Smartify is a very clever free app that allows users to scan artworks to identify them and then get meaningful background information. This Shazam for art is already available for more than thirty major international art venues and more are being added monthly.
Along with museums and galleries, Smartify’s developers collaborated with Wikimedia Foundation in order to incorporate Wikipedia’s extensive media galleries to speed recognition and accuracy.
You can download both iOS and Android versions of the app here.
If you click on this link, it will take you on a short trip. Use your arrow keys and space bar to control the action. The charming little animated game was created by Australian artist, illustrator, and digital designer Alexander Perrin.
In recognition of Banned Books Week, here are some quotes from surprising literary works that have been banned or censored over the years.
h/t Tom Gauld
Facebook recently reminded me that last year at this time I was back in Iceland for another amazing roadtrip. While my own photos are good enough souvenirs for me, the award-winning video below captures the moody majesty of the country much better than I ever could. The magical timelapse video by the immensely talented Greek photographer Nick Kontostavlakis is titled “Whispering Iceland”. If you watch it, I’m certain that you will begin considering your own Autumn trip to Iceland.
The stunning video features locations around the country, including Vik, Reykjanes, Lake Myvatn, Go∂afoss, Snaefellsness Peninsula, Reykjavik, and the Jökulsárlon lagoon.
The Book Cities app is a non-profit project designed to promote bookstores and to help travelers discover new shops where ever they wander. Currently available only for iOS phones, the app helps users to locate nearby booksellers and provides helpful information on the shops. Bookstore owners can submit their business for inclusion at www.bookcities.org and book lovers can suggest their favorite bookshops via email at contact@bookcities.org.
Libraries, booksellers, publishers, schools, writers’ groups, and other organizations in North America are gearing up to mark Banned Books Week 2017, which runs from September 24 to the 30th. Many bookshops and libraries have gotten a jump on the upcoming events by setting up displays of banned and censored books. On Sunday the 24th, hundreds of bookstores will also be taking part in a Banned Books Week Virtual Read-Out, now in its seventh year. Shops will set aside space for visitors to record videos of themselves reading from banned books. The recordings will then be uploaded to a dedicated YouTube channel.
By focusing attention on efforts to restrict access to specific books, Banned Books Week shines a spotlight on the deleterious impact of any form of censorship. Each year BBW raises awareness about efforts to restrict or remove access to books in schools and libraries. Our efforts as booksellers, librarians, publishers, readers, and free speech activists shows ongoing support for the freedom to read and express ideas, even when those ideas maybe controversial or unpopular.
You can discover more about Banned Books Week and how you can participate in related activities at these websites: bannedbooksweek.org and bookweb.org/abfe .
Travel Between The Pages 