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Most of us know the Mona Lisa and The Starry Night. Apart from these pieces by Leonardo da Vinci and Vincent van Gogh, our knowledge about art and artists is fairly limited. But there are many paintings that we should at least be able to recognize, if not know a lot about. It will help us appreciate beauty and understand our history as well. Every month we will try to acquaint you with five paintings to help you cultivate a robust understanding of art over time. 

The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli, mid-1940s

This is one of the most famous paintings of the Italian Renaissance. It was painted by Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi, known as Sandro Botticelli. It depicts goddess Venus arriving at the shore after her birth. She stands nude on a giant scallop shell. The wind god Zephyr blows at her from the left, along with a young female he carries. Together, they are trying to push Venus toward the shore. A nymph is ready to wrap a cloak, decorated with spring flowers, around Venus to cover her nudity. Venus was born as the goddess of beauty and the viewers can witness this act of creation through the painting. 

Guernica by Pablo Picasso, 1937

Painted in black, gray, and white, the painting shows the suffering of people due to violence and war. The mural-sized oil painting was created by Pablo Picasso as a response to the bombing of Guernica, a village in northern Spain. It’s one of the most influential anti-war paintings in history. After its completion, it was displayed in a touring exhibition to raise funds for war relief. Picasso spoke very little about the painting’s meaning. He wanted the viewers, critics, and historians to interpret its meaning. 

The Burning Giraffe by Salvador Dali, 1937

Dali painted this just before his exile to the United States. It depicts Dali’s struggle in his home country and his views on political consciousness. Inspired by Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic method, the painting has blue female figures with drawers opening from their bodies. It apparently refers to the inner consciousness in humans. The figure of the woman can also be interpreted as a social commentary on the ways in which people are shaped (and distorted) by societal norms. At a distance, you can see a giraffe with its back on fire. 

Girl with a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer, circa 1665

Quite often mistaken for a portrait, Girl with a Pearl Earring is actually a painting of an imaginary figure. Vermeer was the master of light. It can be seen in the softness of the girl’s face and the glimmers of light on her moist lips and the shining pearl. The painting is nicknamed the ‘Mona Lisa of the North’. In 1999, American author Tracy Chevalier published a novel inspired by this painting. The painting, however, wasn’t always so iconic. After it was completed, it was lost until it resurfaced 200 years later.

The Kiss by Gustav Klimt, 1907-1908

Austrian artist Gustav Klimt is known for his ethereal, pattern-rich portraits. Several of his canvases are considered masterpieces. But The Kiss is perhaps his most famous, albeit controversial, work. The Kiss depicts a couple wrapped in a loving, golden-flecked, flower-filled embrace. It was rumored that Klimt and his longtime companion, Emile Floge, who was also said to be his lover, were the models of the painting, which was selected to be printed on the Austrian 100-euro coin, minted in 2003.

Decorating your home can be tricky. Do little and it looks empty and uninviting. Do too much and you run the risk of making it look cluttered and overwhelming.  You want to make it look lived-in without being over the top. But how do you go about it? Pinterest can be a great place for décor ideas but without a personal touch to them, you will just create a space that looks beautiful but means nothing. You don’t want that.

We recommend you get some guidance. Hiring an interior designer might not be in everyone’s budget which is why we suggest you turn to some Instagram accounts for some much-needed design inspiration. And then, you add your tweaks to it to make your home reflect who you are. 

Kruti Badiani

Kruti Badiani is a décor enthusiast and stylist who runs the Instagram page @Myhomevibes which is a great source of inspiration for anyone who is new to decorating and wants simple hacks to make their space look pretty. Her feed has everything—from tips on taking care of indoor plants and creating cute corners to what color to include in your space and how to style your furniture. Her décor is largely inspired by nature so you will see a lot of muted shades in her posts but she also shows you how you can add pops of color to your space. 

Sasha Bikoff Interior Design

Sasha Bikoff’s designs are influenced by her travels across Paris, Marrakesh, and Milan among many other cities. Her Instagram account is all about bold colors, unique styles, and maximalist designs. Her posts might seem a little overwhelming at first but these highly imaginative designs are sure to spark your creativity. It was her viral kaleidoscopic staircase design for the 2018 Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse that was described as ‘eye-popping’ and ‘psychedelic’ that made her an Instagram sensation. 

