#Theme sublime merge

[a-d-nox]

experiences of the sublime in your chart (part 1: 12h)

following my recent post, i wanted to go into some of the examples of sublime life events based on the houses. today, we will focus on the 12h!

12h is where a person merges with something greater often through spiritual awakening, artistic inspiration, and/or embracing the vast unknown of our universe.

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12h leo (5°, 17°, 29°) and/or sun

craving admiration, but feel guilty, dramatic, or embarrassed about wanting attention.

writing, painting, dancing, and/or dreaming of something when no one is watching / may ever see what you do.

lighting up when helping others shine, even if you don’t step forward yourself.

having recurring dreams where you’re royalty, heroic, and/or "chosen", and feeling like they left a deep emotional impact.

downplaying your talents in public but fantasizing about grand achievements in private.

tearing up when something touches your inner child - like when people say, “you matter. you are loved.”

feeling like a star in someone else’s dream, playing a big role quietly / behind the scenes.

having a private sense of destiny/greatness, even if no one else sees it yet.

12h aquarius (11°, 23°) and/or uranus

having a déjà vu so intense you feel disoriented.

dreaming of someone you haven’t spoken to in years, then getting a message/call from them the next day

waking up from a dream that felt like a warning, ignoring it - and then watching the exact situation unfold later.

suddenly remembering a “memory” from childhood - only to find out it never happened and no one else recalls it (mandela effect vibes).

having an unexplained fear only to learn it correalates with a repressed childhood memory.

narrowly avoiding an accident, then having an overwhelming feeling that something saved you - as though there was a reality shift (final destination vibes).

waking up during sleep paralysis and feeling a strange presence.

having a vivid dream conversation with someone who’s passed away, and waking up with information/closure you didn’t have before.

noticing repeating numbers/symbols everywhere in a short time frame (111, 222, black cats, owls, etc.), creating a sense of coded messages / synchronicity.

seeing a place/landscape in real life that you’ve only ever seen in dreams.

having a spontaneous out-of-body experience during sleep/meditation, and watching yourself from above.

please let me know if you all enjoyed this - i could do another some other time with a new theme! have ideas for new content? please use my “suggest a post topic” button!

return to nox's guide to metaphysics

return to the masterlist of natal observations

© a-d-nox 2025 all rights reserved

[pmamtraveller]

KINDRED SPIRITS /1849/ by ASHER B. DURAND

This artwork was a last tribute to Thomas Cole, the founder of the Hudson River School of Art, who passed away unexpectedly at 47. Commissioned in the year of Cole's death, 1848. It was meant as a gesture of appreciation for the poet, William Cullen Bryant, who spoke at Thomas Cole's memorial service.

The painting shows the poet William Cullen Bryant and artist Thomas Cole at the Catskill Mountains. Cole holds his painting portfolio on the right side. Cole established the Hudson River School of Art, showcasing the American landscape through Romanticism principles highlighting the picturesque, pastoral, and sublime.

Durand made a combined scenery incorporating Kaaterskill Clove and Kaaterskill Falls, which were sources of inspiration for both artists. Durand skillfully merged these two well-known spots to create a stunning scenery. Cole and Bryant's surnames are depicted as though engraved on a tree in the front of the painting on the left side of the canvas.

William Cullen Bryant was an American poet, author, and publisher. He is seen as a poet who focused on important themes such as nature and morality, known for his Fireside style. The artwork was titled after a phrase from the seventh sonnet of English Romantic poet John Keats, called "O Solitude."

[shisasan]

If you are ever able to merge spirituality and sensuality I would love to hear about it. I’m kind of obsessed with this.

I've always been attracted to, rather than obsessed with, the concept of merging spirituality and sensuality, even before I became fully aware of its underlying philosophy. This idea has been a core theme in my blog, where I seek to illustrate that sensuality need not always be equated with pornography, superficiality, or vulgarity. Even what is often labeled as vulgar, in my view, can be transcendent, provided it is rooted in the heart's source and serves a higher purpose. Our society has long misunderstood sensuality, but in truth, it is a sanctified act, a physical expression that offers a direct connection to the divine. I believe that blending sensuality with spirituality cultivates a strong, healthy, and resilient relationship with oneself. Human emotions should not be repressed but rather recognized and allowed to reveal their deeper meanings through the unconscious. One of the most significant ways to experience our spiritual essence is through deeply engaging our senses. Our senses serve as pathways to connect with our true self. When you express yourself creatively, you are also expressing yourself sensually, and creativity is a form of spiritual communion. By channeling this energy into our hearts, we transform our experiences into sublime ones. The key lies in how we identify ourselves: with the transient desires of the "lower" self or with the eternal potential of the "higher" self. Both the body and the soul are vital for the human experience; they are inseparable. Each moment, we make choices about how to invest our energy. For instance, during the peak of sensual pleasure, the sense of self dissolves, leaving only a state of blissful being, enjoyed by the body. Similarly, when we become absorbed in a song or dance, we lose the sensation of the body and merge into pure beingness. These experiences highlight the intrinsic connection between sensuality and spirituality, offering valuable insights into our true nature.

[essential-music]

Dave Brubeck's "Take Five": A Timeless Jazz Masterpiece That Redefines Musical Brilliance

"Take Five" by The Dave Brubeck Quartet stands as a defiant testament to innovation and artistry. Released in 1959 on the groundbreaking album Time Out, this instrumental jazz classic, composed by alto saxophonist Paul Desmond, is not just a song but a cultural artifact that continues to captivate listeners. Its quality—rooted in its daring composition, masterful performance, and pristine production—demands recognition as one of the finest musical achievements of the 20th century.

"Take Five" is a rebellion against convention. Its 5/4 time signature, a rhythmic structure splitting into a hypnotic 3+2 quarter-note pulse, was a bold departure from the standard 4/4 or 3/4 rhythms dominating jazz and popular music in the late 1950s. Inspired by African and Eurasian folk rhythms encountered during the Quartet’s 1958 global tour, this choice was revolutionary, making the complex feel effortless. The melody, crafted by Desmond, is deceptively simple yet unforgettable, built on the blues scale with a ternary form that balances two contrasting themes. Its two-chord vamp anchors the piece, allowing the rhythm and melody to shine—a minimalist stroke of genius that proves less can be more. This blend of jazz with classical influences, a nod to Brubeck’s studies under Darius Milhaud, elevates "Take Five" into the realm of "third stream" music, merging intellectual depth with visceral groove.

The Quartet’s performance is nothing short of sublime. Desmond’s alto saxophone leads with a soft, lyrical tone, navigating the 5/4 meter with such fluidity that the odd rhythm feels instinctive. His improvisations are restrained yet expressive, embodying the cool jazz ethos. Drummer Joe Morello, often undercelebrated, delivers a masterclass in subtlety and power. His cross-stick and ride cymbal create a pulsating groove, while his iconic solo—melodic, precise, and devoid of flash—redefines what a drum solo can be. Dave Brubeck’s piano provides harmonic and rhythmic support, his block chords and understated solo complementing Desmond’s lead. Bassist Eugene Wright, the unsung hero, locks in with Morello, ensuring the 5/4 pulse never falters. Together, the Quartet achieves a rare synergy, each member amplifying the others without overpowering the collective sound.

The production, recorded at CBS’s 30th Street Studio under producer Teo Macero and engineer Fred Plaut, is a technical marvel. Using Columbia’s 360 Sound technique, the stereo mix captures every nuance, from Desmond’s delicate saxophone to Morello’s dynamic drum bursts. The clarity and dynamic range remain impressive even by today’s standards, though the distinct stereo placement—drums left, piano right, saxophone center—may quirk some modern ears. Still its sonic excellence makes "Take Five" a favorite for audiophiles, a track that reveals new details with every listen.

"Take Five" is more than a technical triumph; it’s a cultural juggernaut. As the best-selling jazz single ever, reaching #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1961 and selling over two million copies by 1967, it bridged jazz and mainstream audiences, a feat few instrumentals achieve. Its influence ripples through progressive rock, with artists like Keith Emerson citing Brubeck’s odd meters, and across genres via covers from reggae to vocal scat. Its presence in films like Mighty Aphrodite, TV shows like The West Wing, and even video games underscores its versatility. Inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1996, "Take Five" remains a jazz standard, its sheet music studied for its rhythmic ingenuity.

Critics may point to its harmonic simplicity or the initial resistance to its 5/4 meter—some purists, like members of the Modern Jazz Quartet, once deemed odd time signatures unjazzlike. Others might quibble with the stereo mix’s peculiarities. But these critiques pale against the piece’s achievements. The simplicity of the vamp is deliberate, spotlighting rhythmic innovation, and the recording challenges (over 20 takes) only highlight the Quartet’s dedication. African music scholar Willis James defended Brubeck’s experimentation, and history has vindicated it.

"Take Five" remains as fresh as ever, its balance of novelty and familiarity captivating new generations. It’s a reminder that true artistry doesn’t need to shout to be heard. This is not just a song; it’s a masterwork that challenges, delights, and endures. Let’s take five minutes to celebrate its brilliance—then play it again.

Year: 1959

Composer: Paul Desmond

Producer: Teo Macero

[whileiamdying]

Mississippi Masala: The Ocean of Comings and Goings

By Bilal Qureshi MAY 25, 2022

often remark that my Punjabi parents immigrated to the American South woefully unaware that they’d brought us to a place with an incurable preexisting condition. Racism doesn’t belong exclusively to the South—the former Confederacy—but it was implemented at industrial scale across the region’s economic, political, and cultural life. Alongside this landscape’s sublime natural beauty—rivers, fields, and bayous—sits the history of America’s unsparing brutality against its Black citizens. On the other side of the world, in South Asia, as well as among its global diasporas, anti-Blackness is embedded in ideas of colorism and caste, in tribal imaginaries and policed lines of “suitable” marriages.

The possibility to live—and to love—across racial borders is the theme of Mira Nair’s extraordinarily prescient and sexy second feature film, Mississippi Masala (1991). Three decades later, it speaks to a new generation as groundbreaking filmic heritage—but also with an almost eerie, prophetic wisdom for how to live beyond the confinements of identity and color. Even by today’s standards, the film is a radical triumph of cinematic representation, centering as it does Black and Brown filmmaking, acting, and storytelling. It is also a genre-defying outlier that would likely be as difficult to get financed and produced today as it was then. Part comedy, part drama, rooted in memoir and colonial history, the film that Nair imagined was a low-budget independent one with global settings and ambitions. The notion of representation—perhaps more accurately described as a correction of earlier misrepresentations—wasn’t its point or its currency. Race was its very subject. Nair has said she wanted to confront the “hierarchy of color” in America, India, and East Africa with the film—the kinds of limitations that she had experienced firsthand by living, studying (first sociology, then film), and making documentaries in both India and the United States. In a shift that began with her first feature film, Salaam Bombay! (1988), Nair set out to transform those real-world issues into fictionalized worlds, translating her sociological observations into works suffused with beauty, music, and, in the case of Mississippi Masala, humid sensuality.

Nair first engaged with the questions at the heart of the film when she came to the United States from India to study at Harvard in the mid-1970s. As a new arrival to the country’s color line, she has recalled, both its Black and white communities were accessible to her, and yet she belonged to neither. The experience of being outside that specific American binary would be a formative and fertile site of dislocation for the young filmmaker. Nair trained in documentary under the mentorship of D. A. Pennebaker, among others, and her first films were immersive explorations of questions that haunted her own life. The pangs of exile and homesickness for lost motherlands became the foundation of So Far from India (1983), and the boundaries of “respectability” for women in Indian society the subject of India Cabaret (1985). Salaam Bombay!—made in collaboration with her fellow Indian-born classmate, the photographer and screenwriter Sooni Taraporevala—carried her Direct Cinema training to extraordinary new heights. Working, from a script by Taraporevala, with nonactors on location in the streets of Mumbai, Nair found a filmic language that could merge the rigor of realism with the haunting emotion of fiction. It would become the creative model for Nair and Taraporevala’s translation of the real-life phenomenon of Indian-owned motels in the American South into a spicy cinematic blend of migration, rebellion, and romance.

During research trips across Mississippi, Louisiana, and South Carolina that Nair made in 1989, she discovered that many of the Indian motel owners in the South had come to the United States from Uganda following their expulsion by President Idi Amin in 1972. Ten years after the East African country gained its independence from British rule, Amin had blamed his country’s economic woes on its privileged and financially successful South Asian community. In the racial politics of empire, the British had privileged the Indian workers they had imported to East Africa, creating racial hierarchies Amin now wanted to destroy by way of politicizing race anew. In a line that is repeated in the screenplay, the mission was “Africa for Africans,” and for tens of thousands of Asian families, it was an uprooting and dislocation from which some would never recover.

In Mississippi Masala, the classically trained British Indian actor Roshan Seth plays Jay, the immigrant father who is the focal point of the “past” of the film’s dual narrative, which is beautifully balanced in the way that it interweaves the perspectives of two generations. In the film’s harrowing overture, Jay—along with his wife, Kinnu (Sharmila Tagore), and their daughter, Mina (Sarita Choudhury)—is being forced to flee Kampala, and he laments that it will always be the only home he has known. With stoic reserve, holding back tears, Seth conveys the gravity of the loss, as the camera captures the lush beauty of the family’s garden and the faces of those they must leave behind. Throughout the film, as Kinnu, Tagore—an acclaimed Indian film star and frequent Satyajit Ray collaborator—is a composed counterpoint to Seth’s troubled Jay in her character’s strength and resilience. When the film picks up with the family two decades later, Kinnu is shown managing the family’s liquor store, while an aging Jay writes to petition Uganda’s new government to reclaim his lost property. Nair’s camera pans up from his writing desk to reveal through his window the parking lot of a roadside Mississippi motel. This is where Jay works and exists in a permanent state of nostalgia, until he is jolted awake by Mina’s demands for a home and a life of her own.

Even as Jay dreams in sepia-toned memories, the film itself never descends into saccharine longing or scored sentimentality. The rigor of the research and on-location filmmaking in both Mississippi and Kampala is reflected in an unvarnished and immersive visual style. While Nair herself clearly understood the fabric of the lives of the Gujarati Hindu families she was portraying, she has discussed how Denzel Washington became a critical collaborator in ensuring that southern Black life was rendered with equal attention to detail, cultural specificity, and dignity. The result is a film whose homes and communities are etched with a palpable sense of reality.

All of Mississippi Masala’s disparate threads are bound together by a distinctly sultry southern love story, which naturally remains the best-remembered feature of the film. The meet-cute of Mina and Washington’s character, Demetrius, is quite literally a traffic collision, a not-so-subtle suggestion that, without a bit of movie magic and melodrama, these two southerners might never have been maneuvered into the exchanged numbers and glances, and palpable wanting, that still burn the screen today. The film is fueled by the gorgeousness and megawatt charisma of both its stars, the young Washington paired with Choudhury in a prodigious debut as a woman at the edge of adulthood—her mane of wavy hair, their sweaty night of dancing to Keith Sweat, aimless late-night phone calls, dark skin in white bedsheets, secret meetings, consummated desires.

In the background of the R&B song of young, electric love are the film’s quieter, deeper notes on migration. A string leitmotif by the classical Indian violinist L. Subramaniam recurs whenever the vistas of Lake Victoria across the family’s lost garden in Kampala appear on-screen in brief flashbacks. Nair’s mastery with music has only deepened with time, resulting in films that integrate archival and original music with a free-form alertness that is distinctly her own. Both for the African American people living amid strip malls in the dilapidated neighborhoods of a region to which their ancestors were brought by bondage, and for the Indian families forced by Amin to flee their homes, exile is expressed in stereo. As Jay pines for the country he lost, Demetrius’s brother dreams of visiting Africa and saluting Nelson Mandela—disparate but recognizable longings and family histories shared over a southern barbecue, American bridges.

There wouldn’t be racial borders, however, if they weren’t policed, and the policing authorities here come from across the racial spectrum. When Mina and Demetrius’s relationship is discovered by nosy Indian uncles, those boundaries flare up. From the Black ex-girlfriend who asks why the good Black men can’t date Black women, to the Indian uncles who barge into Demetrius and Mina’s hotel room, to the gossiping aunties who during phone calls mock Mina’s rebellious scandal, there is a veritable chorus of condemnation. It is portrayed with great comedic timing and wit, including from Nair herself, who delivers some of the sharpest lines of disapproval in the role of “Gossip 1.” But the implications of those judgments remain unfunny by design. The film’s remarkable achievement is the way it never buckles under the thematic weight of these uncomfortable truths. Nair always delivers her cerebral punches with a lightness and warmth that are precisely calibrated. These are the markers of a filmmaker in full control of the tone, color, production design, and, always, music to accompany the emotional demands of her material, and that facility has only gotten sharper in such masterpieces as Monsoon Wedding (2001).

