Topics

Apr

Creativity’s Corner: Where Art Meets Wordplay

by Sheron Long on April 17, 2014

Creative painting and word play by John Langdon showing the word "ME" set against the sky and the word "YOU" formed by the spaces inside the letters M and E. (Image © John Langdon)

“US”
© John Langdon

Look . . . and Look Again at John Langdon’s Illusions and Ambigrams

In life (and at OIC), you often get the invitation to consider new perspectives, to see things from different points of view. Today’s invitation is to a place where the visual and the verbal play together in the work of John Langdon. And the souvenir you take home is a hidden, often deeper meaning.

Let the games begin: How does the painting above fit its title, “US”? Read more...

Sheron Long Comments

The World's Art & Design/Wordplay

Apr

Wordplay: The Power of One Little Letter

by Sheron Long on April 3, 2014

Reinvented book cover for Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code with new cover art showing a codfish and the title shortened to The Da Vinci Code, illustrating an example of wordplay for word lovers. (Image with thanks to @darth)

Dropping a letter changes a best-seller with a sophisticated “code”
into a new plot starring a slimy “cod.”
(image thanks to @darth)

Clever Words for Clever Word Lovers

What’s so attractive about words such that some people become logophiles (yep, that’s the official term for “word lovers”)? Read more...

Perhaps it’s the puzzle of wordplay games like Scrabble where an aha moment lights up the brain when you figure out how to use all seven letters.

Maybe it’s the social aspect of games like Words with Friends, when folks who choose a random opponent meet through the chat feature. Some even marry, putting two important words together: I do.

Sheron Long Comments

Wordplay

Mar

Same Animal + Different Cultures = Surprise!

by Bruce Goldstone on March 13, 2014

Falling cat, illustrating animal sayings that vary in different cultures and languages. (Image © deshy / iStock)

Animal Symbols and Sayings

All over the world, cats are known for their seemingly magical ability to escape dangers that would be fatal to other, less feline species. But different cultures and languages vary in how they talk about kitty’s special talents.

English speakers describe their death-defying trickiness by saying cats have nine lives. Consider 9Lives cat food, and its spokescat Morris, who vouch for the statistic. Read more...

Bruce Goldstone 1 Comment

Cultural Diversity/Cultural Symbols/Language & Culture/Worldwide Sites

World Views: