Opus

Encyclopædia of the sublime

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Villa Barbarigo

It is girded by a remarkable Baroque garden and water works, with statuary (including a statue of aged and winged time carrying a cuboctahedron) and even a Boxwood labyrinth. Originally commissioned in 1669 by Zuane Francesco Barbarigo, the construction continued under Zuane's son, Gregorio Barbarigo, a Cardinal and future Saint, with designs by Luigi Bernini, brother of the famous Roman sculptor and architect. The Villa was at one time accessible by boat from Venice, and the exuberant entry portal has the poles used in the city to tie up gondolas. The portal is pseudo palace facade with a broken pediment sporting a statue of Diana the hunter in the center, flanked by her dogs. Once through the gate, paths lead through a series of fountains and garden features, including water games.

Fyodor Konyukhov

Fyodor Konyukhov is a Russian adventurer, artist, and author renowned for his extraordinary feats of exploration. A modern-day polymath, Konyukhov has completed over 50 expeditions, including solo crossings of oceans, polar treks, and a record-breaking solo balloon flight around the globe. Eccentric and deeply spiritual, Konyukhov blends adventure with artistic and religious expression. An ordained priest, he often incorporates religious rituals into his journeys, viewing exploration as a form of pilgrimage. His meticulous journals and vivid paintings, many created during his expeditions, reflect his philosophical musings and reverence for nature.

Martin Hürlimann

Martin Hürlimann was a Swiss publisher, photographer, and writer celebrated for his photographic documentation of European and Asian landscapes. Known for his meticulous approach, he spent hours perfecting shots to capture the interplay of light and architecture, focusing on historical sites and urban vistas. As the founder of Atlantis Verlag, Hürlimann oversaw every detail of his publications, producing high-quality art and travel books. His work, while sometimes critiqued as overly romanticized, remains a lasting record of cultural heritage and a testament to his singular vision.

La Pelegrina pearl

La Pelegrina pearl is one of the most famous pearls in the world. Its history spans more than 350 years, and it has survived both the French Revolution of 1789–99 and the Russian Bolshevik revolution of 1917. It was owned by European kings and queens. The pearl was found by an African slave on the coast of the isle of Santa Margarita in the Gulf of Panama in the mid-16th century. The slave who found it was rewarded with freedom. The enormous silvery luster oval shaped perfect pearl weighs 203.84 grains. It was purchased for Taylor in 1969 by Richard Burton on Valentines Day for $37,000.00.

Ainu

The Ainu of Japan are typically said to descend from the Jomon people, who appeared in Japan around 16,000 years ago, and are also associated with the Emishi people and the Satsumon, who were both active around 700 CE and into the early 1000s CE. Like their ancestors, the Ainu were hunter-gatherers. During the summer, they would gather plants and fish for salmon, and during the fall and winter, they would hunt rabbit, bear and ezo deer. Tattooing among the Ainu was for women only. A specially trained woman would tattoo a girl’s face and perhaps forehead. The process of the tattooing began early, around age 6 or 7. A few dots at first, near the upper lip, made with small cuts from a ceremonial knife. Each year new cuts would be made, and the cuts rubbed with charcoal (specifically birch charcoal, for its rich, dark color), and then the wound would be cleaned in an antiseptic made of boiled ash bark. The process continued until her wedding day, when the groom would make the final cuts that turned the tattoo into a smile.

Roy Cohn

Roy Cohn (1927–1986) was an American lawyer and political figure who rose to prominence as chief counsel to Senator Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s Red Scare. Known for his aggressive and often controversial legal tactics, Cohn played a central role in McCarthy's anti-communist hearings, which sought to expose alleged communist influence in government and other institutions. Following his work with McCarthy, Cohn became a powerful and polarizing figure in New York's legal and political circles. He represented high-profile clients, including business leaders and organized crime figures, and was known for his connections to influential individuals, including Donald Trump, whom he mentored during Trump's early career. Cohn's career was marked by accusations of unethical behavior, including the manipulation of evidence and witness intimidation. In 1986, he was disbarred by the New York Supreme Court on charges of professional misconduct. He died later that year from complications related to AIDS, a diagnosis he denied publicly.