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Oh hai girls and ghouls and welcome to your second judging!
Before we get started on judging your “crazy close-up” pictures lets re-fresh our memories on the judging criteria:
-Must be photographed from the waist up or closer (but not further away)
-Show lots of creativity in your background choices, styling and hair!
-This is a simple theme as I want to see creativity from you all
-Be prepared to take risks!
-Prove to me that I made the right decisions!
So let’s get started with Team Barbie and other fashion dolls and in no particular order we shall start with Verucca!
Sailorb1959 with Verucca; flic.kr/p/cENqZh
I really like this Verucca, I feel that your interpretation of the theme was very unique which was exactly what I was looking for! The use of the crown was certainly a big risk (mainly in the choice of word written on it which did make me chuckle) and I think it paid off!
P.K.L with Kenzie: flic.kr/p/cES5HC
I love how you took this outside (I believe you were the only contestant to do this) and you styling is so sophisticated and elegant and the bow and arrow give it a slight “warrior” feel to it. I love your hair it’s just so amazing and overall I find the more fantasy take on the theme really makes you stand out!
bratzjaderox with Aria: flic.kr/p/cFe3W3
Now this is really good and I like the kinda glam styling. I like the way you have such an attitude like you did in your audition but I just wanted this picture to be a little more exciting. I think you have a lot more to give and after having such a good audition I expected a little more from you. Step it up next time – I know you can do so much better!
Fabulousdolls with Gwen; flic.kr/p/cFiTfh
Gwen, your just oh so adorable! I love all the purple, love the fur, love the lighting, love the pose….basically I love this …just wow! I really like the direct eye contact; it gives it a real mood to the picture! Plus you really stepped it up from your audition picture! Very impressed!
Obsegebitz with Blake: flic.kr/p/cFb9Hy
I like this, your dress is really cute and the touch of glam with the belt is nice! I like the simplicity of it and I see that’s what you were going for, I just feel it needed something more, I can’t quite put my finger on it but there’s something missing!
And onto Team Monster High
BarbieCollectionXD2 with Juliet: flic.kr/p/cF3Ugf
This is seriously good! I love the bright prints and colours as well as your clothes and choice of hair style! The pose is nice as well and I like all the detail you’ve put into it. The vibrancy really makes you stand out, next time just try and have a little more eye contact!:)
NinaaunddiebarbiesXD1 with Ashley: flic.kr/p/cFbybG
I love the choice of outfit here and the amount of belts your wearing is just awesome! The background and your pose are also nice. I did ask for the shot to be from the waist up and this is shot from below the waist, not meeting a main requirement.
lena8137lena with Kate: flic.kr/p/cFUNF5
Hmm, now I like the background and the cute cat ears but that’s about it. The styling isn’t great at all and you haven’t taken your picture form the waist up. Step it up if you wish to progress in this competition!
Sabrina Saturn with Sabrina: flic.kr/p/cHdQtA
I love the futuristic take on the theme! I love the combination of the blue lighting and the blue hair. I love the metal bar thingy over your face and the clash between that and the rough background. Next time try and improve the photo quality as it’s a little grainy compared to your audition!
Dollywood with Celeste: flic.kr/p/cJABGs
I’m actually shocked! Honestly, this is awful. The scruffy hair, the bad outfit and un-interesting background just make it fail. Sorry but after your impressive audition this is huge step back. I understand you have been busy but you have to step it up.
Next up - Team Bratz
lola.a.you with Mia: flic.kr/p/cF8Ka5
This is a very impressive picture! I love how creative you have been with make-up choices and clothes (or lack of them) and then contrasting that with the bright white background. I like how you almost did the theme twice as you feature twice in this picture. However, the picture of you on the right isn’t as close-up and I would have liked but you’ve done a great job here!
S.U.N with Jenna: flic.kr/p/cJVo3h
Hmm now this shows potential. Your background and styling is nice and the profile view really works! The weirdness that’s going on around you head is a bit strange and it looks like you tried to edit the tape holding your mask type accessory on away. It’s a little messy but overall good job!
Anima with Scarlett: flic.kr/p/cK3Mdh
This is good! The way you have kept everything quite plain and let your beauty shine through is really nice and refreshing. The angling is nice and the dark background makes you hair stand out! It is a little grainy but I can appreciate that you couldn’t find your camera but I hope you can find it for future themes!
KitKat255 with Ava: flic.kr/p/cJS3UJ
I really like the background and your clothes as well as your glasses! However, I’m not so sure on your eye make-up editing it kinda looks like you have a black eye. Overall this is very good but I think your capable of a lot more!
Andifismoke and Cheryl did not do their photo and did not give me a reason as to why. Therefore Cheryl you are eliminated and no longer have a chance of becoming Flickr’s Next Top Model.
As SonyphotographyX3 with Jade initially auditioned for Team Bratz but made into the underdog team she shall be promoted into Team Bratz and her audition shall now be judged!
SonyphotographyX3 with Jade: flic.kr/p/cELDAS
I really like the use of the mirror as well as the use of lighting to create a mood within the picture. There is some huge grey splodge on the left side of the picture which is somewhat off putting. This shows a lot of potential if you step it up next theme!
Now for the second to last Team, Team Pullip
KawaiiBirdaii with Prue: flic.kr/p/cG7F2C
This is good and I like the glam approach to the theme but I just wanted a lot more glam! Your dress is nice and I love the little braclets and the picture is good I just think you could have made it a lot more glam and exciting!
~a*w~ with Brayleigh: flic.kr/p/cFaSzw
This really good! First of all I must say I love your new wig! Your background is nice and matches your outfit well and I love the little hair bows! Your pose is really cute but there is a weird fuzzy mark in your hair which appears to be editing – try and avoid this is future!
Candizx3 with Suki: flic.kr/p/cGeK63
I like how you are sleeping and this makes yours very different to everyone else’s photos! I like your styling and pose and the way this matches your personality. The lighting is a little dark, try and improve this for future shoots!
Allie~Chan with Kiyomi: flic.kr/p/cJwCF9
I love the gothic take on this theme! The spider web background and your black and white clothes look really great and I love the way you are touching chin as this makes you look very thoughtful and intriguing! Like your audition this is really good!
Myookat with Wren: flic.kr/p/cJFWJW
This is good but I felt your audition had a lot more impact! Personally I prefer your blonde curls instead of the straight blue/purple hair and I hope to see them back again next week. Your jacket is nice and the background texture is good but next week you need to get back to the standard of your audition at least!
And finally Team Underdog
MermaydProductions with Angelica: flic.kr/p/cGnDbh
This is really and truly great Angelica! Absolutely flawless! I just love every aspect of this and you seriously stepped it up from your audition! Great job!
Gagaluv! with Alice: flic.kr/p/cHodEN
I like how you background matches your eyes and your top/dress thingy is super pretty and your pose is nice! Truthfully, I preferred your old hair, its suited you better but other than that great job!
