Category Archives: Africa

Freedom is a Fable

Posted on July 15, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Freedom, A Fable: A Curious Interpretation of the Wit of a Negress in Troubled Times.Illustrated book with offset lithographs on paper and laser-cut pop-up paper silhouettes, 1997. I have always been emotionally moved by Kara Walker’s powerful art work, especially … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Art, Books, Film, History, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Waterman Butterfly, Hobo-Dyer, or Goode Homolosine

Posted on May 16, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

I nearly did a Master’s degree in Geography, but the constant battles over map projections put me off. This clever video by Randall Munroe helps to explain some of the most popular options. You don’t have to be a map … Continue reading →

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Age is just a state of mind (or not)

Posted on March 31, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Inspired by his own series of giant paste-up portraits, the French street artist known as  JR started a scheme back in 2011 encouraging people around the world to participate in his Inside Out project by doing their own pastings. They … Continue reading →

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Walk This Way

Posted on March 24, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Most of us have not had the option to travel during the past year, so we have to make do with any virtual alternative that comes along. Until it’s safe again, you can almost satisfy those travel urges with City … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, Film, Middle East, South America, Tourism, USA | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

Year of the Mask

Posted on March 22, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

“Beyond Noh” by Patrick Smith is a mesmerizing trip through thousands of mask from around the world, including the now ubiquitous Covid-19 protective devices.  The vivid images span dozens of cultures and time periods and shift from one to the next … Continue reading →

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Guess Where

Posted on February 18, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

City Guesser is a geography based browser game that strives to provide an exceptional travel and guessing experience by allowing participants to guess where in the world they are from short video clips. I spent way to much time at … Continue reading →

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2020 Reading Habits

Posted on December 1, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

The 2020 Covid-19 pandemic forced most of the world to spend more time at home and provided many with unexpected time for leisure activities. Some folks decided to learn a new language, others took up new hobbies, but booklovers discovered … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Asia, Books, ebooks, Europe, South America, USA, Writing | 1 Comment

These songs of freedom

Posted on September 16, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

Paris-based Mathematic Studio produced this wonderful animation for Bob Marley’s timeless “Redemption Song.” Directed by Octave Marsal and Théo de Gueltzl, the video draws heavily on imagery and iconography surrounding the Rastafarian movement.

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Fantastic Fonts

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

  As an antiquarian book collector, I’ve always been fascinated by the astonishing variations in fonts and typefaces. These days we are so overwhelmed by the variety of fonts that we see both in print and online that we often … Continue reading →

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2nd Hand Reading

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

I’ve long been a fan of South African artist William Kentridge’s eclectic work. His book art/film blend has always captured my attention. 2nd Hand Reading is not recent, but it’s a good introduction to his work.

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