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The Herald Scotland
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Scots artist develops cosmic ray instrument for Fringe show
Special performances involving Scottish musicians Kathryn Joseph and King Creosote will take place on August 3rd and August 5th, respectively. The particles, known as muons, are used to generate in-depth 3D pictures of structural interiors, which helps researchers see inside dense materials, such as the pyramids of Giza. Artist Lomond Campbell helped design the machine. (Image: Glasgow University) Mahon said: 'Working with Lomond to expand the scope of that research, generating sound alongside images while he plays along with cosmic rays, has been a fantastic experience. 'I'm looking forward to seeing how audiences engage with the Muonophone during the performances and the installation during the month of August.' The series of live performances (entitled MŮO) featuring the muonophone's audiovisual output will be held at Edinburgh's French Institute during the month of August. After the performances conclude, the French Institute will continue to host the muonophone until the 25th of August, giving visitors the chance to see the instrument for themselves. Several events funded by the Institute of Physics in Scotland will also be held, where PhD students from the University of Edinburgh and Glasgow will discuss the science of muons with visitors. Tickets to the live show cost £10, while concessions are £8 and family tickets cost £6. Singer King Creosote is among the guests at the performance series. (Image: free) A statement on Campbell's website reads: 'Using muon detectors, MŮO captures cosmic radiation from deep space, transforming it into reactive sound and entrancing live visuals. 'Performing with his one-of-a-kind handmade instrument, the Muonophone, Lomond creates a constantly evolving sonic landscape, joined by special musical guests throughout the festival. 'Blending art, science and sound in a way you've never seen before, MŮO is a cosmic journey not to be missed.' Muons are generated when cosmic rays collide with the Earth's atmosphere and break apart. Special devices known as muon detectors pick up the presence of the particles as they pass through various materials. The Muonophone reacts to the detection of muons by triggering 'pre-prepared sound and visualisations.' As cosmic rays from 'deep space' shape the muonophone's outputs, Campbell will play live keyboard parts to accompany the machine's soundscapes. Read more: Why does everyone seem to hate Maggie Chapman? 'Long overdue': Scottish young people weigh in on lowering of voting age Smoked salmon, Irn-Bru bhajis and micro herbs: What's on the menu at Bute House? Dr Mahon, of the University of Glasgow's School of Physics & Astronomy, noted: 'I've been working on muon-related research at the University for more than 15 years now, finding new ways to harness cosmic rays to see inside objects. 'A University spinout company, called Lynkeos Technology, is now using muography to provide industry with detailed 3D images of the interiors of structures which are impossible to create using other methods.' Campbell added: 'When approached by The University of Glasgow to work with their muon detecting technology I jumped on it. There is a score being constantly written by the nuclear activity of the cosmos and with muon detectors we can listen in to that and then interpret it sonically and visually. 'I find that whole concept stirring and want MŮO to instil that same sense of wonder in people who come to experience the live performances and the installation. 'What began as an idea to make an instrument called The Muonophone, has grown into a fully immersive audiovisual experience called MŮO, thanks to support from Made In Scotland, Sonica Glasgow and The French Institute.' According to the National Institutes of Health in the United States, muography has a range of uses, including in the fields of geoscience, nuclear safety and security, and civil engineering and archaeology. Muons have been used to explore the interior of the of the most well-known applications of muography is the ScanPyramids project, which has mapped the inside of the Egyptian pyramids, and led to the discovery of several 'plane-sized' voids within the 4500-year-old structures in 2018. At the time, Mehdi Tayoubi, ScanPyramids project co-founder and president of the Heritage Innovation Preservation Institute, told The Independent: 'It could be composed of one or several structures, maybe it could be another Grand Gallery. It could be a chamber, it could be a lot of things. It was hidden, I think, since the construction of the pyramid.' The rays can also be used to image the inside of volcanoes, nuclear storage facilities, and blast furnaces - and now power musical instruments at the Edinburgh Fringe.