RagDollKitty with Imogen Ghoul: flic.kr/p/cFxxFf
This is really great, I love all the flowers in your hair and the bright lighting! Your clothes are really nice and altogether this is rather impressive! Great improvement from your audition!
Lillycat with Anna: flic.kr/p/cFxcQo
Honestly, I didn’t really like this. You are photographed from too far away and I don’t like your dress or bow! The bright background however does work very nicely but please improve for future themes!
Miss America 2011 with Meow-leory: flic.kr/p/cHGBPS
I like the way there is a lot going on in this picture! Your styling is nice, but you did wear that jacket for your audition (Try and avoid this in future) and I’m not sure on the scarf thing. I would have liked more of a pose but this really does show potential!
Now you have seen my thoughts on your “crazy close-ups” its time for your placings 1 being the best in your team and 5 being the worst!
Team Barbie and other fashion dolls
1. Fabulousdolls with Gwen
2. P.K.L with Kenzie and Sailorb1959 with Verucca
4. Obsegebitz with Blake
5. bratzjaderox with Aria
Team Monster High
1. BarbieCollectionXD2 with Juliet
2. Sabrina Saturn with Sabrina
3. NinaaunddiebarbiesXD1 with Ashley
4. lena8137lena with Kate
5. Dollywood with Celeste
Team Bratz
1. lola.a.you with Mia
2. Anima with Scarlett McCloud
3. KitKat255 with Ava
4. S.U.N with Jenna Smith
5. SonyphotographyX3 with Jade
Team Pullip
1. ~a*w~ with Brayleigh
2. Allie~Chan with Kiyomi
3. Candizx3 with Suki
4. Myookat with Wren
5. KawaiiBirdaii with Prue
Team Underdog
1. MermaydProductions with Angelica
2. RagDollKitty with Imogen Ghoul
3. Gagaluv! with Alice
4. Miss America 2011 with Meow-leory
5. Lillyycat with Anna
Overall my favourite picture from this theme was….. ……………………………………………………………… Fabulousdolls with Gwen and MermaydProductions with Angelica! Congratulations! I couldn’t choose just one of you, you both did such a great job!
Now next week’s theme is: Water
The requirements are
-Include water in your picture (obviously XD)
-Be creative – most of all that’s what I want from you all!
-Think carefully about your styling and hair!
-Be inventive in the way you use water, try and be different to other contestants!
Next week I will be eliminating two members from each team! Make sure you makes these pictures your best! Please can you post your pictures in the comments on this picture, tags can get rather confusing!
Deadline: Wednesday 15th August
Love DisneyKid96 xoxoxo
Entries!
Team Barbie and other fashion dolls
Gwen: flic.kr/p/cPjzUA
Aria: flic.kr/p/cNR637
Kenzie: flic.kr/p/cRHYbQ
Verucca: flic.kr/p/cS4T9b
Team Monster High
Ashley: flic.kr/p/cPkCxS
Juliet: flic.kr/p/cPzdME
Katie: flic.kr/p/cQ89mA
Julie: flic.kr/p/cQBMdL
Sabrina: flic.kr/p/cRDSvL
Team Bratz
Jade: flic.kr/p/cMGnd1
Ava: flic.kr/p/cNdN25
Jenna: flic.kr/p/cRf9fG
Mia: flic.kr/p/cSzWvC
Team Pullip
Brayleigh: flic.kr/p/cPKJ9y
Wren: flic.kr/p/cRsJR1
Kiyomi: flic.kr/p/cRURWf
Suki: flic.kr/p/cSAn19
Alice: flic.kr/p/cQSdvq
Team Underdog
Imogen: flic.kr/p/cNzskW
Angelica: flic.kr/p/cMzyqL
Anna: flic.kr/p/cPS1mh
Meow-leory: flic.kr/p/cRN2Uh
Rowan: flic.kr/p/cSxLWf
I wasn't expecting to get todays' daily shot quite so early this morning. What happened was that I woke up for the bathroom and it was so light outside I thought it was time to get up. Grabbed my camera, ran off some shots then back to bed to sleep for a while. It was only when I downloaded this that I realised it was only 4am. D'uh! The planet visible is Jupiter Uranus or Jupiter but after looking at numerous websites, I'm inclined to think Jupiter
Youghal, Cork
Fuji GW670III camera
(after repair of the shutter)
Ilford Delta 3200 film
Red25 filter attached, but not too sure
Developed in TMAX (20%, 20 C, 8.5')
The iconic Crystal Mill near Marble, CO
I wasn't sure what to expect heading up there, but I'm certainly glad to drive a Subaru, as the only other vehicles I encountered were Jeeps and ATV's on a gnarly 4x4 access road. The journey was as fun as the destination!
Canon 70D
Tokina AT-X 11-20mm ƒ/2.8 Pro DX
Breakthrough Photography 3-stop ND, 6-stop ND, and CPL
Sirui K-20X and W-1204
6" ƒ/11 ISO 100
Apparently this is a replica of Noah's Ark, though I' m not sure how they know what the original looked like. It's a floating museum that is full of models depicting bible stories. The entry fee is incredibly steep so these two photos are all you'll get to see of it on my photo stream
CN L516 rolls through Griffith, Indiana with a surprise lash up of classic EMD power, with an ex-MoPac SD40-2 in charge.
It was not forecast but the feeling of an imminent summer storm was shared by everyone on the beach and an early lunch seemed an excellent idea simultaneously occurring to hundreds. Except for us two, we stayed and 30 minutes later the threat had evaporated and blue skies returned.
This is my impression of the atmosphere when the beach belonged to us for a short while.
I didn’t expect to see much contemporary architecture in Bangkok, other than skyscrapers, so the interior of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre was a nice surprise.
Seen here with a fisheye there's some echoes of the New York Guggenheim Museum.
Click here to see more photos from my trip to Bangkok and Krabi last Summer : www.flickr.com/photos/darrellg/albums/72157687709552266
From Wikipedia : "Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC; Thai: หอศิลปวัฒนธรรมแห่งกรุงเทพมหานคร) is a contemporary arts centre in Bangkok, Thailand. Art, music, theatre, film, design and cultural/educational events take place in its exhibition and performance spaces. The centre includes cafes, commercial art galleries, bookshops, craft shops and an art library. It is intended as a venue for cultural exchange in terms of content, curatorial and cultural management, giving Bangkok an operational base on the international art scene.The size of the building is over 4000 square meters. The opening time is 10:00 A.M to 9:00 P.M and is closed on Monday. It is located at 939 Rama I Road Wongmai, Patumwan opposite the MBK shopping mall. It is near the National Stadium BTS Station."
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© D.Godliman
Train 6H43 not doing what was expected so a bit of a bowl out for the waiting photographers. Alas several of us were not far enough up the hill. This meant a shot of the train in the gap between the Top Sidings and the Cement Loading Terminal instead of what we had anticipated. By all accounts this train generally takes the much more photogenic Up & Down Tunsted Through Siding line which was runs parallel to the Great Rocks Junction to Buxton line goods line and avoids passing through the cement loading area.
