Chapters: Ch 1 · Ch 2 · Ch 3 · Ch 4
Performance & Visual Art
Figen (@TheFigen_): Helena Vlahos performing her Nine Quarters belly dance act, 1979. https://x.com/TheFigen_/status/1801752291545919547
A viral historical video clip of a skilled belly dancer from 1979, shared by the @TheFigen_ account which regularly posts remarkable historical footage. An example of rediscovered archival performance art. [→ arts-music-film; ephemeral social media]
How One Digital Artist Invested in his Creative Dream (Gizmodo)
A Gizmodo article profiling a digital artist who made a financial or career bet on their creative work — possibly related to NFTs, freelancing, or a specific art project. [→ arts-music-film; career angle → career-personal]
Martial Arts & Body Culture
Bagua — The Most Unique Martial Art in History? https://youtu.be/he3e2Ymc2wQ
A YouTube video exploring Baguazhang (八卦掌), the Chinese martial art based on the I Ching’s eight trigrams, known for its circular footwork and flowing palm strikes. Distinguished from other kung fu styles by its continuous spiral movement. [→ arts-music-film; health/fitness angle → health-fitness]
Return of the Dragon: How Bruce Lee Predicted the Future of Fighting vice.com — https://www.vice.com/en/article/return-of-the-dragon-how-bruce-lee-predicted-the-future-of-fighting/
A Vice article arguing that Bruce Lee’s philosophy of Jeet Kune Do — combining techniques from multiple martial arts — anticipated modern mixed martial arts (MMA). Lee famously rejected stylistic rigidity decades before the UFC existed. [→ arts-music-film; martial arts/fitness → health-fitness]