Relentless

Grand horticultural designs

Crop circles and other large scale anomalies have been long attributed to supernatural causes.These gigantic rice field canvases couldn’t possibly raise suspicions of paranormal involvement.

They are the product of meticulous horticultural genius of the people of the village Japanese of Inakadate.

The creators use computer software to plan the images before the local villagers and volunteers plant yellow- and purple-leaved rice varieties, which will then grow in their own, naturally distinctive colours.

The results speak for themselves – even despite the conceptual conundrum that is the subject matter (Napoleon vs. a Sengoku warrior) the sheer scope and level of detail make them a site to behold, and have for dinner once harvest season arrives.
 

 Minimalism with a maximum effect

As you probably already know our Sound issue is already going out to members of The Order, and we are suitably proud of all the hard work that has gone into it.

For those who haven’t had a taste of it just yet, be warned that this is not just about beautifully ornamented sonatas, or the visceral intensity of hardcore punk. We believe sound can move us on many different levels, and this is not always constrained to the cannons of melody and rhythm.

Steve Reich is a case in point. He is best known for exercising stoic restraint in his compositions and made that minimalism the defining characteristic of his sound for years to come. Mr. Reich’s interest in music began at an early age, when he studied piano and drums, but he really began his creative journey with the commercial advent of the tape recorder.

Even though he is openly dismissive of electronic music, he is one of the pioneering artists to have used technology as an instrument, and has been cited an influence to many musicians, and to music in general. Mr. Reich prefers to describe himself as an analogue composer, and it’s easy to see why. Allowing tape loops to seamlessly blend and create an almost organic sound, is the mark of a true genius and a telling sign of his immense skill. Having moved on from tape loops, Mr. Reich achieved what is regarded as his creative pinnacle – the 1998 masterpiece “Music for 18 Musicians,” where his minimalism took on a completely new form, and was being tackled by a larger ensemble of musicians.

Overall, Mr. Reich’s contribution is indisputable, and has received all matter of awards over the course of his considerable career – from Grammy’s to Pulizer, to the Relentless blog. The joy.

Dolphins surfing? Naturally.

It is not only our prized Artists that are worthy of media attention and that of millions of fans. The driving force of big the waves has enticed even some of the ocean’s inhabitants.

Dolphins are widely recognized as some of the most intelligent water mammals, and to a lesser extent – as great surfers. Even though it is an extremely rare phenomenon, dolphins do tend to try and catch the odd wave. Scientists attribute this behaviour to a habit left over from their early days, when as youngsters the dolphins would swim in their mothers’ ‘slip stream.’