What Is A Giclee Print And What Is Its Life Span?

What is a giclee print?
Giclee prints are digital reproductions of works of fine art that are usually printed on a canvas or on watercolour paper. Giclee printing refers to an advanced method of printing whereby these works are produced to have a much higher quality and much longer lifespan than those produced by a standard inkjet printer. The prints are created from a highly detailed digital file which is sent to a specialised printer that is much more advanced than a typical inkjet printer and is capable of handling several different types of printing materials.
What's the difference between a giclee and a standard inkjet print?
The document from which the giclee is to be printed has to have a resolution greater than 300 DPI (dots per inch). Any camera or scanner used to capture the image must also have a resolution greater than 300 DPI. The substrate the work is printed on to has to be of archival quality because archival paper lasts much longer and reproduce colours much more effectively than standard paper. Giclee prints are usually created using professional printers and pigment-based inks. These inks have a much longer lifespan than dye-based inks and are thought to last over 100 years without fading. The printers used to create giclees can produce works in a much larger format and can typically hold up to a dozen ink cartridges, allowing for highly detailed works to be produced.
Where does the term 'giclee' come from?
The term 'giclee' comes from the French word meaning a spray or squirt of liquid. It was first coined in 1991 by the printmaker Jack Duganne to refer to the process of creating prints of fine art using IRIS printers, a process which was invented in the late 80s. Nowadays the term 'giclee print' can refer to other types of inkjet printing and works of art that are created digitally on a computer program, such as Illustrator or Adobe Photoshop, before being processed on to a substrate.
What's the lifespan of a giclee print?
It is currently uncertain how long a giclee will last because the technology used to create them is fairly recent. Some websites say a giclee will last over 100 years, while others offer a more modest estimation of over 35 years. Some sites do mention aging simulations carried out in laboratories to try to determine how long giclees will last, but there is no way to verify any claims. Obviously giclees will last if they are cared for well; it can also be safely assumed that they will last considerably longer than inkjet prints thanks to the quality of the printers, archival paper and inks used to create them.
Why go for giclees?
One of the main advantages of giclees is that they can be created on-demand as the process is digital. Artists can therefore create their own prints whenever they want with ease. This is a much better option for artists who might not want to mass-produce their works. Once a file is digitally archived, it won't deteriorate in quality or gradually fade like physical works do. Each giclee print can be customised, whether it's printed on to a number of different substrates or whether its size is altered. Giclee prints are very popular thanks to their high quality and the fact that they can be more advantageous to artists than standard methods of printing. Giclees are commonly seen in galleries and exhibitions all around the world.

By Joanne Perkins

How To Care For A Giclee Print

ow best to care for them to ensure their longevity. Even though the technology used to create them is relatively recent, it is widely thought that giclee prints can last for a substantial amount of time - much longer than standard prints. In order to potentially last this long, they must be cared for properly.

Framing:

Firstly, if you ordered your print unframed, it will come rolled up inside a protective tube. When it comes to framing your print, you should only use a professional framer who is familiar with the process of stretching and framing giclee canvases. It is advisable that the framer only use the finest materials to frame the print.

Handling:

Handle your print only when necessary, never handle it from the corners and only ever handle it from the sides. Always try to handle prints with gloves. Whenever the print is being transported, it should always be well protected and should be kept flat and facedown. Never place any object on the canvas, no matter how small or light, and never lean the canvas against anything. When a canvas is left exposed it's more susceptible to damage and denting.

Storing:

Canvas pieces that have been stretched or mounted should be stored upright and should never have any weight placed upon them. They should be stored with archival paper dividers interleaved between them and should never touch any other canvas pieces. Ensure that tape never comes into contact with any prints as it can cause peeling. If you intend to roll your prints up, you should roll them it up very tightly so they don't sag as this can cause permanent. Prints should be carefully laid on their side before being rolled up and should be kept standing up if they are to be stored for an extended period of time.

Lighting conditions:

Even though canvas giclee prints come with ultraviolet coating, it is still advised not to hang them in direct sunlight. This is because exposure to UV from sunlight over an extended period of time can still cause them damage.

Room conditions:

Canvas lets out and takes in a lot of moisture, which can cause too much shrinking or stretching. To avoid this, the climate of the room needs to be carefully monitored and regulated. Exposing prints to extreme temperatures and sudden changes in temperature can affect their longevity and the materials they're made from. Keeping the room at 70 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity at 55% should do the trick. The room should not have a high amount of traffic and any prints should hung high off the ground out of the reach of children.

Cleaning:

To clean a canvas print you should use a soft, dry cloth to wipe off any dust or dirt. Never wash any printed surfaces with water and never expose your print to any solvent-based substance as this can cause yellowing. If you use a light-coloured or white cloth you will be able to see when too much dust or dirt has been picked up. You can carefully wipe your canvas print with a soft cloth that has been slightly dampened with water, though you should only do this if absolutely necessary. The print should be left to dry at room temperature once you've cleaned it.

