Jason de Caires Taylor

Today I was bombarded with interesting information about the ocean, which beautifully led me to this really amazing underwater sculpture stuff by Jason de Caires Taylor.  I love sculptures and am now scuba certified, so it was excited to see a new way to integrate the two loves into one.  These underwater sculptures are located just of the shore of the tiny Caribbean Nation of Grenada and I imagine looking at them would be both exciting and inspiring.  (Just as long as Jaws didn't happen to be there admiring the art at the same time)

I especially love seeing the sculptures after the ocean has made them it's own.

 

Check out more at www.underwatersculpture.com

Un bel di vedre

This is one of my Sunday drive songs.  When I was little I would get mad at my dad for playing Opera because it is so uncool, but secretly I loved it.  This one especially is one that I am in love with.  I was supposed to go see this opera, "Madama Butterfly" at the Lincoln Center in NY a couple years ago, but our plans fell though.  

The story is beautiful and frustrating at the same time.  It is about an American navy man who falls in love with Japanese woman.  I won't try and tell the whole story in fear of ruining it, but this tragically beautiful song is sung in the second act by the Japanese woman as she eagerly awaits her love to return to her.  Enjoy! (p.s. I added the translation below as well) 

English Translation of "Un bel di, vedremo"

One good day, we will see

Arising a strand of smoke

Over the far horizon on the sea

And then the ship appears

And then the ship is white

It enters into the port, it rumbles its salute.

Do you see it? He is coming!

I don't go down to meet him, not I.

I stay upon the edge of the hill

And I wait a long time

but I do not grow weary of the long wait. 

And leaving from the crowded city,

A man, a little speck

Climbing the hill.

Who is it? Who is it?

And as he arrives

What will he say? What will he say?

He will call Butterfly from the distance

I without answering

Stay hidden

A little to tease him,

A little as to not die.

At the first meeting,

And then a little troubled

He will call, he will call

"Little one, dear wife

Blossom of orange"

The names he called me at his last coming.

All this will happen,

I promise you this

Hold back your fears -

I with secure faith wait for him.

Ellie Goulding

My friend Beki showed me this song.  Initially, I thought it was good, but now I can't stop listening to it.  It's nothing too exciting vocally (she definitely is not like most modern female singers showing off her dynamic strong voice and impressive range).  This song is back to the basics with a simple piano/cello accompaniment and a beautiful uncomplicated sound.

Benjamin Franklin

“Diligence is the mother of good luck.”


I'm trying to remember this as I'm getting man handled by my Organic and Bio Chemistry classes.

Phoenix - 1901

For the last month or so my Pandora station with these guys has been my favorite, so yesterday I finally gave into the love affair and bought their CD.  Good stuff!  This is one of the best songs.  I have to admit, however, that I haven't really listened to the words.  It's one of those songs where you just fall in love with the sound and feel of it and don't even notice the words.

Vik Muniz

This guy makes art our of everything, it's really cool.  Here is just a small selection of the different mediums he uses.  The stuff done with dirt is my favorite, it has a great texture.  Also, make sure you check out the video at the bottom of him speaking at TED.

"Valentina" done with sugar on black paper

"Hans Namuth" done in chocolate syrup

"Mona Lisa" done with pb and j

"A Terra e A Gente" (the earth and us)

 Here he is talking about his art on TED:

Vik Muniz makes art with wire, sugar | Video on TED.com

Happy New Years