In his recently published book, titled “The World’s Most Beautiful Libraries,” Italian photographer Massimo Listri invites bibliophiles to a wonderful photographic journey to some of the most extraordinary libraries in the world.
Category: Life
Casa Vicens: Gaudí’s First House in Barcelona, Spain
Built between 1883 and 1885 as a summer garden home for the Vicens family in the village of Gràcia in Barcelona, Spain, Casa Vicens is the first remarkable project of Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí i Cornet (1852 – 1926) and one of the first buildings to pave the way for the Art Nouveau (Modernisme) movement in Catalonia and Europe.
The Heyday of Girlie Magazines in America
Earl Moran, Peter Driben, and Billy DeVorss are some of the 20th-century’s highly regarded illustrators, credited with defining feminine beauty in America from 1942 to 1955, providing exceptional works of Pin-up art for the colorful covers of Robert Harrison’s girlie magazines.
Are you Healed or Healthy?
Most people strive to be healed while few actually strive to be healthy. How do they differ? The root words for “healed” and “healthy” are identical – both stem from the Old English word “hale” (being whole, sound or well). Though the terms are related, their meanings differ.
The Transformation of Ballerina’s Shoes Through History
Despite the physical challenges accompanying top-notch ballet dancing, and the audience’s lust for perfection, ballerinas appear tireless, weightless and ethereal. Although years of training are required for their flawless performances, the key is found in their dancing shoes.
The Solution to Acne Could Be Stored in Your Pantry
Acne vulgaris, affecting over 85% of adolescents and nearly 50% of people over age 25, is the most common disease in the Western hemisphere. Recent studies show that a high-glycemic diet is the primary determinant of the acne epidemic as evidenced by the physiology of pimpling.
“Let Food Be Thy Medicine:” Keto’s War Against Insulin Resistance & Cancer
The keto (ketogenic) diet is the ultimate medicine for treating insulin resistance, cancer and obesity. When food is consumed responsibly, the body can fuel itself with fat rather than sugar; thus achieving the ketotic state beneficial to hormonal balance, anti-aging and weight loss in women aged 45 to 65. The keto diet can also prevent breast and other forms of cancer due to its richness in anti-oxidizing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial elements.
Social Media Addiction Stronger Than Smoking
Addiction is defined as “the persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful.” Excessive social media use qualifies as an addiction that can lead to poor mental health. It also hinders our social nature as the addict increasingly abandons human interaction for digital communication. Furthermore, social media addiction can potentially deteriorate our sense of independence and mental processes.
Meet Boston’s Most Playful One-Man Band
Piecing together dozens of random objects with tie-dye duct tape and pipe cleaners to decorate his whimsical musical instruments, a street artist in his 60s invites all people in Boston, Massachusetts, to admire his crazy handmade machine turning the city’s street corners into colorful music stages.
Project Revives Nazi Atrocities in Striking Color
Brazilian photo restoration and colorization specialist Marina Amaral recently wrote on her website: “In 2016, I colorized Czesława Kwoka’s photo and posted it on social media. She was just 14 when she was murdered behind the walls of Auschwitz concentration camp on 12 March 1943. Her photo is haunting. Staring straight into the camera, her eyes tell a story of fear and horrors that few of us, in modern times, can understand or relate to.”
Hawa Mahal: Jaipur’s Gilded Cage For Women
Hawa Mahal, meaning the “Palace of the Winds,” is one of the major attractions in Jaipur, India, and one of the finest examples of Rajput architecture in the country. Jaipur’s sandstone palace was built in 1799 by the Kachwaha ruler of Jaipur Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh as an extension to the Royal City Palace.
Madame LaLaurie: The “Torture Queen” of the American South
Marie Delphine Macarty, more commonly known as “Madame LaLaurie,” was a Creole socialite and one of the most infamous serial killers in the world. The “cruel mistress” of Louisiana was born on March 19, 1787, in New Orleans to an Irish gentleman and a French lady of upper society.
Why Grace Kelly’s Wedding Gown Still Defines the Royal Chic
The iconic lace masterpiece that the American Oscar-winning actress Grace Kelly wore during her glamorous wedding to Prince Rainier III of Monaco on April 19, 1956, in Monaco’s Saint Nicholas Cathedral is still cited as one of the best remembered royal bridal gowns of all time.
Animated GIFs Reveal The Glorious Past of 7 Iconic Ancient Sites
For those curious to see how some of the world’s greatest architectural masterpieces, such as the Parthenon in Greece, the Pyramid of the Sun in Mexico, and the Luxor Temple in Egypt, looked like when they were newly built, Expedia has something new to offer.
What if World Leaders were Vulnerable?
During the last few years Syrian artist Abdalla Al Omari has been creating striking oil paintings that depict the world’s most controversial and influential leaders as displaced and disenfranchised civilians to raise awareness for people fleeing war-torn countries.
All About NASA’s Historic Mission Control in Houston, Texas
“Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.” This was the message American astronaut Neil Armstrong sent from the lunar module to NASA’s Mission Control Center, in Houston, Texas, at 3:18 p.m (CT) on July 20th, 1969, during the historic Apollo 11 trip, and before stepping onto the Moon’s surface.
Meet Classical Ballet’s “Gifted Beast” Sergei Polunin
Emotional, impulsive and eccentric Sergei Polunin is one of the most gifted male ballet dancers of his generation. “He’s an artist who could make it on the level of [Rudolf] Nureyev and [Mikhail] Baryshnikov if he stays focused on dancing,” art critics say, acknowledging the Ukrainian-born man’s superstar quality.
Dekotora Trucks: Drivable Works of Art Made in Japan
For more than 40 years, some drivers in Japan have been spending hundreds of thousands of dollars turning their trucks into flamboyantly decorated vehicles, called “Dekotora.”
Romania: Where Fact is Far More Terrifying Than Fiction
Romania, home of Dracula – both the legendary vampire and the real-life ruler – is a country with a long and bloody past. Located at the crossroads of Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe, it is wrapped in mystery and legend.
A Flashback to Moulin Rouge’s Heyday
The most famous cabaret in the world first opened its doors on October 6th, 1889, at the foot of Montmartre hill in Paris’s 18th arrondissement, under the management of French impresario Charles Zidler and Spanish entrepreneur Joseph Oller.