By Joanne Perkins

Violin Strings for Beginning Players

Once the parent purchases a violin for your child who is a beginning player, the parent quickly finds out that the violin, bow and case is only the beginning. To allow one's child the richest playing experience - especially if the child is taking lessons in school or studying privately - an additional minimum investment in the proper violin accessories is necessary.

Probably the single most important accessory to purchase is better and additional violin strings. One cannot overstate the importance of good, high-end violin strings, and for a number of reasons. If a parent purchases a beginner violin online or from a private party, odds are that the violin is outfitted with cheap, low-end strings. On the other hand, if a parent purchases a beginner violin from a reputable violin shop, odds are that the violin is outfitted with higher-end strings that are appropriate for that particular violin.

Violin strings come in many, many different qualities and brands and just changing and upgrading the strings can noticeably improve the sound of the violin. The right strings can actually make playing the violin easier for the student; the easier the violin is to play, the more likely it is that the child will continue to play it.

If a parent decides to upgrade the strings for the beginning student, the best thing to do is to take the violin to a local violin shop that not only maintains and repairs violins, but that also sells accessories for the violin. Ask them their advice on which strings are appropriate for the student violin. If you purchased the violin from an online store or a private party, this would be a good time to ask the violin shop if the violin is properly set up for a student player.

Not only will they recommend and restring the violin, but they may also recommend a new bridge, a carved piece of wood that supports the strings on the violin. Adjusting the size and position of the bridge can, like upgrading the strings, make the violin much easier to play, as well as improve the sound of the instrument.

Once the violin is restrung, a parent should not hesitate to ask the violin shop to instruct them on how to restring an instrument, in case that the student breaks a string while playing. This brings up an important point: Make sure that you purchase a backup set of strings to keep in the student's violin case. While a student is learning to play and to tune his or her own instrument, it is very likely a string can break.

By Nathan Weiss

What Do You Do If You "Find a Strad?"

A Stradivarius Violin in Your Attic? How to Know.

It would be a great shock to the world of fine stringed instruments if a lost violin from a great Italian luthier turned up. Many imitations were made 100 years ago.

It is not unusual to come across a violin in someone's attic, at a flea market or any other such corners of life where forgotten items surface. Sometimes the condition of the instrument makes it obvious that a student long ago abandoned the instrument when other pursuits just took over. Other times, the condition of the instrument or its case or something known about the owner - an eccentric uncle with some money, perhaps - lend the situation a bit of excitement.

Could it be? Is it possible? This excitement is heightened even further when a name, presumably of its maker, is on a label or stamped inside the f-hole of the instrument, on the back plate. There it is! It says "Stradivarius"!

Alas, there are many violins that were made toward the end of the Victorian era, in the late 19th century, that were falsely labeled with the names of the fabled great luthiers: Stradivari, Stainer, Guarnerius, Amati or Maggini among them. They were considered of a "student" level of quality at the time, and the ruse of their violin shops was less a lie than homage: the makers were saying the violins were made in the same style or to approximate the physical specifications of the great Italian violinmakers of the earlier era.

Recently, the excitement around the dollar value of antique violins (and violas and cellos) rose considerably, and raised controversy, when Chicago rare violin dealer Jeff Fushi placed the 269-year-old "Vieuxtemps" Guarneri del Gesu up for sale for $18 million in 2010. At last check it has yet to sell, but it illustrates what has happened with rare violins. Over the past 50 years, their value has appreciated 26,000 percent (compared to the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which in the same time period has risen a mere 1,400 percent). Indeed, the problem has now arisen that only millionaires and billionaires can afford them. At best, the instruments are loaned to great contemporary players, concertmasters and soloists with the world's top orchestras. Otherwise, they are held as precious investments, perhaps seen by a rarefied group but only infrequently heard.

There are less than one thousand instruments by Guarneri and Stradivari in existence, and the discovery of a lost stringed instrument found by these or other great makers would be exceedingly rare. If you find one of the 19th century imitations, expect its value to be under $1500 (with a few exceptions) and that to restore it to playable condition could easily cost as much money or more. But do not be embarrassed about asking a professional in a shop for fine violins to look at it - they are accustomed to these requests, and are responsible to all ends of the market to encourage a love of violins (and violin playing) while providing a realistic assessment and encouragement. Even the fake "Strads" were once made, sold and purchased with intent to create beautiful music.

By Nathan Weiss 

8 Korean Fashion Designer Brands of 2014

If you are a lover of Korean fashion you most definitely need to know about the following Korean fashion designer brands.

8 seconds

This is a brand of Chiel industries which is a subsidiary of Samsung Group. The brand provides a number of products that come in different tastes of active denim, trendy style, accessories, basic style, shoes, and handbags.

