Daily Archives: May 20, 2022

Who were the Vikings? And why did they leave their homes to raid and invade far-off lands?

These are the questions this alluring Irish series sets out to answer, in two episodes titled The Dark Foreigners and The Dynasty of Ivarr.

There is something about Vikings that appeals to many of us. Is it the wild hair? The impassioned roaring? The risk-taking adventures on the high seas?

Narrated by Moe Dunford (Vikings, Dublin Murders), in this two-part series we hear about new discoveries in science and archaeology that challenge what we thought we knew about Vikings.

An exact replica of the Oseberg Viking ship, the longships sit high and move fast. Source: Tile Films Ltd.

While many see Vikings as violent plunderers (which was often the case), recent discoveries have found more practical reasons they sought resources elsewhere. Already master shipbuilders by the 8th century, for decades, they set sail from Norway on raiding expeditions.

The Vikings modus operandi, we're told, was to move in, gather up as much loot and slaves as could fit in the ships, and take off again. Mounting up a stash of booty and slaves could only elevate a Vikings status. Their targets were the rich monasteries of Britain and Ireland. Tenaya Jorgensen of Trinity College Dublin, tells us these monasteries and churches were largely unprotected, which meant that the Norse were able to come over and pillage them without much opposition.

While they always returned home, from about 840, something changed. Archaeologists have found evidence of settlements in Ireland, and Dublin was one of the Vikings most important centres in Europe. Then, in 850, the dark foreigners arrived, thusly dubbed by the Irish to distinguish from the fair foreigners who had already conquered them and their city. Ivarr and Olaf the White led these dark foreigners who seemed like a different breed: more ambitious and ruthless than the fair foreigners. And soon they showed their predecessors who was in control.

An Irish monk (played by re-enactor Pdraig Ruairc) flees as Vikings attack a monastery. Source: Tile Films Ltd

The main ambition of the new contingent was the international slave trade, putting both their well-trained army of warriors and fast-sailing ships to profitable use. In 2020, a major harbour was unearthed beside Dublins Castle Garden. It wouldve been large enough to hold some 200 ships filled with slaves.

The Viking king Ivarr (played by re-enactor Bart Gozdur). Source: Tile Films Ltd

Ivarr then dipped his toe into more serious conquest. Finding Ireland too tricky to take over, his prize was a fledgling England. And he found success. For decades, York was a sister Viking city of sorts to Dublin, and Ivarrs sons and grandsons continued his leadership. Then, at the turn of the century, the Irish attacked, setting back the Vikings when they least expected it. But a bigger battle was to come one that would set the course of England, and see the return of Ivarrs descendants to continue their forefathers ambitions.

Ivarr was the progenitor of a Viking empire, and thats why the grandsons of Ivarr are feared so much, because Ivarr himself is considered such a vast, huge, monumental figure, says Trinity Colleges Gavin Hughes.

One of Ivarrs grandsons, Sitric, was determined to return after being driven out by the Irish, and make his mark and that, he did. After a mighty battle, the dark foreigners had regained control of Dublin, and built a well-planned town unearthed in the 1970s by the archaeology team led by Pat Wallace, then just 25 years old. Wallace tells us that we know more about Dublin in the tenth century and early eleventh than we do of any other town in northwest Europe, even London and Paris.

The Vikings had a major influence on many aspects of life that look familiar to us today, more than a thousand years on. One of the[ir] major physical legacies is the establishment of the rectangular form of building as the ordinary domestic house, Wallace says. He also credits the Vikings with much more. They gave us our first real mainstream European towns with town plots, town layouts, a consistent building type inherited over the ages. Consistent positioning of property, all of that. Defended towns.

The Viking leader Sitric Cech (played by re-enactor Jack Gassmann), Source: Tile Films Ltd

The discoveries continue, many of them recent, precipitated by archaeological investigation prior to major roadworks taking place in Ireland. Genetic studies find deeper connections between Britain, Ireland, Iceland and Norway. We learn about the greatest battle yet fought on English soil. And we gain an appreciation of the legacy of the Vikings on our modern-day society and in the populations very genomes. Perhaps what appeals to us, is that in some way, shape or form, we are all Viking.

With plenty of experts on hand to guide us through these far-off days of major drama, where everyday life was dictated by fear and a fight for survival, Viking Empires is an exciting look at a fascinating time on Earth.

Viking Empirespremieres on SBS on Sunday 22 May, with episodes 1 and 2 airing back-to-back from 7.30pm. Episodes will be available at SBS On Demand after they air.

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Unearthing one of the greatest ever 'Viking Empires' - SBS

NEW YORK, May 19, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TMC the metals company Inc. (Nasdaq: TMC) (TMC or the Company), an explorer of the worlds largest estimated undeveloped source of critical battery metals, today announced the successful deployment of a riser system and flexible jumper hose which, alongside the robotic nodule collector vehicle, represent key components of the pilot nodule collection system designed by the Companys strategic partner and shareholder, Allseas Group S.A. (Allseas).

Engineers aboard the Hidden Gem vessel deployed the flexible jumper hose, connected it to the base of the riser and then launched the pilot riser, lowering the assembly to a depth of around 650m meters. Using the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) installed on the Hidden Gem, engineers then made a sub-sea connection between the jumper hose and collector vehicle which was previously deployed to the seafloor in 745m water depth. Allseas used the derrick onboard the former drillship for at-sea construction of the pilot riser system which will ultimately extend to 4km deep when deployed later this year in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) of the Pacific Ocean.

The pilot system being tested by Allseas will be the basis for TMCs first commercial production system, and in March the companies announced a non-binding term sheet outlining the terms for developing and operating the worlds first commercial system to collect deep-sea polymetallic nodules to meet surging demand for critical battery metals.

Straight off the back of our collector trials, Allseas have once again shown why nobody else in the offshore business can think as big, or move as fast, said Gerard Barron, CEO & Chairman of The Metals Company. With the first deep-water deployment of the riser system and subsea connection between the collector and the riser successfully under our belts, we look forward to applying the lessons learned as we hook up and deploy the prototype collection system in the Pacific later this year.

Since 2019, Allseas and TMC have been working together to develop a pilot system to responsibly collect unattached polymetallic nodules from the seafloor and lift them to the surface for transportation to shore. Nodules contain high grades of nickel, manganese, copper and cobalt key metals required for building electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy technologies.

Previously, TMC and Allseas announced successful trials of the nodule collector vehicle in deep-water in the Atlantic [see video] as well as harbor wet-test commissioning and shallow-water drive tests in the North Sea. All trials to date are in preparation for full pilot nodule collection system trials later this year over an 8 km2 section of the NORI-D contract area in the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean. The trials are an integral part of the International Seabed Authoritys regulatory and permitting process and the environmental impact data collected both during and after the upcoming nodule collection test work, together with many terabytes of existing baseline data collected by TMC, will form the basis of the application for an exploitation contract by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Nauru Ocean Resources, Inc. (NORI).

Development of technologies to collect polymetallic nodules first began in the 1970s when oil, gas and mining majors including Shell, Rio Tinto (Kennecott) and Sumitomo successfully conducted pilot test work in the CCZ, collecting over ten thousand tons of nodules. In the decades since, the ISA was established to develop the regulatory framework to govern mineral extraction in the high seas while technology development efforts have largely focused on scaling proven nodule collection technologies and optimizing for minimal seafloor disturbance and environmental impact.

About The Metals Company

TMC the metals company Inc. (The Metals Company) is an explorer of lower-impact battery metals from seafloor polymetallic nodules, on a dual mission: (1) supply metals for the clean energy transition with the least possible negative environmental and social impact and (2) accelerate the transition to a circular metal economy. The company through its subsidiaries holds exploration rights to three polymetallic nodule contract areas in the Clarion Clipperton Zone of the Pacific Ocean regulated by the International Seabed Authority and sponsored by the governments of Nauru, Kiribati and the Kingdom of Tonga. More information is available at http://www.metals.co.

