Walker Evans and Vincent van Gogh Shoes
Walker Evans photograph of Floyd Burroughs' boots reminded of Vincent van Gogh's painting of two shoes.
Further Reading
Oliver Sacks on the joy of old age. The world’s weirdest languages. Interview with Chris Ware. A brief cultural history of Russia by Mikhail Shishkin. Paul Krugman on how the case for austerity has crumbled. Martin Wolf on how austerity has failed. And more.
John Updike: Rabbit, Run
Every now and then I read a novel that leaves me wholly indifferent. This is one of them.
Highlights from the Fall 2013 Ready-to-Wear Collections
Some of my favourite outfits from the fall 2013 ready-to-wear collections.
Laurence Smith: The New North. The World in 2050
An excellent, well-written analysis of the four mega-trends that will shape the future: demography (population growth and aging); the growing demand on natural resources; globalization and climate change. A fascinating read and highly recommended if you like to read beyond today's headlines.
The Best Books of 2012
A selection of the best books I read this year, which this year includes a number of books I wish I had read years ago.
The Best Albums of 2012
The Kindred EP by Burial is probably the album that I played most often this year. The Japanese CD also contains the Street Halo EP. Fin by John Talabot is another album that I listened to a lot.
Super Sad Prescient Love Story
Gary Shteyngart's novel Super Sad True Love Story is a surprisingly prescient novel. A recent article in the NY Times shows that another part of his dystopian vision is already a reality.
Oscar Niemeyer 1907-2012
Oscar Niemeyer's work is very photogenic, it's nearly impossible not to make a good photo of his designs.
Jonathan Harvey 1939-2012
I only discovered his work some two years ago but Jonathan Harvey has since become one of my favourite composers.
Frank Dikötter: Mao's Great Famine
Frank Dikötter chronicles the consequences of Mao's Great Leap Forward, one of the most devastating man-made catastrophes in history.
Philippe Vandenberg and Berlinde de Bruyckere At Museum De Pont
I was delighted to see some new work by Berlinde de Bruyckere.