Control clother

This is a designer agency that aids in launching brands for both domestic and foreign distribution. Since it's hard for new designers to launch new brands and compete against the existing labels, control clother helps the new designers by training and giving them an opportunity to launch their products overseas.

WhoAU

It means "who are you," a term used to encourage individual expression. WhoAU brings about the casual and bright California styles of "west coast." the most amazing thing about WhoAU's collections is that they have the same basic designs which create excellent beach accents.

Crayon

This creates jewelry that you can mix and match with your clothes, attitude and nail art. The brand has many brands such as triangle bracelets, necklaces, cracker rings and earrings.

Judy and Joshua

This is a business that focuses on aesthetics to reinterpret a minimalist look. The brand is usually very sensitive to trends; therefore, all the products released by the business are always the most latest and get the fancy of many people. As a result of this the products released by the brand are easily bought.

RE; CODE

"Re" is meant to change the foundation of design while "code" means to create a culture of valuing the environment and sharing beyond fashion. This means that the intention of the brand is to create a consumer cycle that is caring for the environment.

The brand also aids in reducing waste and at the same time increases the quality of the products being manufactured.

Slog

This brand represents innovation in comfort and style. Clothes produced under this brand can be worn at home or when one is going on a brief outing.

Thavma

Thavma creates excellent bags using the finest cowhide leather from Italy. The brand's concept is divided into three categories:

• Various basic: it's aimed at creating products that are trendy. Here simple designs and diverse materials are used.

• Trendy utility chic: this one aims at producing products that are both practical and stylish

• Neo classic: this is developed as the brand's foundation

By Eileen Tan

Musical Performances at Local Theaters

For most people, theaters are places to watch the latest film releases. And with so many new films coming out on a monthly basis, there's always something new to watch during your free time on the weekends! However, sometimes it's fun to watch live people perform on stage. What different types of live performances can you see at a local performing arts venue?
Broadway
Broadway performances use music, dancing, and theatrical acting to tell a story. Beginning in a theater located on Broadway Street in New York City, Broadway has become an intricate part of the American culture since the mid-19th century.
Some of the most popular Broadway plays have been The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, The Lion King, Wicked, and Les Miserables. In addition to being performed on stage numerous times, these shows have also been made into feature-length films.
Ballet
Ballet uses music, dance and facial expression to convey emotion and tell a story. This form of entertainment has been around since the 15th century. It first became popular in Italy and gradually made its way throughout Europe. In the beginning, ballet was a form of entertainment provided only for rich noblemen and noblewomen.
Towards the late-19th century, ballet settled in Russia. Some of the most popular ballets like The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, and Swan Lake were created during this time. These ballets continue to be performed in theaters all over the world.
Musical Performances
From individual instrumental performances to marching bands or large symphonies, there are a wide variety of ways to enjoy beautiful, inspiring music. Performing arts theaters often host local artists as well as world-renowned performers throughout the year. You can usually find schedules and purchase tickets for performances online.
Advantages to Attending Musical Performances
Individual artist performances inspire others to learn and enjoy music. Whether you enjoy the classical sounds of piano, the airy sound of a wind instrument, or the percussive beat of drums, taking music lessons empowers an individual to enjoy music at any time!
Many instruments can be combined to make a beautiful medley of sound. From a string quartet to the soaring sounds of a symphony, the many instruments combine to create a beautiful world of sound. A marching band combines the sounds of wind and brass along with percussion to lift the spirits and stir patriotic emotions.
Even larger instruments can be combined together. Piano players who enjoy making music together can enjoy piano duets and even quartets on two pianos. Playing the two instruments together is quite a rhythmic feat. And watching a piano quartet play is amazing!
Vocal Performances
From soloists to barbershop quartets to large choirs, the voice is a beautiful instrument. Sopranos, altos, tenors and basses combine together to create music. Some use songs with words and instrumental accompaniment, while others use vocal sounds to create haunting melodies without any words.
Just the Beginning...
Ballet, Broadway, and musical performances all open the door for wonderful musical performances. And at these same theaters you can also experience plays, speeches, and a wide variety of other non-musical performances too.

By Anders Abadie

Synopsis Of 'Oedipius Rex' By Sophocles

The story begins with a dialogue between Oedipus, the king of Thebes, and the priest, as they discuss the evil predicament that has befallen their land; blights on their harvest and grazing flocks. Oedipus informs the priest of having sent his consort brother, Menoeceus's son, Creon, to inquire from the Pythian Phoebus at his Delphic shrine, how the state might be saved.

Before long, Creon arrives bringing news from the gods. He says what they demand is the punishment, either by death or banishment, of the murderer of the past King, Laius son of Labdacus. Oedipus, who is new to the land, and keen to bring to light this criminal who is the cause of their woes, asks him details of the murder.

In another scene, Oedipus lays a curse on the killer, prohibits all Thebans from associating with him and encourages those who have knowledge of him to announce it.