About AllseasAllseas is a world-leading contractor in the offshore energy market, with dynamism, rapid progress and pioneering spirit at its core. Allseas specialise in offshore pipeline installation, heavy lift and subsea construction. The company employs over 4000 people worldwide and operates a versatile fleet of specialised heavy-lift, pipelay and support vessels, designed and developed in-house. More information about Allseas is available at http://www.allseas.com.

More InfoMedia | media@metals.co. Investors | investors@metals.co.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements made in this press release are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as believe, may, will, estimate, continue, anticipate, intend, expect, should, would, plan, predict, potential, seem, seek, future, outlook and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters, including related to upcoming trials in TMCs NORI-D contract area and future offshore operations. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Most of these factors are outside TMCs control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: Allseas ability to conduct a full pilot nodule collection trial in the Clarion Clipperton Zone; TMCs ability to enter into definitive agreement(s) with Allseas with respect to the proposed strategic alliance to develop and operate a commercial collection system on terms and conditionals substantially similar to those set forth in the non-binding terms sheet; the successful completion of the pilot collection tests; TMCs ability to obtain exploitation contracts for its areas in the CCZ; regulatory uncertainties and the impact of government regulation and political instability on TMCs resource activities; changes to any of the laws, rules, regulations or policies to which TMC is subject; the impact of extensive and costly environmental requirements on TMCs operations; environmental liabilities; the impact of polymetallic nodule collection on biodiversity in the CCZ and recovery rates of impacted ecosystems; TMCs ability to develop minerals in sufficient grade or quantities to justify commercial operations; the lack of development of seafloor polymetallic nodule deposit; uncertainty in the estimates for mineral resource calculations from certain contract areas and for the grade and quality of polymetallic nodule deposits; risks associated with natural hazards; uncertainty with respect to the specialized treatment and processing of polymetallic nodules that TMC may recover; risks associated with collective, development and processing operations; fluctuations in transportation costs; testing and manufacturing of equipment; risks associated with TMCs limited operating history; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; risks associated with TMCs intellectual property; and other risks and uncertainties, including those under Item 1A Risk Factors in TMCs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, filed by TMC with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on March 25, 2022, and in TMCs other future filings with the SEC. TMC cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. TMC cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. TMC does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based except as required by law.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1ee07ab7-e437-4139-8626-26c431172698

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/af6762d8-1a67-4926-a040-af4a4ffba2cf

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The Metals Company and Allseas Announce Successful Deepwater Commissioning of Riser Pipe and Jumper Hose Designed to Lift Polymetallic Nodules from...

Those who own lavish mansions, and castles on land, often carry this penchant for palaces to the high seas as well. That is how lesser mortals get to witness the grandeur of superyachts like Azzam with jaws dropped and eyes wide open. The 590-feet Azzam superyacht. is a floating palace, no doubt- it is a Lurssen masterpiece that is also the largest superyacht in the world. The owner of such as asset can be no ordinary person, even being just a billionaire wont do. Azzam was commissioned by none other than the President of the United Arab Emirates, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the wealthiest emirate in the U.A.E. and one of the richest men worldwide. When a man enjoys a net worth in the tens of billions and has a real estate portfolio that spans includes hundreds of villas, palaces, and castles, his yacht has to match up, and Azzam indeed did!Khalifa bin Zayed Al NahyanAzzam is undoubtedly a valuable asset befitting her owner. The owner, unfortunately, left Azzam deprived as the second president of U.A.E. passed away on May 13th at age 73, shared Yacht Harbour. Azzam will soon have new ownership or, although unlikely, emerge for sale on the market if the family decides to part with it. It is believed the owner took a keen interest in making the ship tailored to his exact taste and demands.

Via Instagram / @superyachttimesAzzam was initially much smaller in size, but to accommodate the Sheikhs directives, it became the largest private-owned megayacht in the world that can be called a floating luxury residence fit for royalty. For now, the future of Azzam is masked, but it would be interesting to see where new ownership will sail this magnificent pleasure craft.

Via Charterworld.comSome ultra-luxurious aspects of the fantastic Azzam superyacht:The wonders of the Azzam yacht are many. After all, she was the prized possession of the man who put the Khalifa in Burj Khalifa. Lurssen built Azzam in 2013. Since then, it has held the title of the largest superyacht in the world. Lurssen managed the incomprehensible by delivering the mammoth in a short building time of less than three years by employing an army of 4,000 people.

