Tag: Art

Life by Katerina PapathanasiouJul 8, 202511:00 am

Ikebana arrangement with two purple anemones in a wooden bowl, set against an earthy textured wall with soft shadows.

Ikebana: Where Flowers Whisper Silent Poetry

Ikebana doesn’t try to steal the spotlight. There’s no flash, no noise. But in that quiet space between a flower’s opening and its fading, something is said. This Japanese tradition—bringing flowers to life, that’s roughly what the name means—has been around for centuries. It’s not just decoration. It’s more like… restraint turned into beauty. A stem tilted this way, a little open space there—everything is done on purpose. And maybe that’s the point: it’s not always what you see, but what’s left out, that speaks loudest.

Culture by Katerina PapathanasiouJul 2, 202511:00 am

Silhouette of a person gazing at floating golden sparks during SPARK, Studio Roosegaarde’s sustainable light installation in Pesaro, Italy.

SPARK in the Sky: A Biodegradable Light Show in Breckenridge

This August, a different kind of celestial event will grace Colorado’s skies. High above Breckenridge, a constellation born of light, wind, and vision will rise, drift, and shimmer in mid-air—silent, weightless, and alive.

Life by Katerina PapathanasiouJun 18, 202512:11 pm

Black-and-white illustration of a medieval troubadour playing a lute, based on a 19th-century artwork by Hubert von Herkomer.

Songs of Longing: The Passionate World of the Troubadours

In the honeyed glow of southern France’s medieval courts, something stirred beneath the surface of ritual and rank. Not a battle cry, nor a sermon—but a song. It came from the troubadours—or trovadors, as they were known in their own tongue—poets who let desire slip into verse and set longing to music. They sang of bodies and glances, of nights too full to hold. Their words brushed skin like fingertips, soft and dangerous. And in a world ruled by duty, they dared to speak of want.

Life by Katerina PapathanasiouMay 13, 202510:00 am

Vintage-style portrait of a Regency-era dandy in a top hat, isolated on a black background

Dandyism: A Brief History of Elegance as Rebellion

Forget trends and logos—dandyism has never been about fitting in. It’s the art of becoming a statement, of turning elegance into something sharp enough to cut. A dandy doesn’t just get dressed; he composes himself, one detail at a time, like a playwright building a character. Every gesture, every fold, every glint of polished leather is part of the act.

Life by Katerina PapathanasiouApr 10, 202510:00 am

Traditional Slovenian painted beehive panel showing Adam and Eve beneath the Tree of Knowledge, surrounded by animals, in a folk art style.

Folk Art with a Buzz: Slovenia’s Beehive Panels

What do Adam and Eve, a mischievous devil, and a bewildered donkey have in common? They’re all starring roles on Slovenian beehives. Yes, beehives. For over two centuries, these tiny canvases, known as “panjske končnice,” have been buzzing with stories, turning honey-making into a folk-art spectacle.

Culture by Katerina PapathanasiouMar 19, 202511:20 am

Black and white photo-booth self-portrait of artist Lee Godie, featuring hand-drawn red accents on her face and clothing, showcasing her unique artistic style and eccentric self-expression.

Lee Godie: The Enigmatic Queen of Chicago’s Sidewalks

They speak of Lee Godie—Jamot Emily Godee, born 1908, died 1994—in hushed tones, a blend of wonder, curiosity, and maybe a little confusion. She called herself a French Impressionist, though she learned art on her own. And at the age of 60, homeless, she took to the streets, reinventing herself. You’d find her on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue, a street artist, almost a ghost, from the late sixties to the early nineties.

Culture by Katerina PapathanasiouMar 5, 20251:00 pm

A large sculpted Minotaur head with an open mouth serving as a fireplace, set against a red-painted background with classical-style murals on the surrounding walls. The room, part of Ron Gittins' art-filled flat, features intricate frescoes, sculptural details, and eclectic artistic elements.

From Rented Flat to Art Treasure: The Story of Ron’s Place

From the outside, Ron’s Place, a formerly rented flat in Oxton, Birkenhead, looks like any other home on the street. But behind its unassuming exterior lies a hidden world of artistic wonder. For over 30 years, Ron Gittins, a self-taught artist, transformed this space into a personal masterpiece—one that had never been seen by anyone during his lifetime.

Culture by Katerina PapathanasiouFeb 18, 202511:38 am

Ballerina Victoria Dauberville performing an elegant ballet routine on the red hull of a ship in icy Antarctic waters, surrounded by floating ice and snow-covered mountains.

On Thin Ice: Victoria Dauberville’s Antarctic Call

A ballerina stands poised beneath the towering bow of a ship, her silhouette framed against an expanse of ice and endless sky. This is more than a performance—it’s a poignant message. In a mesmerizing collaboration with dancer, photographer, and director Mathieu Forget, Victoria Dauberville’s Antarctic ballet captures the delicate beauty of a world on the brink of transformation, a fleeting masterpiece set against a landscape that is vanishing before our eyes.

Interviews by Katerina PapathanasiouFeb 7, 202511:25 am

A close-up portrait of artist Katherine Fraser in her studio. She has a warm expression, with soft waves of brown hair, red lipstick, and silver dangling earrings. She wears a red and black patterned blouse with intricate button details. The blurred background features her artwork, adding depth to the setting. Photo by Colleen McHugh.

The Female Gaze: A Conversation with Katherine Fraser

With “The Female Gaze,” Katherine Fraser throws out the rulebook—on painting, identity, and who gets to take up space. This collection is a visceral experience—raw, unfiltered, and deeply personal. It’s Katherine at her most vulnerable—and most powerful.

Interviews by Katerina PapathanasiouJan 28, 202512:22 pm

Black and white portrait of artist Claudio Parentela wearing round glasses and a textured sweater, sitting in his eclectic studio surrounded by artwork, objects, and a plush duck in a checkered bonnet

Interview with Claudio Parentela: The Genius of Beautiful Chaos

Whether through his electrifying collages, raw illustrations, or experimental photography, Claudio Parentela’s work doesn’t just speak—it shouts, distorts, and demands your attention.