‘Beyond Face Value': What French banknotes tell us about history
At an ongoing exhibition at the National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai, one can see a banknote for 500 Francs issued in 1994 in which the figure of scientist Marie Curie is right in the centre. Her husband and fellow scientist, Pierre, is shown standing just a little behind her. The two of them shared the Nobel Prize for physics in 1903, after which Marie went on to win her second Nobel for chemistry in 1911. Researcher-curator Rukmini Dahanukar finds it commendable that France honoured the Polish-born scientist, who later became a naturalised French citizen, with a banknote. 'The note acknowledges a woman scientist and puts her at the forefront like she deserves. Also, the choice of the colour depicts radioactivity," says Dahanukar, who has put together the show,
Beyond Face Value: French Banknote Design from Around the World.
The exhibition is a collaboration between the NGMA and Alliance Française de Bombay, and this particular banknote is one of the 25 being showcased from Dahanukar's private collection. 'French banknotes from across the globe are more than just monetary instruments—they are artistic masterpieces imbued with history, culture, and symbolism," states the gallery note. 'With their intricate designs, romanticism, and craftsmanship, these banknotes transcend their face value, offering a glimpse into a fascinating and often overlooked aspect of cultural heritage."
Dahanukar's interest in this field of study came about while she was looking for a subject for her thesis while pursuing Masters in Communications from California State University. 'I wrote my thesis on the launch of the Euro, the loss of identity and the creation of a new transnational identity," she shares. This interest is not new. Nearly two decades ago, she started collecting banknotes and now has a collection of 4,000. 'There is so much to discover in these banknotes—from history to art, design, communication, propaganda, representation and more," she says.
Also read:
'Signed, Lower Right': Devraj Dakoji's tryst with printmaking
Dahanukar is currently writing a book on the subject. The current exhibition came together after a discussion with Laurent Vergain, director, Alliance Française de Bombay. 'For me, banknotes are not just tools of commerce; they are reflections of the times, values, and artistic expressions of a nation. This exhibition is an opportunity for all history and art enthusiasts to explore a slice of Francophone culture and expression before the emergence of the Euros," he says. The exhibition has travelled to Puducherry, Ahmedabad and Delhi before arriving in Mumbai, where large-size banknote replicas have been showcased next to their real size prints. Some real banknotes are on display as well. '20 years ago, when I had proposed my dissertation topic, one of my professors had remarked that banknotes are the most exchanged artwork in the world and hardly anyone talks about that," says Dahanukar.
The exhibition is on till 24 April at the NGMA, Mumbai, from 10 am to 6 pm.
Also read:
Aamir Aziz, Anita Dube and the hypocrisy of political art
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Time of India
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Time of India
an hour ago
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They are not classified as fish Despite their name, jellyfish are not true fish. Fish are vertebrates which means that they have a backbone along with other characteristics like gills and fins. Jellyfish, on the other hand, are invertebrates as they lack a backbone entirely. They belong to a group called cnidarians which also includes sea anemones and corals. Jellyfish have a simple body made mostly of water with a soft, bell-shaped form and tentacles. Instead of bones, they rely on a jelly-like substance for structure. Their anatomy and biology are very different from fish which is why scientists don't classify them as fish at all. Jellyfish body is made up of 98% water Jellyfish bodies are made up of about 98% water which is why they have a soft and gelatinous texture. This high water content makes them very light and flexible that allows them to move gracefully through the ocean. Their structure consists mostly of a jelly-like substance called mesoglea which is sandwiched between two thin layers of cells. Because they are mostly water, jellyfish can easily float and drift with ocean currents. This composition also means that they don't need heavy bones or muscles to move as they help them to conserve energy as they navigate their watery environment. Certain jellyfish could live forever Some species of jellyfish like Turritopsis dohrnii are known as 'immortal jellyfish' because of their unique ability to potentially avoid aging and death. When faced with stress, injury or old age, these jellyfish can revert their cells back to an earlier stage of development which is a process called transdifferentiation. This allows them to transform from a mature adult back into a juvenile polyp stage, essentially starting their life cycle over again. 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Unlike fish that swim in groups for protection or hunting, jellyfish tend to move independently because their movements mostly depend on ocean currents. While sometimes large groups called blooms or swarms occur these gatherings are more about favorable conditions like food availability rather than social behavior. Travelling solo allows jellyfish to cover wide areas and take advantage of different food sources without competition from others. Their simple nervous system doesn't support complex group behaviors so individual drifting is their natural way of life. They are one of the world's deadliest species Some jellyfish species are incredibly dangerous because of their potent venom. For example, the box jellyfish has toxins that can cause extreme pain, paralysis, and even death in humans. Their venom attacks the heart, nervous system and skin cells which make these stings potentially life-threatening without immediate medical treatment. Despite their simple appearance, these jellyfish possess one of the most powerful venoms in the animal kingdom. While not all jellyfish are deadly, the ones that are make them some of the most feared creatures in the ocean and among the deadliest animals on the planet. Certain jellyfish are safe to eat Not all jellyfish are edible but some species are considered a delicacy in various parts of the world especially in Asian cuisines. These edible jellyfish are typically processed by drying or pickling to reduce their high water content and improve texture. They're often used in salads, soups and stir-fries as they are valued for their crunchy texture rather than strong flavor. Eating jellyfish can be a good source of protein and low in calories. However, it's important to properly prepare them to remove any toxins and ensure they're safe for consumption. Also read: Discover 5 massive giant crocodiles that are now extinct