Via Instagram / @ridji.fishing.montenegroThe interiors of this monument-of-the-sea were entrusted to French designer Christophe Leoni who had previously worked his magic on some of the owners residences and palaces. The talented designer used intricately veneered wood furniture with mother of pearl marquetry to create the Empire style of the early 19th century.

Via Instagram / @azzamyachtAzzam flaunts five decks, and can take 36 guests on a trip of a lifetime who would be taken utmost care of by a crew of 70. A luxury ship like Azzam offers every amenity in the book, like private cinema, a helipad, and the biggest glass-encased salon ever built on a ship. Inside the salon is a specially designed and engineered chandelier that doesnt rattle, even at full speed. The worlds largest private yacht also has an onboard golf training facility and a gym and swimming pool. In addition to its charm, this boat means business as, despite its large size, the Azzam can sail as fast as a Navy frigate with a top speed of 32 knots. The massive yacht is powered by two large gasoline engines and two diesel engines via four pump jets, with around 97,000 horsepower.

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Azzam, the world's largest superyacht may soon get itself a new billionaire owner. Built by an army of 4,000 skilled workers the $600 million vessel...

Still not in a mood to return to the multiplexes or just want to stay curled up in your pajamas, but want to watch something new? These original movies coming to popular streaming platforms might be the perfect fit.

In this incredibly irreverent and referential hybrid animation/live action comedy (think Who Framed Roger Rabbit), we catch up with the famed rodent Chip (John Mulaney) and Dale (Andy Samberg) decades after their Disney detective series from 1989-90 was canceled. When other famed toons start disappearing (again, incredibly Who Framed Roger Rabbit) the estranged partners reluctantly are back on the case. Their hijinks could be a blast in the hands of director Akiva Schaffer (The Lonely Island, Popstar, Hot Rod).

A queer reimagining of Pride and Prejudice, comedian Joel Kim Booster (who also wrote the script) and Saturday Night Live scene-stealer Bowen Yang star as gay best friends who struggle with romantic foibles and class issues during a vacation on the famed gay resort isle. The movie looks like it's going to be a wild flippant ride and Yang and Booster both have more than enough chops to get an array of audiences laughing. Since summer slates are now almost entirely devoid of comedies (unless they're animated or Marvel), Fire Island has a chance to be the breakout comedy of the season.

In a sports movie with more grit than Disney sheen, Adam Sandler stars as a has-been agent who discovers a Spanish street ball prospect (played by actual NBA player Juancho Hernangmez) who could be his ticket back into NBA circles... if he's willing to put in the work. Featuring plenty of Hollywood and pro hoops star power (Queen Latifah, Robert Duvall, Anthony Edwards, Khris Middleton, Kyle Lowry), it looks like it could have a rawer edge than most feel-good sport flicks.

When an aging widow (Emma Thompson) hires a handsome young sex worker (Daryl McCormack) to expand her sexual horizons, their conversations find a way to extend beyond just the heat of the hotel bedroom. This critically-acclaimed, limited-scope two-hander looks a cut above typical streaming fare in terms of quality with Thompson and McCormack delivering sterling performances that manage to be steamy, funny, and heartfelt at the same time.

Typically, someone getting cold feet at a destination wedding would be the most eventful part of the day. But in the action/comedy Shotgun Wedding, the reconsidering couple-to-be (Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel) must put aside their pre-marital squabbles when the wedding becomes a hostage situation. There's a chance this is incredibly corny, but director Jason Moore (Pitch Perfect) and co-writer Liz Meriwether (New Girl) could at least raise it to silly watchability.

Writer/director Chris Williams (Moana, Big Hero 6) disembarks from Disney to tell the CGI-animated tale of a monster-hunting sailor during a time when giant sea beasts populated the oceans. His typical seafaring ways get a bit upended when a young stowaway girl unexpectedly joins him, setting off a series of family-friendly high seas adventures.

