Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

A mesmerizing journey

Posted on July 25, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I ran across the stunning stop-motion video Takrar on a number of websites over the past week and watched each time. Takrar or Repetition is an experimental film that celebrates the timeless and intricate beauty of ancient craftsmanship. Filmed in Istanbul, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, Architecture, Art, Asia, Europe, Film, Tourism | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Summer reads and more

Posted on July 24, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

It’s that time of the year when former President Barack Obama releases his summer reading list. Since he has such impeccable and varied tastes, those of us who care about books take notice. While I usually have read at least … Continue reading →

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Pushing back against AI

Posted on July 23, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

The Authors Guild has submitted an open letter to the CEOs of prominent AI companies, including OpenAI, Alphabet, Meta, Stability AI, IBM, and Microsoft, calling their attention “to the inherent injustice in exploiting our works as part of your AI systems without … Continue reading →

Posted in apps, Books, ebooks, Tech, USA, Writing | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Paris: RINGdeLUXE

Posted on July 22, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Plastique Fantastique (aka Marco Canevacci and Yena Young) created RINGdeLUXE, an exciting in situ installation enveloping the iconic Léopold-Sédar-Senghor footbridge across the Seine for the 2023 Nuit Blanche festival. The monumental ring artwork captures the imagination of its observers with its … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Art, Europe, Film, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Happy Hemingway Day

Posted on July 21, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

“Cat in the Rain” by Ernest Hemingway There were only two Americans stopping at the hotel. They did not know any of the people they passed on the stairs on their way to and from their room. Their room was on … Continue reading →

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Further Beyond the Great Wave

Posted on July 20, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

After completing yesterday’s post on Japanese Edo period artist Katsushika Hokusai, I learned that the ukiyo-e woodblock print that I featured from the Museum of Fine Art Boston exhibition was part of a series of artworks based on a long … Continue reading →

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Beyond the Great Wave

Posted on July 19, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I was hoping to get to Boston this summer to see the “Hokusai: Inspiration and Influence” exhibition, but alas it only ran until last Sunday. However, while I was taking a deep dive into the show, an unusual print in … Continue reading →

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Life-Changing Books

Posted on July 18, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

Among the many vocations over the course of my life was a two decade stretch as a psychotherapist. While the most rewarding work, it was often filled with self-doubt and angst. During my graduate school education, I was fortunate to … Continue reading →

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Bookstore Tourism: Best bookshop name ever

Posted on July 17, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I recently discovered the best named bookstore in America. Mother foucault’s bookshop in Portland, Oregon offers a well curated collection of rare, antiquarian and secondhand books selected by the owner Craig Florence. Located in a somewhat dingy, light industrial neighborhood, the shop’s … Continue reading →

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What did time smell like?

Posted on July 16, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

“There was a smell of Time in the air tonight. He smiled and turned the fancy in his mind. There was a thought. What did time smell like? Like dust and clocks and people. And if you wondered what Time … Continue reading →

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