View allAll Photos Tagged Intrigue
Ishkani Church is situated in the picturesque Işhan village, which overlooks the stunning valley of Çoruh (Chorokhi) River. This village was once a part of the historic Tao region in the medieval Georgian Kingdom.
Ishkani Church played a significant role as an important ecclesiastical center until the Ottoman administration took over the region in the 16th-17th century. Currently, the site comprises the remains of a grand domed church and a small hall chapel, with several other churches and structures recently discovered through archaeological excavations. The entrance to the chapel bears a Georgian inscription indicating that it was dedicated to the Holy Mother of God by King Gurgen I, who passed away in 1008.
The main building of the site is a large cross-domed church that measures 36.60 meters in length, with a width of 19 meters at the crossing. Its western arm is 15 meters long and 9 meters wide, with a height of approximately 35 meters, and a dome height of 11.4 meters with a diameter of 7.86 meters. The building facade is constructed using smoothly cut stones, while the tall, cone-shaped roof is adorned with dark red and green tiles. Following its restoration, the four arms of the church were covered with stone slabs, which have also been decorated with tiles in a similar style.
The Church of Ishkani boasts an unusual plan that resulted from several reconstructions over time. Its eastern side features a raised apse, surrounded by open exedrae, which is covered in decorative elements. The vaulted apse showcases an open exedra, and a horseshoe-shaped arcade rests on eight monoliths adorned with cubic capitals. A rectangular ambulatory frames this space, while a corridor with openings on the side leads to two chambers. The adjoining rooms are taller and have double arched windows that face inward into the open center of the church.
The church was once adorned with frescoes, though they have mostly survived on the dome, while the wall frescoes have faded over time. The Chapel's dome is decorated with Lapis lazurite, depicting the Ascension of the Cross. The dome features four figures of angels floating the cross in the sky. On each side, four two-wheeled chariots are drawn by four winged horses, driven by a standing figure. Above each chariot is a Georgian inscription that talks about the colors of the horses. Most scholars believe this scene depicts the "Vision of Zachariah" from the Old Testament, where he saw four colored horses and their riders, red, black, white, and gold. Within the drum of eight windows, eight busts are set on arches, while the adjacent blind arcade alternates with these figures and the windows below.
Opposite the main church on the south side stands a chapel with plain facades, built in 1003 as per Armenian letter inscriptions. The small chapel features fresco paintings depicting a scene of communion in the apse wall and Christ Pantocrator in the conch.
As part of the rehabilitation efforts for the monastery in Ishkhani, several chapels and churches were uncovered. These included a large basilica, two hall churches, and various monastic buildings. Additionally, several burials were also discovered, mostly from the medieval period and during the Russian-Turkish war.
During the period of Turkish rule, a mosque was established in the western arm of the church. Unfortunately, the church is not accessible to visitors today.
Ishkhani is a fascinating monument of Georgian history and culture, boasting intricate decoration, intriguing architecture, and lavishly painted murals. It is a monument that truly deserves recognition as one of the world's most significant landmarks.
Macro Monday ...... Theme " In a Row " HMM
The beads of dew on a spider's web,hanging from the wing mirror of the car.
Thank you everyone,for the views,faves and comments,very much appreciated.
( Explored 3/10/16 )
A cheese that sets the Oregon scene. Great stuff on its own or with food (great on a Burgerville burger). Tikki was intrigued, but decided she wasn’t in love. That’s fine, more for me. She loves the Tillamook ice cream - also Oregon - but I’m out of it. Something about winter and being iced in, wasn’t thinking about stocking up on ice cream! Happy Caturday 20 January 2024 “Location.”
In the virtual realm of Second Life, where imagination knows no bounds, a captivating avatar graces the digital stage. She emerges from the shadows, draped in a short, black dress adorned with lace transparencies that delicately embrace her torso and neck, forming a graceful bow. This avatar embodies the essence of sophistication and allure, a testament to the boundless possibilities of virtual existence.
The enchanting blend of darkness and elegance in her attire is reminiscent of the film noir era, where mystery and glamour intertwined seamlessly. Each step she takes echoes with confidence and a hint of enigma, as if she has secrets to share with the virtual world.
The black lace that adorns her dress is like a tapestry of intricacy, a symphony of delicate patterns that create a harmonious fusion of sensuality and refinement. It whispers tales of seduction, romance, and the timeless allure of classic fashion.
As the pixels and codes converge to create this stunning avatar, we are reminded of the artistic genius that thrives in virtual realms. Second Life becomes a canvas where creators can bring their wildest visions to life, where they can craft avatars that embody their desires and fantasies.
"Intriguing Noir: Unveiling Virtual Glamour" invites us to contemplate the intersection of technology and artistry, where lines blur between reality and the digital dreamscapes we create. It beckons us to appreciate the intricate details and the craftsmanship that goes into shaping avatars, fashion, and entire virtual worlds.
This digital enchantress reminds us that beauty can be found in the most unexpected places, even in the depths of the virtual domain. Her presence in Second Life challenges our perception of reality and encourages us to explore the limitless boundaries of creativity.
So, as we immerse ourselves in the mesmerizing world of Second Life, let us not forget the artistry and creativity that underlie every avatar, every outfit, and every enchanting moment. "Intriguing Noir" serves as a testament to the allure of the virtual, where glamour and imagination unite in a captivating dance that transcends the boundaries of our screens.
The 'Scarlett Dress' by Nerido takes center stage, a black masterpiece adorned with intricate lace details. Effortlessly blurring the line between fashion and art, it stands as a true testament to virtual creativity and beauty.
