• home
  • articles
  • editorial
idea mater

Underwater Pyramid Discovered in Azores

9/25/2013

1 Comment

 
PictureBathymetric image of pyramid. Source: RTP
A large pyramid has been discovered underwater between the islands of Terceira and São Miguel, which are part of the archipelago of the Azores. At an approximate height of 60 meters, the structure boasts an area of 8000 square meters. The finding of a pyramid in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean could reignite the debate around the existence of Atlantis, since there have been numerous postulations that the Azores could be the possible location of the mythical island.



Read More
1 Comment

Ravel and Albert Barnes: accidents, art and corruption

1/30/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Two car accident in Paris
On September 8, 1932, a taxi crashes in the busy Parisian streets and one of its occupants violently hits his head. Apparently recovered at first, his communication and expression abilities quickly deteriorated, to the point that five years later his doctors thought he had developed a brain tumour and decided to perform brain surgery. The intervention revealed a collapsed left brain hemisphere, promptly filled up with serum. Nevertheless, entering deep coma, the patient would die nine days later, aged 62. Mankind had just lost one of its most emblematic creators: Maurice Ravel, renowned French composer, major figure of 20th century music.


Read More
0 Comments

A man with a story: Varthema's trip

1/16/2013

1 Comment

 
When we came to Alexandria, a city of Egypt, I, longing for novelty (as a thirsty man longs for fresh water) departed from these places as being well known to all, and, entering the Nile, arrived at Cairo. 
In The Travels of Ludovico de Varthema, 1863. Translated by John Winter Jones.  Ed. Hakluyt Society, London. p.5 
After my previous post where I tried to clarify some basic issues related to Ludovico de Varthema and his book, Itinerario de Ludovico de Varthema, it's time to actually ding into what matters: who was this man and why is his book so interesting. Varthema's basic life and travel facts are easily retrieved. But what else can we collect from his writings?

Read More
1 Comment

Travels, books and bad journalism

1/10/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
Some months ago my attention was drawn to a post in the BBC News:  for the first time would be exhibited in New Delhi a rare book from a 16th-century Italian traveller, Ludovico di Varthema, who compiled adventures and observations in his Itinerario de Ludovico de Varthema Bolognese. According to the BBC post, this was the "first 'travel best-seller' on India, translated to more than 50 languages", enriched with "detailed drawings" which were an essential part of its success.


Read More
0 Comments

Children, big ladies and a Virgin in the Red Light

1/7/2013

3 Comments

 
Picture
Besides water, tulips or cheese related subjects, Dutch are known for being culturally tolerant, liberal and wise managers of urban space. If the first two don't necessarily apply to the country as a whole (no more housing permit for you next year, pal!), they certainly fit Amsterdam and its inhabitants - hitherto generalising, and, as a friend wisely said "In general I don't like generalisations!".

Cosmopolitan and crowded (for Dutch standards), Amsterdam uniquely blends the advantages of a little village and a modern city. Nevertheless, it's intrinsic housing problems raise a lot of issues - namely if you have children. Most Dutch cultivate their families' independence from family, which, added the fact that relatives usually live far away - more than 20 minutes biking -, leaving your kids with granny is out of the question. So, a kinderdagverblijf is mandatory: literally a child-day-stay.


Read More
3 Comments

The Green man welcoming at the Jerónimos

1/4/2013

1 Comment

 
Picture
Gothic architecture and alchemy are two topics I'll definitely talk about in my upcoming posts - taking, of course, Fulcanelli's books as starting point. 
So, nothing better than introducing the subject with a glimpse of the marvellous Green Man that welcomes us in one of the Jerónimos Monastery's pillars, in Lisbon. As a representative of nature's vegetative powers, the Green Man, a manly facial representation made of leaves and vegetal elements, deserves a special place in many cultures.


Read More
1 Comment
    Picture
    idea mater is a series of articles, ideas and reflections written and compiled by Rafael Fraga and Edmundo Rodrigues. Topics such as history, science, art or life-style are presented with a hint of personal opinion.

    Hot posts:
    I do not drink. So what?
    Ravel and Barnes: art and corruption
    Andon cord of life + 2 football stories
    Power of time: Lapse photography
    Travels, books and bad journalism
    Camera assassin: the smartphone
    Ladies and a virgin in the Red Light
    Subscribe idea mater HERE and get regular notifications

    RSS Feed


    Archives

    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    September 2013
    May 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013

    Categories

    All
    2014
    Alchemy
    Amsterdam
    Architecture
    Artifacts
    Australia Road Trip
    Books
    Cell
    City Life
    Earth
    History
    Nasa
    Opinion
    Phone
    Photography
    Portugal
    Revolution
    Science
    Symbols
    Technology
    Travels

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.