“Casa Terracota” Colombia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klcvmpdliR4

Whoever passes by Casa Terracota inevitably feels attracted and intrigued by the unconventional of its shapes, colors and textures, as well as its volume and its built areas. With the work in front, questions begin to emerge in the head: what is this place? What does it perform? Who does it belong to? What will it feel like to be inside or even live there?

 

Apart from being the largest ceramic in the world,  Casa Terracota is a space located in Villa de Leyva (Boyacá, Colombia) where architecture and design merge, as well as other arts and crafts; since, from its origin and concept, the Colombian architect Octavio Mendoza Morales seeks to promote an alternative and harmonious lifestyle for both the individual and the community, as well as for the surrounding environment.

Tell us, architect, in your words, what is Casa Terracota ?

Let’s see, basically, Terracotta Houseit is the symbol of my proposal: a construction project that-relying on the four elements (earth, air, water and fire) -converts the land into habitable architecture, while producing functional objects that participate in the cooking process as they transform in useful pieces for the daily life of space residents. Once the construction and burning steps have been completed, these elements are used as part of the finishes or are offered as products suitable for sale or barter, thus allowing owners to recover an important part of the investment made in the project. This makes the system a self-sustaining construction option, since it not only meets the housing needs of its inhabitants,

In addition to the above, Casa Terracota is a space dedicated to architectural and artistic experimentation where, relying on these same four elements, alternative proposals for use and decoration of the spaces that make it up are generated, always having as a pillar the Be kind to the environment.

 

That is why Casa Terracota collects and promotes the practice of different arts and crafts as languages ​​and life paths of all human beings; for this, it has also become the venue for workshops and / or private visits through which it shares its knowledge with all those interested in the subject.

the source : www.casaterracota.com

 

The Casa Terracota: the largest ceramic in the world

It was the month of July 1999, when on a night of incessant rain that lashed the Boyacá town at Villa de Leyva, the architect Octavio Mendoza Morales, who is also an artist of clay sculpture, wondered why not mix architecture with art. Thus the most ingenious and daring idea of his life was born: baking a house using the same methods of potters to produce tableware, using earth to convert it into habitable architecture, the Casa Terracota.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYqJE172tHI

Located in the outskirts of the municipality of Villa de Leyva, Boyacá, Colombia, it is as big as a five-story building, its extension is 500 square meters and imposes itself in the middle of luxurious country houses and the green mountains that lead to the natural sanctuary of Iguaque. Its creator, who brought from a nearby place the first loads of clay, and as if it were a vase or any craft of clay, began to mold it from the bottom up, from the bases to the ceiling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgqW7EN6qdU

Completed its main structure in October 2012, the Casa Terracota shows a philosophy of life, according to its creator: “The Casa Terracotta is the symbol of my proposal: a construction project that, relying on the four elements (earth, air, water and fire), converts the land into habitable architecture, while producing functional objects that participate in the baking process while they are transformed into useful pieces for the everyday lives of local residents. Once the construction and burning steps have been completed, these elements are used as part of the finishes or are offered as products suitable for sale or barter, thus allowing owners to recover an important part of the investment made in the project. This makes the system a self-sustaining construction option.”

In addition to being the largest ceramic in the world, the Casa Terracota is a space where architecture and design merge, as well as other arts and crafts, since, from its origin and concept, the Colombian architect Octavio Mendoza Morales seeks to promote an alternative and harmonious lifestyle both for the individual and the community, and for the surrounding environment.

the source : www.radioenciclopedia.cu

(Radio Enciclopedia station was created on November 7th, 1962 and ever since it has been among the most popular stations of the nation. It is significant its contribution to both the Cuban culture and the battle of ideas that has long been waged by our people on a daily basis. )

The Radio Enciclopedia station has also been a significant help given the cultural, scientific and spiritual knowledge it has spread.