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New movies coming to streaming services this summer that might actually be worth your time - Inlander

By Petrobras

This is a machine translation of the press release originally published in Portuguese.

Petrobras and Equinor are jointly evaluating the environmental feasibility of the project to develop an offshore wind farm in Aracatu, in the Campos Basin, about 20 km from the coast. The objective is the generation of electric energy from the winds on the high seas. The joint assessment is the result of a partnership signed between the two companies in 2018.

In line with Petrobras' Strategic Plan (2022-2026), the study is supported by the Research and Development (R&D) program of the company's Research and Innovation Center (Cenpes), focused on reducing risks and accelerating gains in technological maturity. . Brazil's potential for offshore wind power generation brings promising opportunities for diversifying the country's energy matrix, said Petrobras Institutional Relations and Sustainability Director Rafael Chaves.

Like onshore wind generation, the technology associated with offshore wind generation uses the force of the winds to produce renewable energy, but operates with large equipment and delivers large volumes of energy. The project under evaluation consists of an offshore wind farm totaling approximately 4 GW.

The environmental characterization form of the Aracatu Project, required in the environmental licensing process, was filed in August 2020.

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Petrobras and Equinor assess environmental feasibility of joint offshore wind energy project - BNamericas English

(Credit: Eric Koch / Anefo)

Ronan ORahilly, like many people from Ireland, was a pirate. Yes, he was a pirate, keen to bring his rebellious spirit to the high seas. And with the rise of rock in the United Kingdom, he had a medium by which he could showcase his rebellious voice, one that catered to the wants and needs of the countercultural movement. And by bringing his radio to the high seas, he had the freedom and the foresight to carry this medium of escapism to the many multitudes of teenagers who were starved of the appetite for rock that they were craving.

He was inspired by the Scandinavian and Dutch radio pirates of the high seas, by picking up a 702-ton former Danish passenger ferry Fredericia, which led her to convert the ship into a radio station at the port of Greenore. What the boat brought wasnt just clarity and cohesion, but context, gifting the listeners a chance to look at the water around them, and recognise the potency of the region. And buoyed by a photo of the Kennedy family Caroline Kennedy was the daughter of the Irish man who led the country ORahilly was inspired to take this sense of harmony to the living rooms.

The music was dangerous, deadly and done with great interest in the world at large. Pop was making an impression on the public in the way that jazz and blues werent, and even bands with blues or jazz proclivities (The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, The Who) were making a sidestep into the more commercial world of pop.

They were selling sex to a country that was caught up in Victorian principles, capturing an essence of youth that was bursting with possibility. Contraception was on the rise in Britain, and the bands that were playing to the world at large were throwing themselves into the mercy of the world at large. London was happening, and like many of the Irish diaspora that helped build the worlds greatest city, ORahilly was excited by the possibility of travel and demonstration.

As it happens, ORahillys heritage helped him keep the boat afloat after the UK Government enacted the Marine, & Broadcasting (Offences) Act in 1967, which outlawed advertising on unlicensed radios. It didnt suit the ship to bow down to the regulations of Her Majestys government, and even James Bond himself was won over by the perfume of the free-wheeling impresario.

George Lazenby hinted that ORahilly persuaded him that the Bond gig was finished, especially since the tuxedo-wearing, gadget-snatching civil servant was at odds with the rebellious spirit of rock. Little wonder Lazenbys next gig showcased his beard, bare chest and long hair, creating a new form of secret agent the 007 series would never have countenanced in the early 1970s.

Instead, the ORaghallaigh as he was known in parts of Ireland demonstrated a certain sartorial flair, by advocating for the length of hair, bringing rock back to his native island, an effort that took in Dublin, a city that was experiencing change and cohesion. At that time, Ireland was embracing the beginnings of rock through the showband movements, and in the tradition of the island, Ireland was exporting great musicians out to the London across the seas, decorating the exhibition with a collection of sparky hooks and barrelling drum designs.

Without ORahilly, Britain would never have opened their barriers to Bonos soaring voice or Phil Lynotts propulsive bass playing. He was determined to hold up the values of his native island, which is why Richard Curtis decision to cast an Englishman as his representation of ORahilly in The Boat That Rocked was a disappointing one. But the film introduced a new generation to the importance of the pirate spirit and the adventures that awaited listeners beyond the high seas.