Time of India
14 hours ago
- Time of India
Earth shook every 90 seconds for 9 days in 2023; scientists finally reveal the shocking reason
Earth shook every 90 seconds for 9 days in 2023 In September 2023, seismic monitoring stations around the world began to register an eerie, rhythmic signal. Every 90 seconds, the Earth appeared to pulse—faintly but persistently. The phenomenon lasted for nine days and returned a month later, leaving scientists puzzled. There was no accompanying earthquake, volcanic eruption, or explosion to explain the tremors. The source of the mystery was traced to the remote Dickson Fjord in East Greenland. At the time, theories ranged from submarine volcanic activity to secret military tests. Now, almost two years later, researchers from the University of Oxford have offered the first concrete explanation using next-generation satellite and machine learning technologies. What they uncovered reveals not only the cause of the pulses but also a broader warning about the climate crisis unfolding silently in the world's most remote corners. The Earth shook without warning: 2023's 90-second Arctic pulse For nine consecutive days in September 2023, and again in October, seismic stations recorded signals repeating every 90 seconds. These pulses were subtle—far weaker than earthquakes—but unusual because of their precise regularity and global reach. The signals came from the Arctic, specifically from the Dickson Fjord in East Greenland. The incident baffled geophysicists and prompted international investigations. With no explosion, tectonic activity, or obvious surface disturbance detected, the mystery deepened. Seiches vs. Tsunamis: Understanding the difference Initially, some suspected a tsunami might be responsible. But experts soon distinguished the phenomenon as a seiche—a lesser-known but powerful water oscillation. Tsunami: Caused by abrupt displacement of water due to earthquakes, volcanic activity, or landslides. It travels as a single massive wave. Seiche : Occurs when water in an enclosed space like a lake or fjord repeatedly sloshes back and forth, creating standing waves. These are often triggered by landslides, strong winds, or seismic activity. In this case, scientists confirmed the Dickson Fjord had experienced seiches—giant oscillating waves that created rhythmic seismic pulses without causing surface devastation. What caused the Greenland Seiches Researchers now confirm that the seismic pulses were the result of two massive glacier-induced rock and ice avalanches. These avalanches thundered into Dickson Fjord, displacing enormous volumes of water and generating tsunami-like waves with an initial height of up to 7.9 meters. Due to the fjord's narrow and enclosed topography, the waves couldn't escape and instead bounced back and forth like water in a bathtub. These oscillations—seiches—persisted for days, producing low-frequency seismic energy detectable across continents. How NASA's SWOT satellite uncovered Greenland's hidden waves The game-changer was data from NASA and the French space agency CNES's Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite, launched in December 2022. The satellite's Ka-band Radar Interferometer (KaRIn) allowed researchers to scan a 30-mile-wide swath of the ocean surface in high resolution—something no previous satellite system could do. Oxford scientists used SWOT to map subtle elevation shifts in the fjord's surface after the event. They observed slopes of up to two meters across the channel that reversed direction over time—clear signatures of standing wave motion. Supporting evidence: Machine learning and seismic models To fill in gaps in satellite data, scientists employed: Machine learning to reconstruct wave behavior over time. Crustal deformation data from sensors thousands of kilometers away. Weather pattern analysis, ruling out wind and tides as causes. This multidisciplinary approach confirmed that the rhythmic seismic pulses came from seiche-driven energy trapped in the fjord. Climate change's fingerprints are all over the event The most alarming takeaway from the study is the role of climate change. Warming Arctic temperatures are rapidly melting Greenland's glaciers, weakening adjacent slopes and increasing the frequency of catastrophic landslides. As lead researcher Thomas Monahan stated: 'Climate change is giving rise to new, unseen extremes. These changes are happening fastest in remote areas like the Arctic, where our ability to monitor them has historically been limited.' The study highlights how climate-driven geological events can have global seismic effects—often silently and without warning. Why it matters: A new era of Earth monitoring The incident and its resolution mark a turning point in Earth observation. Co-author Professor Thomas Adcock emphasized: 'This is a perfect example of how next-generation satellite data and advanced modeling can resolve phenomena that have long been mysteries. We're entering an era where we can better track tsunamis, storm surges, and even rogue waves.' Moreover, a Danish military vessel patrolling the fjord three days after the first pulse observed nothing out of the ordinary—underscoring how even massive events can leave little trace without advanced monitoring systems.
