Arts & Crafts
From Nun to Genius | Divine Messengers Ep. 3 | Official Trailer | NTD Original
Saint Hildegard was not only a nun, poet, and musician, but also a divinely inspired philosopher who observed the patterns in our universe, from microcosm to macrocosm. She had remarkable visions, and was consulted by kings, emperors, noblemen, and the clergy.
Becoming Beethoven | Official Trailer | NTD Original
We would like to share with you our first Piano Talks episode: Becoming Beethoven.
Beethoven’s music is anything but static, and neither was the composer’s mind. We begin the series by meeting a young Beethoven—with a rarely heard piece that he used to introduce himself back in the day
Socrates Secrets | Divine Messengers Ep. 2 | Official Trailer | NTD Original
Scholars agree that the ancient Greeks laid the foundation for Western civilization in various areas, including art, science, theater, and democracy. In the center of all of this was a man who would become one of the most well-known Greeks throughout time.
Dozens of Heritage Crafts ‘Face Extinction’
Dozens of ancient crafts and skills are facing extinction, according to a charity that has a goal of reviving them. The Heritage Crafts Association said rising energy costs, inflation, and changing demographics mean traditional crafts aren’t being passed on. However, they hope raising awareness about endangered arts will help train the next generation of makers. […]
Morocco Restores Ancient Funduqs of Fez
Fez, the second largest city in Morocco has a vast restoration project underway. Funduqs, ancient buildings that functioned as meeting hubs and rest stops, are being renovated to welcome tourists again. This has brought artisans to move back in to showcase their crafts to visitors.
China, US Flex Muscles in Waters Near Taiwan
Another confrontation is brewing in the South and East China Seas. China is holding military drills in the waters south and north of Taiwan—at the same time the United States sailed a warship through the sensitive Taiwan Strait.
Early Renaissance Art Returns to Cathedral
After more than a decade of restoration, a 15th-century masterpiece is returned to St. Bavo’s Cathedral in Belgium. It’s also gaining a new bulletproof glass housing after a turbulent life of being painted over, partly stolen, and at one point, hidden by Nazis. The “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb” is an altarpiece featuring 12 detailed panels—completed in […]
Lloyd Webber: Arts at ‘Point of No Return’
The famous composer of modern musicals Andrew Lloyd Webber, told British lawmakers that it’s not financially viable to re-open theatres while social distancing rules are in place. He warned that the arts industry is “at the point of no return” and pressed the UK government for a date when theaters could re-open at full capacity.
Entering the World of Globe-Making
LONDON—An unassuming studio in North London is the production site for some of the world’s only artisan globes. Bellerby & Co. Globemakers was started in 2008, unintentionally, by Peter Bellerby. He was on a search for a globe for his father’s 80th birthday, but wasn’t satisfied with what he found from commercial sellers or auction […]
From Fisherman to World Champion Fruit Carver
NEW YORK—One has to be very dedicated to wake-up at 5 a.m. and work until midnight every day. But, one young man feels that when you love your job, it never feels like work. Daniele Barresi, a carving designer won the world over by his avocado arts in 2017. Born and raised in Italy as […]
The Lasting Impression of Letterpress Printing
NEW YORK—Robert Wilson pries off the metal lid of what looks like a can of paint. “The ink is really thick, almost like honey,” he says, spooning out a small dollop of it before spreading it over the large metal disk of a late 19th century printing press, and starting it up by spinning the […]