Tilton Fenwick

Anne Maxwell Foster and Suysel dePedro Cunningham launched Tilton Fenwick in 2010. The name of their interior design firm was inspired by their college dorms. Their posts on Instagram showcase pattern play, statement furniture exuberant designs, and bold color schemes to stimulate ideas for home decor. They have also collaborated with other businesses for textiles, wallpapers, and upholstery collections. Their products have been featured in Elle Décor, Architectural Digest, and The New York Times among others. 

Wendy

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According to her website, Wendy believes “in creating a home you love by filling it with things you love to serve people you love”. She started her Instagram account and blog The KWendy Home in 2017 when she was looking for inspiration while designing her first home.

On her Instagram page and website, there are several easy and budget-friendly DIYs, remodeling and decluttering videos, and decor tips. She also focuses on sustainability and natural elements. She will give you lots of ideas on how to decorate your home with plants and upgrade your furniture without costing a fortune. 

Jungalow

This bright and vibrant page on Instagram belongs to an L.A.-based designer and New York Times bestselling author, Justina Blakeney, whose aesthetic is all about having fun, being free, and a little wild to boot. Her posts will teach you a thing or two about decorating with plants and that you can never have too many. What started as a design blog in Blakeney’s tiny, plant-filled living room back in 2009 has since grown into a lifestyle brand and the go-to source for design goods and inspiration. 

Bhavna Bhatnagar

The page An Indian Summer on Instagram is so aesthetically pleasing that you will have spent hours scrolling through it and still not have had enough. There are dreamy décor posts interspersed with some travel photos. Though the page is heavily focused on contemporary design, you will find quite a few vintage and bohemian looks too. She also frequently reposts from other accounts so you will get to discover other décor related content through her page as well. An Indian Summer is beautiful and inspiring and will pump you up to put together a lovely space.

The Wife Upstairs

Rachel Hawkins

Thriller | Mystery

A delicious twist on a Gothic classic, The Wife Upstairs pairs Southern charm with atmospheric domestic suspense, perfect for fans of B.A. Paris and Megan Miranda.

With delicious suspense, incisive wit, and a fresh, feminist sensibility, The Wife Upstairs flips the script on a timeless tale of forbidden romance, ill-advised attraction, and a wife who just won’t stay buried. In this vivid reimagining of one of literature’s most twisted love triangles, which Mrs. Rochester will get her happy ending?

Girl, Wash Your Face

Rachel Hollis

Self Help | Personal Development

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Rachel Hollis has created an online fan base of hundreds of thousands of fans by sharing tips for living a better life. Her highly anticipated first book features her signature combination of honesty, humor, and direct, no-nonsense advice. From her temporary obsession with marrying Matt Damon to a daydream involving hypnotic iguanas to her son’s request that she buy a necklace to “be like the other moms,” Hollis holds nothing back. With unflinching faith and tenacity, Hollis spurs other women to live with passion and hustle and to awaken their slumbering goals.

Before The Coffee Gets Cold

Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Fantasy | Japan

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In a small back alley in Tokyo, there is a café that has been serving carefully brewed coffee for more than one hundred years. But this coffee shop offers its customers a unique experience: the chance to travel back in time. In Before the Coffee Gets Cold, we meet four visitors, each of whom is hoping to make use of the café’s time-traveling offer. Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s beautiful, moving story explores the age-old question: What would you change if you could travel back in time? More importantly, who would you want to meet, maybe for one last time?

Nepal recently experienced a simultaneous occurrence of both drought and flooding, underscoring the urgent need to address the impacts of climate change, particularly in relation to loss and damage (L&D). In this context, ApEx recently organized a roundtable involving climate stakeholders to delve into topics such as L&D, disaster risk reduction, government initiatives, partnerships for addressing L&D, and the role of youth in climate awareness and action. Excerpts:

Embrace climate change as an opportunity

Manjeet Dhakal, climate change expert

Historically, our focus has been primarily on the effects and impacts of climate change, often as a means to attract foreign aid. Yet, we have not been educated about an alternative perspective—a viewpoint that regards climate change as not only a challenge but also an avenue for economic benefits. Fortunately, recent years have witnessed increased dialogue, discussions, media coverage, and research on various aspects of climate change, which is undoubtedly a positive shift.

In Nepal, the cornerstones of our economy—agriculture, remittances, tourism, and hydropower—have all borne the brunt of climate change. While the effects on agriculture, tourism, and hydropower are widely recognized, we have not been adequately informed about its potential impact on remittances. These remittances contribute roughly 23 percent to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Notably, around 80 percent of our migrant labor force heads to the Middle East and Malaysia, regions experiencing significant temperature increases compared to the global average. Consequently, our assessment of loss and damage should not be limited to our borders but should extend to encompass consequences beyond our political boundaries.

