Finery of Faberge

Empress Josephine Tiara


No, that is not what I got for Christmas. ;-)

A while back, I visited the Bowers Museum and checked out their exhibit, Faberge: Imperial Jeweler to the Tsars. It was an impressive display of works, not just eggs. The detail of these pieces was awesome, examples of the most amazing craftsmanship. I could have spent the entire day admiring but a handful of the luxurious delights on exhibit.

Sadly, the show is wrapping in a little over a week, on January 6, 2013. So, I figure that I'll share a few photos with you all.

Faberge Eggs


Yeah, it isn't a Faberge show without some eggs.

But there was so much more, from cigarette cases to carved figurines. The spirit of opulence and extravagance that characterized the Tsar's court was brilliantly conveyed.

Isle of the Dead

Detail of Island of the Dead III (1883) by Arnold Bocklin


Sergei Rachmaninoff was born on April 1, 1873.

I'm not the biggest fan of his work, but there are some memorable compositions. My favorite piece is Isle of the Dead, Op.29, a symphonic poem written in 1908. It captures the late Romantic aesthetic perfectly, with heavy orchestral sounds and a focus on the Sublime.

In my youth, I was very ambivalent about Rachmaninoff. Sometimes I would dismiss his music as "schlock" or "overweight and overwrought" or some over such insult, but, upon hearing Isle of the Dead, I noticed the artistry in the thickness of sound, the lyricism that can only emerge from lush orchestrations.

I can't say that it converted me into an enthusiast, but I looked upon his work anew, appreciating the unique vision for its own values, for its own approach to art.

So, take a mental trip on Charon's ferry across the River Styx. But don't drink of the River Lethe; you will want to remember this music. ;-)

Jump! Jump!! Jump!!!

Irina Slutskaya at the European Championships in 2001


One of my all-time favorite figure skaters is Irina Slutskaya.

Slutskaya was the best athlete of her generation of skaters, constantly pushing the limit of athleticism versus "artistry". Although her career was certainly a success, she was ahead of her time in that judges were looking for "grace, elegance, and performance" rather than awesome jumps and physical daring. Therefore, she was generally overshadowed by the undeniably poised Michelle Kwan, costing her a few gold medals over the years.

When Slutskaya developed vasculitis, I was bummed that such a great and distinctive skater was effectively retired, or so I thought. Her swift recovery and return to the ice, better than ever, amazed me. Although an Olympic Gold would have perfectly capped a legacy of excellence, her spirit and competitive energy were inspirations enough.

Irina Slutsakaya at the European Championships in 2005

Therefore, I'd like to wish Irina Slutskaya a Happy 33rd Birthday!

En Pointe

Alexandra Danilova in Le Bal (1929), costume by Giorgio de Chirico


It has been a long while since our last ballet post. Let's remedy the situation by celebrating the birth date of Alexandra Danilova, born on this date in 1903.

One of the greatest prima ballerinas of her generation, Danilova made an indelible mark on the art of dance both upon the stage and within the studio as a teacher. Sadly, there is very little footage of her performances easily available, just brief clips and fragmentary shots, flashes of her grace and poise.

But it is clear, from these images and the testimony of her audience, Danilova was a wonder of motion.

Alexandra Danilova in Swan Lake

So, let's take a moment today to appreciate the beauty of ballet and the artistry of a legendary performer.

Soviet Super Skater

Irina Rodnina and Alexei Ulanov won the Gold at the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan


Today is the 61st birth day of Russian pairs figure skater Irina Rodnina. She was one of the most dominant skaters in the history of the sport. With three consecutive Olympic Gold Medals, ten World Championships, and eleven European Championships on her record, Rodnina owned the whole decade of the 1970s. Even more impressively, she accomplished this task with two different partners, Alexei Ulanov and Alexander Zaitsev.

To make it even more impressive, she took the 1978-79 season off to have a baby. Then she came back for her final European Championship and her third Olympic Gold Medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, USA. But her most amazing accomplishment was at the 1973 World Championships when the program music stopped midway through the performance. Rodnina and Zaitsev were so focused that they continued the skate in silence with perfect choreography and synchronicity.

Irina Rodnina and Alexander Zaitsev won the Gold at both the 1976 and 1980 Winter Olympics


But these numbers and anecdotes can't fully describe the amazing talents of Irina Rodnina. You need to see the actual performances to get a proper appreciation.

Korobeiniki

On this date in 1984, Tetris was released!!!

In my youth, countless hours were spent watching these four-block shapes descending down the screen. Sometimes, I would dream that I was playing the game and wake up in frustration with the "Game Over" sign. Tetris was always on my mind, a sick obsession. This symptom is common among Tetris players and has been named the Tetris effect.

Years later, it's hard to see why this game was so engrossing. It's a good game, but why the passion? I think there are three elements that capture player enthusiasm. First, it is an easy access game with simple rules and quick play. Second, players can improve their level of success by dedicated play, which serves as a reward system.

And finally, there is the music.