Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Pray, Edna, if you ever go for a swim, beware of motor-boats!

Umbrella Hat

A young woman wears a traditional headdress to celebrate the Traditional Palestinian Dress Day in Gaza City, Gaza Strip July 30, 2019. Photo: Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images.

Infinity Mirror Rooms

Japanese contemporary artist 草間 彌生 (Yayoi Kusama) in the Orez Gallery in The Hague, Netherlands, 1965 in Kusama: Infinity (2018), directed by Heather Lenz. Photo: Harrie Verstappen. Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

A Dance of Swords

Dancers rehearsing for the kung fu musical Dragon Spring Phoenix Rise at The Shed in New York, United States. Photo: Kena Betancur/AFP/Getty Images.

Sure, Edna, if the umbrella were not wide enough to cover two people, that one kicked out will naturally thank you for the privilege of sacrificing himself for your good

Monday, July 29, 2019

Under One Umbrella

In its first press conference since 1997, 北京 (Běijīng)’s 国务院港澳事务办公室 (Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office) rhetorically condemned the last mass rallies in 香港 (Hong Kong), which, according to the Celestial Empire’s analysts, have been inspired by only a “few radicals”, who deserve an exemplary punishment, in conformity with the “rule of law” (but not mandatorily with Chinese characteristics). On the other hand, the renewal of the trust in 香港 (Hong Kong)’s police, accompanied by a promise not to interfere in their autonomy, as well as 北京 (Běijīng)’s very indignant denial of having masterminded triad gangs’ “punishment expeditions” against civil society people, can be taken as encouraging signs by all Hongkongers. Finally, the public praise of “One country, two systems”’s Chief Executive 林鄭月娥 (Carrie Lam), the stronglady who vainly attempted to open the 秦城监狱 (Qínchéng Prison) doors to all her fellow country people, may at last appear as a narrow escape for her herself. After all, had her extradition bill passed, in conformity with the “rule of law with Chinese characteristics”, the 秦城 (Qínchéng) gates could have opened for her too. Photo: AFP.

Roundtrip

Russian opposition leader Alexei Anatolievich Navalny (pictured above after treatment) is back in jail after being discharged Monday from hospital — against the wishes of his doctor — with a diagnosis of contact dermatitis, following his recovery for a sudden and acute form of allergy, which his friends and associates insist in regarding as a possible poisoning worth further observation. Navalny himself gave his own account of his night at Moscow’s No. 64 Municipal Clinical Hospital. Photo: navalny.com.

Oh, Edna, no matter what holiday you were referring to when you wished me good holiday last week; I’m happy to stay home and read your autobiography

Credit: IBBBowtique

Second Skin

Russian opposition leader Alexei Anatolievich Navalny (pictured above, while appearing in a Moscow courtroom on July 24) has been taken to hospital on Sunday morning from jail, where he was serving a 30-day sentence after being arrested last week for calling an unauthorised mass protest against the exclusion of opposition candidates from Moscow City Duma election. His spokespeople said he suffered symptoms of acute skin allergy, not excluding the possibility of a poisoning by chemical agents. No official medical bulletin has yet been issued from the hospital. Photo: Pavel Golovkin/AP.

Sunday, July 28, 2019

We apologise for the inconvenience


Today, for the third day in a row, 香港 (Hong Kong) riot police fired teargas and rubber bullets after tens of thousands of protesters gathered near mainland China’s Representative Office.

A Quiet Strength

A man takes a quiet moment before the start of a march to protest against police violence during previous demonstrations, at 遮打花園 (Chater Garden), in central 香港 (Hong Kong), China July 28, 2019. Photo: Edgar Su/Reuters.

As umbrellas follow rain

Nine injured, five in serious condition, after 香港 (Hong Kong) riot police used teargas, rubber bullets, and batons on a crowd of thousands of people, who, defying a ban by the law enforcement authorities, rallied in 元朗市 (Yuen Long Town) on Saturday afternoon to condemn last Sunday’s assault on commuters by triad gang members (mainland China being the suspected mastermind of the coup de théâtre). If so, one of 北京 (Běijīng)’s main goals of Sunday’s underworld “parade of gangsters” was likely to put maximum pressure on 香港 (Hong Kong)’s “autonomous” government in general, and on 香港 (Hong Kong)’s police in particular, so as to suggest that only the most repressive policies are appreciated by the emperor — who notoriously is not either a refined intellectual nor a pluralist policy maker. If nothing else, it should be a good reason for all Hongkongers to avoid any direct violent conflict with their fellow country people, regardless of whether they are state apparatus or civil society. Photo: AFP/Getty Images.

Friday, July 26, 2019

After all, weeks always start on Monday

Thanks for coming, and see you again on Monday, September 16, 2019 when the Associazione Culturale “Il Delta della Luna” will reopen its ballet and dance classes starting from the early afternoon! Photo: Stefano Guerri.

Interreflection

Caterina Gaja performing in the Associazione Culturale “Il Delta della Luna”’s final dance show at the Teatro SMS of the People’s House in Grassina, Metropolitan City of Florence on Saturday, June 15, 2019. Photo: Stefano Guerri.