Necessity of scientific research

Pradip Khatiwada, disaster risk management expert

Numerous scientific studies have examined rainfall patterns and the global temperature rise, both contributing factors to instances of loss and damage. L&D is commonly categorized as economic, affecting livelihoods and property, and non-economic, encompassing issues like loss of life, health problems, psychological distress, displacement challenges, as well as damage to biodiversity and cultural heritage. While economic L&D is frequently discussed, the non-economic aspect has not received adequate attention. Therefore, conducting scientific research to evaluate our circumstances is essential. This research aids in anticipating and mitigating disaster impacts, bolstering our self-reliance. Additionally, communicating research findings effectively to vulnerable communities minimizes disaster-related risks.

While a 1.5°C temperature increase might not significantly affect certain countries, it’s a significant concern for Nepal due to its susceptibility to snowmelt-triggered flash floods and related problems. Unlike the sturdy mountains in Europe, our mountainous regions are delicate and vulnerable, warranting our concern.

Educate local communities on climate change

Bharati Pathak, community forest expert

Indigenous communities have played a pivotal role in revitalizing community forests nationwide, contributing significantly to mitigating climate change effects, including loss and damage. However, these communities possess only a basic understanding of climate change consequences such as floods, landslides, and droughts. The discourse on this matter has largely been confined to urban centers and the privileged class, leaving those directly dealing with climate change aftermath with limited awareness. Thus, extending knowledge-sharing initiatives to rural regions is imperative.

While we have actively participated in 27 Conferences of Parties (COP), do local communities truly comprehend the nature of COP, its discussions, and the resulting agreements? The absence of involvement from those at the forefront of climate change impacts casts uncertainty on our ability to achieve climate objectives.

In an environment where information is scarce, misinformation and disinformation thrive. This is evident in local communities’ understanding of carbon trading, where they sought compensation for only a few trees.

Collaborative efforts for climate action a must

Hari Prasad Sharma, Under secretary, Ministry of Forest and Environment

Nepal’s vulnerability to climate change must be comprehensively assessed, including the degree, severity, and exposure of its impact. With about 68 percent of our land featuring slopes greater than 60°, our susceptibility to climate effects is heightened. Moreover, roughly 30 percent of our land lies at altitudes exceeding 2,500 meters, amplifying its sensitivity in sustaining livelihoods. Thus, our geographic circumstances render us particularly vulnerable.

Though climate change policies exist, practical execution is paramount. Policies often resemble wish lists; our focus should shift towards translating them into actionable steps through meticulous implementation. Given the global move towards cooperative decision-making, addressing climate change necessitates a collective approach. Embracing contemporary methods is crucial to effectively combat this issue.

Allocating resources to educate and foster climate change understanding from a young age is essential, as the youth represent future catalysts for change.

Climate change transcends data

Shrichchha Pradhan, climate activist and Miss Nepal World 2023

Nepal’s cultural practices, adaptability to environmental challenges, and community-driven sustainability efforts offer valuable lessons for the global community. By studying and adopting these practices, societies worldwide can take meaningful strides toward addressing climate change, embracing zero-waste lifestyles, and nurturing sustainability. Entrepreneurship within the climate change realm presents an opportunity yielding multiple benefits, including educating the youth on climate intricacies, promoting sustainable practices, and zero-waste principles.

Understanding climate change extends beyond data; it holds a deep emotional dimension impacting local communities, especially in remote areas. These communities daily bear the brunt of climate change, experiencing its far-reaching consequences in ways statistics cannot capture. Their close connection with the environment has traditionally granted them a profound understanding of nature’s patterns. However, recent unpredictable changes from climate change have disrupted this traditional knowledge. Thus, engaging with these communities and providing targeted education about changing consequences is crucial.

Loss and damage as a moral imperative

Adelle Thomas, lead author of IPCC Reports

Loss and damage (L&D) lacks a universally agreed definition within the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), signifying different meanings for different groups. Nonetheless, L&D generally refers to negative climate change impacts that occur despite mitigation and adaptation efforts.

L&D is often categorized as economic or non-economic. Economic L&D entails quantifiable negative impacts, such as rebuilding infrastructure post-floods or agricultural revenue loss due to drought. Non-economic L&D includes impacts challenging to assign monetary values, like trauma from tropical cyclones or community loss due to displacement.

Both extreme events (heat waves, storms) and slow-onset events (sea-level rise, ocean acidification) contribute to loss and damage.