library & Museum
The Local Project
O-KI
Boomers Daily 