Videos

Morgan Library Exhibits: Swiss Painter Ferdinand Hodler “Drawings” Tour

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.

Ferdinand Hodler: Drawings—Selections from the Musée Jenisch Vevey

June 16 through October 1, 2023

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.

Old + New Design: William Tappin House, Melbourne

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.

Historic Tours: Belton House In Lincolnshire, UK

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.

Ancient Art: How Experts Are Uncovering Forgeries

DW Documentary (August 21, 2023) – When a long-lost bronze of Alexander the Great suddenly turns up in Greece, experts are suspicious. This documentary follows archaeologist Stephan Lehmann as he follows the trail of the art forgers.

Stephan Lehmann has uncovered around 50 suspected forged artworks to date – in the marketplace, in private collections and even in museums. Now, a large bronze of Alexander the Great has resurfaced in Greece. It was owned by a British art dealer and was handed back to Greece as previously looted art. But Lehmann and other experts say it’s a fake. Due to his work, archaeologist Stephan Lehmann is not always a popular figure: in the art trade and the museum world, many people prefer to sweep the problem of forgeries under the rug.

But one anonymous Swiss collector decided to confront the issue. He sent Lehmann an allegedly ancient but highly dubious bronze depicting Emperor Augustus, which he had purchased for several hundred thousand dollars in New York. Lehmann examined it and had it X-rayed at Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute, using one of the most powerful CT scanners in the world.

Testing the material an artwork is made of can not only uncover forgeries; it can also shed light on how forgers go about their work. This documentary sets out on the trail of art forgers, uncovering a dark and concealed side of the antiquities trade. It reveals just how good forgeries can be. Fakes have even sometimes turned up among supposedly looted works being returned to states as part of the restitution process.

#documentary #dwdocumentary #fake #forgery #crime

Military Analysis: Russia’s Vast Minefields In Ukraine

Wall Street Journal (August 21, 2023) – Ukraine’s push to retake territory back from Russia has been slow, as its forces face a deadly problem: landmines. Russian troops spent months fortifying the 900 mile-long front line with anti-tank ditches, concrete obstacles, trenches and minefields.

Video timeline: 0:00 Tanks being destroyed with mines 0:46 Mined territory 1:36 How Russia mines the territory 2:32 How Ukraine adapts

How is the Ukrainian military adapting to account for these mines? WSJ explains how Moscow created one of the largest minefields in the world in the occupied regions and what it means for Kyiv’s counteroffensive.

Travel: A Tour Of Sintra In Southwestern Portugal

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. 

Travel: Raven’s Nest In Transylvania, Romania

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.

Reviews: The Best Charles Bronson Movies (MGM)

MGM STUDIOS (August 19, 2023) – Check out some of Charles Bronson’s best scenes in this crafted compilation.

  • The White Buffalo (1977) – Directed By: J. Lee Thompson
  • The Magnificent Seven (1960) – Produced & Directed By: John Sturges
  • Breakheart Pass (1975) – Directed By: Tom Gries
  • The Great Escape (1963) – Produced and Directed by: John Sturges
  • Murphy’s Law (1986) – Directed By: J. Lee Thompson
  • Chato’s Land (1972) – Produced and Directed By: Michael Winner
  • Jules Verne’s Master of the World (1961) – Directed By: William Witney

Travel: Walking Tour Of Camogli In Liguria, Italy

Prowalk Tours (August 19, 2023) – Camogli is a fishing village at the foot of the Monte di Portofino (Portofino Mountain) in the heart of the Italian Riviera. Located about a 2.5-hour drive from Milan and a short distance away from Genoa, Hemmed in by the steep slopes of the Monte di Portofino and the bright blue Ligurian Sea,

Video timeline: 0:00 Drone intro and Map 1:27 Camogli Beach 5:01 Seaside promenade 6:45 Pastel Colored Houses 18:59 Il Giorgio 26:41 Piazza Cristoforo Colombo 27:12 Marina 30:53 Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta 33:05 Castle della Dragonara 39:27 Via al Molo 58:16 Porticciolo di Camogli 1:08:09 Via Piero Schiaffino 1:13:01 Piazza Cristoforo Colombo 1:19:24 Seaside promenade

World Economic Forum: Top Stories- Aug 19, 2023

World Economic Forum (August 19, 2023) – This week’s top stories of the week include:

0:15 Beijing’s heaviest rain in 140 years – Downpours have caused severe flooding across the city, destroying roads, infrastructure, and businesses. More than 20 people are known to have died. 1.5 million people have been evacuated from Beijing and the surrounding Hebei province. The floodwaters could take a month to recede.

1:41 This racing car is made from eWaste – It’s made from discarded phones, disposable vapes and old circuit boards. It’s called the Recover-E Car. It’s life-size and fully driveable . It was designed by British artist Liam Hopkins in collaboration with motorsports team Envision Racing to highlight the growing problem of e-waste.

3:30 These crops are suffering the most from change – Experts rank the food supply crisis as one of the world’s top 5 currently manifesting risks. This German farmer has started planting lavender. It’s best suited to the sandy soils and sunshine of the Mediterranean but climate change is bringing these conditions to southern Germany. The lavender is used in cosmetics and perfumes. Matthias Tafelmeier planted his first lavender crop in 2019 after what he says was a decade of declining soil quality. Farmers in the region are also trying other crops more suited to warmer climates such as chickpeas and kidney beans.

5:16 Cutting edge tech helps paralysed man feel again – Keith Thomas was paralysed from the chest down in a diving accident in 2020. But thanks to a historic trial, he’s recovering sensation in his arms and hands, letting him feel his sister’s handshake.

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The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.