WC2010

World Cup starts today and the majority of the world goes nuts! Congrats to South Africa for being the host country and go team USA.

For an innovative graphic on the teams and matches, see here.

Sites to stay on top of the action (besides ESPN):

official FIFA World Cup site,
The Guardian (though a bit slow thus far),
L'Equipe (French),
TNR World Cup blog.



hattip: helmut

heading to New Orleans

The above Turner is heading to New Orleans from the Indianapolis Museum of Art as tribute for the Saints Super Bowl victory tonight. Tyler Green take a bow.

from the IMA:

The Fifth Plague of Egypt

Artist Turner, Joseph Mallord William
nationality British
birth-death April 23, 1775-December 19, 1851
Creation date 1800
Materials oil on canvas
Dimensions 48 x 72 in.
Location Charles O. McGaughey Gallery
Credit line Gift in memory of Evan F. Lilly
Accession number 55.24

Gallery Label

This dark, tempestuous painting marks the rise of Turner as a full-fledged Romantic painter. Relying on vast scale, dynamic movement, and dramatic subject, his composition appeals primarily to the emotions to communicate its message. Turner's motive for painting this canvas, which he exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1800, may have been a desire to impress British critics and viewers with his ability to handle serious themes. However, it does appear that the young painter mistitled his picture, as this canvas actually depicts the seventh plague of Egypt, when Moses stretched his arms toward heaven, and thunder, hail and fire rained on the pharaoh and his people.

Indianapolis Museum of Art: Highlights of the Collection (2005)

twitter bowl

The above map may say more about America than any electoral map could hope for - ouch.

In their coverage of last Sunday's Superbowl, the New York Times has created a map showing live twitter chatter during the game. The map visualizes the frequency and location of commonly used words in Super Bowl related 'tweets' between viewers/users. I will say that the tab showing the chronology of catch phrases is very cool. Expect to see much more data visualization like t his in the coming year. The inanity has only just begun.



hat tip: Neil Perkin

beijing opens

The politics aside, you have to admit these opening night shots from Beijing are fantastic. Soooo much more advanced than the Disney type crud we usually get at such forums. Gursky be damned! Great tip from Jagers.

Mark E Smith reading the football results

does it get any better?