There was three radio stations for the entire United Kingdom, UK broadcaster Johnnie Walker broadcaster admitted in 2020, eulogising the late Irishman. When pop came along, when The Beatles happened, the BBC thought it was going to be a five-minute wonder. Its just a craze. Itll come, and itll be gone. And so you couldnt hear The Beatles. You couldnt hear The Stones. You couldnt hear The Kinks. You couldnt hear The Who.

And Ronan ORahilly, who was a great rebel, Walker continued, Whose grandfather was shot by the British Army in 1916 in the famous Easter uprising so he had that rebellious streak in him. So he thought, to hell with this. Ill start my own radio station. He bought a ship. He had a very big advantage in that his father owned a port in Ireland. So that port was used for fitting out an old Dutch ferry called the MV Frederica (ph). And that was the original home of Radio Caroline, which started in 1964.

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How Ronan O'Rahilly and 'Radio Caroline' changed the face of rock music forever - Far Out Magazine

Forget everything you know about Middle-earth. Amazon's forthcoming Lord of the Rings series officially subtitled The Rings of Power plans to take even the most devoted Tolkien die-hards back to school with what concept artist John Howe calls the "unseen history" of the sprawling fantasy mythos.

"This isn't the Middle-earth you remember ... This is a world that's very vibrant," the illustrator, who worked on both of Peter Jackson's film trilogies set in this world, explained to Empire Magazine in the latest issue. "The elves are not hidden away in Mirkwood or lingering in Rivendell. They're busy constructing kingdoms. The dwarven kingdom of Moria is not an abandoned mine and the Grey Haven is not yet an abandoned city."

Hailing from co-showrunners and executive producersJ.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, the show (hitting Prime Video this September) takes place thousands of years before Frodo and the Fellowship embarked on a perilous journey to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom. Of course, the trouble Sauron will one day cause is fomenting in the background of this era of supposed peace and prosperity. "There's a respect for Tolkien that's an integral part of the showrunners' approach," Howe said. "I appreciated their desire to take this material that's difficult to bring to the screen and do something new with it."

Before you squawk with indignation over this claim of deviation, rest assured that the fundamental building blocks of the beloved source material remain intact. "Tolkien's stories deal with self-sacrifice and situations in which we are smaller than [the threats] we face," the concept artist said. "That's one of the more poignant themes in The Rings of Power. The Rings of Power has that with added epic scope."

That expanding narrative purview will take excited viewers to the high seas of Middle-earth, which have never been explored onscreen before. They'll feel the proverbial salty spray on their faces via the exploits of a race of sailing elves, whom Howe characterizes as "daunting, enterprising, and are almost colonizing the world. They were a lot of fun to imagine. It's something neither [the] Lord of the Rings nor Hobbit movies went anywhere near."

Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur,Maxim Baldry, Nazanin Boniadi, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Crdova, Charles Edwards, Trystan Gravelle, Sir Lenny Henry, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, TyroeMuhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Lloyd Owen, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers,Leon Wadham, Benjamin Walker, Daniel Weyman, and Sara Zwangobani comprise the ensemble cast.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power lands on Prime Video Friday, Sep. 2.

Looking for some fantasy content to tide you over for the next four months? Click here for our list of the best fantasy films available on Peacock.

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'The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power' to explore 'unseen history' of Tolkien's Middle-earth - Syfy

A forest grows in downtown Los Angeles. Opening today with a limited run through summer 2022, A Forest for the Trees is an immersive art show created and directed by visionary artist Glenn Kaino, together with The Atlantic and Superblue, that is designed to inspire audiences to reimagine their relationship with the natural world.

A Forest for the Trees is open to all ages, and tickets are on sale now. Press should inquire about opportunities to tour the show. Installation photographs and show notes are also now available upon request. The show is joined by a culinary experience from celebrated local chef Minh Phan of porridge + puffs and PHENAKITE, and a shop conceived and curated in collaboration with ThunderVoice Eagles Thunder Voice Hat Co., whose work explores conditions of memory and the sacred, carrying on the lineage of sustainable, hand-crafted Native fashion through unique collaborations between Native cultures.