The chorus/elders advise Oedipus to summon Teiresias, the blind seer, to give his opinion on the issue. But Oedipus had already sent Creon, in a much earlier time, to bring him to the palace.

Eventually, Teiresias, the widely renowned seer arrives at the palace. He is very unwilling to speak on the Laius and his murderer, the issue for which he was summoned; he in fact requests that he be allowed to take his leave. However, Oedipus accuses him of being the murderer. Hearing this, Teiresias made a counter-accusation by daring to say Oedipus himself was the man who killed Laius. After the exchange of invectives, Oedipus claims that Teiresias must have conspired with Creon to blemish and overthrow him. After hearing this, Teiresias prophesies that Oedipus will be exiled from Thebes and have his eyes no more after he discovers his true lineage.

Creon comes out to deny the king's allegations, asking what is he to gain from bidding to overthrow him. He would rather not inherit the position at such a trying time, because all he desires, fame and fortune, are already his; the crown is just a burden. Nevertheless, Oedipus threatens him with death, after he, Creon, suggested banishment.

Jocasta enters and pleads with her husband, Oedipus, to believe Creon for his oath's sake, for her sake and for the sake of the elders (chorus). She went ahead to enquire about the cause of the rift. After hearing the claim of the seer, she told him that it could not be true as it was formally predicted that Laius would be killed by his son at a spot where three roads meet. But obviously, he was murdered by highway robbers, as reported by the survivor of the attack. Oedipus was shocked on hearing this fact, so he asked where exactly the incident happened. Jocasta said Phocis, where roads from Daulis and Delphi meet. He asks further, trembling that perhaps the seer might be proven right, what the built of Laius was and how many attendants he had with him.

Oedipus then immediately demands that the Serf, who survived, be brought before him for questioning. He thereafter narrates the cause of his fear to Jocasta, how a drunkard once told him that he is not the true son of his seer (Polybus; and Merope, his mother), how he visited Delphi and Apollo told him of a prophesy that he would kill his father and sleep with his mother, how he ran away and killed some men when he got to the three-branching road. But there is hope of him not being the killer if the Serf confirms that indeed it was an army of robbers that killed Laius and not a lone wayfarer.

Shortly afterwards, a messenger comes from Corinth bringing news of Polybus's (Oedipus guardian) death, and the search for a new king. This gladdens Oedipus because it seems that the prophecies were false after all, as his father died not through his hands. Nevertheless, he mentions his fear of returning to Corinth because Merope, his mother, still lives and he does not want the second part of the prophecy to materialise.

The messenger offers to rid him of this fear by disclosing that Polybus and Merope are not his real parents, adding that it was he who gave him to Polybus, after another shepherd who is from Laius's palace hands him over to him. This other shepherd turns out to be the same as the witness of Laius's death.

Oedipus, against the wish of Jocasta, wants to get to the root of the matter. He wants to discover his true lineage. Hence, he asks, more emphatically, that the shepherd be brought for questioning.

In next to no time, the long-awaited shepherd who is expected to shed more light on the conundrum finally arrives. He was very reluctant to give straight answers to Oedipus's questions, he even rebuked the Corinthian messenger for saying Oedipus is the accursed child he gave to him years back. However, he soon admitted it, after Oedipus threatened him with death. He also admitted that Jocasta, his mother, gave him to her so that he may get rid of him.

Oedipus was devastated, that, after cursing himself, he immediately left the scene. Not long after his exit, a second messenger came in with the terrible news of Jocasta's death. She was said to have committed suicide through hanging. And then Oedipus himself inflicted injury on himself, he used the golden brooches on Jocasta's robe to smite his eyeballs, thereby blinding himself.

Oedipus, came out, a wretched scene he was. He asked that Creon exile him from the land into the desert so that no eye may behold him and Thebes may be freed from his curse. But Creon refused, firstly deciding to consult the gods, and then instructing Oedipus to leave by himself, if he must.

Such was the fate of Oedipus of Thebes, the son of Laius. And such was the evil calling and cunning desire of the gods. To kill his father, lay with his mother, and spend the rest of his miserable life groping in darkness and humiliation.

By Adekunle F Adebajo

An Awesome Career Graph of the Music Magician David Sylvain

As an artist, Sylvain has a shadow that has stretched across 30 years of music history; his immaculately written lyrics have provided inspiration for a number of artists with his songs of spiritual and emotional quest, singer and composer David Sylvain really occupies his own musical space. David Sylvain is a former English singer-songwriter and musician born in Backenham on 23 February 1958. He is a son of a plasterer and a housewife. He was educated at Cat Ford Boys' School, at Cat ford, and South East London. In his 16 years of age, he along with his brother Steve planned to form a band, which lately became famous in the name of Band Japan.