66 619 is seen easing its train of empty hoppers through Tunstead Top Sidings with train 6H43 the 07.46 stone empties from Pendleton Stone Terminal.
Just returned from the monkey temple down the road from our place.
Never know what to expect upon arriving and this trip was no different in that respect.
Coming around a corner at the base of the mountain I could hear festive music unlike the other day when all I herd was temple dogs barking and monkeys fighting.
Getting closer I observed workers putting up bleachers and a stage along with canvas shade with plastic chairs common here in Thailand.
Music sounded old Thai and very pleasant to the ears.
Spotted some shade under a big old tree close to where the bananas had been, pulled in and dismounted with camera in hand.
Slowly walked over where some monkeys were devouring a pile of Jack Fruit, found a safe comfortable spot and just started watching.
Seemed to be a number of females young and old, most with new born baby's in tow.
After about 10 minutes I noticed the females were having some kind of dispute among them. Soon it was obvious what was taking place !
Older females were attempting to kidnap the baby's from the younger females, which is only a guess on my part.
Many ideas come into play, sense there was a new Alpha Male ruling the tribe maybe they were trying to kill off the old Alpha's off spring. Maybe they were jealous, maybe I don't really have a clue !
A couple kidnappers ran off into the jungle with a new born never to be seen again. This is real life in the jungle. Brutal at times, Beautiful at others.
This little guy was terrified but reunited with his mom only seconds after this photo, she was only an arms length away and keeping a close eye on him.
Right after arriving the sun broke through the overcast sky and the temperature sky rocketed as did the humidity!
Figured a rain storm was about to take place at any time, so I shot fast.
Didn't take long and a couple of rain drops hit my hat, large like a marble and fast. Stepped back under an over hang of rock and boom sky opened up.
While standing there big vans started pulling in full of Thais here for some type of Buddhist ceremony.
As fast as the rain came it ended but one could see this is only the first of what the sky had in store for us.
Fired off a couple hundred more shots and figured this is good for today as lightning was now starting to make it's presence known in a violent display of noise and light.
Pulled the rain cover over the Think Tank Bag, mounted my ride and headed for home before being caught up in another down pour that was on it's way.
4 clicks from home the sky once again opened up right behind me and started to do it's thing.
Leaned forward, twisted the wick on my scooter and went for it.
Had no choice, rain was right on my heals, falling faster and faster and catching up quickly.
Came flying down the drive way and into the carport just as the whole sky lit up and opened up, close one...;-)
.
Of course WeeNee and The Worm were nice and dry waiting for my return, they both had been stretched out on the steps under cover with out a worry in the world.
For the most part I made it unscathed, slightly wet on the back and top of shoulders, no big deal at all.
Right now it's hard to see the other side of the river it's coming down so hard, monsoon will be here in June.
As for the duct tape, knife, and tape is if I get bit, wrap it and head for help. Knife is for what ever use it needs to be used for.
For the next week or so there will be a number of monkey photos coming, hope your up for it. Thanks in advance ..;-)
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Taken hand held under a triple canopy jungle
D300 Nikon, 70-300VR Nikkor.
Jon&Crew
Please help with your donations here.
www.gofundme.com/f/help-for-abandoned-thai-temple-dogs
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Large Logos, Copy/Pastes or 2nd World.
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This morning was a lot sunnier than expected so mid morning I headed off for my first butterfly trip of the year. This site has 3 species I hope to see though one of them I do not see often and did not today.
I saw about 7 species in total including the 2 skippers I was looking for. By 12.30 it had become overcast and I saw no more skippers.
I only saw 2 of these in total. This one allowed me near enough to use the new camera. The sun was not out.
Everyone expected Michigan to roll over the University of Akron Zips, but the Zips nearly stole a victory at the Big House, losing 28-24, when Michigan stopped Akron from inside the Wolverines' 2-yard line on the very last play of the game
So, bet ya weren't expecting the next part so quickly. This...was an absolute bugger to edit. Powerpoint really didn't help, especially with the middle pic. There's a line through it, can't do anything about it, so just ignore that. I was up till all hours putting that pic together. Surprisingly, Kylo Ren's lightsaber makes for good heat vision, just in case anyone's struggling. Anywho, I'll stop boring you with the details, and start on the next part in the story.
Fire and Furies
Just as Lucius finished, a sonic boom shook the plane. "They're here" Zod muttered, looking through the walls with his X-ray vision. Although weaker than Kara's, his vision could just about make out three figures. The Furies. Wonder womans elite soldiers, who would stop at nothing to achieve their goal. The team shuffle, uneasy. Green arrow begins pacing. Muttering something about a canary. Seeing this, Zod takes control. He was a general, and he was damned well going to control this situation. "Form up, flyers in front, everyone else in back" He marched up to Zataro. "You are responsible for them. Transport them out of here, we will hold them off for as long as we can."
"They won't let us escape, this is the end" Zataro murmured "this is it, we can't escape this."
Huntress slumps to the ground, head in hand. With Bruce gone, it is like the fire has died from her heart. "He's right. Sure there's more of us, but they're the Furies. They level cities, hunt down dissidents. Compared to them, we're like ants. They can crush us any time they please."
"No!" Zod shouted, putting his foot down "We won't let it end this way, falling like birds, shot by the hunter. I won't let it end like this. Now get a hold of yourselves and get these people to safety. You'll know when the time is right"
The team does as Zod says. When it comes to strategy, he and Batman were the best. And with Batman gone, Zod is their best bet for survival. They form up. Elizabeth stands by the controls, ready. "Open the door" Zod commands. Lights blare and sirens wail. The air is sucked out of the cabin, but the team stays strong, protected by Zataro's magical shield. Once covering the entire plane, he has retracted it, so that it only envelops the non-flyers. Zod and Kara step out, standing on the edge of the platform. "We're really doing this, huh" Says Kara, almost to herself. "I see them" Zod shouts "Get ready"
He nods, and the two Kryptonians blast their heat vision at the Furies, burning the air around them. The remaining flyers, Martian manhunter, Captain Atom and Artemis rise into the air, floating inches off the floor. With a sweep of his arm, Zod gives the signal. They hurtle out of the plane, whooshing past the Kryptonians. "We will hold them here, thin the herd" he says, willing more power to his heat vision.
Undeterred, the Furies move closer, dodging the beams of fire as if they are merely birds in the sky. They move quickly, yet gracefully, cutting through the air, as if it isn't there. Unlike the resistance members, they do not speak. They have done this countless times before. This is not the first time they have had to cut down those flying through the air. Doctor Light, escaping with his daughter. Maxwell Lord, trying to flee to the stars in a homemade rocket. They have succeeded in the past, and they will succeed now. Artemis, Manhunter and Captain Atom, hands blazing with flame, rush to meet them, ready for a fight.
