Blog — Page 166 of 283

Quantum Art and Uncertainty

Paul Thomas

Intellect Press

Art and science.

A quest for answers.

Creativity.

There are a range of similar approaches and synergies that apply to all of the aforementioned.

Quantum Art and Uncertainty explores what could be described as inbetween-ness and hard to define middle ground meandering between hammering on the gates of nothingness and the often soulless forward motion that propels our fast-paced life and has accelerated to a devil’s pace over recent years, i.e. it challenges binary thinking and advocates to rethink the way what we perceive to be our natural positioning.

Life is seen as nothing but a flickering light with art being the suspension mechanism and a tool to assess what we are and serve as an anchor.

Each chapter of Quantum Art and Uncertainty deals with one "property, dimension or aspect of quantum phenomena" and the impact of inconstancy, illustrating it using both physics and art and exemplifying the oeuvre or artists or genres like e.g. surrealism with scientific principles and the parallels that are drawn are fascinating if often unintended.

The book points to directions in which a rather new art stream that has evolved over time might weave its uncertain way and examines the performative aspect between the act and the emissions that come with it.

In essence, it elaborates what Brian Green must have had in mind when he stated that exploring the unknown requires tolerating uncertainty, the very condition to impel man to unfold his powers, with art being the lantern in the dark.

Sounds all too heady?

It is but on the same token it is never not relevant to your day-to-day operations as at the end of the day life is nothing but particles and an enormous wave coexisting at all times that comprises the oneness of the universe.

High Adventures in the Great Outdoors

Accessories and Traveling

Traveling internationally and the daily humdrum that comes with it, especially when it comes to packing and organising one’s essentials can be a chore. I like traveling light yet need sturdy gear to rely on, so the more valuable electronics do not get battered in transit.

After a lot of trial of error with gear – some gear looked fantastic but was not functional and did a less than mediocre job – I came across the fine folks at Ridge following a  recommendation from the ever industrious Jamey Jasta, one that roams the world and aims to streamline what he lugs around.

A first transition I did was using their front pocket wallet for personable valuables.

Again, been trying lots of different models throughout ever since I was lucky enough to have money on me, most of which filled up quickly resulting in an overstuffed lump comprised of spare change, receipts, rubbers, etc cetera, that materialized in the back of my pants interfering with my ability to sit straight, let alone fashion faux-pas like baggy pants and the wallet chain thang of the 90ies.

Given that most transactions these days can be conducted without any cash, Ridge Wallet’s capacity of holding up to fifteen cards along with the feature of RFID Blocking (hashtag “Wireless Identify theft”) are ideal. The wallet comes with the feature of either a money clip or a cash strap, so you Americans can still cling a wad of strip club currency to it if need be. Fans of coinage beware – you are out of luck.

The Ridge wallet does not look like a wallet, which at least for me is part of the appeal. You slide your cards by pushing an indentation, which slightly exposes the cards already in the wallet.

This makes it easier to insert the additional card into the top tapered groove.

Same goes for access e.g. middle cards which separate accordingly and spread out nicely with the push of a borderline non-existent button.

Now, after the wallet proved to do a fairly good job, I ventured further into Ridge territory and got myself one of their waterproof backpacks, which I mainly use for commuting.

The beauty of the thing is that it comes with a built-in USB charging port and a shockproof compartment for laptops, bottle holders, an RFID-blocking hidden pouch and looks great as well. Form follows function par excellence without any gimmicks.

Eventually, I also got one of their phone cases. Now, while the wallet and the backpack do not look bad, the phone cases are veritable things of beauty as they not only hold cards but come in oil waxed grain leather that develops a nice patina the longer you use it. As a matter of fact, the more battered it gets, the cooler it looks.

Now, let’s consider accessorizing.

Traveling a lot and need to dress smart casual every now and then but would not consider yourself the ineptest luminary when it comes to fashion?

Yeah, I hear you - there are tons of curated services out there that are pretty much useless when it comes to offering quality.

If you like easy access and do not only not mind but prefer for the curation to be done for you, an offering by the name of Menlo’s Club could be what you’ve been looking for.

The premise is straight forward: You fill in a questionnaire about your style preferences, sizing and other info that help them pick the gear for you and they will put together a monthly curated package drawing from the illustrious collections of menswear, athleisure wear), or New Republic by Mark McNairy (foot gear) products, with each month being different.

What I like about them is that they are flexible with their offerings as sizes can easily be exchanged, there is free shipping and membership can be cancelled any time.

Taking it a step further is another curated accessory service going under the name of Sprezzabox.