Their other comrades of that band were guitarist Rob Dean, bassist Mick Kern, keyboardist Richard Barbieri and Sylvain's Brother Steve Jansen as a drummer and this group starts their dream journey as a group of friends. A changed had been coming to the band Japan after they signed the contract with renowned Hansa, and therefore, they move fast and grab the number-one spot of rock band ranking in all over the Europe and its surrounding areas. The band suffered from personal and creative clashes, particularly between Sylvain and Kern. And that clash became bigger after Sylvain's relationship with Kern's former girlfriend Yuka Fujii, a photographer, artist and designer. The band Japan was one of the leading bands of the New Romantic movement at the start of the 80s.

Before dissolving, Japan played their final concerts in December 1982. The demise of Sylvain's band in Japan has led him on a more adventurous path that saw him delivering deeper into the worlds of avant-garde, jazz, ambient and improvised music. Furthermore, in this year Sylvain released his first solo joint effort with Ryuichi Sakamoto. Sakamoto's first contribution to Sylvain's work though was as a co-writer of "Taking Islands in Africa."

Sylvain's debut solo album, Brilliant Trees in 1984, got some critical acclamation, and it featured the UK Top 20 single Red Guitar. The time span of between 1980 and 1990 David started to concentrate into his solo career. In 1985, Sylvain released an instrumental EP Word with the Shaman, in collaboration with Hassel, Jansen and Czukay, a recording that re-released the same year as full-length album Alchemy: an Index of Possibilities. The album contained important contributions from renowned guitarists Robert Fripp of King Crimson and Bill Nelson of Be-Bop Deluxe. In 1990, Sylvain collaborated with Russell Mills and Ian Walton on the elaborate multi-media installation using sculpture, sound and light titled Ember Glance - The Permanence of Memory.

Furthermore, in 1990, Sylvain reunites with the former members of Japan for a new project. A restless soul and a poet, he became one of the shapeliest-shifting artists in a modern form of music. In the early 1990s, guitarist Robert Fripp invites Sylvain to sing with progressive rock stalwarts King Crimson. Sylvain declines the invite, but Sylvain and Frappe recorded the album 'The First Day' released in July 1993. He released his next album in the year of 1999, by the name of "Dead Bees on a cake", which was his first proper solo album after the "secret of the beehive".

After that, Sylvain reached to the limelight for several times with his wonderful experiments in music, but all those times he came along with some collaboration. Their skills along with Sylvain's voice tune made those collaborations memorable for all the time. Though after 1999, he released only two albums under his name, one of them is "Blemish", which was based on Sylvain's new invented creation of music on 'Samadhi sound', and that album became more popular due to that experimental town in the year of 2003. After Blemish, Sylvain's fans were lucky to beat him for one time more in 2009, the album name was Manafon. This is an average hit till today.

By Anwar Ali Ansari

Power Ranking of Fantasia Sequences

The Pastoral Symphony segment suffers from being the most childish of all the sequences. The humor suffers from too much slapstick. It is not as innovative as in The Sorcerer's Apprentice or Dance of the Hours. Furthermore, the animation is bland and not particularly memorable. Walt Disney had originally intended for the centaurs to be much more wild and beastlike, but concerns by the studio and censors ended these plans. As a result, the centaurs are merely pretty. There are some good moments, such as the storm scene, but this ends before it can become too threatening. The segment is cute, but not much else.

6. Nutcracker Suite

This second piece of Fantasia is extremely beautiful, but that is about all there is to say about it. Scenes such as leaves falling, ice fairies, and Russian flowers are beautiful to look at, but because there is no story, they are ultimately forgettable. This number is gorgeous to look at, but when one is done watching the film, it is hard to remember. This is still better, however, than being geometrically animated and forgettable, like the flamingo with a yo-yo in Fantasia 2000.

5. Toccata and Fugue in D Minor

This opening piece is meant to represent what the audience imagines while hearing a piece. At first the viewer can plainly see the instruments. Then one can see images that could be perceived as instruments. Finally the instruments disappear completely.

This is one of the reasons I like Fantasia. This sequence does not have a story; rather it introduces the audience to the concept of Fantasia, for example, when the strings' moving bows become an abstract. The sequence does not pander to children and put in a story, as Fantasia 2000 did with its "abstract" number, Beethoven's Symphony No. 5. Yet the earlier opening number has more educational interest because it introduces the orchestra.

This sequence has beautiful animation and I admire the ambition of it, but ultimately it lacks the emotional power of the final four on the list.

4. The Sorcerer's Apprentice

This is probably the most famous sequence from Fantasia, and justifiably so. Making Mickey Mouse a sorcerer in the first place is funny. Then we see how badly he botches his simple task of mopping the floor, and while we're laughing, we also sympathize.