Thomas was led to the village perched on the edge of the mountainside. The door was opened to one of the rustic shacks and Thomas ushered inside. The initial entrance was austere and minimalist in the no nonsense style Thomas had expected of the mountain men. But as he was shown through a second door, leading him into space carved out of the mountainside, he was in for a shock.
The grandeur of the chamber behind surprised him. Beautifully carved out of the rock and open all along one side with spectacular views over the mountains. For a moment Thomas was stunned.
"Ha! Gets them every time." The Chieftain of the various allied mountain tribes, Azru, stood in the far corner. He strode across the room his arms open and embraced Thomas in a crushing bear hug "Welcome to our village Thomas. It's good to see you again, although I wish it wasn't in such dire circumstances."
"I...I never knew this was here..." muttered Thomas still gawping.
"No. Us mountain tribes like to maintain a low profile about such things. Our ancestors settled in this hills centuries ago. The rocky land is very poor. The choice is to scratch an existence using subsistence farming or to dig deep and see if the earth will yield us fruit. These hills may not be stuffed with seams of precious metals and gems like the mountains of Garheim are, but they yield plenty of tin, copper and lead to those persistent enough to find it. Plus, we come across a small amount of gold from time to time as our reward. It's enough to allow us to buy food and supplies in from more fertile lands such as Arrowford."
"That is why I am here" replied Thomas. " I need to ask you if you'll lead the tribes and help me free Arrowford from the Queen's control. If we don't do this then Arrowford will not be able to continue trading with the mountain tribes."
"Thomas, I know what you say is true. While we are impenetrable up here in the mountain passes, for only a fool would send an army to perish up here, the Queen can easily cut us off from the rest of the world and let us go back to trying to get the rock to yield food. Therefore, I would lead my men down the mountain and retake Arrowford for you in a heartbeat, but we must look at the wider situation.
The Queen has caught all of Roawia on the hop. Her troops are everywhere and have seized control of everything. I have no doubt we could expel the force occupying Arrowford, but then what would happen? The Queen controls uncountable numbers, how long could we hold out against wave after wave of her troops, for her retribution for resistance will be swift and unyielding. The only way to defeat her is for all of Roawia to come together and form a coordinated resistance. She has the power to quash an individual uprising, but she cannot be everywhere at once."
"But our leaders are all imprisoned. How are we to get organised without them? She has fragmented all the lines of command and no one controls armies big enough to confront her."
"Why don't you take charge Thomas?"
"Me. Who's going to follow me?"
"We have followed you before. Our excursion into Lenfald was a success because of your organisational and planning skills. You have the makings of a good leader. Plus you carry the fabled Sword of Karlamac. I witnessed it's power in our Lenfald conquest. I could feel it's magic urging us on as we took that wall. With this you can inspire men in battle and conquer the odds, just as foretold in our legends."
"Ah, yes well I'm afraid I have a confession to make. The Sword of Karlamac is devoid of magic power. If the sword is not passed willingly on to the next owner the magic fades. I found the sword. It was not given to me. Therefore it no longer works. The taking of the wall was entirely down to your men's skill as warriors and probably because you were all pretty pumped up for battle. - Sorry. I was going to tell you."
Azru paused and strode over to look out over the vista. "I wonder if the sword could be made to work again?"
"Sorry?" said Thomas.
"Well, not that I know much about magic, but there's always seems to be some sort of work around with these things. Prophecies and legends are always written in such poetic language that things are never ironclad. It may be there is a way of fulfilling the requirements and reinstating the sword's power."
"I can't see that's going to work in this case though. The last owner of the sword has been dead for centuries. Assuming for one minute I did bump into him, and then supposing he decides he doesn't want his magic sword back. He's still not in any condition to say 'Nah, why don't you keep it' is he?"
"But this is the thing about magic, it's not always literal like that. There may be a way. I don't know what it is, but it may be possible. I think you need to speak with someone who knows more about these things."
"Who?"
"Well not in Loreos." Azru turned to the table and unfurled a map "For this I think you will have to head south. All the way south."
"The outlaw lands! Are you mad! There's a war on. Arrowford is being held hostage and you want me to go on a jolly into hostile outlaw lands, because maybe there might be someone who can possibly make my sword magic again, and that might in some way help us fight the Queen - You do realise every club owning outlaw has a particular grudge against people wearing red and gold and speaking Loreesi don't you?
Besides, I haven't got time to do that. I have to save my town."
"Thomas, your town will not be saved overnight. The Queen is too strong at the moment. We have to think about the long term. It will take time to organise a coordinated resistance. I can get that started. I have contacts all over Loreos and can start assembling a force that will be capable of not only taking back Arrowford, but also holding it against the inevitable Queen's wrath. Meanwhile, you must see if the sword can be fixed. If it can, then this could be the edge we need. At least think about it..."
Sorry about the pun at the end.
The map on the table is the creation of Mitah: www.flickr.com/photos/66475636@N02/
After last time, when I used it to find and occupy his lands, he made me promise to use it only for good. She's called an Evil Witch Queen and locked him in a dungeon. So I feel I'm on a winner.
The background is the result of me learning GIMP this morning.
Built for Lands of Classic Castle (LCC), see the full story here (if you have time on your hands)
www.flickr.com/photos/invictabricks/sets/72157629676259054/
If you want to create your own LCC character and join in the fun then have a look see here: www.classic-castle.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=23526
A window with birds from Sporon Hungary for Window Wednesdays.
Captured in the main old city square, late in the afternoon Oct. 2014 with an Olympus EM10 and edited this morning.
Really wasn't expecting to see these in Medway yesterday!, and for some reason these 5 vehicles were all parked up in the public car park for Diggerland in Strood.
And be sure to check by my other acount: www.flickr.com/photos_user.gne?path=&nsid=77145939%40..., to see what else I saw Last Week!!
Yes I'm back again.
However due to my main computer on which I edit my work being struck down with a big bad virus, this picture and all the others I am uploading, were Unedited but have now been replaced with Edited versions. So enjoy and Thanks for your patience and understanding.
I do still hate everything about this shit that is new Flickr and always will, but an inability to find another outlet for my work that is as easy for me to use as the Old BETTER Flickr was, has forced me back to Flickr, even though it goes against everything I believe in.
I don't generally have an opinion on my own work, I prefer to leave that to other people and so based on the positive responses to my work from the various friends I had made on Flickr prior to the changes I have decided to upload some more of my work as an experiment and to see what happens.
So make the most of me before they delete my acount: www.flickr.com/photos/69558134@N05/?details=1, to stop me complaining!!
Racetrack Playa - Death Valley National Park
Pla-ya: An area of flat, dried-up land, esp. a desert basin from which water evaporates quickly.
