A la commode
In the most recent episode of ‘Cocktails with a Curator’, Xavier Salomon from The Frick Collection sips a Kir Royale from a champagne coupe and reflects on furniture made by …
14 July
July 14 is celebrated in France as Fête nationale and remembers the ‘Storming of the Bastille’ on this day in 1789. The taking of this medieval armoury, fortress and political …
The Fourth of July
The Fourth of July, or Independence Day, in the United States of America commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. This document declared that thirteen American colonies …
Victoria(n) artist
June 28, 1838 was the day Queen Victoria was crowned at Westminster Abbey. A number of people have described the event which, according to the historian, Roy Strong, was the …
Choreomania
When crises are over, people often feel the need to dance. In the closing scenes of the recent satirical antiwar movie, ‘Jojo Rabbit’, Jojo and Elsa dance to celebrate the …
Here’s looking at you …
From the feedback I have received, ‘Cocktails with a Curator’ from The Frick has proved to be a highlight of the week. While I suspect the reason is the very …
‘The Graftons’
In the introduction to ‘Soap Box’, Hilary Kingsley’s guide to soap operas, Kingsley describes the essence of this type of entertainment as: ‘ it must be a continuing story with …
‘Taking a knee’
What does it mean to kneel? What beliefs or emotions does kneeling communicate to others? The action ‘taking a knee’ has become increasingly common and is now seen around the …
Observing the world from afar
While I am watching the ‘world from afar’ I am reminded of gargoyles – those carved architectural fantastical forms that perch on the roofs of old buildings to prevent the …
‘the vilest man I have ever known’
Yesterday there was considerable attention given around Australia to the ongoing plight of the Indigenous population. The choice of the date (6 June) was perhaps unintended for its significance, but …