The Star
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Patching pavements, French artist brings flash of colour to Ankara streets
Walking through Ankara's streets, occasional flashes of colour light up the pavement where French artist Ememem has painstakingly patched up the potholes and cracks with vibrant works of mosaic art. He calls it "flacking" - the art of transforming unsightly cracks and crevices in the ground into uniquely shaped ceramic creations. The artworks - made of recycled materials, bits of glass and broken or discarded shards of pottery - are what he calls his "plasters for the pavement". What inspired him was "the spirit of the city": although to the uninitiated, Ankara can sometimes appear "grey", Ememem said he saw it as full of "colour, light and traditional motifs". At times accompanied by texts, these eye-catching "street scars" are a reflection of his impressions and even some of the Turkish expressions he's heard on the streets. 'The streets belong to everyone' His works first appeared on the streets of Lyon, hometown of the artist who has never revealed his name or his face. They then began appearing in Paris and other cities, like Milan, Barcelona and Leipzig, and more recently Chicago and New York. He also created a piece for the Athletes' Village in Paris during the 2024 Olympics. Invited by the French Institute in Ankara, Ememem installs what he calls his 'flackings,' incorporating geometric motifs in road defects. Photo: AFP What he likes best are the works he does "clandestinely" at night. "We don't ask for permission, we just do it because as far as I'm concerned, the streets belong to everyone and to me as well," he said. Memories of his grandfather sweeping the front garden then the street outside, because he considered it to be his, was what inspired him to become a street artist. "Oddly enough, when something belongs to everyone, you think that it doesn't belong to you. I want to show that the streets, the town and society belongs to all of us, that we are all actors in our own cities," he said. His works are "artistic, poetic and above all political", he said, while admitting his messages are subtle. In the Bosnian town of Mostar, he patched up a hole made by grenades with ceramic piece decorated with barbed wire in a nod to the wars that followed the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. 'I'm not a political artist' "We are less direct than artists in Turkey," he said, standing with local street artist Hikmeti Tabiyeci who is working with him on a joint flacking project in Lyon. "I don't consider myself a political artist, but everything done in the street is politicised in Turkey," said the artist, whose name is also a pseudonym meaning "physicist" in Ottoman-era Turkish. Ememem's artworks - made of recycled materials, bits of glass and broken or discarded shards of pottery - are what he calls his 'plasters for the pavement'. Photo: AFP His work takes many different forms, one of which is a mock tombstone in a local park reading: "Here lies democracy". "Gathering in the street, claiming your rights, even walking your dog, kissing, drinking alcohol or laughing in public has become a political act," he explained. The government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan fears any expression in the public space because he knows the power of the street, the artist said. For years, fear of the authorities kept people off the streets until the removal of Istanbul's opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in March, which sparked huge protests across the country in Turkey's worst street unrest since 2013, he said. "Art has always been present on the streets," he said. "When you use it wisely and well, you build relationships very quickly, whether you're an artist or a politician." - AFP
Malay Mail
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
French artist fills Ankara's cracks with vibrant mosaic ‘street scars', reclaiming public space
ANKARA, July 3 — Walking through Ankara's streets, occasional flashes of colour light up the pavement where French artist Ememem has painstakingly patched up the potholes and cracks with vibrant works of mosaic art. He calls it 'flacking' — the art of transforming unsightly cracks and crevices in the ground into uniquely shaped ceramic creations. The artworks — made of recycled materials, bits of glass and broken or discarded shards of pottery — are what he calls his 'plasters for the pavement'. What inspired him was 'the spirit of the city': although to the uninitiated, Ankara can sometimes appear 'grey', Ememem said he saw it as full of 'colour, light and traditional motifs'. At times accompanied by texts, these eye-catching 'street scars' are a reflection of his impressions and even some of the Turkish expressions he's heard on the streets. Invited by the French Institute in Ankara, the artist installs what he calls his 'flackings,' incorporating geometric motifs in road defects in the Turkish capital Ankara on June 25, 2025. — AFP pic 'The streets belong to everyone' His works first appeared on the streets of Lyon, hometown of the artist who has never revealed his name or his face. They then began appearing in Paris and other cities, like Milan, Barcelona and Leipzig, and more recently Chicago and New York. He also created a piece for the Athletes' Village in Paris during the 2024 Olympics. What he likes best are the works he does 'clandestinely' at night. 'We don't ask for permission, we just do it because as far as I'm concerned, the streets belong to everyone and to me as well,' he said. Memories of his grandfather sweeping the front garden then the street outside, because he considered it to be his, was what inspired him to become a street artist. 