A Forest for the Trees is unlike anything that has come before it, taking visitors on a journey through a surreal forest of magic, music, and wonderwith animatronic performing trees, captivating illusions of fire that visitors can control with their hands, and multi-sensory storytelling, all hidden within a 28,000-square-foot space in downtown Los Angeles. The experience is steeped in histories inspired by the people closest to the forests and nearby neighborhoods: from an immersive interactive fire illusion referencing the controlled burns that are central to Native forest stewardship, to the symbolic resurrection of an iconic 144-year-old tree.

A Forest for the Trees is created and directed by internationally renowned, Los Angelesbased artist Glenn Kaino, working alongside Grammy-winning producer/musician David Sitek as part of the duos new band project, HIGH SEAS. The show is inspired by The Atlantics editorial series Who Owns Americas Wilderness?, which launched in 2021 with the cover story Return the National Parks to the Tribes written by David Treuer and edited by Ross Andersen, and by The Atlantics 165 years of writing by some of the most influential voices on Americas natural spaces. That tradition began with the work of Ralph Waldo Emerson, a co-founder of the magazine, and continued through the end of the 19th century, when John Muir made his case for the national parks in The Atlantic.

Over the past year, Kaino has been working alongside an interdisciplinary collective of artists, musicians, tribal leaders, and environmentalists to bring A Forest for the Trees to life. Kaino and his team also draw from more than a decade of deep research into the field of magic, including the production of the hit off-broadway show and film In & Of Itself. Vance Garrett (Sleep No More, Museum of Ice Cream) serves as executive producer, bringing his deep background in immersive theater to the show, which is organized in collaboration with Superblues senior curator Kathleen Forde.

I have worked my entire career to build the tools and relationships that have allowed me to embark upon a project of this unprecedented scale and ambition, both conceptually and formally, Kaino said. Intergenerational problems of this magnitude require new thinking and new models about how we bring together traditional ecological knowledge and advanced technology. It is my hope that this show can provide inspiration into how to connect and contribute to some of the most pressing issues of our time, in a dynamic and exciting way that our audience can take home with them.

The presenting sponsor is Mastercard, whose cardholders also receive exclusive benefits, including 10% off tickets and a one-month digital trial subscription to The Atlantic. Additionally, in support of Mastercards commitment to restore 100 million trees by 2025 through the Priceless Planet Coalition, Conservation International will plant a tree for every ticket sold to the show.

Among the collaborators and creators involved with A Forest for the Trees:

Original music throughout the project is produced by Grammy Awardwinning producer and musician David Sitek.

The show is narrated by actor Jesse Williams.

The singer-songwriters Priscilla Ahn, Kittie Harloe, and Alice Smith perform original songs by HIGH SEAS created for the show.

Laundi Keepseagle, a Lakota creative producer and community architect from the Standing Rock reservation, has been a key collaborator.

Bill Tripp, Director of the Department of Natural Resources, from the Karuk Tribe, important stewards of the California forests and the inspiration for many of the artworks, has been the primary consultant for the project.

Ukrainian art director Kirill Yeretsky created illustrations that help bring the stories to life.

Dakota and Lakota teacher and community organizer Breanne Luger is contributing writing and performances.

The project is developed and executive produced by Atlantic Ventures, a business development group at The Atlantic that creates large-scale initiatives grounded in The Atlantics most consequential journalism.

A Forest for the TreesWebsite: AForestLA.comLocation: Ace Mission Studios at 516 South Mission Road, Los AngelesTickets: $10$50 (children and adults, peak and non-peak)Dates: Opening Friday, May 13, for a limited run through summer 2022General Hours: WednesdaySunday, 126pm (check for daily hours)Social Media Handles: @aforestLA on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTokPress Contacts: Paul Jackson and Anna Bross, The Atlantic, press@theatlantic.com

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A Forest for the Trees by Glenn Kaino Open Now in Los Angeles - The Atlantic

Only 1 percent of dammed deltas, as in the Netherlands, are protected against sea level rise. Scientists report that in a new study looking for solutions to prevent the sinking of river deltas. The team, which includes geographers, sociologists and naturalists, has identified good methods already available to raise the lands of the delta.

