Tag: COVID-19

Culture by Katerina PapathanasiouJul 17, 202012:06 pm

Paris Launches Floating Movie Theater For Social Distancing Fun

When you think of watching movies under the stars, your mind may immediately cut to images of the age-old American pastime of the drive-in theaters, which have since witnessed their own type of renaissance and resurgence in popularity. The romance, the entertainment, the personal touch—all of these elements are brought to the forefront when indulging in alfresco cinema. But is there a way to take this quintessentially American experience and make it… better? A dedicated crew of French culture enthusiasts seems to think so.

Travel by Katerina PapathanasiouJun 22, 202011:56 am

Swiss Pop-Up Hotel Offers Rooms With No Walls or Roof

Imagine going on vacation and waking up to see the breathtaking Swiss Alps in front of you, lying in bed and feeling the cool wind of the mountains on your skin. It may sound like a dream, but Zero Real Estate has made it a reality.

Life by Katerina PapathanasiouJun 15, 202011:44 am

a Glasgow-based artist dressed in a 17th-century Plague Doctor costume, sits on a bench in George Square in 2011 in Glasgow, Scotland, to promote his exhibition, "The Human Condition"

The Terrifying Costumes Worn by 17th-Century Plague Doctors

Amid the current pandemic, the debate continues about the efficacy of personal protective equipment, especially face masks. According to some, if they are not of the N95 grade quality, they may not be effective at protecting the wearer’s immune system from absorbing foreign airborne pathogens. Pandemics are not a new phenomenon, and how they are handled now is a sharp contrast to the yesteryear methods. However, one similarity involves the protective gear worn by today’s health care workers—our new plague doctors.

Culture by Katerina PapathanasiouJun 8, 202011:56 am

drive-in exhibition about Vincent van Gogh in Toronto, Canada

The World’s First Drive-In Art Exhibition to Open in Toronto

They say that great art captures the spirit of the present and preserves it so that it may be appreciated in the future. But what happens when you combine the awe-inspiring work of a 19th-century Dutch Post-Impressionist painter with a turbulent 21st-century world reeling from the effects of a global pandemic? The result may look something like this.

Travel by Katerina PapathanasiouJun 5, 202010:21 am

one table, one chair, and a picnic basket in the middle of a lush meadow

Table for One: An Immersive New Reality in Restaurant Dining

As sanctions continue to lessen and physical distancing rules are easing across the globe, many people are eager to get back to some semblance of routine. The fact remains that a post-COVID-19 world will not look the same no matter how quickly we return. And in no aspect of social life is that harsh reality felt greater than in the hospitality industry. However, one “restaurant” in Sweden is taking a unique approach to dining—an approach that may well become the new normal.

Culture by Katerina PapathanasiouJun 3, 202011:52 am

snapshot from Michael Middelkoop's short film "Meeting Point"

New Short Film Explores the Connective Power of Music and Dance

In this new age of social distancing and contact-free interaction, music and performance are engaged in a delicate dance—literally and figuratively. One Amsterdam-based filmmaker has managed to capture the essence of solitude, and he’s chronicled it in his latest short film.

Culture by Katerina PapathanasiouMay 29, 202011:06 am

Coronavirus-related pothole art by Jim Bachor in Uptown, Chicago

Artist Fills Chicago Potholes With Covid-19 Essentials

The history of art features countless examples of painters, sculptors, and technicians, chronicling the minutiae of devastating periods in time, oftentimes using ebullient and joyful colors and materials to distract and entertain audiences. One guerrilla mosaic artist continues this tradition, and he brings his signature artistic style to the bumpy streets of Chicago.

Culture by Katerina PapathanasiouMay 27, 202010:59 am

artist Cameron Loeb and friends wearing one-of-a-kind masks of the kind created for the "Masks in the Wild" public health art project

New Project to Provide Free Artist-Made Masks to New Yorkers

In the last few months, countless people have lost their jobs, their livelihoods, their loved ones. The overall personal toll of the coronavirus is still too early to measure. Fortunately, one element of this global pandemic in which we are seeing a positive increase is the number of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) available—especially in hotspots like New York City. This is partially due to the sheer stick-to-itiveness of, among other sources, creative minds, small businesses, and dedicated humans. And one such collaboration in particular.

Culture by Katerina PapathanasiouMay 4, 202011:43 am

scene from Globe Theater's "Romeo & Juliet" 2009 performance

Watch Shakespeare’s Greatest Plays for Free Online

While the majestic Globe Theater has been closed since March 19 due to responsible COVID-19 protective measures, the audience still craves theater and entertainment during social distancing. For this reason, the English theater will be streaming some of its most prestigious past productions for free on their YouTube channel.

Culture by Katerina PapathanasiouMay 1, 202010:41 am

Naked woman submerged in water surrounded by four TV devices

Social Distancing and Isolation Through Anna Radchenko’s Lens

Humans weren’t made to live in isolation. Being social and forming meaningful relationships has a positive effect on mental health. In fact, the impact of being social is so profound that it can help to ward off depression and even lower the risk of dementia. What does that mean in a world where being social can also mean sharing a potentially deadly disease? When trendy catchphrases are “social distancing” and “stay home,” can virtual connections be as meaningful? Photographer and director Anna Radchenko seeks to explore these ideas in her two capsule-photography series, “The Melancholy Rooms” and “Baby Cribs.”