'Oddly enough, when something belongs to everyone, you think that it doesn't belong to you. I want to show that the streets, the town and society belongs to all of us, that we are all actors in our own cities,' he said. His works are 'artistic, poetic and above all political', he said, while admitting his messages are subtle. In the Bosnian town of Mostar, he patched up a hole made by grenades with ceramic piece decorated with barbed wire in a nod to the wars that followed the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s. The artworks — made of recycled materials, bits of glass and broken or discarded shards of pottery — are what Ememem calls his 'plasters for the pavement'. — AFP pic 'I'm not a political artist' 'We are less direct than artists in Turkey,' he said, standing with local street artist Hikmeti Tabiyeci who is working with him on a joint flacking project in Lyon. 'I don't consider myself a political artist, but everything done in the street is politicised in Turkey,' said the artist, whose name is also a pseudonym meaning 'physicist' in Ottoman-era Turkish. His work takes many different forms, one of which is a mock tombstone in a local park reading: 'Here lies democracy'. 'Gathering in the street, claiming your rights, even walking your dog, kissing, drinking alcohol or laughing in public has become a political act,' he explained. The government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan fears any expression in the public space because he knows the power of the street, the artist said. For years, fear of the authorities kept people off the streets until the removal of Istanbul's opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu in March, which sparked huge protests across the country in Turkey's worst street unrest since 2013, he said. 'Art has always been present on the streets,' he said. 'When you use it wisely and well, you build relationships very quickly, whether you're an artist or a politician.' — AFP
See - Sada Elbalad
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
2025 La Grüne Fête de la Musique Brings Colors of Blue to Green Discussions in Cairo
Rana Atef A pivotal environmental panel held at the French Institute in Cairo, and the Goethe-Institute in Cairo combined forces to introduce the 2025 Green Music Festival. Concepts of sustainability, climate, eco-development, and green economy, in addition to music, are always the major concepts of the festival. But, this year witnessed the addition of another color which is blue. It is based on engaging people, especially youth, in more climate-based and music activities. The date of the festival mirrors the world celebration of the first summer day. The heat, the green scenery, the company, and the climate talk shaped the day. The event came in the wake of the recent international Ocean Conference, which emphasized the need to accelerate action against marine pollution, loss of biodiversity, and climate-induced oceanic threats. Alexandra Lamotte, Sustainable Development Advisor at the French Embassy: 'Let's build an ocean community.' In her opening remarks, Alexandra, Environmental Advisor at the French Embassy, expressed satisfaction with the growing interest in oceanic issues. She reflected on the progress made at the latest Ocean Conference and the record number of attendees. 'It's important that we share the lessons of this conference and recognize the ocean as central to our planet's health,' she said, stressing the urgency of addressing ice melt, plastic waste, and deep-sea pollution. Powerful Reflections from Regional Environmental Voices Activist Ahmed Yassin opened the discussion by noting that this was the third Ocean Conference—but perhaps the first to truly centre marine life as a global climate priority. He emphasised that topics like marine waste, blue economy opportunities, and the need for international ocean governance had finally reached serious global attention. He flagged the upcoming PPNJ as a major milestone in progress, highlighting the lack of regulation in large parts of the world's oceans. The environmental advocate warned against the misconception that marine waste is just floating plastic. 'Much of it relates to unsustainable fishing gear, abandoned nets, and chemical runoff. These aren't just environmental issues—they're human responsibility issues,' he stated. He pointed to the struggles of many countries, including the US, in coordinating with civil society over these matters. 'Blue routes must be plastic-free routes,' he insisted. Farah Kamel, another climate activist, described her general impression of the Ocean Conference as 'eye-opening,' stating that oceanic challenges have long been sidelined in the climate conversation. 'You simply cannot separate the ocean from the climate problem. Oceans literally cool the planet.' She noted that many discussions were focused on economic models for ocean benefit, and while Egypt has taken steps, its official position on plastic-related treaties remains unclear ahead of key August talks. Financing Green Solutions: From Policy to Implementation In the following panel, the panel then turned to climate financing mechanisms, with Mohamed Moatamed, Assistant to the Minister of Environment, explaining Egypt's National Climate Change Strategy, which was developed in coordination with multiple sectors to set tangible adaptation and mitigation targets. However, he emphasized that most of these goals are conditional on the availability of international funding. He outlined the state's efforts to improve green financing, pointing to the Central Bank of Egypt's new financing tools, growing involvement from the banking sector, and the launch of green bonds. One of the boldest initiatives mentioned was Egypt's plan to establish a voluntary carbon market, aimed at integrating both public and private sectors into climate mitigation. Andero Hanna from the French Development Agency (AFD Egypt) described their dual approach to funding climate projects: reducing emissions and enabling sustainable infrastructure such as metro systems. 