Off the Rails


Men dressed in white T-shirts, some armed with sticks, entered the 元朗 (Yuen Long) MTR station, 新界 (New Territories), 香港 (Hong Kong) and stormed a train last Sunday, apparently targeting black-shirted passengers who had been at an anti-government march earlier in the day. The punitive expedition lasted about 30 minutes, without any intervention from the law enforcement authorities. On its part, China blames the aggression on “black hands” from the U.S., advising America to remember that “香港 (Hong Kong) is China’s 香港 (Hong Kong)” — which actually seems to be the problem for most 香港 (Hong Kong) people.

Basic Cable Networking

House sparrows sit on a cable against a backdrop of Himalayan cedar trees on a rainy day in Dharmsala, India, Thursday, July 25, 2019. India’s summer monsoon runs from May to September. Photo: Ashwini Bhatia/AP.

Thursday, July 25, 2019

Come on, Edna — it’s time to make mankind fly higher!

Artwork © chill13

Transatlantic Slavery

A section of a print of the Brookes Slave Ship diagram dated 1791 forms part of the collection in the Wilberforce House Museum in Hull, England. According to the museum the print is arguably one of the most recognisable images from the campaign to abolish the Transatlantic Slave Trade in Britain. The publication of this image provided the public with a clear visual representation of conditions on board slave ships for the first time. August 2019 marks 400 years since the slave trade to North America began. Photo: Russell Boyce/Reuters.

Off Pointe

Pictured above (left) is Viola Rocchini, dancer and teacher of Associazione Culturale “Il Delta della Luna”, who, accompanied by her young “weekend student” Emma (right), on Monday, July 22, 2019 successfully completed her one-year course at the A.E.D. Institution of Higher Education in Livorno, Italy just passing her examination as a “technician in planning and conducting dance classes as well as in the management of dance associations and societies”. Photos courtesy of her herself.

The most amusing thing is that you have never smoked a cigarette in your life, Edna

Flying for a While

From left to right: Olga Calamai, Viola Rocchini, and Valentina Trafeli performing in the Associazione Culturale “Il Delta della Luna”’s final dance show at the Teatro SMS of the People’s House in Grassina, Metropolitan City of Florence on Saturday, June 15, 2019. Photo: Stefano Guerri.

Wednesday, July 24, 2019

The House Fly

Visitors interacting with a display at an exhibition by the Argentinian artist Leandro Erlich called The Confines of the Great Void, at the CAFA Art Museum in 北京 (Běijīng), China. Photo: 王钊 (Wáng Zhāo)/AFP/Getty Images.

Barefoot in the Park

The “Ultimate Sneaker Collection” online-only auction, which collection has been on public display at Sotheby’s New York Galleries from July 11–23, 2019. Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images.

Tears in rain monologue

Sure, Edna, there’s only one Queen, and that’s just you!

LED’s rays

From left to right: Matilde Guerri, Aurora Cheli, Maddalena Sottili, Caterina Gaja, Chiara Parrini, and Emma Giuliani performing in the Associazione Culturale “Il Delta della Luna”’s final dance show at the Teatro SMS of the People’s House in Grassina, Metropolitan City of Florence on Saturday, June 15, 2019. Photo: Stefano Guerri.

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Yesterday

RAVENS: SPASSKY VS. FISCHER, a Hampstead Theatre world première written by Tom Morton-Smith and directed by Annabelle Comyn, will be staged from November 29, 2019 to January 18, 2020. It’s the story of the Match of the Century, the “Cold War” World Chess Championship match between Boris Vasilievich Spassky and Robert James “Bobby” Fischer, two gentlemen who remained gentlemen and good “frenemies” all their lives, refusing to be Pawns in the hands of their landlords. For further details and booking, please visit: http://www.hampsteadtheatre.co.uk/.

The Five Continents of Theatre

Arianna Settembrini performing in the Associazione Culturale “Il Delta della Luna”’s end-of-year show at the Teatro SMS of the People’s House in Grassina, Metropolitan City of Florence on Saturday, June 15, 2019. Photo: Stefano Guerri.

Monday, July 22, 2019

海南电视台 (HNWTV)


海南电视台 (Hǎinán Television)’s account of the celebrations of the 10th anniversary of the 海南 (Hǎinán) 儋州 (Dānzhōu) Super Grandmaster Chess Tournament, which, on Sunday, June 30, 2019 consecrated Caïssa cult with four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) being awarded on stage the dutiful honour of receiving the “Most Charming Female Player Award”.

Circular wing

A woman holds an umbrella in Lafayette Park near the White House during a heatwave in Washington, D.C., United States. Photo: Eric Thayer/Reuters.

Well, Edna, the only claim you make is that you — and only you — have the power to turn ’em into a two-parent family on the verge of divorce, so I don’t think they are going to marry

Water Earth Fire Air

A girl stands among the cooling jets of a fountain during a heatwave in London, United Kingdom. Photo: Andrew Winning/Reuters.

Learning by Heart

Catherine Conley (above, pictured while rehearsing for one of the Cuban National Ballet School’s shows), was in 2016 the first American full-time student to ever study in Cuba. Photo: Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters.

