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The curious history of magic and the powers of the occult, witchcraft, ritual, and the imagination, from their earliest appearances to modern times From the days of the earliest Paleolithic cave rituals, magic has gripped the imagination. Magic and magicians appear in early Babylonian texts, the Bible, Judaism, and Islam. Secret words, spells, and incantations lie at the heart of nearly every mythological tradition. But for every genuine magus there is an impostor. During the Middle Ages, religion, science, and magic were difficult to set apart. The Middle Ages also saw the pursuit of alchemy—the magical transformation of base materials—which led to a fascination with the occult, Freemas...
"From myth to manga, an artistic visual history of the human mind through an imaginative collection of fantastical monsters from around the world"--Provided by publisher.
"This volume investigates one of the most significant shifts in contemporary urban research: the shift from an object- to an action-related perspective on the city. Outlining a critical urban theory from an improvisational perspective, the book shows why this transition might change our understanding of the city at large and make us reconsider the role of architecture and urban design, as well as their representations. The German theorist, composer, and musician Christopher Dell, widely known for his writings, performances, and teaching about urban design theory, explores the question of making in a constellation of matter, things, embodiment, active living, and discourse. Insightful and engagingly written, this extraordinary volume offers, for the first time in English, a far-reaching narrative that examines the improvisation of space and reflects multifaceted aspects of the city today. The book assembles a unique collection of images and essays, providing a substantial new contribution and advancement in the field of urban research."--Page 4 of printed paper wrapper
An exploration of myths from around the world with an authoritative text and an inspired selection of images
The stories behind the paintings and sculptures that form our common artistic heritage, illustrated with superb reproductions of the works, as well as dozens of details and comparative works.
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From myth to manga, an artistic visual history of the human mind through an imaginative collection of fantastical monsters from around the world • Includes more than 300 color illustrations • Reveals monsters to be essential companions to the gods and the necessary complement to the perfect human archetype of the hero Every culture on earth has its own monsters. Their stories, their curious habits and diets, and the ways in which they can be warded off create a picture of imaginations running riot. But what does our creation of monsters say about humankind? Why do we find one-eyed giants both in Japan and ancient Greece, or the same dragons in Europe and China? Hindu legends abound with ...
The commedia dell'arte, the improvised Italian theatre that dominated the European stage from 1550 to 1750, is arguably the most famous theatre tradition to emerge from Europe in the early modern period. Its celebrated masks have come to symbolize theatre itself and have become part of the European cultural imagination. Over the past twenty years a revolution in commedia dell'arte scholarship has taken place, generated mainly by a number of distinguished Italian scholars. Their work, in which they have radically separated out the myth from the history of the phenomenon remains, however, largely untranslated into English (or any other language). The present volume gathers together these Italian and English-speaking scholars to synthesize for the first time this research for both specialist and non-specialist readers. The book is structured around key topics that span both the early modern period and the twentieth-century reinvention of the commedia dell'arte.
The ultimate fly-on-the wall memoir packed with revelations, intimate insights, and history-making moments from the tour manager, friend, lover, and confidante to some of the most revered rock icons of the 60's, 70's and 80's. Chris O’Dell wasn’t famous. She wasn’t even almost famous. But she was there. From witnessing music history in the recording studio with The Beatles to working for The Rolling Stones during their infamous 1972 American tour, Chris O'Dell has seen and worked for the most influential musicians in rock history during some of their most intimate and awe-inspiring moments. She was in the studio when the Beatles recorded The White Album, Abbey Road, and Let It Be, and ...
The definitive history of how witchcraft and black magic have survived, through the modern era and into the present dayCursed Britain unveils the enduring power of witchcraft, curses and black magic in modern times. Few topics are so secretive or controversial. Yet, whether in the 1800s or the early 2000s, when disasters struck or personal misfortunes mounted, many Britons found themselves believing in things they had previously dismissed – dark supernatural forces.Historian Thomas Waters here explores the lives of cursed or bewitched people, along with the witches and witch-busters who helped and harmed them. Waters takes us on a fascinating journey from Scottish islands to the folklore-r...