Our neighbor's cat couldn't care less about me passing - when there's something far more interesting going on at 4 o'clock to his right ;-)
My graduate student is studying stonecrop (the yellow flower), so I am always looking for them. I am also intrigued with plants that seem to grow out of rocks. Finally, I am fascinated with colorful lichen communities. The next person to come by might not give this rock a second glance, while I had difficulty leaving it. Like art, we perceive natural beauty differently.
Handheld, with the wrong lens for the job. But I was far from the 4Runner, and I just couldn't help myself.
Intrigue Co.'s sponsorship billboard for The Arcade.
The Arcade opens on March 1st and ends on the 31st. See you there!
As I was exploring the Yellowstone, I took a detour from Madison to get to the firehole falls. It is located at around 6miles from the confluence of the Firehole and Gibbon rivers. The falls has a drop of about 40 feet which makes it quite a beauty. The water is also silt laden hence making for a different color. The cascade is located on the Firehole Canyon Drive, a one-way road that parallels the main Madison Junction to the famed Old Faithful road.
The setting was really gorgeous...it was late in the evening when I got here and all I could hear was the sound of the gushing cascade. There was not a soul in the vicinity. I had actually used the ND 10 stop and metered this shot manually as it was getting darker and I wanted to expose for longer to capture a bit more light on the rocks and the vegetation.
This is from my archives of Montana and Wyoming. I did a lot of travel back then and hadnt looked through most of my shots. But I am intrigued that it sorta comes back when I first view em again. Funny how the brain works...
Happy weekend and Thanks for viewing everyone!
Taken from Peng Chau island looking across to the distant city parts of Hong Kong. I was intrigued how our two tallest buildings, one in Kowloon, to the left, and the other on Hong Kong Island, to the right, both feature a tower of cloud above.
Intrigue Co.'s gacha items for The Arcade.
The Arcade opens on March 1st and ends on the 31st. See you there!
unsuspected
undetected
totally injected with the unexpected,
a fateful glance
a sweet romance
a cosmic, synchronistic dance................
All photography & textured effects by Hal Halli. The groovy words as well........
All Rights Reserved. © Hal Halli (2013)
Please contact regarding usage permission. Thank you.
I could tell Mack and Jimmy were intrigued by something early yesterday morning. When I looked over the fence I found a skunk who has been hanging around our townhouse complex for over a week now. I also saw Ella on the far side of the skunk so, three cats, a skunk and I meet face to face in a Mexican standoff. Mack and Jimmy, being the dumb dumbs they are, jumped down off the fence and charged the skunk as much as they dared which placed them between the skunk and me so I had no way to shoo them away. Somehow, we all froze while the skunk rooted around for food in the grass and eventually sauntered away.
Skunk below in the comments
Just a spot that caught my eye as we were walking through the Cotswold town of Stow on the Wold, I like the patterns of chipped and broken stonework both around the archway and inside the passageway.
I would love to have explored it to see where it went But I respected the private sign on the wall.
We found this little town very interesting where I took possibly my favorite shots of our trip to come in a couple of days.
Art by Nature
Canyonlands N.P.
Canyonlands National Park preserves 337,598 acres of colorful canyons, mesas, buttes, fins, arches, and spires in the heart of southeast Utah's high desert. Water and gravity have been the prime architects of this land, sculpting layers of rock into the rugged landscape you see today.
Canyonlands preserves the natural beauty and human history throughout its four districts, which are divided by the Green and Colorado rivers. While the districts share a primitive desert atmosphere, each retains its own character and offers different opportunities for exploration and adventure.
Though they appear close on a map, there are no roads that directly link the districts. Traveling between them requires two to six hours by car as there are few places to cross the rivers.
In the middle of our photo shoot, Tyshaya paused and with a tear in her eye mentioned that she was very appreciative that I had asked her to be the subject of my 200th stranger portrait. She explained that a few days earlier she had suffered a miscarriage, and she had been feeling down ever since. The fact that a complete stranger would approach her and compliment her beauty served to lift her spirits and self-esteem. She thanked me, but in truth it was I who owed her a debt of gratitude. For weeks, I had been actively searching for that special someone to be my milestone 200th stranger. Ironically, although I was drawn to Tyshaya’s photogenic qualities, it turned out to be her vulnerable humanity that will have a lasting impact for me. It is altogether appropriate that as I close this chapter of my stranger photography journey, I experience such a compelling encounter that harkens me back to the true meaning and power of this project.
If this image intrigues you and you're interested in seeing more stranger street portraits, I invite you to check out my 100 Strangers albums. You may also consider visiting the 100 Strangers Group where hundreds of photographers from all over the world submit their street portraiture work : www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers/
I was intrigued by the expression on the face of this camel that was part of the Nativity scene set up at St. Patrick's Cathedral . Because I visited the cathedral a few weeks ago, the Christ Child figure was not in place so I took the photo from this angle. I wish all those who celebrate this holiday a beautiful and joyful Christmas! To all my Flickr friends: your friendship and beautiful photos have brought me joy and wonder throughout the year. I wish eveyone wonderful winter holidays and a happy and healthy new year!
Travelled to watch the grandkids and their teams perform at the Northern Cross Country relays yesterday. It was held in Graves Park, Sheffield, such a beautiful park, wish I'd had more time to explore. This property sat on the edge of the course, in a beautiful spot, it looked pretty deserted with its wrapped up vehicles and had me wondering about its owners and history.