Author: Daniela
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Berndnaut Smilde Constructs Nimbus Clouds
NimbusBerndnaut Smilde’s Nimbus art series consists of slow-motion videos depicting self-made clouds emerging and decomposing in a void. The footage was captured with a high speed camera resulting in a slowed down visualization on how clouds evolve, change shape and reflect light. The Nimbus works present a transitory moment of presence in a specific location. They…
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Traditional African Craft Markets
NewsBytes gives us a primer on the best traditional craft markets in Africa. I Africa is dotted with diverse cultures, each with its own artistic expressions. If you’re a traveler looking for authentic souvenirs without spending a fortune, Africa’s craft markets are a treasure trove of budget-friendly finds. The markets are not just places to…
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“East/West Batik and Beyond” Featured at Seattle’s Center on Contemporary Art
It’s hard to believe these beautiful textiles are made by hand-drawing layers of melted wax on fabric then repeatedly dying it in carefully tended indigo vats. Jieyi Ludden Zhou, a Chinese American teacher and artist living in Shanghai, co-curated the show “East/West Batik and Beyond” to highlight the traditional heritage of crafts of women in…
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“Tradition Does Not Confine Us – It Guides Us”
In a recent post I acknowledged my mixed feelings about traditional cultures. Subsequently, I came across this column by Tiffani Gyatso in Buddhistdoor Global. She writes beautifully about the tension between tradition and modernity and concludes: Tradition sustains; contemporaneity provokes. And perhaps the future of art—of those expressions that truly touch the human spirit—lies precisely…
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Rays of Hope
“From conceptual works like Rays of Hope to traditional models like the paper airplane or peace crane and even modern collaborations with origami masters, my work explores how thoughtful choices transform a blank sheet into something meaningful.” – Kevin Box Kevin Box is recognized for his ability to capture the delicate nature of paper in dynamic, multi-media…
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How 15 Traditional Crafts Survived For Centuries
From India’s handmade paper and sacred metal mirrors, to Japan’s soy sauce fermented in 100-year-old barrels, Business Insider gives us an inside look at centuries-old traditions around the globe to see how they’re still standing.
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Sri Lanka Traditional Masks
Abigail King writes about her trip to Sri Lanka where she learns how to carve traditional masks. In the process she also learns about the meanings behind them. We’re in Galle in southern Sri Lanka, a windswept port with old stone ramparts, and years of tradition. If you left the palm trees by the crashing…
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Intangible Cultural Heritage – It’s Complicated
Although I post a lot about traditional cultures, I must admit my feelings about them are mixed. I appreciate that long standing customs and traditional roles can strengthen community bonds and give a community its unique cultural identity. However, I know how stifling those roles often are for women and for those who don’t fit…
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Reviving Traditional Crafts
Ulaanbaatar, May 28, 2025 /MONTSAME/. An exhibition showcasing the collection of works by artist, researcher, and felt crafter Uriankhai D.Tangad, dedicated to his 80th birthday, took place on May 23-27, 2025, at the Zanabazar Museum of Fine Arts. Ethnographer, Ph.D., and Associate Professor of Cultural Studies D. Tangad said, “Today I am displaying some of my…
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Pakistani Truck Art
Pakistanis Take Truck Painting to a Whole New Level Truck painting has become a distinctively Pakistani art form. Scholars have traced evidence of decorated transport in the Subcontinent back thousands of years. The Pakistani practice of truck painting began gaining widespread popularity soon after the country’s independence. While trucks in India and other countries may feature embellishment,…
The Village Market 