Mississippi Masala showed at festivals in late 1991 and was released commercially in American cinemas in February 1992, within weeks of Wayne’s World and Basic Instinct. Working outside Hollywood’s conventions, Nair joined an extraordinary flowering in independent filmmaking that continues to be celebrated. The year 1991 had been a landmark one for Black cinema already, with the release of Julie Dash’s Daughters of the Dust, Mario Van Peebles’s New Jack City, and John Singleton’s Boyz n the Hood. Spike Lee’s opus Malcolm X, with Washington in the title role, would be released in the U.S. in late 1992. Nair’s film was shown at the same 1992 Sundance Film Festival at which a landmark panel about LGBTQ representation heralded a movement, named New Queer Cinema by moderator B. Ruby Rich, devoted to reclaiming stories of love and suffering from Hollywood’s gaze. These were parallel currents that echoed larger shifts and openings happening in global culture. The collapse of the Soviet Union, the end of apartheid in South Africa, India’s economic liberalization, and the rise of a youthful southern Democrat in the U.S. following a decade of Republican rule were stirrings of a new order. The possibilities were being felt all over the world as Nair’s film of southern futures arrived. Described by the New York Times at the time as “sweetly pungent” and by the Washington Post as a “savory multiracial stew,” Mississippi Masala opened in American cinemas to rave, if exoticizing, reviews, less than a decade after Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi and Steven Spielberg’s portrayal of Indian characters eating monkey brains during a ritual dinner in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Realistic international cinema featuring everyday South Asian life—as opposed to the Indian musical tradition or Hollywood’s tropes about foreignness—had almost no precedents or peers at the time. The depiction of South Asian characters as ordinary working-class Americans navigating questions of family, money, and love remains a radical achievement. Mississippi Masala also manages to decenter whiteness altogether. In a film about racial hierarchies, white characters appear only in the background, as the motel guests, patrons, and shopkeepers of Greenwood society. By design, this is first and foremost a film about Mina and Demetrius, and the families and communities that formed them. Despite all the extraordinary accomplishments in the streaming age by the current generation of filmmakers of color, Mississippi Masala’s layered portrayal of race and love still feels unparalleled. To hear its characters speak candidly about the real lines that divide them, and reflect on the costs of crossing those lines, is to recognize the rigorous thinking—and living—that informed the screenplay. Even more disappointing than the lack of contemporary equals to the film, perhaps, are the offscreen parallels in South Asian communities like my own, where colorism and anti-Blackness are stubborn traditions yet to be fully dismantled. Stories of interracial love are still rarely told on-screen, and these relationships—the masala mixes—are still not visible enough to become as normalized as they deserve to be.

One of Nair’s first films, So Far from India, was filmed between New York City and Gujarat. It opens with a folk musician in the streets of Ahmedabad, a sequence that serves as a prelude to the film, about an Indian immigrant and the wife he has left behind. Nair, as narrator, translates his singing about the ocean of comings and goings. With Mississippi Masala, Nair positioned herself as both a great chronicler and a great navigator of that vast ocean of comings and goings. America is one of Nair’s homes, and she has made several films about the immigrant experience there, including her adaptations of Jhumpa Lahiri’s The Namesake (2006) and Mohsin Hamid’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist (2012). Each has sought to look at the country through the eyes of those usually on the margins in order to dramatize and problematize the idea of the American dream. It is these poetic and cinematic ruminations on identities in flux that feel like her most enduring, almost personal, gifts to hyphenated viewers like myself.

When I was younger, I thought Mississippi Masala embodied Mina’s rebellion, the promise of independence, and the freedom to choose whom and how to love. But now, twenty years after I first saw the film, at university, Jay’s longing for home and his incurable displacement feel equally, achingly resonant. With the limitations of America laid bare by the gift of adulthood, migration is no longer only a hurtling forward toward the rush of freedoms; it is now also the unknowable costs borne by my parents, the homes and selves they left behind.

The film’s closing credits, braiding Jay’s return to Kampala with glimpses of Mina and Demetrius kissing in the warmth of the southern sun, capture Nair’s exquisite feat of balancing—and blending—in Mississippi Masala. For a film traversing so many geographies and registers, there is finally a seamless harmony between father and daughter, between tradition and future, between here and there. As seen anew in restored colors, Mississippi Masala endures not for its spicy and pungent aromas of cultural specificity or representational breakthrough but for this profound commitment to multiplicity. It is a timeless song for and to those who live—and love—in multitudes.

[elitehospitality]

Crafting Memorable Dining with Custom Ceramics

The Art of Personalized Dining

In a world where dining is as much about experience as it is about food, ceramics play a pivotal role in creating lasting impressions. Personalised photo ceramic plates transform ordinary meals into cherished moments, blending functionality with sentimental value. These plates, adorned with custom images or designs, offer a unique way to celebrate special occasions, from family gatherings to milestone events. Meanwhile, high-quality chinaware elevates the ambiance of professional dining settings, ensuring every guest feels the touch of elegance. In the hospitality industry, where first impressions matter, these ceramics are more than tableware—they are storytellers, weaving personal and professional narratives into every meal.

The appeal of custom ceramics lies in their ability to merge practicality with emotional resonance. A plate featuring a family photo or a bespoke design can turn a simple dinner into a celebration of memories, while finely crafted chinaware in hotels enhances the guest experience with sophistication. These pieces reflect a growing trend toward personalization and quality, catering to both individual and commercial needs in a way that feels both intimate and luxurious.

Personalized Plates: Memories on Display

The creation of personalised photo ceramic plates is a fusion of technology and craftsmanship, allowing individuals to imprint meaningful images onto durable, food-safe surfaces. Using advanced printing techniques, artisans transfer high-resolution photos—whether a wedding moment, a child’s artwork, or a cherished landscape—onto ceramic plates, ensuring vibrant colors and lasting clarity. These plates are crafted from high-quality porcelain or stoneware, fired at high temperatures to lock in the design and withstand daily use, from microwave heating to dishwasher cleaning.

The versatility of these plates makes them ideal for personal use or gifting. A set featuring family portraits can become a centerpiece for holiday dinners, sparking conversation and nostalgia. For businesses, such as restaurants hosting private events, custom plates with logos or themed designs add a personalized touch that elevates the dining experience. The durability of the ceramic ensures these plates remain a lasting keepsake, blending sentimentality with practicality for households and event planners alike.

Chinaware for Hospitality Excellence

In the hospitality industry, where every detail shapes the guest experience, chinaware suppliers for hotels play a critical role in delivering elegance and durability. These suppliers provide meticulously crafted plates, bowls, and cups designed to withstand the rigors of frequent use while maintaining a polished aesthetic. Made from premium materials like bone china or reinforced porcelain, this chinaware is engineered to resist chipping, scratching, and thermal shock, ensuring it endures the demands of busy hotel kitchens and dining rooms.

The aesthetic appeal of hotel chinaware is equally important. Suppliers offer a range of designs, from classic white with subtle embossing to bold patterns that complement a hotel’s decor. These pieces are often tailored to align with a hotel’s theme, whether it’s the coastal charm of a beachfront resort or the modern minimalism of an urban boutique. The consistency and quality of these ceramics enhance the dining experience, making every meal feel like an occasion, from breakfast buffets to fine-dining courses.

Craftsmanship Behind the Ceramics

The creation of personalized plates and hotel-grade chinaware requires a blend of artistry and precision. For photo ceramic plates, artisans use digital printing or sublimation techniques to transfer images onto the ceramic surface, followed by high-temperature firing to ensure the design is permanent. The process demands attention to detail, as the image must align perfectly with the plate’s contours while maintaining color accuracy. Artisans often apply a glossy glaze to enhance durability and add a polished finish, ensuring the plates are both beautiful and functional.

Hotel chinaware, meanwhile, undergoes rigorous production processes to meet industry standards. Suppliers use advanced kilns to fire porcelain at extreme temperatures, creating pieces that are both lightweight and exceptionally strong. Some incorporate bone ash for added translucency and elegance, while others use reinforced edges to prevent chipping during heavy use. The customization options, from bespoke patterns to logo embossing, allow hotels to create cohesive dining experiences that reflect their unique identity.

Enhancing Emotional and Professional Connections

Personalized photo ceramic plates carry a unique emotional weight, turning everyday dining into a celebration of memories. A plate featuring a child’s drawing can become a family heirloom, passed down through generations, while one showcasing a wedding photo serves as a daily reminder of love. These plates are often commissioned for special events, such as anniversaries or reunions, where they double as both tableware and keepsakes. Their ability to evoke personal connections makes them a powerful tool for creating meaningful dining experiences.

In contrast, chinaware suppliers for hotels focus on professional connections, helping establishments create memorable guest experiences. A well-chosen set of chinaware can elevate a hotel’s brand, signaling quality and attention to detail. Whether it’s a minimalist white plate for a fine-dining course or a vibrant, patterned bowl for a casual brunch, these pieces contribute to the atmosphere, making guests feel valued. Suppliers often collaborate with hotel designers to ensure the ceramics align with the venue’s aesthetic, creating a seamless and sophisticated dining environment.

The Future of Ceramic Design

As demand for personalized and high-quality tableware grows, ceramic design is evolving to meet modern needs. Advances in printing technology are making photo ceramic plates more vibrant and precise, with options for 3D textures or metallic finishes. Sustainability is also a priority, with artisans exploring eco-friendly glazes and recycled clay to reduce environmental impact. For hotels, suppliers are developing modular chinaware sets that allow for mix-and-match designs, offering flexibility for diverse dining concepts.

In conclusion, personalised photo ceramic plates and chinaware suppliers for hotels represent the intersection of artistry, functionality, and emotional resonance. Personalized plates bring memories to the table, transforming meals into cherished moments, while hotel-grade chinaware elevates professional dining with elegance and durability. Together, these ceramics enhance both personal and professional spaces, creating lasting impressions through the timeless beauty of crafted tableware.

[flavorhautedstore02]

Bluey x Dodgers Limited Edition Baseball Jersey

Product link:https://flavorhauted.com/product/bluey-x-dodgers-limited-edition-baseball-jersey/

Store link:https://flavorhauted.com/

A Playful Homerun in Every Stitch: Bluey x Dodgers Limited Edition Baseball Jersey

In an inspired union of joy and heritage, the Bluey x Dodgers Limited Edition Baseball Jersey is a shining example of what happens when animation meets America’s pastime. Bringing together the heartwarming, energetic world of Bluey with the proud tradition of the Los Angeles Dodgers, this jersey is more than a novelty — it’s a feel-good cultural artifact. Radiating positivity, family spirit, and sporting pride, this is one of the most exciting jersey collaborations in recent memory.

Whimsical Meets Iconic

The design of the Bluey x Dodgers Limited Edition Baseball Jersey instantly enchants with its clever blend of the Dodgers' classic identity and the colorful innocence of Bluey. Set on a pristine white base with timeless vertical blue pinstripes, the jersey maintains a professional, big-league vibe. But where tradition anchors the design, the illustrations bring it to life.

The front features Bluey in full Dodgers gear, clutching a bat and glove with boundless excitement. Beside her, familiar icons like baseballs, bones, and paw prints scatter the background, adding depth and charm. On the back, Bluey is joined by her sister Bingo, both in Dodgers uniforms, posed mid-game with bright smiles and joyful energy. Above them, the name “BLUEY” takes center stage, while the sleeve and chest logos seamlessly integrate Dodgers branding and Bluey’s playful aesthetic.

This jersey doesn’t just borrow from both worlds — it merges them with artistic elegance.

Bringing Families to the Ballpark

The Bluey x Dodgers Limited Edition Baseball Jersey is more than an article of clothing; it’s an invitation. Designed with families in mind, this jersey encourages shared experiences between parents and children, between generations of Dodgers fans, and between new audiences discovering the magic of baseball.

Bluey, as a character, represents curiosity, play, and emotional intelligence — the very qualities that bring families closer. By placing her front and center in Dodgers blue, the jersey becomes a symbol of multigenerational fandom. Whether worn to Bluey Night at the stadium or during a game of catch in the backyard, this piece sparks conversation, connection, and lasting memories.

Built for Comfort and Celebration

Don’t let the playful graphics fool you — the Bluey x Dodgers Limited Edition Baseball Jersey is made with serious craftsmanship. Constructed from lightweight, breathable polyester, it mimics the texture and cut of an authentic team jersey while maintaining comfort and flexibility for fans of all ages.

Sublimated graphics ensure the artwork remains crisp and vibrant through washes and wear, while double-stitched hems and a relaxed fit make it perfect for game days, playdates, or weekend outings. This is not just a keepsake. It’s a jersey made to be lived in — and loved.

An Instant Classic for Collectors and Fans

Limited edition releases like the Bluey x Dodgers Limited Edition Baseball Jersey are more than seasonal trends — they become iconic. For collectors, this jersey is a rare gem that celebrates two powerhouse cultural forces. For kids, it’s the coolest thing to ever come out of a ballpark gift shop. And for adults, it’s a reminder that joy, nostalgia, and sports can coexist beautifully.

With the Dodgers being one of the most storied franchises in baseball history, and Bluey one of the most beloved children’s shows of the modern era, this collaboration is perfectly positioned to leave a lasting legacy — in both fandoms.

Bluey Night: More Than a Theme, It’s a Movement

The jersey is the crown jewel of Bluey Night, a Dodgers promotional event celebrating creativity, childhood, and community. Events like these remind us that baseball is not just about stats and standings — it’s about bringing people together.

The Bluey x Dodgers Limited Edition Baseball Jersey crystallizes that ethos. It’s a celebration of fun, a nod to heritage, and a masterclass in brand synergy. And in a time when sports are increasingly about spectacle, this jersey reminds us of something simpler: the joy of the game.

Conclusion

The Bluey x Dodgers Limited Edition Baseball Jersey is a heartfelt triumph of design and imagination. With its joyful visuals, superior quality, and cultural crossover appeal, it turns baseball apparel into something magical. Whether you’re a lifelong Dodgers fan, a parent watching Bluey on loop, or a collector looking for your next centerpiece, this jersey delivers on every level — with charm, color, and championship-level spirit.

It’s not just something you wear. It’s something you feel.

[almostqualitylover]

Title: Better Programming: A Comprehensive Guide to Building Better Code and Programming Practices

Introduction

What is Better Programming?

Overview of the publication

Focus on providing quality resources for developers

Audience: beginner to advanced programmers

Why Is It Important?

The need for consistent improvement in programming practices

Emphasis on practical, real-world coding solutions

Purpose of the Article

In-depth exploration of what makes Better Programming a go-to publication for developers

Section 1: The Core Mission of Better Programming

The Goal of the Publication

Focus on helping developers improve their coding practices

Encouraging best practices for software development

Prioritizing clean, maintainable, and efficient code

Content Focus

Programming tips, tutorials, and strategies

Language-specific guidance (e.g., JavaScript, Python, Go)

Best practices in debugging, testing, and optimizing code

Developer tools and methodologies (e.g., Agile, DevOps)

Target Audience

New programmers looking to learn the ropes

Intermediate developers aiming to refine their skills

Advanced developers exploring complex coding challenges

Section 2: Types of Content in Better Programming

Programming Tutorials

Step-by-step guides on various languages and frameworks

Examples of common challenges and solutions

Code Reviews and Best Practices

Insights into writing clean, readable code

Importance of refactoring and maintainability

Code documentation tips

Case Studies and Real-World Projects

Stories of how developers solve real-world problems using best practices

Applying theoretical knowledge in real programming environments

Interviews with Experts

Insights from renowned developers and thought leaders

Understanding the latest trends in the development world

Section 3: Key Themes and Topics in Better Programming

Efficiency and Optimization

Writing code that runs faster and uses fewer resources

Analyzing time and space complexity

Tools for profiling and performance optimization

Testing and Debugging

Importance of testing in the software development life cycle

Types of testing: unit testing, integration testing, and automated testing

Debugging techniques and best practices

Design Patterns and Architecture

Explanation of design patterns (e.g., Singleton, Factory, Observer)

Importance of design principles (e.g., SOLID, DRY, KISS)

Building scalable and maintainable systems

Version Control and Collaboration

Using Git effectively

Best practices for branching, merging, and resolving conflicts

Collaboration tools and strategies in software teams

Continuous Integration and Deployment (CI/CD)

Introduction to CI/CD pipelines

How automating the deployment process improves productivity and reduces errors

Best practices for implementing CI/CD

Section 4: The Role of Technology and Tools in Better Programming

Editor and IDE Choices

Popular IDEs and editors for different languages (e.g., VSCode, JetBrains, Sublime Text)

Customizing development environments to increase productivity

Using Version Control (Git)

Branching strategies for teams

Git hooks and other advanced Git tools

Code Linters and Formatters

The importance of code formatting and linting tools

Common tools for various programming languages (e.g., ESLint, Prettier)

Debugging Tools

Overview of debugging techniques and the tools available for developers

Integrating debuggers into your workflow for efficient problem solving

Section 5: Best Practices Promoted by Better Programming

Clean Code Practices

Why writing clean code matters

Tips for writing code that is easy to read and maintain

Refactoring Code

Why and when to refactor

Common refactoring techniques and patterns

Pair Programming

Benefits of pair programming in improving code quality

How to effectively pair program 

in remote teams

The Importance of Code Reviews

How to conduct effective code reviews

The impact of code reviews on improving code quality

Best practices for receiving and giving feedback during code reviews

Section 6: Case Studies and Real-World Applications

Example 1: Building a Web Application from Scratch

Detailed walkthrough of a project where developers used best practices from Better Programming

Challenges faced and how they were overcome

Tools and methodologies applied (e.g., Git, Docker, CI/CD

Example 2: Optimizing an Existing Codebase

A case study showing how developers improved performance and maintainability of an existing project

Refactoring techniques and testing strategies used

Lessons learned and takeaways

Section 7: Interviews with Developers and Experts

Insights from Industry Leaders

Expert opinions on what makes great software development practices

Trends in software development and future directions

How Better Programming Helps Developers

Testimonials and personal experiences of developers who have improved their skills through Better Programming

Conclusion

Recap of Better Programming’s Value

How the publication helps developers at all levels enhance their skills

Encouraging readers to adopt better programming practices

Future Directions for Better Programming

The evolving landscape of software development and programming

How Better Programming will continue to adapt and grow in response to changes in technology and developer needs

Call to Action

Engage with Better Programming

Encourage readers to explore the publication’s articles

Join the community of developers committed to continuous improvement in coding practices

[navira-mga2023mi6011]

Painting, one of humanity's oldest forms of expression, has evolved dramatically over thousands of years. From the earliest cave paintings to contemporary digital art, the history of painting reflects our changing societies, beliefs, and technologies. Let’s take a closer look at this fascinating journey through time.

