Formally, ours is an egalitarian age. One of the great custodians of this idea is the fashion establishment, at least in America, where fashion editorials relentlessly drive home equal rights, inclusion, globalism, etc. It is also absurd. Many brands trade on national identity and massive unequal wealth polices luxury, and especially haute couture. Asymmetries…
This is a super article about the new tech incubator in Paris and both Burke and Kolnai (V&R, Chapter 7) would approve. http://fortune.com/2018/09/03/in-the-lab-of-luxury/ It’s a good example confirming Kolnai’s idea about the resilience of hierarchy.
Well, this is good news. A new Trappist beer on the market, and it is getting rave reviews. Here is a short BBC video but the monastery’s own website is lovely, with plenty of detail: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-leicestershire-44615615/leicestershire-monks-brew-uk-s-first-trappist-beer http://www.mountsaintbernard.org/tynt-meadow-ale My favourite Trappist beer is Orval and its beautiful glass was designed by Belgian architect, Henry…
For those living near Windsor, this sounds charming: https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/collection/themes/exhibitions/a-royal-wedding-the-duke-and-duchess-of-sussex/windsor-castle
*Loyola’s Committee on Catholic Social Thought hosts luncheons each semester on a theological/philosophical topic. Through this lens we often explore literature and this autumn we are doing The Hobbit. The illustration is by Alan Lee and my previous two posts talk about this wonderful artist. ~~~~~~~ Committee on Catholic Social Thought at Loyola University Maryland…
Here is Alan Lee again, and what a marvellous comment it is: “My preference is for working in analogue – charcoal, pencils and watercolour; I like the organic and tactile nature of pigments, burnt wood and water, and the sense of working within a tradition. I enjoy the extra possibilities and effects offered by…
Insight into the heritage behind Tolkien illustration:
It is extremely common in university settings to meet people strongly committed to materialism, the position that fundamental reality is purely physical. They thrill to the idea that no special powers or spirits exist. Over at Law & Liberty, I review a compelling book that casts doubt on the materialist’s hope. For those who…
*My middle daughter Charlotte is quite the home baker and I thought I’d share her reflection and recipe for what she is calling: Macky’s Millionaire Slice ™ If there is a dessert scale that says “cookie” on one end and “candy” on the other, millionaire’s shortbread would be smack-dab in the middle. It…
Here is a really good article on fashion educators explaining the significance of students learning the history of fashion: https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/education/why-fashion-cant-forget-its-references Some of the teachers are Burkean — learning from the genius of the past — but many of them reason: you cannot make something new and thrive in fashion unless you know how not…