Marlon Brando 1924 - 2004
(via The Guardian) Peter Bradshaw reviews Marlon Brando's passionate, most sensual, and most thrilling acting career + other viewpoints @ http://www.guardian.co.uk/greatinterviews/story/0,,2162223,00.html
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Why Have There Been No Great Women Comic-Book Artists?
Carly Berwick writes about the rightful place of women in the comic canon + Linda Nochlin's famous essay 'Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?' + other viewpoints @ http://artnews.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=1924
Treated Flux-Grown Synthetic Rubies
It has been reported that flux-grown synthetic rubies using the Kyropoulos Method have been treated by inducing rutile 'silk' similar to those found in the natural untreated rubies + it's a spin-off product. The treatment (s) is detectable by experienced gemologist (s) + 3 carat plus size stones are already in the international market and sold without disclosure.
(via Tairus) Kyropoulos Method
Chemically pure Al2O3 powder is used as raw material. A unique technique of raw material preparation allows sapphires to grow with Al2O3 purity, up to 99.997%. The whole growth process (25 kg sapphire crystal) takes 14 days and is controlled automatically. Raw material is loaded into the growing station, where optimum conditions are maintained. The essence of the improved Kyropoulos method is that sapphire crystal sprouts deep into the melt and during the process of crystallization. The crystals become cylindrical-shaped due to the formation of shrinkage cavity. The occurrence of shrinkage cavity is due to the difference in the densities of the liquid and solid sapphire ( 3 and 4 gm3 accordingly). Maintenance of the required diameter of crystals is carried out by automatic displacement of the seed crystal (without rotation). During the process the crucible is fixed. The pace of the draw of the crystal is lower than the pace of crystallization. As a result, only a small layer adjoining the growing surface, not the whole crystal, is in the melt. Thermal gradient, which provides the growth of crystal is maintained by the furnace construction that gives wedge-shape form to the crystallization front. The melt in crucible is achieved through resistive heating. Decreasing capacity on a heater is carried out with the use of precision system for capacity adjustment. Coating of crystals occurs in the same zone of growth inside the crucible. Such method allows the crystals to grow with minimal mechanical stress.
(via Tairus) Kyropoulos Method
Chemically pure Al2O3 powder is used as raw material. A unique technique of raw material preparation allows sapphires to grow with Al2O3 purity, up to 99.997%. The whole growth process (25 kg sapphire crystal) takes 14 days and is controlled automatically. Raw material is loaded into the growing station, where optimum conditions are maintained. The essence of the improved Kyropoulos method is that sapphire crystal sprouts deep into the melt and during the process of crystallization. The crystals become cylindrical-shaped due to the formation of shrinkage cavity. The occurrence of shrinkage cavity is due to the difference in the densities of the liquid and solid sapphire ( 3 and 4 gm3 accordingly). Maintenance of the required diameter of crystals is carried out by automatic displacement of the seed crystal (without rotation). During the process the crucible is fixed. The pace of the draw of the crystal is lower than the pace of crystallization. As a result, only a small layer adjoining the growing surface, not the whole crystal, is in the melt. Thermal gradient, which provides the growth of crystal is maintained by the furnace construction that gives wedge-shape form to the crystallization front. The melt in crucible is achieved through resistive heating. Decreasing capacity on a heater is carried out with the use of precision system for capacity adjustment. Coating of crystals occurs in the same zone of growth inside the crucible. Such method allows the crystals to grow with minimal mechanical stress.
Philip Roth
My God! The English language is a form of communication; conversation isn't just crossfire where you shoot and get shot at; where you've got to duck for your life and aim to kill; words aren't only bombs and bullets / no, they're little gifts, containing meanings.
I liked this one.
I liked this one.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Al Pacino
I am a Al Pacino fan. He has played in some of the greatest movies of our lifetime. Here is an excerpt of an interview by Ken Burns @ http://www.usaweekend.com/03_issues/030126/030126pacino.html
Eastward Ho
The Economist writes about Russian art collected by two great exiled Russian musicians, Mstislav “Slava” Rostropovich and Galina Vishnevskaya + the trend of rising prices at auction sales when Russian Oligarchs and their acolytes are likely to be the dominant buyers + other viewpoints @ http://www.economist.com/daily/columns/artview/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9821091
(via BBC) Billionaire buys entire auction
Alisher Usmanov, the Russian billionaire pays £20m, for an art collection owned by late cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, days before it was due to be auctioned.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6999330.stm
(via BBC) Billionaire buys entire auction
Alisher Usmanov, the Russian billionaire pays £20m, for an art collection owned by late cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, days before it was due to be auctioned.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6999330.stm
Artful Traveler
Robin Cembalest writes about the mystery of Pariti + researchers findings + other viewpoints @ http://artnews.com/issues/article.asp?art_id=1940
Argyle Pink Diamond Tender
It has been reported that the 23rd annual Rio Tinto Diamonds Argyle Pink Diamond Tender will be held in New York from Oct. 1 – 12, 2007, followed by two other sales in Perth (recently completed) and in Hong Kong (Sept. 18 – 28, 2007). The event will feature 65 of the world's rarest pink diamonds from the Argyle mine in Australia--the reliable source of pink diamonds. The colors range from vivid purplish reds, deep pinks, and grey violets of different intensity.
The rarity factor does play a role in Argyle Signature Stone's popularity. From its annual production (30 million +/- carats of rough) only about 8000-10000 carats of polished pink diamonds are produced. The experts select the best (65 carats) that are suitable for the Pink Diamond Tender. It is believed that the mine will run out by 2018. Here lies the investment option + rarity factor. The attendance is restricted to approximately 100 or so key clients from around the world who will have the opportunity to view diamonds in secret locations in Hong Kong, New York or Perth. There will be high security + the exact locations will be revealed to bidders only in the last minute. It will be very difficult to know the exact values of the pink diamonds due to confidentiality + other factors. But it's intriguing and this adds extra luster to Pink Diamond Tender.
The rarity factor does play a role in Argyle Signature Stone's popularity. From its annual production (30 million +/- carats of rough) only about 8000-10000 carats of polished pink diamonds are produced. The experts select the best (65 carats) that are suitable for the Pink Diamond Tender. It is believed that the mine will run out by 2018. Here lies the investment option + rarity factor. The attendance is restricted to approximately 100 or so key clients from around the world who will have the opportunity to view diamonds in secret locations in Hong Kong, New York or Perth. There will be high security + the exact locations will be revealed to bidders only in the last minute. It will be very difficult to know the exact values of the pink diamonds due to confidentiality + other factors. But it's intriguing and this adds extra luster to Pink Diamond Tender.
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