Prehistoric Beginnings: Painting emerged in prehistory, with the earliest known examples found in caves, such as those in Lascaux, France, dating back over 42,000 years. These ancient artworks often depicted animals and hunting scenes, serving not only as decoration but also as a means of communication and ritual. The use of natural pigments, like ochre and charcoal, allowed early humans to express their experiences and beliefs, laying the groundwork for future artistic endeavors.

Ancient Civilizations: As civilizations developed, so did the complexity of their art. In ancient Egypt, painting was integral to religious practices, with tomb murals and hieroglyphs designed to honor the gods and ensure a safe passage to the afterlife. Meanwhile, the Greeks and Romans advanced the art of painting, focusing on realism and perspective. Greek vase painting, for instance, depicted mythological scenes and daily life, while Roman frescoes adorned the walls of villas, showcasing landscapes and intricate narratives.

The Medieval Era to the Renaissance: The Medieval period saw a shift towards religious themes, with artists creating flat, symbolic figures in illuminated manuscripts and church frescoes. However, the Renaissance (14th–17th centuries) marked a revolutionary change in painting. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo embraced humanism, emphasizing the beauty of the human form and the natural world. Techniques such as linear perspective and chiaroscuro (the use of light and shadow) transformed the way artists represented space and depth, leading to masterpieces that celebrated both divinity and humanity.

Baroque and Romanticism: The Baroque period (17th century) introduced a sense of drama and movement in painting. Artists like Caravaggio and Rembrandt used stark contrasts of light and shadow to evoke emotion and highlight the human experience. This was followed by the Romantic movement in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, where artists such as J.M.W. Turner and Francisco Goya explored themes of nature, emotion, and the sublime. Romanticism emphasized individual experience and the power of nature, often portraying tumultuous landscapes and intense human emotions.

Impressionism to Modernism: The late 19th century brought about the Impressionist movement, with artists like Claude Monet and Edgar Degas challenging traditional techniques. They focused on capturing the effects of light and color in everyday scenes, often painting en plein air (outdoors) to convey the fleeting moments of life. This movement paved the way for Modernism in the 20th century, where artists like Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock broke away from representational art. They experimented with abstraction, form, and color, leading to diverse movements such as Cubism and Abstract Expressionism.

Contemporary Art: Today, painting continues to evolve, embracing new technologies and mediums. Contemporary artists explore a wide range of themes, from social and political issues to personal identity and the environment. Street art, exemplified by artists like Banksy, merges public space with powerful messages, while digital art has opened up new avenues for creativity. Artists like Yayoi Kusama use immersive installations to engage audiences in unique ways, proving that painting is not confined to traditional canvases.

[lodecoen-renaissance]

A New Digital Renaissance

Lode Coen A New Digital Renaissance

By Paul-Enzo Serero

In the intricate intersection between art and technology, Lode Coen stands as a pioneer of a new era, merging the vision of classical masters with the revolutionary power of generative AI. A New Digital Renaissance is an ode to this complex and evolving dialogue. The works on display evoke the grandeur and thematic depth of the Renaissance, yet they are imbued with a distinctly modern spirit that challenges and redefines the boundaries of art.

Lode Coen's art does not merely pay homage to the past; it reinvents it. His pieces, steeped in the iconography of timeless themes like the seven deadly sins, Adam and Eve, and the intimate world of artists and their muses, evoke the drama and precision of historical masterpieces. The familiar scenes are reimagined through a lens of digital creativity, where women soar weightlessly above the Parisian and New York skylines, defying gravity and convention alike. His compositions juxtapose myth and modernity, offering narratives that feel both eternal and unprecedented.

The generative techniques employed by Coen open new realms of expression, pushing the conversation beyond the canvas to engage with the broader evolution of artistic practice. This is not a departure from tradition but a continuation—a renaissance that uses advanced algorithms to breathe new life into classical motifs, sculpting worlds that are both sublime and unsettling. For audiences steeped in the appreciation of traditional art forms, this exhibition provides a bridge: a journey through a familiar past guided by the tools and visions of the future.

By embracing technology without relinquishing the essence of human creativity, Lode Coen invites us to ponder the meaning of art in the digital age. His works confront us with a timeless question: How do we, as creators and spectators, continue to find beauty, complexity, and truth in the ever-shifting landscape of artistic possibility?

Foreword written by the Gallery Owner, Paul-Enzo Serero, published in the book/catalogue for my solo exhibition 17-21 December 2024. Galerie Espace Vision'Art, 27 rue du Sommerard, 75005 Paris.

[moochilatv]

Dylan Cotrone presents: Redneck Hippie

The lyrics are on acid

Dylan Cotrone continues to redefine genre boundaries with his latest single, "Redneck Hippie." Blending elements of pop, hip-hop, rock, alternative, and indie, Dylan crafts an eclectic sound that's as unique as his artistic persona. Much like Post Malone, Dylan's music defies easy categorization, offering listeners a fresh and unpredictable auditory experience.

"Redneck Hippie" serves as Dylan's bold foray into a new musical landscape, capturing the essence of his multifaceted identity encapsulated in his own words, "I'm a million different people." The song paints a vivid picture of a carefree cowboy cruising down the LA River as if it were the Mississippi, merging rustic charm with urban vibes. It's a quirky party anthem that juxtaposes the laid-back lifestyle of a redneck with the free-spirited nature of a hippie, celebrating the blend of tradition and modernity.

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Musically, the track features warm guitar glows intertwined with glitchy beats, creating a dynamic backdrop for Dylan's breathy cadence. The catchy hooks and buoyant grooves make "Redneck Hippie" an irresistible tune for college-aged listeners who love to dance and feel the rhythm. The lyrics delve into themes of identity and escapism, with lines like "Mix the mushroom with Ciroc, I can feel it my bones" and "Tie-dye all up on my socks, call me 'hippie Smokey Jones'" showcasing Dylan's clever wordplay and relatable storytelling.

Dylan's inspiration for "Redneck Hippie" stems from his personal journey of self-discovery and the diverse influences that shape his music. Growing up in Bradenton, FL, Dylan was immersed in a rich musical environment thanks to his father, who introduced him to classics from The Rolling Stones, The Eagles, and more. This foundation, combined with modern influences like Sublime, Weezer, XXXTentacion, and Dominic Fike, culminates in a sound that's both nostalgic and contemporary.

Recorded with intimacy and authenticity, "Redneck Hippie" highlights Dylan's ability to seamlessly switch chords and infuse his music with genuine emotion. The song's production, characterized by loose acoustic riffs and sun-spiked hooks, underscores Dylan's commitment to creating music that resonates deeply with his audience.

[vector-art-bundles]

Exploring the Symbolism of the Female Alien Face: A Deep Dive into the Galactic Muse Design

In the realm of artistic expression, few symbols spark the imagination quite like the visage of an extraterrestrial being. Among these enigmatic symbols, the face of a female alien holds a special place, rich with symbolism and allure. This article delves into the deeper meanings and cultural significance of the female alien face, focusing on the striking design of the "Galactic Muse Alien Beauty Vector Art."

The Enigma of the Female Alien Face

The female alien face is a powerful symbol that intersects various realms of human psychology and cultural mythology. Here’s why this image holds such a compelling fascination:

Mystery and the Unknown: The alien face inherently represents the unknown, a canvas for our curiosity about life beyond Earth. It embodies the mystery of outer space and the potential for discovering new forms of intelligence. When designed as a female alien, it adds layers of complexity, combining the familiar with the profoundly alien.

Feminine Archetypes: The female alien face can symbolize a range of feminine archetypes. It may evoke ideas of beauty, wisdom, and power, challenging traditional norms of femininity. The alien's otherworldly features juxtapose with human notions of femininity, offering a fresh perspective on gender and identity.

Cultural Reflections: Throughout science fiction and pop culture, female aliens often embody themes of otherness and transformation. They challenge human perceptions and expand the boundaries of imagination. The design of the female alien in the "Galactic Muse" art can be seen as a reflection of contemporary issues related to gender, identity, and cultural diversity.

The "Galactic Muse Alien Beauty Vector Art" Design

The "Galactic Muse Alien Beauty Vector Art" captures these themes with exceptional artistry. Here’s a closer look at the design’s symbolic elements:

Elegant Features: The design portrays the female alien with a grace that merges the ethereal and the sublime. The detailed rendering of her features — from her large, expressive eyes to her refined facial contours — highlights both an otherworldly beauty and a profound sense of depth.

Cosmic Charm: The use of intricate patterns and colors in the artwork enhances the alien's celestial allure. The choice of hues and textures suggests a connection to the cosmos, infusing the design with a sense of wonder and infinite possibility.

Versatile Symbolism: Whether used in apparel, murals, or other creative mediums, the "Galactic Muse" design serves as a versatile symbol. It evokes themes of exploration and creativity, making it a powerful visual statement in various contexts.

The Artistic Impact

The "Galactic Muse Alien Beauty Vector Art" is more than just a visually stunning piece; it’s a conversation starter. Its symbolism taps into our collective fascination with the unknown and the potential for encountering intelligence beyond our world. By integrating this design into your projects, you’re not only enhancing their visual appeal but also inviting viewers to engage with the profound and mysterious themes it represents.

In conclusion, the female alien face, as depicted in the "Galactic Muse" design, is a rich symbol of mystery, femininity, and cosmic wonder. It invites us to explore new frontiers in art and thought, encouraging us to embrace the unknown and reflect on our own place in the universe. Embrace this unique design and let its symbolism inspire and elevate your creative endeavors.

[kodehashtechnology]

Becoming a WordPress Developer: Essential Skills and Tools

With its widespread popularity and extensive adoption, WordPress has become a cornerstone of web development, powering millions of websites worldwide. Becoming a proficient WordPress developer opens up a world of opportunities to build dynamic, feature-rich websites and contribute to the thriving WordPress ecosystem. In this guide, we'll explore the essential skills and tools you need to embark on your journey to becoming a WordPress developer.

1. Understanding Core Web Technologies:

To become a WordPress developer, it's essential to have a solid understanding of core web development technologies:

HTML: Learn the structure and markup language used to create web pages.

CSS: Master cascading style sheets for styling and layout of web pages.

JavaScript: Gain proficiency in client-side scripting for interactive web elements.

PHP: Understand server-side scripting language used by WordPress for dynamic content generation.

MySQL: Learn database management and querying language used to store WordPress data.

2. Familiarity with WordPress Architecture:

Understanding the architecture of WordPress is crucial for effective development:

Template Hierarchy: Learn how WordPress determines which template files to use for displaying different types of content.

Action and Filter Hooks: Understand how to hook into WordPress core functionality to modify or extend its behavior.

Database Structure: Familiarize yourself with the database tables and relationships used by WordPress to store data.

3. Proficiency in Theme and Plugin Development:

Theme and plugin development are essential skills for customizing and extending WordPress:

Theme Development: Learn how to create custom WordPress themes from scratch or modify existing themes to meet specific design requirements.

Plugin Development: Master the development of custom WordPress plugins to add new features, functionality, or integrations to WordPress websites.

4. Version Control Systems:

Proficiency in version control systems such as Git is essential for managing code:

Git Basics: Learn the basics of Git version control, including creating repositories, branching, committing changes, and merging code.

5. Local Development Environment:

Setting up a local development environment allows you to build and test WordPress websites locally before deploying them to a live server:

Local Development Tools: Choose a local development tool such as XAMPP, MAMP, or Docker to create a local server environment for WordPress development.

Code Editors: Use code editors like Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, or PhpStorm for writing and editing WordPress code.

6. Debugging and Testing:

Debugging and testing are essential for identifying and fixing issues in WordPress code:

Debugging Tools: Familiarize yourself with WordPress debugging tools such as WP_DEBUG, Query Monitor, and Debug Bar for troubleshooting PHP errors and database queries.

Testing: Learn how to test WordPress websites for compatibility, performance, and security using tools like PHPUnit, Codeception, and browser developer tools.

7. Continuous Learning and Community Engagement:

The WordPress community is vast and supportive, providing ample opportunities for learning and collaboration:

Online Resources: Explore online resources such as the WordPress Codex, developer handbook, and tutorials to deepen your understanding of WordPress development.

Community Involvement: Participate in WordPress forums, meetups, WordCamps, and online communities to network with other developers, share knowledge, and stay updated on the latest WordPress trends and best practices.

Conclusion:

Becoming a WordPress developer requires a combination of technical skills, domain knowledge, and practical experience. By mastering core web technologies, understanding WordPress architecture, gaining proficiency in theme and plugin development, and leveraging essential tools like version control systems and local development environments, you can kickstart your journey to becoming a skilled WordPress developer. Continuous learning, experimentation, and community engagement are key to honing your skills and advancing your career in WordPress development.

[aangussca]

Gallery visit: AGNSW - Louise Bourgeois exhibition (17.1.24)

Context: This exhibition centres around Louise Bourgeois' practice (thematic/conceptual and artmaking) and how it was influenced by the events, psychological states, and emotional extremes of her life:

Tragedy, grief and sorrow

Anxiety and fear

Rage and hostility

Peace and comfort

Love (familial, platonic and romantic/sexual)

Bourgeois' works shift between multiple forms (biomorphic, abstract, surreal, etc.) and multiple materials. Yet the themes explored draw from experiences, emotions and anxieties that others can relate to.

(Small content warning for the following: themes of sexuality (either implied or discussed - nothing explicit), and discussions/depictions of grief and psychological/emotional vulnerability that may hit too close to home for some.)

My Reflection:

I thoroughly enjoyed this exhibition for multiple reasons (only the primary key ones are below):

How the exhibition was organised thematically into 'Day' and 'Night' to represent two extremes that exist separately yet are interconnected: the conscious and the unconscious, order and chaos, love and anger, comfort and fear, day and night. 'Day' itself is split into 9 areas, each detailing parts of her life with accompanying artworks. I thought, while walking through the exhibition, that was a clever way of guiding the audience through both Bourgeois' life and the two different states ('Day' and 'Night').

The inclusion of hidden quotes attributed to Bourgeois on the walls of the 'Day' part of the exhibition. They fit the themes in each of the nine sections and I believe they would make thoughtful prompts for my own artworks.

I particularly loved how some of Bourgeois' works merged biological forms and abstract imagery. For example, Torso, Self-portrait (1963-1964), The Destruction of the Father (1974), Nature Study (1986) and À l'infini (2008-2009).

There was also the use of colours and abstract imagery used to convey multiple levels of meaning, as well as provoke the audience to connect their own emotions and experiences with them. For example, Repairs in the Sky (1999), Sublimation (2002), Heart (2004), and The Waiting Hours (2007)

Overall, this was a fantastic exhibition that I believe will serve as inspiration for any future projects.

Part 1: DAY (Continued)

Section 9: Good Mother, Bad Mother

"Motherhood is one of Bourgeois's great subjects - she addressed it increasingly in her later years. The power and poignancy of Bourgeois's maternal works flows from the intensity of their ambivalence - from her mixed feelings about what writer Rachel Cusk calls "all that love and terror and strangeness'. Bourgeois revered her mother, who was chronically ill for much of Bourgeois's childhood. In a reversal of roles, she nursed her mother through years of poor health until her death in 1932. In the early 1940s, Bourgeois became a mother herself, to three sons, and felt acutely the difficulty of being an artist while trying to fulfil the role of 'the good mother'. As she aged and became frail, she also saw herself as a child in need of a mother's love. The works in this room probe the physicality of motherhood and draw out its psychological complexity. The Good Mother, at centre, feeding out threads of milk, is bound by the selflessness that defines her. In the encircling series A l'infni, Bourgeois, in her nineties, portrays herself as both adult and child - an embryonic body floating amid forms that suggest cosmic dissolution as well as primordial beginnings. At the end of her life, Bourgeois, movingly, entwines being born and letting go."

À l'infini (2008-2009, series of 16 etchings with watercolour, gouache, pencil, coloured pencil and ink on paper) - excerpt with link to full series

Left: I Redo (1999-2000, steel, glass, wood and tapestry)

Right: I Undo (1999-2000, steel, glass, wood and enamel)

Description: "Childbirth is the primal version of all experiences of separation from others. Bourgeois shared the complex feelings it engendered with rare honesty and physical directness. On the shelf behind you, a child is still attached to the maternal body from which it has emerged. In the bell jar at right, it is umbilically tethered, though floating free of its mother like a tiny astronaut. The work in the niche, meanwhile, conjures the figure of 'the bad mother' - a phrase Bourgeois once described as "a trap/a slogan a catch word to use against you or seduce/you'. Spilling milk upon the ground, this mother fails or is unable to provide for the child who is dependent upon her. Perhaps her actions are those of an artist, beset by guilt even as she's drawn to other forms of creation."

The Good Mother (2003, fabric, thread, stainless steel, wood and glass)

Part 2: NIGHT

"Out of 'Day' and into 'Night'. Upstairs, we walked chronologically through a survey of Louise Bourgeois' art. Downstairs in the Tank, artworks from many periods cohabit and churn, like thoughts in the mind at night. 'The unconscious is my friend,' Bourgeois said. She trusted its images and associations. In this underground space, the night mind's suggestions are given full scope to reverberate, A vanity mirror grows enormous. A five-legged cat lurks in a corner. Think of the works as psychic events, transpiring in a landscape of the unconscious. Remember, as you explore, that Bourgeois was drawn to lairs and labyrinths - protective spaces, like the Tank, where she could enter 'the spell' of creation. Her industrial studio in Brooklyn was one such space; her basement studio at home was another. She also remembered the power of certain childhood spaces - a vaulted cellar, a vast bare attic. Notice too, as you roam the Tank, the echoes between upstairs and down. The protective Spider upstairs has an aggressive counterpart here. Le Trani Episode reappears, internally illuminated. These echoes show how art was looping rather than linear for Bourseois- a way of coming back again and again to the forms and feelings that obsessed her." - AGNSW description

Ventouse (1990, marble, glass and electric lights)

Description: "At night as we dream, the past becomes present. People, places and feelings from long ago come back. So it is with many of Louise Bourgeois’s sculptures, here in the night time space of the Tank. Art for her was a way of retrieving precious memories, so she could hold and watch over them. And it was also a way of giving shape to troublesome memories, so she could deal with them – and deal to them – physically...

