Tag: Arts & Tradition

Insects to the Rescue! | Documentary

This film is only available in the United States because of territorial licensing. Are biopesticides—micro-organisms that fight pests naturally—the promise of chemical-free agriculture? Farmers all over the world are converting to biopesticides, stimulated by scientific research that is opening up new perspectives. But is the technique risk-free for the environment? …


The Age of Disconnection | Documentary

This film is only available in the United States because of territorial licensing. The discipline that involves doing sports combined with the mental clarity that comes from being immersed in nature is a combination that has enabled thousands of people to abandon addiction, have a spiritual renewal, reevaluate their lives, and find their purpose in…


The Innocence and Honesty of Children: ‘My First Sermon’ and ‘My Second Sermon’

Brits of the Victorian age went to church. They also brought their children to church, so they could listen to inspiring sermons. Very much a part of his age, artist John Edward Millais (1829–1996) and his family attended church services. In 1863, he brought his 5-year-old daughter Effie to her first church service. Artist that he…


Europe’s Lofty Ceiling Masterpieces

When in Rome, look up to the heavens in the nave of the Church of St. Ignatius of Loyola and you’ll be in for a sweet surprise, as the lofty heights of heaven appear as real as you and I. Yet builders didn’t construct the nave’s dome and vaulted ceiling; lay Jesuit brother Andrea Pozzo…


Wildlife Clickbait | The Dark Web Ep3

This film is only available in North America and the UK because of territorial licensing. They may look like ordinary posts of exotic pets for sale on social media. But they are feeding a growing trade in illegal and endangered animals in Malaysia and beyond—a criminal industry that’s worth billions. …


Formulating Questions: Archangel Raphael Converses with Adam and Eve

In a world that rewards being right, it is very difficult to not pursue and parrot answers. We even take pride in being right, in having the “right” answer. Some of us even use what we believe to be right to bully and beat those we think are wrong: After all, why would we adopt…


The Broken Nose: Portrait of Federico da Montefeltro

You can’t un-see it: the broken nose. Even in the skilled hands of artist Piero della Francesca (circa 1415–1492), the deep indent at the bridge seems not quite normal. Yet, the obvious physical defect in a formal portrait might be seen as a badge of honor for a cultured aristocrat who improved the lives of…


‘Mushrooms’ at the Fountain House Gallery

NEW YORK—Romanian emigree Ella Veres conceived and curated an art show entitled “Mushrooms,” presently at the Fountain House Gallery, which specializes in featuring the works of mentally ill artists. Veres (pronounced VAIR-esh) herself has suffered many traumas. “Living in Romania under communism was unbearable, and I knew I had to escape that environment,” she recently…


Visby Cathedral: Gotland Island’s Merchant Church

Once a strategic point for European merchants due to its proximity to the Baltic Sea, the old medieval town of Visby is filled with beautiful architecture. On the Swedish island of Gotland, one building in particular stands out: the Visby Cathedral. Originally built as a church dedicated to St. Mary in the 12th century, it…


The Coming of Spring: Leighton’s ‘The Return of Persephone’

The arrival of spring, especially after a hard winter, makes us all happy and hopeful for new life. The ancients believed the gods were in charge of everything on earth and explained how they gave us the seasons. The Greeks explained the coming of spring and the changing seasons with the myth of Demeter, goddess…