Sunday, July 21, 2019

Domino Sugar Refinery

A woman lies in Domino Park, Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York City, United States as a heatwave continues to affect the region. Photo: Andrew Kelly/Reuters.

Oh, Edna, in a way I have always pitied those who think of themselves as the most important people in your life

Most Like an Arch

Ester Marra performing (along with Letizia Rogai, Arianna Settembrini, Giuditta Sottili, and Serena Vinci) Alessandra Innocenti’s coreography “Sleuth”, presented — in the name and behalf of the Associazione Culturale “Il Delta della Luna” — at the 21th International Dance Festival “Vetrina Scuole di Danza AICS” on Sunday, May 19, 2019 at the Teatro Verdi in Florence, Italy. Photo: Matteo Bertelli.

Algorithms in Combinatorial Geometry

From rear to front: Aurora Cheli and Caterina Gaja performing (along with Emma Giuliani, Matilde Guerri, Chiara Parrini, and Maddalena Sottili) Chiara Angelini’s coreography “Puzzle”, presented — in the name and behalf of the Associazione Culturale “Il Delta della Luna” — at the 21th International Dance Festival “Vetrina Scuole di Danza AICS” on Sunday, May 19, 2019 at the Teatro Verdi in Florence, Italy. Photo: Matteo Bertelli.

Saturday, July 20, 2019

Last Tango in Paris

秦始皇兵马俑 (Terracotta Army)

On July 20, 2019 officials of 陕西省体育局 (Shǎnxī Provincial Sports Bureau) announced in a press conference that the inaugural “一带一路” (“One Belt One Road”) Women’s World Chess Summit will be held in 西安 (Xī’ān), the oldest of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, very likely before the end of year, featuring three Chinese women, including four-time Women’s World Chess Champion 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán), and five women coming from East Europe and Southeast Asia.

Prune Nourry, Terracotta Daughters Head #1 Haoping, 2013. Photo: Anne-Gloria Lefevre. Courtesy of the artist.

Forget Her Not

And yet, even though you’re Superman, when you think how Laika died in the Sputnik 2, you should feel a little guilty about it, no matter where you live, east or west, north or south, earth or moon. Photo: Universe Today.

Friday, July 19, 2019

No, Edna, of course you didn’t make use of any shortest route algorithms

“Yesterday I found this great treasure at the Disney store in Florence. Only 6.60 €uro! I love how she looks...”. Caption and photo: SoesieDolls (@soesiedolls).

An Appendix

After completing her Master of Public Policy (MPP) at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom, four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) will be heading to New York, United States to work at her summer project, focused on artificial intelligence and public health issues. In between, on June 29–30, 2019 she landed on 海南省 (Hǎinán Island) to bless with her bright presence the 10th anniversary of the 海南 (Hǎinán) 儋州 (Dānzhōu) Super Grandmaster Chess Tournament, which took place in 儋州 (Dānzhōu), China from June 29 to July 8. Everything, however, started on Saturday to end up Sunday, when, as a corollary to Caïssa’s triumph, 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) was awarded on stage the honour of receiving the “Most Charming Female Player Award”. Photos: k.sina.com.cn.

A Room with a View

Ormond Gigli, Girls in the Windows, 1960. Courtesy of Staley-Wise Gallery, New York.

Sure, Edna, I’ll kick them all off the stage, so that they don’t bother you as you make your entrance, twenty-first century style, for a solo variation

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Mandela Day


Democratic congresswoman Ilhan Omar, whose safety is constantly at risk because of the racist “calls” of the President’s most extreme supporters, chose a symbolic day — today’s 2019 Nelson Mandela International Day — to vindicate her right to be free from ethnicity-based discrimination in Donald Trump’s America.

Floating Candles

From rear to front: Caterina Gaja and Matilde Guerri performing in the Associazione Culturale “Il Delta della Luna”’s final dance show at the Teatro SMS of the People’s House in Grassina, Metropolitan City of Florence on Saturday, June 15, 2019. Photo: Stefano Guerri.

Beginning With the End in Mind

Eva Petrič, Rubik’s Cube 3, 2019. According to a study just published in Nature Machine Intelligence, DeepCubeA, an artificial intelligence algorithm created by researchers at the University of California, has solved the Rubik’s Cube in just over a second. Photo courtesy of Mourlot Editions, New York/Artnet.

Sure, Edna, summer vacations have not yet started, and it’s already time to think about the next working year

Credit: Pixar Post

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

The Raft of Odysseus

 https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/jul/17/andrea-camilleri-obituary-inspector-montalbano
Had Andrea Camilleri died in his 50s, his obituary would certainly not have been published in The Guardian. His death might have been noted in the cultural sections of the odd Italian newspaper and it would doubtless have merited a substantial article in the journal of Italy’s pre-eminent drama school, the Accademia Nazionale d’Arte Drammatica, where Camilleri was for many years in charge of teaching directing. [Read more].

Yearbook Reflections

It’s time to strike a pose! Four-time Women’s World Chess Champion and Rhodes Scholar 侯逸凡 (Hóu Yìfán) stars the back cover of the just-released 2019 Rhodes Scholar magazine (which is available to download at https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk).