Thursday, 3 March 2016

Silent Evolution

These sculptures underwater, called Silent Evolution, were created by British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor. The exhibit sits on the floor of the Mexican Caribbean Sea, off the coast of Cancun and it serves a very specific purpose, as well as being very beautiful. The Cancun Marine Park attracts over 750,000 tourists every year, placing enormous pressure on the natural coral reefs, so these sculptures were designed to encourage coral growth. This unique project combines art and environmental conservation and the result is eerily beautiful.

















Tuesday, 1 March 2016

It would be very hard to build a wall to close these borders...

Baarle-Hertog is noted for its complicated borders with Baarle-Nassau. In total it consists of 24 separate parcels of land. 

Some houses in the region of Baarle-Hertog/Baarle-Nassau are divided between the two countries. There was a time when according to Dutch laws restaurants had to close earlier. For some restaurants on the border it meant that the clients simply had to change their tables to the Belgian side. The border's complexity results from a number of equally complex medieval treaties, agreements, land-swaps and sales between the Lords of Breda and the Dukes of Brabant. 

Many fireworks shops are found in Baarle-Hertog, owing to Belgian laws controlling the sale of fireworks that are more lenient than those in the Netherlands. Close to the end of the year many Dutch tourists come to Baarle-Hertog to buy fireworks to celebrate the new year.





Monday, 29 February 2016

The magic of ink and watercolours

These paintings by artist Rika Nagahata are exquisite. Love them!







Wednesday, 24 February 2016

Starry starry nights...

Australian photographer Lincoln Harrison takes photos of the night sky in remote locations by leaving the shutter open for up to 15 hours. The results are truly spectacular!