Posts

Showing posts with the label art

Albert Namatjira died more than six decades ago but his art is suddenly enjoying demand

Image
In the 1950s, Albert Namatjira’s iconic watercolor art was often sold on the streets of Alice Springs for just a few shillings. Key points: Demand for Albert Namatjira’s artwork has soared, with one work worth over $120,000 A prominent art owner said people realized how important an Arrente male artist was A member of the Namatjira family said that his legacy has inspired many others to follow in the artist’s footsteps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article may contain images of people who have died. Over the years and after his death in 1959, his paintings of the vast Central Australian landscape became highly sought after, with collectors around the world clamoring to own a work. Now there is renewed interest in the artist Arrernte and the father of the Hermannsburg School with his record-setting work. Glen Helen Gorge in Namatjira on paper sold for more than $120,000 when it went up for auction in Melbourne earlier this year. In July his painting

Polarization of light creates art, explains mathematical concepts

Image
Stochastic stress-induced birefringence in plastic spoons left in the hot sun was visualized via polarization-filtered staining. The ladle is placed between a pair of parallel polarizer sheets in an open-gate arrangement, with a parchment paper backing to act as a diffuser for sunlight illumination. Credit: Aaron Slepkov, University of Trent Light polarization supports the latest technological innovations, including 3D cinema and LCD. In LCDs, small, electronically controllable liquid crystal elements are sandwiched between the polarizers. If, on the other hand, other transparent polarization-altering films—such as plastic gift wrap and wrapping tape—are placed between a set of polarizers, a polarizing filtered color array can be observed. In American Journal of Physics Aaron Slepkov, of Trent University in Canada, explores the physics of how these colors appear, how they can be controlled, and why subtle changes in viewing angles, s

A side business isn't always just about money. Sometimes they are fun

Image
More and more Australians are turning to creative ways of earning a side income, many combining a second gig with pursuing their hobby. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that 867,000 Australians have odd jobs, ranging from odd jobs to running their own businesses. Ben Svenson’s day job is in the steel manufacturing business while his partner Evie Black is a dental nurse. Their passion for fishing is shared on several social media accounts as Northern Addicts, from which they earn their income through sponsorship and clothing sales. “It’s easier to collect content when it’s something you’re passionate about,” says Ben. “Ultimately you have to enjoy what you’re doing. So fishing is what we enjoy.” His favorite aspects of the Northern Addicts account are the people he meets and the relationships he builds with those who follow the pair. “I’m a Sydney Swans supporter and I’m constantly talking to some of the boys from the Sydney Swans,” he said. “They are quite interested

Known for 'cutting men to pieces', Dr Lynn was once famous worldwide

Image
Legend has it that John Wesley Simmons used to walk around Tokyo in the 1860s with a loaded gun under one hand, and his head tucked under the other. People pretty much left him alone. Simmons—also known as Washington Blythe, Washington Simmons, and, most famously, Dr Lynn—was the first Western magician to appear in Japan after the country opened up to foreigners in the mid-19th century. More than 50 years before sawing assistants into two measures of illusionist skill, Simmons dismembered a man every night and put him back together for a paying audience. As Dr Lynn, Simmons was one of the most famous and successful illusionists of his time, but his contributions to the wizarding world have been largely forgotten outside of fans and historians. John Wesley Simmons, appearing as Dr Lynn, was the first Western magician to perform in Japan. ( Provided: National Portrait Gallery (United Kingdom) ) He was a pioneer in several stage magic techniques, a talented performer, and is said to be t