If you sign up for their monthly curated package you receive a box the contents of which are comprised of a neckwear item, i.e. tie, socks, pocket square, a tie clip or cuff links, a lifestyle item, e.g. something to assist with you imbibing habits and a grooming item. In essence, a departure from your Sid Vicious and Crass buttons to more gentlemanly accessories that assist in looking dapper and not the worst way to keep your look fresh and dynamic without having to overhaul your entire wardrobe.

Aight, going deeper – as in Steel Panther territory - Balls out!

Let’s delve into the neither regions of your corpse and not beat around the “bush” any longer, shan’t we? Punny, innit?

Not sure what your regimen is when it comes to the grooming of the private parts, e.g. if you are an aficionado of the 70s, but chances are you are using an off the shelf body wash containing an array of chemicals that merely masks instead of something that eradicates odours.

I tend to travel quite a bit through hot and humid territories and that’s where Ballwash ( https://ballwash.com/ ) comes in handy.

Sounds like a novelty thing? Well, it surely sounds like it but it ain’t – there is more to it than a mere marketing ploy.

In a nutshell, the objective of ridding funk off your junk is achieved by combining natural ingredients with activated charcoal, the benefits of which assist in eliminating your bodily excretions, rid your corpse of toxins and neutralize bacterial remnants and other nasties from the surface of your beloved skin.

Best thing is that the whole shebang comes in a neat “trifecta” box with the main product, i.e. Ballwash (nut, butt and body wash), a Nut Rub Solid Cologne and to round things out, and a “Sack Spray”, which delivers a refreshing pH balanced blast to the nuts that neutralizes odour while helping deodorize, sooth and moisture your most prized possessions.

Sick of the puns and allusions? I hear you.

Bottomline is that if you are looking for garbage free chemicals, devoid of sulphates and parabens, it sure is a nice alternative that does its job and has both an edge and a nice fragrance to it as well.

Read previous installments of High Adventures in the Great Outdoors here.

---

Lead photo from Ridge website, other photos by T

Thus Let Us Drink Mead - Stone Dog Meadery

Mead has quite an interesting history, harking back much further than what has manifested in Norse mythology to many thousand years before Christ and locations like China.

In essence, mead is a completely naturally made honey-based wine and depending on the specifics honey and added spices used, the flavours vary and are further affected by the respective flavour of the flowers that have been pollinated by the bees.

The artisanal Stone Dog Meadery has mastered the art of calibrating the combination of ingredients to produce meads that are exquisitely balanced. Mainly based on using single source honey – be it orange, scotch thistle or cactus - sourced from the groves in Victoria and South Australia.

Upon diluting the honey with H2O, yeast and other nutrients are added before the concoction is left at around twenty degrees Celsius to ferment before it is left to age. The final product clocks in between twelve and eighteen percent alcohol by volume.

I was first introduced to Stone Dog Meadery through my better half who waxed lyrical about their Odin’s Reserve Caramelised Mead: Dark caramel in colour, the semi-sweet mix of coffee, caramel, marshmallow and a hint of bitter citrus proves to be the ideal after dinner treat.

A personal favourite emission of Stone Dog Meadery has quickly become the Loud Mouth Braggart as it is a beautiful melange of a Belgian style beer and mead.

However, harbouring a weak spot for whiskey, their OMFG expression elicited exactly the sentiment the name foreshadowed: Aged in Overeem whiskey barrels (Lark’s sister distillery), this bochet is one that made me get annoyed by how long I kept smacking my lips after I have had it.

The aforementioned scotch thistle honey with a hint of blue gum results in Casual Profanity, which is so deliciously heavy on honey that it masks the alcohol dangerously well.

Given the passion and attention to detail Lavender and her better half Steve Kirby invest in their operations, it is not further wondrous that Stone Dog Meadery has become award and accolade decorated as the world stage takes notice of their products and demand grows exponentially.

The Hold My Mead and Watch This! Mead variant rest on a foundation of sweet macadamia honey mead and brings the heat as a whole Carolina Reaper chilli has been added to marinade in each bottle. While this might sound like a bit of a novelty, flavour-wise this is extremely well balanced.

French Anglo Relations was the last one I sampled, and it was yet another flavour explosion that is heavily informed by not only the orange blossom honey but the fact that it has been aged in wet JD barrel for a minimum of 6 months.

Merely learning about Stone Dog Meadery’s plans to channel their alchemy through using fine berries such as blueberries, black currents and raspberries along with the incorporation of banksia and buckwheat honey, plus the fact that I have yet to sample their IPAs elicits a Pavlovian reaction with my mouth instantly watering.

---

Photo by T

Pieter Bruegel: Drawing the World

Heralded as the Netherland’s draughtsman of the early seventeenth century, Pieter Bruegel’s flag is firmly planted in the pantheon of greats alongside Hieronymus Bosch and Albrecht Duerer, influences of which can be found resonating throughout Bruegel’s oeuvre.