The Racetrack Playa gets its name from the rocks that appear be "Racing" around the Playa. In some cases, these rocks are literally side by side and really do seem to be racing each other to get to some unmarked finish line! ;-)
This is a long story but bare with me. There is a lot to tell about this day's journey to one really mysterious and really awesome place! :-)
This was Saturday, the 5th of May! The day of the full moon! The day of the Super Moon! John and I got up very early that morning so that I could get him to McCarran International Airport for his early flight back to Denver. After dropping him off, I made my way back to the Hotel, got everything loaded into the truck, checked out and started making the 5 and a half hour trip back towards Death Valley. This time towards the northern end of this gigantor National Park! My plans were fairly simple, get there, find the Racetrack Playa, make sure my vehicle could navigate the road, check things out, then meet Darren (Darius Twin) later that evening to hit the Playa for some nighttime LP!
The drive through Nevada was somewhat boring really. Desert, mountains, and lots of Joshua Trees and more desert. Occasionally I would roll into a small town but most of them were little more than wide areas in the road. I had planned on making a stop in Beatty, Nevada for some additional supplies such as more water (something you can't really have enough of out here!) and some more snacks and food for the evening. But as it turns out, Beatty really isn't that big either so I just filled up with fuel and water since that was basically my last chance for a while! Fuel stations can be so scattered in this area that it is a good idea to carry extra fuel just in case as well.
I first made way to a little oasis in the desert that is now part of the National Park called Scotty's Castle. This is not a place you expect to see pop up in the middle of nowhere! A very large elaborate place that is definitely out of place in this unforgiving land! After a few more miles, I reached Ubehebe Crater, pronounced YOU-bee-HEE-bee and is a Timbisha Shoshone Native American term meaning "Big Basket in the rock". This which is a large Volcanic crater that is estimated to be 2 to 7 thousand years old and is where the off roading fun begins to make the journey to Racetrack Playa!
Now... I had looked at a map earlier in the day and talked to Darren about when and where we would meet that evening. It was about 2:00 in the afternoon at this point and I still had yet to reach the place that we had planned to meet which was called TeaKettle Junction. Darren was driving a small compact car and the warnings that he and I both had read about the road to Racetrack Playa were that it is recommended 4-Wheel Drive and passenger class tires were also not a good idea due to the sharp rocks that made up the road. Everything I had read about it had me concerned that even my 2-Wheel Drive 4-Runner might have a hard time making the journey. But that is the reason I was there early. To give this road a go on my own and see if my 4-Runner, along with pulling a trailer where going to make this trip without any major issues.
So... TeaKettle Junction was just a dot on the map with the name beside it but it looked like a good place for Darren and I to meet so that we could then both make the final journey to the Racetrack in my truck. I had made the assumption that Teakettle Junction was a small town that Darren would have no problems getting to. But I had a surprise in store for me! 8-O
Okay... Imagine an extreme washboard jagged rock road, one lane, with only a few places wide enough for two cars to pass side by side, twisting and turning in a narrow mountain valley, and fine dust was EVERYWHERE!!! The washboard is deep enough to make you want to try to keep up speed of about 30 to 40 mph just to make it as smooth as possible but no matter what speed you are going, this road will shake the dental work in your jaw loose! That is almost a guarantee!!!! You are in for about 30 miles of this and that is just ONE WAY! So at best you are in for an hour of bone rattling fun and that is just getting there! You will still have the one hour journey to look forward to on the way back as well!! This is where the additional clearance that the new axle added to my trailer came in handy! I am sure I would have been bottoming out quite a bit if the trailer still had the old axle on it! :-)
As I made my way down this winding rattling road, I was met by a few oncoming motorcycles and vehicles that were making their way back down. There was really not much to see out there other than the Tans and blacks of the desert sand, rocks and the little vegetation that was scattered everywhere. Just about any living thing in this area had a bite to it, including the vegetation! But I did spot a two cactus along the way that had blooms on them. A little vibrant color was easy to catch the eye when everything else is so drab!
After about an hour of driving this road, and I am sure there is a logical explanation for this somehow, but as I was getting closer to TeaKettle Junction, I came to an area on the road where I received a cell phone signal and started getting notifications of received emails! I thought it was just because the little town was right around the next bend in the mountains and that explained it. I figured it would just get stronger as I got closer. Well, around the next bend I DID run into Teakettle Junction alright! It was literally just a junction in two dirt roads with a sign that said "Teakettle Junction"! And the cell phone signal was now GONE!! No buildings, no paved road, NOTHING! Nothing but a sign that several people had hung teakettles on and a sign that said that Racetrack Playa was 6 miles further down the same road! Meeting Darren at TeaKettle Junction was a bad call on my part! Big Time!!!
This was definitely not going to work for a place to meet Darren. His car would definitely not make it to this point! So I had to get ahold of him and pick a different place to meet! I was able to get the truck turned around at this junction and make it back to the area where I got the cell signal and I did get it back once again. So I called Darren and was able to get in touch with him and we then made plans to meet at Scotty's Castle instead. Whew!
So with that emergency taken care of, I turned around once again and finished my journey to Racetrack Playa!
When I arrived, even seeing it in person it was hard to get a good idea of the real scale of this place! Yes, it looked huge, but it was even larger than it looked! I stopped a the northern end first and took a few photos but then made my way to the southern end a few miles further down the road to where most of the rocks are that mysteriously move across this playa. As started walking out onto the playa and making my way across the mile wide area to where the rocks were, I could not help but think about how quiet and peaceful this place is. This place is possibly one of the most serene places I have ever had the pleasure of visiting. Of course that could have a LOT to do with the journey that it took to reach this jewel hidden deep in the southern California mountains! I guess that any place would seem that way after going through so much Shake, Rattle and Roll for over an hour!!
After checking the place out for a while, I made my way back down this terrible road to Scotty's Castle and was only there a few minutes before Darren showed up! We found a campsite and then started the journey back up to Racetrack Playa once again! By this time I was loosing steam rapidly after getting up so early on just a few hours sleep. I started getting chilled about midnight and went to my truck to warm up. Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep and was off to "La La land" while Darren was painting up a storm in the middle of the Playa! Oh well.. I guess my body was screaming "Uncle" at this point since John and I had kept up that pace for a week already! I did manage to get a few descent shots in that night but now I really want to go back and do it again! ;-)
Anyway, Welcome to Racetrack Playa! I have my own theories about why the rocks move in this place but I won't go into that here. It is just really cool that they do move and leave trails behind them showing where they have been! And it is really odd how they seem to move in different directions from each other!
I have heard about this place all my life! But I never expected the chance to be standing there in the middle of this place seeing these rocks with my own two eyes! Something I will not forget!
If you ever get the opportunity to visit Death Valley, I recommend taking a good thorough look at a website called "The Death Valley Journal". It is FILLED with tons of incredible data about this area and will help you to make sure you see some of the little known hidden treasures here as well! :-)
Light Painting - Single Exposure
By the way, I don't think that I could have lifted this rock! :-)
As you might expect, ATL's "North Cargo" Ramp handled mostly freighter aircraft. However, some passenger movements, including charters, military/VIP, sports teams, etc., utilized the cargo facility for operational reasons, including the fact that it was relatively easy to exit the ramp onto the local highway system.