We've all probably messed up some simple job, but not spectacularly as he does. The juxtaposition of his fantasy of ruling the universe with the out of control flood inspires sympathetic pity and anxiety, but also laughter at the ridiculous grandiosity of his aspirations. When the brooms multiply so dramatically, it's funny, but also terrifying because they are trying to drown poor Mickey. Likewise, the sorcerer's return is frightening, reassuring, and funny all at once. Mickey has been caught, and everyone can identify with the fear that inspires. At the same time, he puts an end to the madness Mickey started. And the ease with which he does so, as well as the bop on the bottom he administers with the broom, is comical.

While it is entertaining, however, this sequence does not have the fast-paced humor of the next entry on this list or the beautiful animation of the final two entries. It is excellent, but the final three here are great.

3. Dance of the Hours

This is arguably the high point of humor in Fantasia. The dance between the hippo and the alligator is the ultimate anti-Ginger Rodgers and Fred Astaire. While that pair personified grace, the hippo smushes the alligator, who nevertheless retains his romantic drive and debonair aplomb. The humor comes from the fact that both seem to think that they are graceful. In fact all the animals seem to believe that they are great dancers.

Though this sequence is highly amusing, the final two on my list combine drama with masterful combinations of animation and music that tell memorable and moving stories.

2. Night on Bald Mountain and Ave Maria

Night on Bald Mounta

in is my favorite part of Fantasia. The animation, showcasing the dead returning to the devil captures the insane evil evoked by the music. Bela Lugosi modeled for the animation of the devil, and his smile can be seen as the devil revels in torturing the souls in his hands. There can be no mistaking who he is as soon as he emerges from the mountain.

Why is this sequence on the number 2 spot then? For one reason: Ave Maria comes after it. Ave Maria is nice, but it is blandly, even sentimentally, good. The choral introduction and accompaniment emphasize the goody-ness with syrupy, inappropriate slides, and the personal, pleading quality of the prayer in the piece is reduced when the choir soars over the high parts of the solo, implying that heavenly balm will smooth over actual, human troubles. This is replicated in the animation, which reduces people to faceless lights in the beginning, then soars to saccharine heavenly vistas by the end.

Night on Bald Mountain, as good as it is, has the major flaw of being followed by an unmemorable number. But I believe that the final entry on this list encapsulates everything good about Fantasia and has no flaws.

1. Rite of Spring

This sequence manages to contain all the aspects that make Fantasia good. It has powerful, abstract visuals, such as the opening lava storm. It also has the same terrifying, raw almost primitive might as Night on Bald Mountain. This time, however, it is not softened by a feel-good Ave Maria choir; rather the dinosaurs just die. It does not explain why to children, thus allowing them to draw their own conclusions. The films Dinosaur, and more recently Walking with Dinosaurs, could have taken a lesson from this sequence. One does not have to put in dialogue and frame things as good versus evil for children to be interested.

By William D Wehrs

Singing Success? Reviews And Ideas To Hone Your Voice

Everyone is gifted with talents such as singing, dancing and even acting. Some individuals may even have numerous talents that can be used to their advantage. These talents can also help individuals open new opportunities to make their future better. As an individual, gifted with talent, it is best to hone your skills.

When it comes to singing, not everyone has a wonderful voice. Individuals with charming and harmonious voice will have the advantage when it comes to singing. Because of persistence and determination, they can achieve singing success. Reviews and ideas are listed below to help you hone your voice.

Get rid of bad habits - Smoking, drinking and even other bad habits may affect your voice. Therefore, it is best to get rid of such routine. By removing

these routines in your daily life, you can be sure that you can protect your vocal chords from factors that may ruin it. It is also essential to have a healthy diet and body to ensure that you can improve your skills.

Invest in time and effort - Even if you have a lovely voice that can serenade thousands of people, it is still important to invest time and effort to practice. As the saying goes, "practice makes perfect." So, as an aspiring singer in karaoke bars or a performer on the stage, you need to spend sufficient time practicing to further improve the quality of your voice. You also need to exert effort to improve your skills rather than being satisfied with what you have. With this, you can be on top of the competition. Another way to improve is to look for vocal exercises and routines that will allow you to warm your vocal chords before singing.

Opt for singing lessons - Most artists these days also sign up for singing or voice lessons. This is needed to help you learn the best practices when singing. Singing lessons can also help you ensure that you can enjoy other singing exercises such as diaphragm breathing techniques, vocal tone and pitch training, resonance and strength training, and even agility and flexibility. However, before signing up for singing lessons, you need to look for a reputable school to help you achieve your goal. Reviews from experts can be a good option to find the best school. This can help you determine the effectiveness and quality of teaching that you need. Reviews can also help you evaluate singing lesson providers.

By Amanda W Williams

The Different Types of Bars That Can Be Hired Using Mobile Bar Hire

There are many different types of bars that can be hired out. People might think of a bar as a static object which will probably stay in the same place for years and years. But this doesn't have to be the case. In many venues bars are actually hired out and this is ideal for things like events which only happen every so often and don't need a bar situated in the same place for a long period of time. Bars can easily be moved around and they come in a variety of different types which will be talked about in more detail below. Services offering mobile bar hire can be used to provide these types of bars.