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Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain Museum

Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain in Kyrgyzstan

Sulaiman-Too Sacred Mountain Kyrgyzstan dominates the Fergana Valley and forms the backdrop to the city of Osh, at the crossroads of important routes on the Central Asian Silk Roads. For more than one and a half millennia, Sulaiman was a beacon for travellers revered as a sacred mountain. Its five peaks and slopes contain numerous ancient places of worship and caves with petroglyphs as well as two largely reconstructed 16th century mosques. One hundred and one sites with petroglyphs representing humans and animals as well as geometrical forms have been indexed in the property so far. The site numbers 17 places of worship, which are still in use, and many that are not. Dispersed around the mountain peaks they are connected by footpaths. The cult sites are believed to provide cures for barrenness, headaches, and back pain and give the blessing of longevity. Veneration for the mountain blends pre-Islamic and Islamic beliefs. The site is believed to represent the most complete example of a sacred mountain anywhere in Central Asia, worshipped over several millennia. (The source www.whc.unesco.org

 

 “Sulaiman-Too” national history archeology museum complex is one of the biggest museums in Kyrgyzstan. Historical and cultural memorials are kept in museum as Kyrgyz national pride.

            Museum was renamed several times in its developing history.

 In 1949-1978 Osh regional museum of Local Lore.

In 1978-1982 Osh regional museum of Culture and History.

In 1982-2004 Osh united Historical Cultural Museum Reserve.

Since April, 1 0. 2004 “Sulaiman-Too” National History Archeology Museum complex.

            There are more than 33 thousand exhibits in museum fund. They are 6694 archeological, 3702 ethnographical, 19852 documents and photos, 1196 fine applied art things, paintings, sculptures, drawings and others.

            New special typo of museum building was opened in 2000 year to 3000 year anniversary of Osh city. Its exhibition consists of 2 parts with total area 1100m2.

            Museum’s considered regional that’s why its expositions devoted to nature and history of the Southern Kyrgyzstan.

            Nature of the Southern Kyrgyzstan is showed by fauna, flora, beautiful places, peculiarity of geographical location, relief and climate.

            History part exposition begins from the longest stone epoch till the history of the South Kyrgyzstan today.

            Ancient times and today are showed through the finds characterizing Chust archeological culture, Osh settlement, nomadic agriculture, cattle-breeding, craftsmen tribes and by the materials on rising culture of Fergana Valley population and agriculture.

            The history of ethnic native Kyrgyz began from the 201year B.C, when athenaeum Kyrgyz first time appeared in Chinese chronicles.

Rock pictures and writing in Orhon-Enesai and Saimaly-Tash give information about that ancient Kyrgyz had their own writing, culture, science, and were the leading tribes among other Turk tribes.

The great Silk Way went through ancient Osh.

In medieval Arabic and Persian chronicles ancient Osh was described as one of the mostly developed cities surrounded by well –fortified walls.  It was the third by size in Fergana valley with handicraft and trade centre.

            Uzgen was the capital of the west part of Karakhanid Kaganat in the XI century. With the rise of political role of Uzgen, its economy and culture highly developed.

            In the centre of exposition there is a model of Sulaiman-too and zodiac signs. They show philosophy thinking, world perception, and astrological conception of Kyrgyz people.

            Besides there are materials concerning a statesman, general, great poet and historian-Z.M.Babur.

                The Kyrgyz people during much age history took part in lots of battles for their freedom. Sometimes they lost, sometimes they won and continued their history. In 1994 scientists at conference marked that the last stage of Kyrgyz ethnos in Central Tian-Shan was in the XV-XVI centuries. “Consolidation” , Islamic religion, epos “Manas” played a great role in Kyrgyz ethnic gathering.

                At the and of the XIX century and beginning of the XX th  century every day life of Kyrgyz people made them use nature resources  and lead nomadic life.

 

 

three lakes mountain

                Houses, manufacture materials, applied art, jewelries, works of wood masters, embroidering, hand –made carpets, needlework, beautiful national clothes raise great interest among visitors.

                The roots of Kyrgyz national music go back to ancient times. Musical art was performed with different musical instruments.

                From the end of the XVIII th century the Southern Kyrgyz, Uzbek and other Fergana Valley inhabitants were in a body of Kokond State.

                From the first half of the XIX th century Kokon state was one of the biggest states in Central Asia by territory and population. Epoch-making personalities as Alymkul  Atalyk, Abdurahman Aptabachy, Alymbek Datka  and Kurmanjan Datka worked for the welfare of poor common people and native land.