During the political primary season of 1988, there were numerous charters for candidates that used North Cargo; as the season progressed, charters for accompanying press personnel sometimes used the facility as well.
On both February 26 and 27, 1988, the then-Vice President, George H.W. Bush, visited ATL, utilizing military/VIP aircraft.
My friends at Lockheed Air Terminal asked me to take this photograph of GHWB as he descended the air stairs, with the company logo on prominent display.
To do this, I was briefed thoroughly by the Secret Service agent in charge about where I needed to be, and what I was to do (which included being advised, that, in the event anything out of the ordinary occurred, I should drop to the ground, and remain there until advised further).
In the event, all went well. I got the photo, and was able to stay on the ramp until Mr. Bush's motorcade departed.
(For a better look at the aircraft, see www.flickr.com/photos/georgehamlin/45283631105)
"the artists of the "Casa del Musical" group (House of Musical)".
“gli artisti del gruppo "Casa del Musical".
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click to activate the icon of slideshow: the small triangle inscribed in the small rectangle, at the top right, in the photostream;
or…. Press the “L” button to zoom in the image;
clicca sulla piccola icona per attivare lo slideshow: sulla facciata principale del photostream, in alto a destra c'è un piccolo rettangolo (rappresenta il monitor) con dentro un piccolo triangolo nero;
oppure…. premi il tasto “L” per ingrandire l'immagine;
www.worldphoto.org/sony-world-photography-awards/winners-...
www.fotografidigitali.it/gallery/2726/opere-italiane-segn...
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A history of Taormina: chronicles of a forbidden love and its great secret (not only Paolo and Francesca) with an unexpected "scoop".
This story is an integral part of the story previously told, the historical period is the same, the place is the same, the various characters often meet each other because they know each other; Taormina, between the end of the 1800s and the beginning of the 1900s, in an ever increasing growth, became the place of residence of elite tourism, thanks to the international interest aroused by writers and artists, such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe , or great personalities like Lady Florence Trevelyan: Taormina becomes so famous, thanks to the paintings of the painter Otto Geleng and the photographs of the young Sicilian models by Wilhelm von Gloeden; in the air of Taormina there is a sense of libertine, its famous and histrionic visitors never fail to create scandal, even surpassing the famous Capri, in which, to cite just one example, the German gunsmith Krupp, trying to recreate the he environment of Arcadia that one breathed in Taormina (thanks to the photos of von Gloeden) was overwhelmed by the scandal for homosexuality, and took his own life. Taormina thus becomes a heavenly-like place, far from industrial civilizations, where you can freely live your life and sexuality; this is the socio-cultural environment in which the two protagonists of this story move, the British painter Robert Hawthorn Kitson (1873 - 1947) and the painter Carlo Siligato (born in Taormina in 1875, and died there in 1959). Robert H. Kitson, born in Leeds in England, belonged to a more than wealthy family, as a young engineer he had begun to replace his father in the family locomotive construction company (Kitson & Co.), on the death of his father in 1899 sells everything and decides to move very rich in Sicily to Taormina (he had been there the previous year with a trip made with his parents, here he had met, in addition to Baron von Gloeden, also the writer and poet Oscar Wilde who came to Italy, immediately after having served two years in prison in forced labor, on charges of sodomy); Kitson settled there because he was suffering from a severe form of rheumatic fever (like von Gloeden was advised to treat himself in the Mediterranean climate milder), and because as a homosexual, he leaves England because the Labouchere amendment considered homosexuality a crime. The other protagonist of this story is Carlo Siligato, he was from Taormina, he had attended the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice, a very gifted painter, he was very good at oil painting (he exhibited his paintings in an art workshop, even now existing, in via Teatro Greco in Taormina), the meeting with the painter Robert Kitson, led him to adopt the watercolor technique: almost to relive Dante's verses on Paolo and Francesca "Galeotto was the book and who wrote it" the common passion for painting led the two artists to live an intense love story. Kitson built his home in the "Cuseni" district of Taormina, called for this "Casa Cuseni", the house was built between 1900 and 1905, its decorations were entrusted to the artists Alfred East (realist landscape painter, president of the Royal Society ), and Frank Brangwyn (painter, decorator, designer), he was a pupil of William Morris, leader of the English movement "Arts and Crafts" which spread to England in the second half of the nineteenth century (the Arts and Crafts was a response to the industrialization of Europe, of mass production operated by factories, all this at the expense of traditional craftsmanship, from this movement originated the Art Nouveau, in Italy also known as Liberty Style or Floral Style, which distinguished itself for having been a artistic and philosophical movement, which developed between the end of the 19th century and the first decade of the 20th century, whose style spread in such a way as to be present everywhere). Casa Cuseni has kept a secret for 100 years that goes far beyond the forbidden love lived by Robert and Carlo, a secret hidden inside the "secret room", that dinning room that was reopened in 2012; entering the dining room, you can witness a series of murals painted on the four walls by Frank Brangwyn, in Art Nouveau style, which portray the life and love story between the painter Robert Kitson, and his life partner, the Carlo Siligato from Taormina, but the thing that makes these murals even more special, full of tenderness and sweetness, is that "their secret" (!) is represented in them, it is described visually, as in an "episodic" story that really happened in their lives: Messina (and Reggio Calabria) are destroyed by the terrible earthquake with a tsunami on December 28, 1908, Carlo Siligato, Robert Kitson, Wilhelm von Gloeden and Anatole France leave for Messina, to see and document in person the tragedy, the city was a pile of rubble, many dead, Robert and Carlo see a baby, Francesco, he is alone in the world, without parents who died in the earthquake, abandoned to a certain and sad destiny, a deep desire for protection is born in the two of them, a maternal and paternal desire is born, they decide to takes that little child with them even knowing that they are risking a lot ... (!), what they want to do is something absolutely unthinkable in that historical period, they are a homosexual couple, what they are about to do is absolutely forbidden ..