Opus – Page 31 – Encyclopædia of the sublime

Pingelap

Pingelap is a small atoll located in the Pacific Ocean, part of the Federated States of Micronesia. It covers an area of approximately 1.8 square kilometers and has a population of around 250 people. The atoll is characterized by its lush vegetation, sandy beaches, and vibrant coral reefs, making it a popular destination for ecotourism and diving enthusiasts. One notable aspect of Pingelap's history is the prevalence of achromatopsia, a rare genetic condition that causes color blindness and extreme sensitivity to light. The condition is colloquially known as "Pingelapese blindness" due to its high frequency among the island's inhabitants. According to local legend, a devastating typhoon in the 18th century reduced the island's population to a few survivors, one of whom was a carrier of the gene responsible for achromatopsia. The resulting genetic bottleneck led to a high prevalence of the condition among the island's descendants.

Aurora

The Aurora was an American automobile prototype manufactured by Father Alfred A. Juliano, a Catholic priest, from 1957 to 1958. At a retail price of $12,000.00, it would have been priced just under the most costly car in the U.S., the $13,000.00 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham. The Aurora is mainly remembered for its appearance, however, and is often cited in lists of the ugliest cars ever, frequently as the single ugliest car.

Théâtrophone

Théâtrophone ("the theatre phone") was a telephonic distribution system available in portions of Europe that allowed the subscribers to listen to opera and theatre performances over the telephone lines. The théâtrophone evolved from a Clément Ader invention, which was first demonstrated in 1881, in Paris. Subsequently, in 1890, the invention was commercialized by Compagnie du Théâtrophone, which continued to operate until 1932.

I Modi

I Modi is a famous erotic book of the Italian Renaissance that had engravings of sexual scenes. The engravings were created in a collaboration between Giulio Romano and Marcantonio Raimondi. They were thought to have been created around 1524 to 1527.

Trail trees

Trail trees are living landmarks that hold cultural and historical significance for Indigenous peoples across North America. These trees, typically hardwood species such as oak, hickory, or maple, were deliberately shaped and bent by Indigenous peoples to serve as navigational aids, trail markers, and territorial boundary indicators.

Uraman Takht

Situated at an altitude of over 2,000 meters above sea level, this picturesque Iranian village is renowned for its distinctive stepped architecture, lush landscapes, and vibrant cultural traditions. Uraman Takht is characterized by its unique layout, with multi-story stone houses built into the mountainside in a terraced fashion, giving rise to the nickname "the hanging village." These traditional dwellings, known as "kotchals," feature flat roofs that serve as communal spaces for social gatherings, drying crops, and enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and peaks.

Hymenopus coronatus

Hymenopus coronatus, commonly known as the orchid mantis, is a remarkable and visually striking insect species belonging to the family Hymenopodidae. Native to Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia and Indonesia, the orchid mantis is renowned for its remarkable camouflage and unique hunting tactics. One of the most distinctive features of Hymenopus coronatus is its uncanny resemblance to a delicate orchid flower, with its vibrant pink or white coloration, intricate patterns, and petal-like extensions. This remarkable camouflage allows the orchid mantis to blend seamlessly into its natural habitat, where it lies in wait for unsuspecting prey. Despite its floral appearance, the orchid mantis is a formidable predator, adept at capturing a wide range of insect prey, including flies, bees, and butterflies. Using its powerful forelegs, the mantis employs ambush tactics, remaining perfectly still until its prey ventures within striking distance, at which point it delivers a lightning-fast strike, immobilizing its victim with its sharp mandibles.

Christine Chubbuck

Christine Chubbuck was an American television news reporter who worked for stations WTOG and WXLT-TV in Sarasota, Florida. On the morning of July 15, 1974, Christine Chubbuck made headlines around the world when she committed suicide during a live broadcast of her news program. In a shocking and unprecedented act, Chubbuck drew a revolver and shot herself in the head, shocking viewers and leaving her colleagues and loved ones reeling with grief and disbelief.

Horace Roye

Horace Roye was a British photographer. Roye's photograph Tomorrow's Crucifixion, depicting a nude model wearing a gas mask while pinned to a crucifix caused controversy when published in the North London Recorder in August 1938, but later became a noted photograph of its time. In 1954 with a fellow photographer called Vala, Roye came up with the Roye-Vala 3-D Process. Not to miss an opportunity his company The Camera Studies Club published the Stereo Glamour Series of 3-D books of nude studies and pin-ups. As a photographer of nudes, he successfully contested the obscenity laws of his day. An account of which he published in 1960 in the booklet Unique Verdict – the Story of an Unsuccessful Prosecution. Roye retired to Portugal. During the 1974 revolution, he was besieged in his house, holding out with a shotgun. Forced to sell up he returned to England.[2] In 1980, he made his final move to Rabat, the capital of Morocco. He became Morocco's oldest British expatriate, and he was also the longest-serving member of the British Institute of Professional Photographers. He took up parasailing at the age of 75 and water-skied on the river Bouregeg until he was 78 years old. In 2002 at the age of 96, Roye was stabbed to death by an intruder at his home in the kasbah of Rabat.

Stephen Gough

Stephen Gough, popularly known as the "Naked Rambler", is a British pro-nudity activist and former Royal Marine. In 2003 and 2004, he walked the length of Great Britain naked, but was arrested when he did it again in 2005 and 2006. Since then, he has spent most of the intervening years in prison, having been repeatedly rearrested for contempt of court for public nudity and imprisoned. He has been convicted of public order offences at least 40 times. Gough brought a lawsuit in the European Court for Human Rights, arguing that laws requiring him to wear clothing violated his rights to privacy and free expression. His claim was rejected in 2014.