Nov 15 2023
Seasons, made in 1969, is one of the most beloved Russian animations, directed by Yuri Norstein and Ivan Ivanov-Vano, with the music of Tchaikovsky. You can find this and four other animations by Norstein: The Battle of Kerzhenets, Fox and Rabbit, The Heron and the Crane, and Hedgehog in the Fog, all on DVD in Masters of …
Nov 12 2023
Released on this day November 12, 1984, Hatful of Hollow by The Smiths is not just an album; it is a cultural artifact that has wielded an enduring influence on the music industry since its release in 1984. The Smiths, an English rock band formed in Manchester, were known for their unique blend of rock …
Nov 08 2023
Today we have another wonderful Yuri Norstein film, Hedgehog in the Fog. Norstein is best known for this animation, as well as his Tale of Tales. Hedgehog in the Fog was directed by Norstein, written by Sergei Kozlov, with music by Mikhail Meyerovich. It was produced by Soyuzmultfilm in 1975. It is the story of a hedgehog and a bear cub who …
Nov 06 2023
Step into a world of exquisite artistry and timeless beauty as we delve into the rich history of Italian ceramic art. From intricate majolica designs to delicate porcelains, Italy has long been renowned for its mastery in this ancient craft. For centuries, Italian artisans have honed their skills, passing down traditional techniques from one generation …
Nov 01 2023
Night on Bald Mountain is a film set to the music of the same name by Russian composer Modest Mussorgsky, and arranged by his fellow Russian composer, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. The film was created by the inventors of pinscreen animation, Alexandre Alexeieff and his collaborator Claire Parker. Alexeieff was born in Kazan, Russia in 1901 and died in …
Oct 31 2023
The legendary Johnny Marr, born John Martin Maher, is a renowned musician, songwriter, and singer from Manchester, England. His contribution to the world of music is immense and his innovative style has influenced countless musicians around the globe. Marr’s unique blend of punk, rock and pop has given him a distinctive sound that has helped …
Oct 25 2023
Viy is a significant artifact in the history of cinema, particularly in the context of Soviet film. Released in 1967, it is widely regarded as the first horror movie produced by the Soviet film industry. The film is based on a horror novella by Nikolai Gogol, a renowned Russian-Ukrainian author whose work has been foundational …
Oct 21 2023
Julian Cope, a prominent singer-songwriter, musician, author, and antiquarian, has been a revolutionary figure in the music industry for more than four decades. Born in Wales on this day October 21, 1957, Cope first made his mark as the frontman of the neo-psychedelic band The Teardrop Explodes in the late 1970s and early 1980s. With …
Oct 18 2023
Born in Zurich, Switzerland on October 18, 1903, Albert Frey is widely recognized as a master of Desert Modernism. Born and educated in Switzerland, Frey’s architectural skills were honed under the tutelage of Le Corbusier, a pioneer of modern architecture. However, it was upon his move to the United States, and specifically to Palm Springs, that …
Oct 18 2023
Last week we had an introduction to the Brumberg Sisters, and this week we have another great film by the duo, featuring one of the scariest characters of folklore, Baba-Yaga. While this fairy tale, and others, portray her as a child-hunting witch, there are some different renditions of Baba-Yaga. In Slavic folklore, Baba-Yaga is typically …