(!) but now there is Francesco in their life, thus becoming, in fact, the first homogenitorial family (with a more generic term, rainbow family) in world history: hence the need to keep the whole story absolutely hidden, both from an artistic point of view , represented by the murals (for more than 100 years, the "dinning room" will be kept hidden), both of what happens in real life, with little Francesco cared for lovingly, but with great risk or. I have allegorically inserted, in the photographic story, some photographs of the artists of the company "Casa del Musical", who came to Taormina to perform during the Christmas period: today as yesterday, Taormina has always been (starting from the last 20 years of the 19th century) center of a crossroads of artists and great personalities, Casa Cuseni also in this has an enormous palmares of illustrious guests, too long to state. The young boys painted on the murals of Casa Cuseni, wear white, this is a sign of purity, they wanted to represent their ideal homosexual world, fighting against the figure dressed in black, short in stature, disturbing, which acquires a negative value, an allegorical figure of the English society of the time, indicating the Victorian morality that did not hesitate to condemn Oscar Wilde, depriving him of all his assets and rights, even preventing him from giving the surname to his children. The boys are inspired by the young Sicilian models photographed by Wilhelm von Gloeden, dressed in white tunics, with their heads surrounded by local flowers. The only female figure present has given rise to various interpretations, one could be Kitson's detachment from his motherland, or his detachment from his mother. On the third wall we witness the birth of the homogenitorial family, both (allegorically Carlo and Kitson with the child in their arms) are in profile, they are walking, the younger man has a long, Greek-style robe, placed on the front, next to him behind him, the sturdier companion holds and gently protects the little child in his arms, as if to spare the companion the effort of a long and uncertain journey, there is in the representation of the family the idea of a long journey, in fact the man holding the child wears heavy shoes, their faces are full of apprehension and concern: in front of them an empty wall, so deliberately left by Frank Brangwin, since their future is unknown, in front of them they have a destiny full of unknowns (at the same time, their path points east, they go towards the rising sun: opening the large window the sun floods everything in the room). In the "secret room" there is the picture painted in 1912 by Alfred E. East, an oil on canvas, representing Lake Bourget. Carlo Siligato later married Costanza, she was my father's grandmother's sister, they had a son, Nino, who for many years lived and worked as a merchant in his father's art workshop. I sincerely thank my colleague Dr. Francesco Spadaro, doctor and esteemed surgeon, owner and director of the "Casa Cuseni" House-Garden-Museum, who, affectionately acting as a guide, gave me the precious opportunity to create "this photographic tour" inside the house- museum and in the "metaphysical garden" of Casa Cuseni. … And the scoop that I announced in the title ..? After photographing the tomb of Carlo Siligato, in the Catholic cemetery of Taormina, I started looking for that of Robert Kitson, in the non-Catholic cemetery of Taormina: when I finally found it (with him lies his niece Daphne Phelps, buried later in 2005) ... I felt a very strong emotion, first of all I was expecting a mausoleum, instead I found a small, very modest tomb on this is not a photo of him, not an epitaph, not a Cross, not a praying Angel to point it out, but ... unexpectedly for a funerary tombstone ... a small bas-relief carved on marble (or stone) depicting ... the Birth ... (!), obviously , having chosen her could have a very specific meaning: a desire to transmit a message, something very profound about him, his tomb thus testified that in his soul, what was really important in life was having a family, with Carlo and baby Francesco, certainly beloved, saved from a certain and sad fate, in the terrible Messina earthquake-tsunami of 28 December 1908 ... almost recalling in an absolute synthesis, at the end of his life, what had already been told in the "secret murals" of Casa Cuseni.
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Una storia di Taormina: cronache di un amore proibito e del suo grande segreto (non solo Paolo e Francesca) con inaspettato “scoop”.
Questa storia fa parte integrante della storia precedentemente raccontata, il periodo storico è lo stesso, il luogo è lo stesso, i vari personaggi spesso si frequentano tra loro poiché si conoscono; Taormina, tra la fine dell’800 e l’inizio del’900, in un sempre maggiore crescendo, diventa luogo di residenza del turismo d’élite, grazie all’interesse internazionale suscitato ad opera di scrittori ed artisti, come Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, o grandi personalità come Lady Florence Trevelyan: Taormina diventa così famosa, complici i quadri del pittore Otto Geleng e le fotografie dei giovani modelli siciliani di Wilhelm von Gloeden; nell’aria di Taormina si respira un che di libertino, i suoi famosi ed istrionici frequentatori non mancano mai di creare scandalo, superando persino la famosa Capri, nella quale, per citare solo un esempio, l’armiere tedesco Krupp, cercando di ricreare l’ambiente dell’Arcadia che si respirava a Taormina (grazie alle foto di von Gloeden) viene travolto dallo scandalo per omosessualità, e si toglie la vita. Taormina diviene quindi un luogo simil-paradisiaco, lontana dalle civiltà industriali, nella quale poter vivere liberamente la propria vita e la propria sessualità; questo è l’ambiente socio-culturale nel quale si muovono i due protagonisti di questa vicenda, il pittore britannico Robert Hawthorn Kitson (1873 – 1947) ed il pittore Carlo Siligato (nato a Taormina nel 1875, ed ivi morto nel 1959). Robert H. Kitson, nacque a Leeds in Inghilterra, apparteneva ad una famiglia più che benestante, da giovane ingegnere aveva cominciato a sostituire il padre nell’impresa familiare di costruzioni di locomotive (la Kitson & Co.), alla morte del padre nel 1899 vende tutto e decide di trasferirsi ricchissimo in Sicilia a Taormina (vi era stato l’anno precedente con un viaggio fatto coi suoi genitori, qui aveva conosciuto, oltre al barone von Gloeden, anche lo scrittore e poeta Oscar Wilde venuto in Italia, subito dopo aver scontato due anni di prigione ai lavori forzati, con l’accusa di sodomia); Kitson vi si stabilisce perché affetto da una grave forma di febbre reumatica (come von Gloeden gli fu consigliato di curarsi nel clima mediterraneo più mite), sia perché in quanto omosessuale, lascia l’Inghilterra perché l’emendamento Labouchere considerava l’omosessualità un crimine. L’altro protagonista di questa storia è Carlo Siligato, egli era taorminese, aveva frequentato l’Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia, pittore molto dotato, era bravissimo nel dipingere ad olio (esponeva i suoi quadri in una bottega d’arte, ancora adesso esistente, in via Teatro Greco a Taormina), l’incontro col pittore Robert Kitson, lo portò ad adottare la tecnica dell’acquarello: quasi a rivivere i versi di Dante su Paolo e Francesca “Galeotto fu ‘l libro e chi lo scrisse” la comune passione per la pittura condusse i due artisti a vivere una intensa storia d’amore. Kitson costruì nel quartiere “Cuseni” di Taormina la sua abitazione, detta per questo “Casa Cuseni”, la casa fu costruita tra il 1900 ed il 1905, le sue decorazioni furono affidate agli artisti Alfred East (pittore verista paesaggista, presidente della Royal Society), e Frank Brangwyn (pittore, decoratore, designer, progettista), egli era allievo di William Morris, leader del movimento