You might think a bar is just as it is and can only come in one particular shape, style or colour. Many establishments, such as pubs, use stationary type bars but there are many other places as well as events and occasions which are ideally suited to using mobile bar hire services. Bars for these types of places can be tailored to suit exactly what it is the customer is after. Bespoke bars are offered so customers are not only limited to bars which are of a particular style or shape.

People don't tend to want the same thing and sometimes having something slightly different can make your event stand out and make that special occasion even more special. Events are a great time to let your inner creativity come out and a bar is often something that should be suited to the theme of a particular event. It might be that your event is themed around ice and this is a great type of bespoke bar that can be provided by services offering mobile bar hire. The style of ice can be catered for and this makes it specific to your event.

Alternatively if you're happier having a simpler solution you can get some that come in standard shapes and sizes such as straight or circular. Straight ones can conveniently fit in amongst other furniture because they can be placed against a wall. Circular bars are a good way for the bar to stand out as the centrepiece of an event by being placed in the centre with access from any area of the event location.

On the other hand you might not want something quite so simplistic. Services providing mobile bar hire offer glowing bars which use LED lights to create a glowing impact across the whole bar. This can help a bar stand out and make your event more spectacular.

Some people choose mobile bar hire providers that offer branded bars. These types of bars have brand images and logos on them. They are good for the brand because they create more awareness amongst potential customers. They are also good for consumers because a brand that is expected to be sold behind the bar can easily be displayed and a good quality brand image can be portrayed about the event itself.

By George Soderburg 

Violin Rosin: Essential for Beginning Players

So, you've purchased your child a violin. Most likely, whether you purchased the violin from a private party, online, or from a brick and mortar violin shop, you now have a violin and violin bow in a violin case. That's a great start but, unfortunately, only the beginning of acquiring the most essential violin accessories necessary to providing your child the most complete playing and learning experience possible.

One of the small but very important accessories you can purchase for your child is violin rosin. Actually, "important" doesn't go far enough. Violin rosin (or rosin for the viola and cello) is essential. It's so vital that even if you have a bow and a violin, your child will not be able to play the instrument without rosin.

What is rosin? Rosin is a small, smooth and semi-transparent round or rectangular cake that fits in the palm of your hand. It is made from the tree sap of various conifers, like pine, that is hardened and varies in color from light amber to very dark brown. Rosins are now available in a synthetic blend made for those who are allergic to tree sap.

How is it used? The student should tighten their bow to the appropriate tension for playing and then rub the bow hairs back and forth along the cake of rosin. Typically, a bow only needs a few passes across the rosin once the hair has been broken in but a freshly rehaired bow may need quite a bit more passes across the rosin to achieve the desired effect. The rosin is a sticky substance that adheres to the bow hairs and allows the bow to better grip the violin strings by increasing friction when drawing the bow across the stings.

There are different grades of rosin available for beginners, intermediate players or professionals and rosin does differ between instruments. The smaller string instruments like violins and violas typically require the lighter rosin, while cello rosin tends to be darker colored. The quality of rosin is dependent on other substances that have been added to the mix that modify not only the color of the cake, but also the friction properties. Rosin ranges in cost, from anywhere between $3 a cake to $48 for the higher-end professional grades.

It's always best to ask the advice of a professional, whether you're purchasing rosin at a violin shop or an online violin store that sells violin accessories like rosin. You may also ask your child's teacher for his or her recommendation of which grade of rosin is best for your child.

Just remember: each time the violin is played, rosin dust accumulates on the strings over time. It is wise to purchase string-polishing cloths to wipe away excess rosin from the strings every so often.

By Nathan Weiss

Increasing Passion

In order to have a passionate relationship in the bedroom, it is important to establish adult - adult relating patterns. When people start wagging their fingers at their partners, telling their partners how to think, feel or behave they have moved into a parent - child style of relating. The parent - child style of relating is not sexy and tends to dampen rather than excite libido.

True passion involves vulnerability - completely surrendering to each other and to the moment. It is difficult for a couple to feel open and vulnerable when they have been bickering. If a husband or wife feels like they have to pick up after and take care of their partner like one of the children, how likely are they to be breathlessly waiting to roll into bed with their partner? The same question applies, if a partner feels that they are being treated like a child?

Increasing passion can be a challenge in committed relationships. Carefully and honestly examine your behavior in your relationship. Are there times when you behave more like a parent or a child than a mature adult?

• Do you lecture or scold your partner?
• Do you whine and complain to or about your partner?
• Do you demand that you get your way, now?
• Do you take responsibility for things that should be your partner's responsibility?
• Do you have temper tantrums or volatile reactions to criticism?