From The Hidden Past make your way to the low-lying work in glass and black marble called Ventouse, not far from the corridor entry. The glass vessels here are French in origin: she found them in a flea market. They also have a profound and poignant connection with her own French upbringing and specifically with her mother Joséphine, who died in 1932 of emphysema. Through the 1920s and early 1930s, Bourgeois nursed her mother through this illness, often using heated cupping jars like these on her mother’s back to relieve pain and congestion.

Ventouse reenacts this treatment with heartbreaking formality, applying a field of these cups to a slab of black marble that resembles a coffin or a tomb. The sheer number of the cups suggests an attempt to provide as much relief as possible, while the funereal gravity of the stone suggests the attempt is belated and futile. Nonetheless, electric light is drawn up from within the marble through the vessels. The work glows like a strange and solemn altar to her mother in those moments of need."

Has the Day Invaded the Night or Has the Night Invaded the Day? (2007, 6m-tall vanity mirror (aluminium, stainless steel and steel) with diodes)

Le Défi II (1992, steel, glass and electric lights)

Description: "Then, behind [Crouching Spider], quietly aglow, a work as fragile as the spider is vital, but equally capable of being considered a portrait of the artist. Jars collected across the years rest in their hundreds on an industrial trolley. Trembling, fragile, prone to breakage, but shining in quiet defiance.

Destruction and creation are as inextricably linked as day and night in Bourgeois’s art. Sculptural creation involved destruction, she pointed out, because it involved cutting into the block of marble or wood. And as you can see in one of the film clips that plays on the walls of the Tank, Bourgeois herself sometimes destroyed sculptures with furious glee. Another exorcism, another catharsis."

Twosome (1991, painted steel with red electric light and motor)

Description: "The steel cylinders grind in and out of each other. The red light whips around. It's an engine of need, an infernal machine. The name of the work is Twosome. Bourgeois found the two tanks in Staten Island when driving home with her assistant Jerry from her studio. She salvaged them from a defunct gas station to create this symbolic machine. The windows and door she cut into the tanks allude to the country house in Easton where she holidayed with her children and husband. She called it a sculpture 'scaled to the relations of the family and the house'. But it's the way Twosome moves mechanically that really sets its meanings in motion. As the smaller cylinder drives into the larger, it's the act of sex that is conjured. As it re-emerges, the metaphor is of birth and the separation of the child and mother. As it's drawn in again, the images triggered are of feeding and even burial. The endlessness of the movement suggests persistence. The chain connecting the cylinders is umbilical. Bourgeois put it directly: 'In and out covers all our functions.' As always, Bourgeois is not out to console. She is after a deeper recognition. Her way of dispelling the fears of existence was to give them shape through sculpture. And this is an anti-monument that dramatises - bleakly but thrillingly - the needs and conditions that drive us. More than that, it's a creature, a kind of leviathan, that itself seems gripped and driven. It's not hard to imagine, when the Art Gallery closes, that it keeps going through the night."

The Destruction of the Father (1974, archival polyurethane resin, wood, fabric and red light)

Description: "Approach the red mouth of the big black box. It does look like a mouth when you're near it. But also a gut, a cave, a furnace, a room where something unsettling is happening. Bourgeois made this work in 1974. It's called The Destruction of the Father. Around the central form, part table and part bed, a family of lumpish beings have gathered. The objects of their attention are the body parts arrayed like ritual offerings on this platform Bourgeois cast in her basement studio from meat she purchased at the local market. The mood of the scene is part reverent, part comic - an absurdist theatre of cruelty. But it also transmits channelled rage and a lurid, unmistakable relish. In the story that Bourgeois told to accompany this work, the event is a family dinner. The man of the house is pontificating tediously, as he has done too often. Finally sick of his bluster and boasting, the mother and children seize the patriarch and devour him. We viewers arrive in the red-lit aftermath of this scene of revenge and restitution, which pointedly reverses the classical myth of Saturn devouring his children. Bourgeois had contended all her life with smug and seductive father figures. Her own father Louis was the prime example; she felt similarly about the male surrealists. And a critical repugnance for male authority was in the air more broadly at the time, as the USA laboured on in a bitter war and the feminist movement gained momentum. Bourgeois herself was involved at the time in protests for women's rights.

But it would be a mistake to see The Destruction of the Father as a straightforward protest or any kind of lesson. Bourgeois described it as a work about fear: "the conquering of the fear, the hiding, the running away from it, facing it, exorcising it, being ashamed of it, and finally, being afraid of being afraid.' It is, again in her words, a 'very murderous piece - a masterpiece that shreds and ingests the master. After it was first shown, Bourgeois said she felt like a different person. In the darkness of the Tank, its fire-like glow reminds me of Bourgeois's description of the unconscious as 'volcanic'. She continued, 'You had better be its friend, or accept it, or love it if you can, because it might get the better of you."

Crouching Spider (2003, bronze and stainless steel with brown and polished patina)

Description: "'The labyrinth has many meanings for me', Louise Bourgeois once said. 'It can hide me and no one can find me, and I can go out without anyone noticing. If I like my visitors the labyrinth becomes a means of seduction, what I call a tender trap.' Tender traps of many kinds seem to wait for us in the labyrinth that is the Tank. A tall enclosure formed of battered metal doors invites us to peer in and eavesdrop. A red fabric head extends its tongue, as if imploring us to supply communion. And on the walls all around, fields of fluid red paint lure us into desperate dramas of feeding. Perhaps the most seductive presence in this corner of the Tank is also the most threatened and threatening. This Crouching Spider is so different, isn't it, from the Spider in the gallery upstairs … That one is the stable protecting mother, carrying eggs and bestriding its cell. This one is cornered and ready to fight - poised to spring on legs sharp as spears. Its coiled violence calls to mind a line by Bourgeois: 'When I do not "attack" I do not feel myself alive.'"

Self Portrait (2007, bronze with silver nitrate patina)

Left: Henriette (1985, bronze)

Right: I am Afraid (2009, woven fabric)

[mhw-3bomber]

The Ultimate Guide to Barbie-inspired Gifts for 7-Year-Olds: Unveiling the Sublimation Barbie Tumbler

Introduction:

Welcome, dear readers, to our ultimate guide of the best Barbie-inspired gift ideas for 7-year-old girls. If you're on the hunt for the perfect gift that beautifully combines style and functionality, we have just the right recommendation for you – the Sublimation Barbie Tumbler. In this blog, we will explore the world of Barbie gifts, from classic dolls to trendy accessories, and why the Sublimation Barbie Tumbler stands out as an exceptional choice. So, sit back, relax, and join us on this exciting journey of finding the perfect Barbie gift for your little princess!

Barbie Dolls: The Classic Choice

When it comes to Barbie gifts, dolls are always a classic choice. They have been inspiring young girls for decades and continue to bring joy and imagination to little ones worldwide. The range of Barbie dolls available today is vast, offering a wide variety of themes, outfits, and accessories. Whether you opt for a fashionista Barbie, a career-oriented one, or a collector's edition, you can't go wrong with a Barbie doll.

Barbie Fashion and Accessories: A World of Style

Barbie's style is iconic, and her fashion choices have always been on-point. From fashionable outfits to trendy accessories, Barbie's closet offers endless possibilities for imaginative play. Whether it's a glamorous dress, a stylish handbag, or a trendy pair of shoes, these fashion accessories make ideal gifts for young girls who want to express themselves through fashion.

Barbie Home and Décor: A World of Imagination

Another fantastic category of Barbie gifts is the home and décor collection. These sets allow 7-year-olds to create their own Barbie dream houses, complete with furniture, appliances, and even pets. Encouraging imaginative play and personalization, these gifts provide endless hours of fun and creativity as children design and decorate their imaginary Barbie homes.

Barbie Mugs & Cups: A Stylish Sip

Now, let us introduce you to a unique and versatile gift idea: the Sublimation Barbie Tumbler. Specially designed for Barbie enthusiasts, this superior-quality cup features eye-catching Barbie designs, including the iconic Barbie logo and stylish patterns. Made from durable materials, these tumblers are perfect for both hot and cold beverages, making them suitable for any season and occasion.

Why Choose the Sublimation Barbie Tumbler?

The Sublimation Barbie Tumbler is not your ordinary cup; it is a statement piece that merges Barbie's timeless charm with a practical everyday item. With its built-in straw and spill-proof lid, this tumbler ensures convenient and mess-free sipping, making it an excellent choice for young girls on the go. Furthermore, the sublimation printing technique ensures vibrant and long-lasting colors, adding an extra touch of elegance to the tumbler.