inglese “Arts and Crafts” (Arti e Mestieri) che si diffuse in Inghilterra nella seconda metà del XIX secolo (l’Arts and Crafts era una risposta alla industrializzazione dell’Europa, della produzione in massa operata dalle fabbriche, tutto ciò a scapito dell’artigianato tradizionale, da questo movimento ebbe origine l’Art Nouveau, in Italia conosciuta anche come Stile Liberty o Stile Floreale, che si distinse per essere stata un movimento artistico e filosofico, che si sviluppò tra la fine dell’800 ed il primo decennio del ‘900, il cui stile si diffuse in tal modo da essere presente dappertutto). Casa Cuseni ha custodito per 100 anni un segreto che va ben oltre quell’amore proibito vissuto da Robert e Carlo, segreto celato all’interno della “stanza segreta”, quella dinning room che è stata riaperta nel 2012; entrando nella sala da pranzo, si assiste ad una serie di murales realizzati sulle quattro pareti da Frank Brangwyn, in stile Art Nouveau, che ritraggono la vita e la storia d’amore tra il pittore Robert Kitson, ed il suo compagno di vita, il pittore taorminese Carlo Siligato, ma la cosa che rende questi murales ancora più particolari, carichi di tenerezza e dolcezza, è che in essi viene rappresentato “il loro segreto” (!), viene descritto visivamente, come in un racconto “ad episodi” quello che è realmente avvenuto nella loro vita: Messina (e Reggio Calabria) vengono distrutte dal terribile sisma con maremoto il 28 dicembre del 1908, partono per Messina, Carlo Siligato, Robert Kitson, Wilhelm von Gloeden ed Anatole France, per vedere e documentare di persona la tragedia, la città era un cumulo di macerie, moltissimi i morti, Robert e Carlo vedono un piccolo bimbo, Francesco, egli è solo al mondo, privo dei genitori periti nel terremoto, abbandonato ad un certo e triste destino, nasce in loro due un profondo desiderio di protezione, nasce un desiderio materno e paterno, decidono di prende quel piccolo bimbo con loro pur sapendo che stanno rischiando moltissimo…(!) , quello che vogliono fare è una cosa assolutamente impensabile in quel periodo storico, loro sono una coppia omosessuale, quello che stanno per fare è assolutamente proibito..(!) ma oramai c’è Francesco nella loro vita, divenendo così, di fatto, la prima famiglia omogenitoriale (con termine più generico, famiglia arcobaleno) nella storia mondiale: da qui la necessità di tenere assolutamente nascosta tutta la vicenda, sia dal punto di vista artistico, rappresentata dai murales (per più di 100 anni, la “dinning room” verrà tenuta nascosta), sia di quanto accade nella vita reale, col piccolo Francesco accudito amorevolmente, ma con grandissimo rischio. Ho inserito allegoricamente, nel racconto fotografico, alcune fotografie degli artisti della compagnia “Casa del Musical”, giunti a Taormina per esibirsi durante il periodo natalizio: oggi come ieri, Taormina è sempre stata (a partire dagli ultimi 20 anni dell’800) al centro di un crocevia di artisti e grandi personalità, Casa Cuseni anche in questo ha un enorme palmares di ospiti illustri, troppo lungo da enunciare. I giovani ragazzi dipinti sui murales di Casa Cuseni, vestono di bianco, questo è segno di purezza, si è voluto in tal modo rappresentare il loro mondo ideale omosessuale, in lotta contro la figura vestita di nero, bassa di statura, inquietante, che acquista un valore negativo, figura allegorica della società inglese dell’epoca, indicante la morale Vittoriana che non ha esitato a condannare Oscar Wilde, privandolo di tutti i suoi beni e diritti, impedendogli persino di dare il cognome ai suoi figli. I ragazzi sono ispirati ai giovani modelli siciliani fotografati da Wilhelm von Gloeden, vestiti con tuniche bianche, col capo cinto dei fiori locali. L’unica figura femminile presente, ha dato spunto a varie interpretazioni, una potrebbe essere il distacco da parte di Kitson dalla sua madre patria, oppure il distacco da sua madre. Sulla terza parete si assiste alla nascita della famiglia omogenitoriale, entrambi (allegoricamente Carlo e Kitson col bimbo in braccio) sono di profilo, sono in cammino, l’uomo più giovane ha una veste lunga, alla greca, posto sul davanti, accanto a lui, alle sue spalle, il compagno più robusto sostiene in braccio e protegge con dolcezza il piccolo bimbo, quasi a voler risparmiare al compagno la fatica di un lungo ed incerto percorso, vi è nella rappresentazione della famiglia l’idea di un lungo percorso, infatti l’uomo che regge il bimbo indossa delle calzature pesanti, i loro volti sono carichi di apprensione e preoccupazione: davanti a loro una parete vuota, così volutamente lasciata da Frank Brangwin, poiché il loro futuro è ignoto, davanti hanno un destino pieno di incognite (al tempo stesso, il loro cammino indica l’est, vanno verso il sole nascente: aprendo la grande finestra il sole inonda ogni cosa nella stanza).
Nella “stanza segreta” c’è il quadro dipinto nel 1912 da Alfred E. East, un olio su tela, rappresentante il lago Bourget.
Carlo Siligato, successivamente si sposò con Costanza, una sorella della nonna di mio padre, da lei ebbe un figlio, Nino, il quale per tantissimi anni ha vissuto e lavorato come commerciante nella bottega d’arte del padre. Ringrazio di cuore il mio collega dott. Francesco Spadaro, medico e stimato chirurgo, proprietario e direttore della Casa-Giardino-Museo “Casa Cuseni”, il quale, facendomi affettuosamente da cicerone, mi ha dato la preziosa opportunità di realizzare “questo tour fotografico” all’interno dell’abitazione-museo e nel “giardino-metafisico” di Casa Cuseni.
…E lo scoop che ho annunciato nel titolo..? Dopo aver fotografato la tomba di Carlo Siligato, nel cimitero cattolico di Taormina, mi sono messo alla ricerca di quella di Robert Kitson, nel cimitero acattolico di Taormina: quando finalmente l’ho trovata (insieme a lui giace sua nipote Daphne Phelps, seppellita successivamente nel 2005)…ho provato una fortissima commozione, innanzitutto mi aspettavo un mausoleo, invece ho trovato una tomba piccola, molto modesta, su questa non una sua foto, non un epitaffio, non una Croce, non un Angelo pregante ad indicarla, ma … inaspettatamente per una lapide funeraria…un piccolo bassorilievo scolpito su marmo (o su pietra) raffigurante…la Natalità…(!), evidentemente, l’averla scelta potrebbe avere un significato ben preciso: un desiderio di trasmettere un messaggio, qualcosa di molto profondo di lui, la sua tomba testimoniava così che nel suo animo, ciò che in vita fu davvero importante fu l’aver avuto una famiglia, con Carlo e col piccolo Francesco, certamente amatissimo, salvato da un molto probabile triste destino, nel terribile terremoto-maremoto di Messina del 28 dicembre del 1908…quasi rievocando in una sintesi assoluta, al termine della sua vita, ciò che era già stato raccontato nei “murales segreti” di Casa Cuseni.
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In a future post apocalyptic world not very far from now, justice has a new name The Druidess Of Midian!
A bit of fun shoot at Coalhouse Fort, Tilbury, Essex, with C-Imagery.
Model: The Druidess Of Midian
Photography © C-Imagery
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We're expecting a bit of weather. Predictions are for between 15-20 cm before morning. Maybe. I'll not hold my breath.
Here in the city, we rarely get the severe weather that is predicted. But just a few km outside and it could be havoc.
I'd gone for lunch with an old friend and as we finished the snow started. I thought it very pretty and took my time before getting on the streetcar home.