The more couples approach their relationships as two mature adults, the more they will be willing and able to be vulnerable with each other. Emotional maturity allows partners to approach the bedroom in ways that enhance, rather than erode their love life. Emotionally mature couples are more likely to feel aroused by their partner and have a satisfying love life.

When partners are emotionally mature they are more able to be fully present during lovemaking. They are more open to being creative, adventurous and respectfully enjoying one another. They are willing to share what they enjoy and happy to learn about their partner's preferences, wants and desires.

Mature partners can easily accept and respect when their partner chooses to say "no" or is uninterested in sex. They do not assume that this means there is something wrong with them or the relationship or that their partner does not love them. To them, sex is something to be enjoyed by choice not out of duty or obligation. They recognize that obligatory sex is one sure way to dampen libido.

Emotionally mature couples are secure in themselves. They are able to be vulnerable and to easily express and receive love. They are considerate and empathetic and are willing to make sacrifices for each other.

Increased awareness of those times that you may slip into the parent - child, rather than adult - adult relating style, will increase your ability to make a different choice. As you increase the maturity of your interactions with each other, you may also notice increased heat in the bedroom.

By: Susan Derry

The Revisionist Collection

Just when we thought we had caught up with Bob Dylan, he has gone and surprised us again. Most famously known as an influential and controversial musician for the last five decades, Dylan certainly never gets stuck in a rut. We first saw his ability to keep his audience on their toes when he ditched the protest songs and swapped his famous acoustic guitar for an electric one. This move bewildered a lot of his fans, but Dylan did not bat an eyelid. He had his eyes firmly fixed on the road ahead and never showed any sign of looking back.

Dylan has had a long and successful career in the music industry, writing over five hundred songs in his time, including 'Like a Rolling Stone', 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door' and 'Blowing in the Wind'. Instead of stepping quietly out of the spotlight, he carries on to shock us all.

Firstly, it was a surprise that Bob Dylan was an artist as well as a musician. He evidenced his talents and captivated the world with a collection called 'Drawn Blank Series'. This was a great success for the artist, therefore meaning that it was not the time to switch off his creative brain. Instead we are graced with a new collection; perhaps more controversial than his previous portfolios, but nevertheless exciting.

Revisionist Art

The new portfolio released this year, could not be any more far removed from the 'Drawn Blank Series'. In fact, one would think that it was a complete different artist altogether!
The new collection is a limited edition of hand signed silkscreens which are the covers of popular magazines taken from the last half a century. The concept behind this is intriguing. They are magazine covers which have escaped history's notice. They are from a world only slightly removed from our own, and are indicative of a place more honest about its corruption. According to the works of Bob Dylan, our history is not quite what we think it is.

Dylan's artwork shows his outstanding awareness of the everyday, illustrating the same drive for renewal which epitomised his legendary music career. In this portfolio of art he has transformed popular designs, reconsidering the syntax, graphics and chromatic content and then enlarging them onto silkscreened images.

No doubt that this collection will be as popular as his last, and there is no chance of his audience becoming bored. It is sensed that this will probably not be the last we hear from Bob Dylan, and perhaps there are more shocking things to come.

By Robert Harry Smith

FAQs About Animatronic Figures

What types of animatronic figures are available?
You can find animatronics of all types, sizes, scope and level of sophistication. For example, there are figures of birds, animals and even human beings.
The figures are designed for different functions and for different locations. For example, there are those that are ideal to be displayed in homes and small locations and there are those that are ideal to be displayed in large public areas.
If you want a given figure, you only need to approach a given company and place your order. The company will process your order and create what you asked for.
How much do animatronics cost?
The cost of the figures depends on the complexity and level of detail. This means the more complex a figure is, the more expensive it is. For example, you can find simple animatronics going for as little as $50 and find complex figures going for millions of dollars.
When buying the figures, you should always go for the highest quality. This is to ensure that the product that you buy lasts for a long time. This calls for you to do plenty of research in order to identify a company that will sell you high quality products at low prices.
The good side is that you can easily identify a good quality company by going through the review sites. Here you will see what different people have to say about different companies. As rule of thumb you should always go with the company with the highest number of positive reviews.
How are animatronic figures made?
Animatronics are usually powered by pneumatics, hydraulics or by electricity. The figures incorporate mechanical frames that are made from stainless steel and aluminum alloys. There are also perfectly designed joints that are placed in natural joint positions.
The machinery is covered with body shells and flexible skins that are made of hard and soft materials. The figure is then colored in order to give it a great finish. Hair, feathers and other touches can be used to add detail and finalize the work.
For the figure to perform in a realistic and lifelike manner, the animation control computer is programmed by an animator.
Can likenesses be made using this technology?
Yes, likenesses of celebrities, presidents, athletes, historic personalities and other influential individuals can be made using this technology. If you need a likeness to be created you only need to identify a reputable company that will give you the results that you need.