'We provide grants, loans, and technical support. But it's also about building capacity for long-term investment,' he added. Local Innovation: From Upcycled Fashion to Circular Economies Bahga El Barbary, founder of Up-fuse, shared the story of her brand's journey. "Back in 2013, it was difficult to convince anyone to buy something recycled. But today, our products are international," she said. The company, which started in low-income areas like Manshiyat Nasser, empowers women through sustainable fashion and waste repurposing. Mostafa Ashraf from GIZ highlighted their work on integrating circular economy principles with local initiatives, especially in underserved governorates like Qena, Asyut, and Luxor. GIZ is currently partnering with Egypt's Ministry of Environment to promote green entrepreneurship, focusing on waste, textiles, and clean production. Research and Application: Bridging Innovation and Practice Dr. Bahi Bakir, a researcher and sustainability expert, explained that many eco-startups begin with pilot phases before scaling. 'The biggest barrier isn't the idea—it's overcoming each implementation hurdle. That's where state support must come in.' He also pointed to the untapped potential of agricultural waste, saying that several startups are already working to collect and convert it into viable raw material. A Call for Shared Responsibility and Urgent Action The panel offered a strong, unified message: oceans are no longer an afterthought—they are at the heart of the climate crisis and its solutions. Whether through policy reform, economic innovation, civil action, or local enterprise, every stakeholder has a role to play. As Ahmed Yassin concluded: 'Most people don't understand how they impact the ocean—but everyone does. The future depends on making that connection visible and actionable.' Green Music for a Blue Planet Following the panel discussions, the Green Music Fest lit up the Greek Campus with powerful performances that merged artistic expression with environmental advocacy. The crowd, largely composed of engaged young people, had earlier participated in workshops like Letters to the Nile and the Eco-Bazaar. As the sun set, music took center stage. The night featured an eclectic lineup: Stranded Horse brought an elegant blend of French acoustic songwriting and West African kora rhythms, performing tracks from their discography. TooFuse electrified the stage with their experimental fusion of electronic and world music. Lella Fadda, the Egyptian-Italian rapper, delivered raw lyricism with industrial hip-hop flair. Jamila & The Other Heroes, a Berlin-based band led by Palestinian-German singer Jamila Al-Yousef, closed the night with a fusion of psychedelic rock, funk, and Middle Eastern folk, sending out a message of unity and justice. read more 2 Most Inspirational Green Projects in Egypt AEW Dynamite, WWE NXT to Strive over Viewership Tonight Egypt Marks 70th Anniv. of 2011 Revolution, National Police Day In Depth: WWE NXT Halloween Havoc In Depth: AEW Dynamite, WWE NXT Tuesday Viewership Strive Videos & Features WATCH: Egyptians Break Ramadan Fasts in Matariya Videos & Features GrEEk Campus Hosts Jobzella Fifth Career Fair Videos & Features 3 Iconic Ramadan Songs of All Times Videos & Features Top 4 Destinations to Visit in Upper Egypt News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean News 3 Killed in Shooting Attack in Thailand
Hypebeast
27-05-2025
- Hypebeast
Discover 2m26 and Onomiau's Intimate Mountain Tea Pavilion in Kyoto
Summary Nestled in the mountains north of Kyoto, Le Picabier is a micro tea room designed by Kyoto-based studio2m26in collaboration with Paris-based practiceOnomiau. Commissioned byVilla Kujoyama, a creative residency initiated by the French Institute in Japan, the structure is a one-person tea pavilion, blending traditional Japanese craftsmanship with contemporary architectural influences. Its chimney-shaped form, clad in charred cedar shingles, pays homage to the abstract works of American architect John Hejduk, embodying a sense of rationality, poetry and strangeness. The footprint of Le Picabier is based on the traditional dimensions of a tatami mat, reduced to a compact 95.5cm x 64cm space and slightly elevated on a wooden base. Inside this intimate space, a miniature fire pit provides the necessary heat for boiling water, while an ingeniously angled opening and chimney efficiently disperse smoke. The construction utilizes locally sourced wood, with cypress forming the base and core structure, contrasting beautifully with the charred cedar shingles on the exterior, which create a striking visual against the surrounding forest. Internally, these shingles are coated with kakishibu, a natural dye derived from fermented persimmon fruit, traditionally valued for its ability to protect wood from insects and water damage. Atop the chimney-like structure, a lantern inspired by traditional Japanese shrines serves as a ceremonial marker, where a single candle is lit to signify the beginning of the tea ritual. The flame's gradual fading marks the end of the ceremony, reinforcing the pavilion's exploration of impermanence and sensory experience. Le Picabier stands as a meditative retreat, embodying the balance of simplicity, materiality and spatial awareness, while offering a modern reinterpretation of Japan's rich tea culture.