In order to make the areas behind the embankments higher, sand and clay are fundamentally needed. But supplies of sand and mud from rivers are declining worldwide, according to the research team set up by Utrecht University. As a result, they no longer reach the delta regions causing floods and land losses. Ideas have emerged in many countries to solve this problem, although it covers only a small area, said lead researcher Jana Cox.

Even with small solutions, Cox says, Earth could stay dry better if sea level rose. The researchers looked at solutions that trap sand and clay in delta regions, causing the ground to lift in a natural way. Researchers have seen these types of solutions in, for example, the Netherlands, the United States, China and Bangladesh. By the way, the delta region in the Netherlands is already partially protected from sea level rise by dams, depending on how high sea level rises.

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The Netherlands has a number of interesting ways to raise the profile of the country, Irish Cox originally says. She has now lived in Utrecht for five years and specializes in the area around the Rhine and Meuse. Here you have the sewage depots, for example. These two dams are next to each other. If you open the front bulkhead and let the water in from the river, the city behind it is still protected by the second pilgrim. After five or ten years, the land raises itself. Then, it can Use them again, for example, for animals for grazing or for farming.

She also saw such a solution in Bangladesh. The residents there took the initiative to solve the problem. They themselves made a hole in the dam, through which water entered. Now this area can be used for agriculture again because of the sand and mud. The research was published Thursday in the scientific journal Global and Planetary Change.

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Most of the delta regions, such as the Netherlands, are not protected against rising seas - Aviation Analysis Wing

Published:2:13 PM May 19, 2022

A virtual reality (VR) bar is touring the city offering people out of this world adventures.

From swimming with sharks towalking with dinosaurs or a trip into space, the VR Bar lets people liveouttheir wildest dreams.

Trevor Fullerand Sam Markwell invested 15,000 converting a trailer to be adapted for the VR experience.

Mr Fuller said: "You can load up a couple of VR headsets for loads of different experiences.

Sam Markwell, 41, and Trevor Fuller, 46, who are co-owners of The VR Bar.- Credit: Trevor Fuller - The VR Bar

"We started off by taking the unit around care homesduring lockdownto give residents a chance to experience something a little different.

"Wehad 360-degree virtual walks for exampleso thatgroups could walk around historic sites like Framlingham Castle or Ketts Hill."

The high-spec unit has upgrades to make it feel like passengers are racing supercars orzooming aroundon a rollercoaster.

This includes high-octave sound systems and multi-sensory facilities.

Trevor Fuller and Sam Maxwell invested around 15,000 in the mobile VR unit.- Credit: Trevor Fuller - The VR Bar

Trevor explained:"It's really clever how it immerses the customer.

"There's 360-degreevisuals, surround sound, vibration as well as four-way axis movement on the chairs- so the seats will lift up andmove down with air compressors adding to the overall event.

"The whole experience feels totally surreal - you feel like you're there.

"We've seen people gripping the bars and had people screaming their heads off.Occasionally we see some choice words being used - it's very funny."

The VR Bar allows people to swim with sharks, fly jets or race super cars.- Credit: Trevor Fuller - The VR Bar

Now Trevor and Sam are hoping they can expand the VR Bar even more.

Trevor said: "We've been asked to produce a way that offshore workers can be trained - using the unit we have to simulate various levels of high seas.

"This could help calculate a person's tolerance to different wave states or sea states.

"We are also hoping to produce a short training video for people who work at height like on a building site.

Trevor Fuller and Sam Maxwell, at The VR Bar, are hoping they can work with schools and companies in the future.- Credit: Trevor Fuller - The VR Bar

"Workers could walk through a full 360-degree rigged building site and learn to make note of possible hazards without the actual threat of injury.

"We're really excited to offer these experiences for families and festivals.

"But going forward we're hoping to lean heavily look into education as well with interest from schools and companies."

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Norwich VR Bar on offer for parties and events - Norwich Evening News