The way Bruegel mused and drew on the societal conditions of the times he lived in is informed by his idiosyncratic inherent criticism that is based on deep reflection, an approach informed by morality and an astute sense for distinguishing the nuances of the follies of his countrymen and traditional archetypes, which are often depicted in an exaggerated and at times absurd manner.

Drawing the World documents Pieter Bruegel’s ability to seamlessly transition and give a voice to his own impressions into a painting – be it via his early landscape paintings as well as when he got more invested in the relationship between society and the individual which are often depicted in what has become his somewhat trademark allegorical style, a style that was often extended with how he worded the accompanying captions.

Hieronymus Bosch’s influence is omnipresent in Bruegel’s emissions, especially when it comes to fantasy hybrid creatures, symbolic animals and characters from the netherworld, to an extent where some of Bosch’s works are openly referenced and riffed on.

However, the main point of differentiation between Bosch and Bruegel is that with the latter, a comical dimension and crude humour was added to the mix for good measure. Bruegel thereby expertly navigated the chasm between enlightenment and entertainment and subtly questioned the dualism between the role of the artist and freedom of expression in the turbulent times he lived in.

Drawing the World is one beautiful homage in book form to an artist whose impact and humanistic aspiration was felt for centuries to come and one that left a legacy that still caries meaning to this day.

Water of Life – Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10-year-old

Bruichladdich at large and specifically its Octomore emissions enjoy a near cult-like following, which I do not find further wondrous. I have yet to encounter an evening that did not dramatically improve by pairing the smokiest whisky on this earthround and a hoppy IPA.

If you have ever remotely paid an iota of attention to what is being dealt with as part of the “Water of Life” series, you would concur that stating that I harbour a weak spot for everything peaty and smoky is an understatement par excellence.

Needless to say, that when I become aware that Bruichladdich luminary and ambassador Islay-born Chloe Wood would hold court down under, it almost instantly made my calendar.

Originally hailing from the south of Port Charlotte and having grown up alongside the evolution of Bruichladdich to the global player it has become through her family’s involvement in running the drying operations for the barley fueling their distillery operations, and all the barley grown on Islay for that matter, she eventually found an entry point to the realm of whisky by joining the “Laddishop” team and has never looked back since. In other words, she is Bruichladdich family and the distillery has gone to the extent of honouring having her onboard with a special bottling, i.e. The Laddie Valinch 28 Chloe Wood, which - as word around the campfire has it, makes a hell of an impressive dram.

Needless to say that having learned from renowned Master Alchemist Jim McEwan Chloe Wood is a charming and knowledgeable encyclopedia of not only all things Islay but whisky in general, as it has become part of her DNA, which enabled her to put the distillery’s flag firmly on Asian territory as she is currently based in Singapore to cater and nurture the ever expanding whisky-centric markets there.

Despite a hectic schedule of numerous events she had to MC as part of her current stint down under, she proved to be highly engaging, approachable and down to earth, Chloe managed to not only expertly answer any query from the hardcore aficionados attendance, including framing her repartee in amusing anecdotes and fun facts, but she also effortlessly manages to instil a sense of intrigue for Bruichladdich’s emissions with the uninitiated.

Proceeding were set off with a Gin and Tonic based on Bruichladdich’s Botanist Gin, a more recent experiment of the progressive Hebridean distillery and its emphasis on the trifecta of the alignment of terroir, people and provenance.

However, the star and centrepiece of the event was Bruichladdich’s first ever permanent introduction of a core-range aged-stated preservation, i.e. Port Charlotte 10-year-old. As with everything heavily peated, this is something I got mildly excited about.

Despite being heavily into Octomore, I have always found the Port Charlotte variants with their interesting cask profiles extremely enjoyable, so expectations were moderately high, and I was not let down.

The chunkier bottle in itself is a thing of beauty: Dark green-coloured reminiscent of military glass opposed to the previous clear variant resonates well aesthetically.

Peated to 40 part per million of peat particles and bottled at 50% ABV and matured in a mix of first- and second fill bourbon as well as French red wine casks without any further additives, this golden manna is soft on the nose as it has fruity notes that dance with subtle peat – the start of a journey that finds its extension with its creamy mouthfeel.

Taste-wise, I was pleasantly surprised not only by the absence of harshness but by the dominant citrus and vanilla notes against the smoky trademark backdrop, which culminates in an elongated finish with nuances of brine.

In layman’s terms: This is yet another winner from the house of Bruichladdich that will at least help a bit to deal with the sheer endless waiting time until new Octomore expressions finally find their way down under.

Read more Water of Life entries here.

---

Photos by T