Promoting Sustainability and Fun

We must also highlight that the Sublimation Tumbler is an environmentally friendly choice. By opting for a multi-use tumbler, we reduce the need for single-use plastic cups, making a positive impact on the planet. This gift not only brings joy to 7-year-olds but also teaches them the importance of responsible consumption and the power of reusable items.

Conclusion: The Perfect Barbie Gift with a Twist

In conclusion, when searching for the ideal Barbie gift for a 7-year-old, it's essential to consider a balance between style, functionality, and sustainability. The Sublimation Barbie Tumbler shines in this regard, combining the vibrancy of Barbie's world with a useful everyday item. So, whether it's for a birthday, a special occasion, or simply to show your little one how much they mean to you, the Sublimation Barbie Tumbler is sure to be a hit. Embrace the magic and charm of Barbie, while promoting an eco-conscious lifestyle – it's a win-win for everyone involved!

[9zhang]

week 3

This week, I delved deeper into academic research related to the topic. Additionally, I have identified the software I will utilise to create my projects and gathered visualisations of others' works as references.

Project 1 - the capitol lighting system

I have begun the process of mapping out the lighting design in Pharos, although I acknowledge that there is still much for me to learn in this area. However, I am eager to take a bold approach with the lighting colours, drawing inspiration from James Turrell's works. Turrell's art often provides a pleasurable experience, akin to the effects of hallucinogens, where all the senses are immersed in a relaxed state within the luminous spaces he creates. His work leads viewers to introspect, transcending the external world and attaining a moment of enlightenment.

In contrast to the traditional association of lighting and thunderstorms with darkness, I aim to infuse natural phenomena into vibrant and colourful lighting. This juxtaposition of sublime elements with the notion of terror will evoke a unique emotional response in the audience. By merging the beauty of colourful lighting with the inherent power of thunderstorms, I seek to create an immersive experience that captivates and challenges perceptions, provoking a sense of awe and fear simultaneously.

Although there is still much to learn on this journey, I am enthusiastic about experimenting and exploring the potential of lighting to evoke powerful emotions and transcend traditional assumptions. By pushing the boundaries and experimenting with the interplay between light and nature's forces, I hope to create a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant experience in Pharos.

Project 2 - ‘the gyres’ visual narrative animation

The animation I am working on will embrace a dreamlike and hallucinatory visual style, immersing the audience in an otherworldly atmosphere. To achieve this, I will employ rich and vibrant colours, intricate patterns, and fluid animations. The opening scene will feature a faceless figure suspended in an infinite void, symbolizing the concept of a 'face without a body,' as mentioned in the poem. This enigmatic figure will act as the narrator, guiding the audience through a series of poetic and philosophical vignettes, offering a captivating and thought-provoking journey.

The project will also incorporate avant-garde and experimental music, enhancing the sense of the sublime and elevating the film's emotional impact. I believe this combination of innovative visuals and music will create a truly immersive and transcendent experience for the audience.

In terms of the technical aspects, I have chosen Blender as the primary tool for CGI modelling, which will enable me to bring surreal and fantastical elements to life in the animation. Additionally, I plan to use After Effects for further video editing to refine and enhance visual storytelling.

Currently, I am in the process of developing the storyline and creating storyboards to initiate the visual planning phase. As the project progresses, I will continue to refine the narrative and expand on the visual elements, ensuring a cohesive and compelling film that effectively communicates the themes and emotions inspired by the poem.

The environment I envision for the film will be inspired by 'The Wasteland,' a place where nature's intelligent force is palpable. In this setting, ongoing conversations occur between beings of all sizes, communicating in ways that are inaudible to those who are not attuned to nature's whispers. The soundscape is alive with echoes of animals navigating decaying concrete structures, the mesmerizing drone of bees as they communicate their thoughts through dance, and the silent signals that pass from root to root.

This locale resists human control and cultivation; despite human influence, the natural order always prevails. It's a place where nature's resilience and power are evident, even amidst the remnants of human civilization. The environment will showcase the beauty of nature's adaptation and survival, drawing viewers into a world where the boundaries between humans and nature blur.

Visually, I intend to depict a landscape that showcases the juxtaposition of decaying urban elements with the vibrant and relentless growth of the natural world. The contrast between the lifeless, crumbling concrete and the thriving, flourishing flora and fauna will be visually striking. This portrayal will emphasize the ever-present interplay between humanity and nature, highlighting the enduring force of the latter.

The sound design will play a crucial role in creating an immersive experience, allowing the audience to perceive the subtle conversations between different forms of life. The use of ambient sounds, animal calls, and organic sounds will bring the environment to life, enhancing the film's dreamlike and hallucinatory atmosphere.

Throughout the animation, I aim to emphasize the importance of coexistence and our connection to nature. It will be a meditation on the beauty and mystery of the natural world and the ways in which we can attune ourselves to its rhythms and intelligence.

With this environment as the backdrop, the enigmatic narrator will lead the audience on a mesmerizing and thought-provoking journey, inviting them to contemplate their relationship with nature and the profound wisdom it holds. The combination of the poetic narrative, avant-garde music, and surreal visuals will evoke a sense of the sublime and create a truly immersive and unforgettable cinematic experience.

Project 3 - audio visualisation

In the article 'Sublime Frequencies: The Construction of Sublime Listening Experiences in the Sonification of Scientific Data’, Alexandra Supper highlights a unique approach to evoking the sublime not through conventional beautiful music, but rather through the transformation of scientific measurements of dynamic events into immersive sensory experiences. This concept seeks to bridge the gap between science and art, using data from natural phenomena or brain activity to create a profound impact on the listener.

A prominent example illustrating this concept is the collaborative installation by Composer John Luther Adams and others. In this project, real-time scientific measurements of natural forces become the driving force behind both the visual and auditory elements. As a result, the installation acoustically and visually represents the interplay of these natural forces, establishing a direct connection between the listener's consciousness and the sensory experience.

The essence of this approach lies in its ability to convey the intangible aspects of natural forces and brain dynamics through sound and visuals. By translating scientific data into an artistic medium, the installation immerses the audience in an evocative journey, enabling them to perceive and engage with these complex phenomena in a more intuitive and emotive manner.

‘This is not a simulated experience of the natural world. It is a heightened form of experience itself.’ quote by Adams in a book about the genesis of piece. In conclusion, the concept of creating sublime listening experiences through sonification of scientific data exemplifies the potential of merging artistic expression with scientific exploration. By translating data from natural phenomena or brain activity into immersive sensory experiences, these installations enable us to perceive and appreciate the harmonious interplay of nature's forces and the intricate workings of our consciousness on a more profound level. 

This has inspired me to embrace natural sounds and to infuse my work with organic and immersive elements. The richness of sounds found in the environment, such as the gentle flow of water, and the whispering of wind will serve as the raw materials for my audio compositions. These elements will add a unique and captivating dimension to my artistic expressions, resonating with the audience profoundly. To further strengthen my artistic journey, I recognize the significance of delving into basic music theory. Acquiring fundamental knowledge in rhythm, melody, harmony, and form will provide me with a structured foundation for my compositions. 

Since my overall structure has been set, here is a list of actions for this project: 

1. Gather potential audio footage

2. Create Audio in Logic Pro: To compose and design the audio elements and use various instruments, effects, and synthesis techniques to represent the natural forces 

3. Import audio and build Visuals in TouchDesigner: Use TouchDesigner to design and implement the visuals that correspond to the audio data. You can use various visual elements, shaders, and interactive techniques to create an immersive experience.

4. Connect Audio and Visuals: synchronise the audio and visual elements in real-time. 

5. Testing and Refinement

Project 4 - audio experience in the recital centre

Through my research on Willem Boogman's Sternenrest, a musical composition inspired by stellar oscillations, I discovered that the audience experiences a unique immersion by being surrounded not only by the 192 speakers of a wave field synthesis loudspeaker system but also by live musicians playing acoustic instruments. This setup aims to transport the audience into the heart of a star, offering a sense of being inside the cosmic phenomenon. The immersive experience is achieved through rhetorical, spatial, and technological strategies, with a particular focus on surround sound techniques.

This incredible immersive approach has inspired me to further develop my volcanic project, intending to transport the audience into the perilous world of the earth's volcanic activity. I aim to create a captivating experience that captures the essence of volcanic forces at the recital centre. 

Additionally, I came across another intriguing project by sound designer Micah Frank, featuring ghostly oscillations and unsettling harmonic rhythms, titled the 'chilling aural portrait' of the 2011 earthquake in Japan. This work serves as a poignant reminder of the power of sound to evoke emotions and immerse the audience in a specific event or environment.

Overall, these remarkable examples of immersive and emotionally evocative experiences have fueled my passion to explore new possibilities in my own project, aiming to bring the audience closer to extraordinary phenomena and emotions through the medium of sound and technology.