                There are documents, photos, collections, manufactured products describing the history of the Southern Kyrgyzstan from Soviet period till our days. And there are also gifts of foreign states given at Osh 3000 year celebration. (The source www.sulaimanto.org/en/ )

Tiger Nest Bhutan

A Splendid Isolation Quotes (showing 1-3 of 3)

“The greatest religion gives suffering to nobody,” reads a weather-beaten sign, quoting the Buddha, at Chele La pass, the highest motorable point in the country, near Paro. This maxim is everywhere evident. As a Bhutanese friend and I walked in the mountains one afternoon, he reflexively removed insects from the path and gently placed them in the verge, out of harm’s way. Early one morning in Thimphu, I saw a group of young schoolboys, in their spotless white-sleeved ghos, crouching over a mouse on the street, gently offering it food. In Bhutan, the horses that trudge up the steep trail to the Tiger’s Nest monastery are reserved for out-of-shape tourists; Bhutanese don’t consider horses beasts of burden and prefer not to make them suffer under heavy loads. Even harvesting honey is considered a sign of disrespect for the industrious bees; my young guide, Kezang, admonished me for buying a bottle of Bhutanese honey to take home. (Chastened, I left it there.) In”
― Madeline Drexler, A Splendid Isolation: Lessons on Happiness from the Kingdom of Bhutan

 

Bhutan

Nestled in the Eastern Himalayas between China and India, the small Buddhist Kingdom of Bhutan opened itself to the outside world only in 1960s. Hithertho, it had been largely mysterious even to its neighbours but abandoning its self-imposed policy of isolation had it grappling to find a precarious balance between modernization and the preservation of its culture and traditions.However, it does seem that Bhutan has found the perfect balance between the two and now though it is making tremendous developments in all sectors, it also manages to hold onto its unique identity that makes it unlike any other country in the world with a population of just over 0.7 million.

Paro Taktsang is a prominent Himalayan Buddhist sacred site and the temple complex is located in the cliffside of the upper Paro valley in Bhutan.

www.littlebhutan.com

Taktsang Palphug Monastery more famous as Paro Taktsang is a Buddhist temple complex which clings to a cliff, 3120 meters above the sea level on the side of the upper Paro valley, Bhutan.

Mountainous Paro valley is the heart of Bhutan; here the only international airport of the country is located.

The Taktsang Palphug Monastery is one of the most famous touristic destinations of the country and the cultural icon of Bhutan.

the source : www.parotaktsang.org

Guru Padmasambhava, popularly known as Guru Rinpoche visited and sanctified Bhutan in the 8^th century when evil spirits abounded and harmed people.

Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche flew to this site on a tigress’ back to subdue a local demon. Thereafter, he meditated here for three months.

Taktshang Goemba or Tiger’s Nest Monastery was blessed and sanctified as one of Bhutan’s most sacred religious sites. It hangs on a cliff and stands above a beautiful forest of blue pine and rhododendrons.

the source : /www.tigersnestbhutan.com/

Interesting Facts about Tiger’s Nest in Bhutan/ By Rebekah Bresee

1. The monastery is made up of four temples and a collection of residential shelters that are uniquely designed to rest on the mountain side. Wooden bridges and stairs carved into the mountain connect the buildings, and each building has a balcony with a beautiful view of the Paro Valley below.

2. Tiger’s Nest lies 3,000 feet above the valley and 10,000 feet above sea level, making the path up to the monastery very steep.

3. There are several paths leading to the temple. The most popular path takes you through a pine forest and past the colorful prayer banners that protect the temple from evil spirits. Another path can be found in the north passing through a plateau called “A Hundred Thousand Fairies.” There are also paths for mule and pony treks; however these do not go all the way to the top.

4. Prayer flags act as a guide toward the monastery, truly immersing you into the religious and spiritual essence of the mountain. You will also see prayer wheels and chortens (meditations places) along the path, giving you an excuse to rest and take picture.

5. The prayer wheel in the courtyard of the main shrine is rotated every morning by the monks. Doing so marks the beginning of a new day.

6. The original structure actually burned down in 1998. The Tiger’s Nest seen today is the result of a 135 million ngultrum (about $2 million US) restoration and rebuilding project that finished in 2004. Despite being built in the 21st century, the monastery’s architecture and design resembles that of 8th century temples.

7. Tiger’s Nest is notable enough to earn a visit from royalty. In 2015, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton made the trek to the monastery while visiting Bhutan.

More Some Interesting Facts About The Tiger’s Nest (Palphug Taktsang Monastery) by www.tnlbhutan.com

6. In the year 1692, there was a foundation laid in front of the cave and soon after was built a beautiful structure (monastery) in seemingly impossible location.

