Le Monstre Fashion By William Stormdal

Jacques & Lise

Global Instagrammers: From Moldova to New York, Thailand and Latvia

Through Instagram, it’s possible to visit every corner of the world. In our Global Instagrammers series, we travel the world by asking people to share their favorite Instagrammers from another country.

@spatari: Chișinău, Moldova

Alex Spatari (@spatari) is a 26-year-old television producer living in Chișinău, Moldova, who joined Instagram shortly after it launched in 2010.

"I’ve met a lot of amazing folks from different countries," says Alex. "I love Instagram accounts that have some theme or idea. I truly admire people who can find a subject and build the whole story around it."

When asked to pick his favorite Instagrammer outside of Moldova, Alex chose @visualmemories_. “Great atmosphere, simplicity, faded colours make you feel nostalgic about New York even if you’ve never been there.”

@visualmemories_: New York, United States

"Photography has always been a hobby of mine," says Jomayra (@visualmemories_), who is 28 and works in real estate. “But thanks to Instagram I definitely developed a deeper love for it while allowing me to open up and be confident.”

Jomayra chose Thai Instagrammer @rockkhound. “I’ve been following him for the longest time. He has a creative eye for new perspectives.”

@rockkhound: Bangkok, Thailand

As a 25-year-old flight attendant based in Bangkok, Thailand, Tom (@rockkhound) has a chance to travel and explore new places for work. “I’ve had a chance to meet so many people I found through Instagram that I now call friends.”

Tom chose Latvia Instagrammer @contour7. “He is a minimalist. His work is cool, clean and always fresh.”

Want to find more great people to follow? Check out these posts from The New York Times Magazine's “The 6th Floor” blog: Instagram Envy Chain: Sochi Edition and Down the Instagram Rabbit Hole.

COMIDA CORRIENDO!

Glorious Gems of MP - Tansen, the magical musician of Gwalior

Muhammad Ghaus (or Ghawth) was a 16th century Sufi saint and teacher of the Mughal emperor Humayun. As soon as we reached his tomb, I stood gazing at this marvelous 16th century Mughal architecture originally built by Akbar. Architecturally it is a square base with hexagonal towers mounted with domes at its corners.

It is covered on all sides with beautiful carved stone lattices. There are about 36-37 different intricate patterns and they are so fine, one can gaze at them till eternity.

When admiring the lattices, my eyes fell upon beautiful coloured threads that were tied around the tomb. It is believed that, people who visit this place and tie a knot with colourful threads get their prayers answered. I quickly went to a lattice, tied a thread and prayed with a lot hope and excitement!

The pleasant surprise was when I came to know that also buried in the same mausoleum complex is the great Miyaan Tansen, who drew Sufi influences in his music from Mohammad Ghaus. There’s probably not a single musical soul who hasn’t heard the name of Tansen. Although, what most do not know is that Ghaus was a very important mentor for Tansen.

Tansen was born in Gwalior and hence it is also known as Sangeet ki Nagri (the city of music). Born in a Hindu family, he started his career in the court of King Ram Chand of Gwalior. But Tansen’s music transcended all the barriers of religion, landing him to King Akbar’s court where he was considered one of the Navratnas (Nine Jewels). Tansen is widely considered as the founder of Hindustani classical music as we know it. After his death, he was buried according to Muslim customs by Akbar.

Tansen Samaroh, a national musical fest, happens every year near his tomb. Started in 1985 by the Scindia’s, this festival is held in the memory of Tansen. In this grand extravaganza, many renowned classical singers from all across the country come and deliver powerful performances, building a beautiful and a serene atmosphere, just the way it would have been in Akbar’s time.

Standing in front of the tomb took me back to my childhood and the wonderful legends that I had heard about Tansen from my father. His music is said to have resonated with everyone - from men and women to even animals and birds. Popular legend it that he once sang Raag Deepak (Song of Fire) in the court and the wicks of lamps burst into flame by the sheer power of his voice. And everyone knows that when Tansen sang the Raag Megh Malhar (Song of Rain), it actually rained that day.

Akbar was very fond of Tansen! So much so that once Akbar wanted to ride an elephant but it wasn’t tamed and nobody was unable to control him. Tansen sang to the elephant to calm him down after which the Emperor rode the elephant with utmost ease.

Near the tomb there is a renowned Tamarind tree and my guide said that chewing the leaves of this particular tree makes our voice sweeter to hear. I had to obviously take a few and ruminate on them with an incredible sense of childlike wonder, a wonder about magical tales like these that make our history so rich and popular. And so I chewed on a few leaves and hummed a tune. My guide Puneet ji felt that there was a remarkable transformation in my voice. But of course he was indulging me!

Indian classical music has deep rooted oneness with nature itself.  For a few seconds, I wished I was there in the court of Tansen to actually witness this magic for real. I started daydreaming of the day when he sang Raag Megh Malhar - peacocks dancing in the rain the raindrops trickling through the exteriors of the magnificent structure and the courtiers mesmerised by the rhythm of the Raag. And amidst the beautiful flowers in the garden, I was, swirling around, looking up at the sky, letting the raindrops fall on my face. Alas, it was all but a distant dream.

About the artist 

Neethi Goldhawk is an independent illustrator and textile print designer who loves drawing all things dreamy, inspired by nature and life. She has illustrated for platforms like Redbull Amaphiko and Launchora. Her pen name (Goldhawk) was concocted in the crowded space of her mind full of absurd characters, who are but little children at heart. She is an avid Tumblr blogger and can be found here

By Neethi Goldhawk

Maddy young 2014

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Brand Identity for Cidrerie Milton by Agency lg2

“For the cider maker’s new identity, the creative team chose colours inspired by the company’s heritage and the raw material itself—green—and its boldness—a bright, solid orange. The objective was to give the company, a leader in Québec’s cider industry, winning conditions that would catch the consumer’s eye with a brand and products that are both more distinctive and easily recognizable.”

lg2 is the story of two entrepreneurs. Sylvain Labarre (the “L”) and Paul Gauthier (the “G”). The two of them, along with Gilles Chouinard, started to build a small agency with big ambitions. More than 25 years later, with over 250 talented employees and thousands of awards for some of the most innovative and well-known brands in the world, the founders’ relentless focus on their people and their product remains just as strong.

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