7. The first temple was built by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye, who was believed to be the reincarnation of Guru Padmasambhava and the erstwhile leader of Bhutan kingdom.

8. The monastery comprises of four temples and a couple of residential shelters that are uniquely designed to rest on the pretty mountain-side. Besides, the wooden bridges and stairs carved into the mountain and connecting the buildings, each structure owns a balcony which exudes a delightful view of the Paro Valley below.

9. Amongst the various paths that lead to the monastery, one most popular is the path through the pine forests and past the colorful prayer flags that are lined throughout so as to guard the temple from evil spirits.

10. Another path is towards the north passing through a plateau called “A Hundred Thousand Fairies”. However, there are also other paths for mule and pony treks but these do not go all the way to the temple top.

11. On your way up to the monastery, you’ll come across a number of prayer flags, wheels, and chortens accompanying your trek. You may pause for a while and get your soul relished with the spiritual essence and magical ambiance of the sacred mountains.

12. A huge prayer wheel is located in the courtyard of the main shrine. It is rotated every morning by monks marking the beginning of a new day.

13. Actually, the original structure of the temple was burned down in the year 1998. The temple was hard to access and the emergency assistance was near to impossible. Later, the monastery was reconstructed in order to guard the nation’s century-old Buddhist symbol.

14. The Tiger’s Nest that all of us can see today is a result of 135 million Ngultrum (about $2 million US) restoration and rebuilding project which ended in 2004. But despite the reconstruction, the monastery’s architecture and design still resemble that of the 8th-century temples.

15. In the year 2015, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton made a trek to the Tiger’s Nest while visiting the Land of Thunder Dragons- Bhutan.

16. There are eight caves which surround and reside in the monastery but the two worth visiting are “Tholu Phuk” and “Pel Phuk”. Apparently, these are the caves in which Guru Rimpoche visited and meditated in.

17. During the months of March or April, the Tshechu festival is greatly celebrated in the Paro Valley in the honor of Guru Rimpoche. If you want to actually experience the ancient Buddhist traditions, then you must visit the monastery during this four-day festival. Also, the valley is more likely to be busy and crowded at this time.

 

 

Benjamin Chee Chee /art

Benjamin Chee Chee, artist (born Kenneth Thomas Benjamin 26 March 1944 in Temagami, ON; died 14 March 1977 in Ottawa, ON).

 

 

 

Tulle in Tennis Court

ww.allure.com/gallery/tennis-fashion-history

 

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/gallery/2011/jun/20/wimbledon-fashion-history-in-pictures

1926 French tennis player, Suzanne Lenglen

From time to time, tennis clothes changed, and will be going on to change…

Serena Williams,  is an all-time great women’s tennis player.

/serena-jameka-williams

 

 

 

TENNIS superstar Serena Williams was dealt a blow after she was banned from wearing a skin-tight “catsuit” at the French Open.

Why is Serena Williams’ catsuit banned at the French Open?

In August 2018 the French Tennis Federation president Bernard Giudicelli said the tournament that the French Open is introducing a dress code to regulate players’ uniforms.

He said that he thought the outfits worn by players sometimes go “too far.”

In an interview in Tennis Magazine’s 500th edition, Giudicelli singled out the figure-hugging black suit that Williams wore this year at Roland Garros.

She said made her feel like a superhero.

Giudicelli said: “It will no longer be accepted. One must respect the game and the place.”

 

www.thesun.co.uk/sport

 

“Cacık”

Cacık, is very refreshing on hot summer days. Can be used as an appetizer or as a dip. And we love it so much.  Maybe some of you already tasted and know this, but for who never tasted, I try to share for them here,

It is very easy to make cacık. All you need is, “plain yogurt, water, salt, garlic, cucumbers and fresh dills or dried mint…

For two cups yogurt, you should use one cup water…. (cold water)

garlic as your wish, I add a little one (grated)

and three big cucumbers

First you grate cucumbers in a deep bowl (or a big jug),

then add yogurt , water and salt and garlic then beat them with hand or with mixer … and leave it in refrigerator…

You can serve with your meal, in a small bowl with dills or dried mint….

Believe me, it is so delicious…

Good appetite!

 

“La Doublej” RESORT 2019 COLLECTION

www.zsazsabellagio.blogspot.com