Search Results (657)

This article investigates the paradox of disappearance as both an aesthetic and a political phenomenon. Taking inspiration from Radiohead’s song “How to Disappear Completely,” it argues that aesthetic representations of disappearance never achieve total erasure; instead, they give rise to new forms of visibility. A true aesthetics of disappearance does not exist. Through case studies such as H.G. Wells’s The Invisible Man and Guy Debord’s Society of the Spectacle, the article demonstrates that disappearance is always mediated: the invisible man becomes hyper-visible through his clothing, bandages, and mask, while the spectacle conceals marginalized lives only to expose them through mechanisms of institutional control (e.g., prisons, medical facilities, schools—as analyzed in Michel Foucault’s work). An investigation of the “novel of the institution” (Campe), especially as it appears in the works of Franz Kafka and Robert Walser, eventually explores the nexus between aesthetic representation and institutionalized forms of coerced visibility. Ultimately, the essay argues that disappearance, as an aesthetic and political event, destabilizes regimes of visibility—not by erasure alone, but by exposing the fragility of appearance itself. The tension between opacity and exposure suggests that resistance lies not in pure absence but in subverting the very mechanisms of representation. Full article

Research on children’s singing development is extensive. Different ages, approaches, and variables have been taken into consideration. However, research on singing with text or a neutral syllable is scarce, and findings are inconclusive. This study investigated the influence of singing with text and a neutral syllable on children’s vocal performance. Children aged 4 to 9 (n = 135) participated in two periods of instruction and assessment. In Period One, Song 1 was taught with text and Song 2 with a neutral syllable, and in Period Two, the text was added to Song 2. In each period, children were individually audio-recorded singing both songs. Three independent raters scored the songs’ vocal performances using two researcher-designed rating scales, one for each song, which included the assessment of tonal and rhythm dimensions. Before data analysis, the validity and reliability of the rating scales used to assess vocal performance were examined and assured. The results revealed that 4-, 5-, and 7-year-olds sang Song 1 significantly better in Period One, and 4- and 5-year-olds sang Song 1 significantly better in Period Two. Thus, singing with text seems to favour younger children’s vocal performance. Findings also revealed that girls scored significantly higher than boys for Song 1 in both periods, but not for Song 2 in Period One. The implications of incorporating songs with text and neutral syllables into music programs, as well as the instruments used to assess vocal performances, are discussed. Full article

During the 10th to 12th centuries, the Song, Liao, and Goryeo Dynasties and Japanese regimes in East Asia engaged in frequent activities of requesting and granting the Chinese Tripitaka (the Chinese Buddhist Canon), forming a distinctive diplomatic phenomenon termed “Tripitaka Diplomacy”. This paper examines the political and cultural dynamics underlying these cross-border interactions by analyzing the historical records of such activities among the polities. It also explores the multifaceted role of the Tripitaka in East Asian international relations, which transcended its religious significance to shape diplomatic strategies and power dynamics. Through this lens, this paper reveals the complexity of the East Asian international order during this period, emphasizing how the circulation of the Tripitaka served as both a cultural bridge and a tool for political negotiation. Full article

This paper discusses the Chart of the Taoist Rituals of Lord Lao, or “chart of Lord Lao” for short, a document drawn up, preserved, and utilized by a local Taoist altar in the border region of Hunan and Jiangxi provinces in southeastern China. This chart illustrates the body of the Most High Lord Lao (Taishang Laojun), with various parts labelled with sacred spaces, deity names in textual form, and ritual instructions. As such, the document elucidates the interconnectedness between the body, cosmos, and rituals within local Taoist beliefs. This article aims to analyze the chart of Lord Lao by comparing it with ritual texts, the liturgical tradition of the Taoist altar, and texts from the Ming dynasty Taoist Canon. Through this analysis, it becomes evident that the chart of Lord Lao and its associated practices reflect an intricate relationship between different layers of Taoist traditions. This includes the connections between classical Taoism and the emerging ritual traditions of exorcism during the Song and Yuan dynasties, as well as the interplay between these emerging traditions, such as the Correct Rites of the Heart of Heaven, and more local traditions of exorcism, such as the Rites of Mount Lü. Full article

The Cao’e-Jiaojiang-Oujiang River Basin possesses abundant vernacular architectural heritage with significant historical–cultural value. However, challenges like dispersed distribution and inconsistent conservation hinder its systematic protection and utilization within territorial spatial planning, necessitating a deeper understanding of its spatiotemporal patterns. Utilizing 570 identified heritage sites, this study employed ArcGIS spatial analysis (Kernel Density Estimation, Nearest Neighbor Index), correlation analysis with DEM data, and suitability analysis (Minimum Cumulative Resistance model, Gravity Model) to systematically examine spatial distribution characteristics, their evolution, and relationships with the geographical environment and historical context. Results revealed a distinct “four cores and three belts” spatial pattern. Temporally, distribution evolved from “discrete” (Song-Yuan) to “aggregated” (Ming-Qing) and then “diffused” (Modern era). Spatially, heritage showed density in plains, preference for low slopes, and settlement along waterways. Suitability analysis indicated higher corridor potential in the northern section (Cao’e-Jiaojiang) than the south (Oujiang), leading to the identification of a “Northern Segment (Shaoxing-Ningbo-Shengzhou-Taizhou)” and “Southern Segment (Wenzhou-Lishui)” corridor structure. This research provides a scientific basis for systematic conservation and integrated heritage corridor construction of vernacular architectural heritage in the basin, supporting Zhejiang’s Poetry Road Cultural Belt initiatives and cultural heritage protection within territorial spatial planning. Full article

Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) are well known for their complex acoustic communication, which plays a critical role in social interactions and reproduction. Understanding the variability in humpback whale songs is crucial to deciphering their communication strategies and the factors that influence these changes, which may affect reproductive success and population dynamics. While most studies of humpback whale song behavior have focused on annual variation, intra-seasonal changes remain underexplored. This study investigates intra-seasonal song variation in the Colombian Pacific humpback whale population, a unique and diverse breeding stock. We analyzed 37 h of recordings collected during two distinct periods of the 2019 breeding season (July and August–September) in the northern Colombian Pacific. Song repertoires were compared between periods, and the acoustic structure of a common song unit (Unit1) was analyzed using spectrographic cross-correlation. Results revealed a decrease in repertoire diversity over the course of the season, along with an increase in the song rate and the acoustic consistency of Unit1 during the second period. These findings highlight the dynamic nature of humpback whale song production and suggest potential influences of social learning and hormonal modulation. Such insights may be useful for the conservation and monitoring of humpback whale populations in breeding areas. Full article

Oral narratives play a crucial role in shaping the historical consciousness of Indigenous communities in Northeast India, where history writing is a relatively recent phenomenon. Among the Mizos, Nagas, Khasis, Kuki-Chins, and other Indigenous tribes of Northeast India, including the Bodos, the Garos, the Dimasas, or the Karbis of Assam, much of what is considered written history emerged during British colonial rule. Native historians later continued it in postcolonial India. However, written history, especially when based on fragmented colonial records, includes interpretive gaps. In such contexts, oral traditions provide complementary, and frequently, more authoritative frameworks rooted in cultural memory and collective transmission. Oral narratives, including ritual poetry, folk songs, myths, and folktales, serve as vital mediums for reconstructing the past. Scholars such as Jan Vansina view oral narratives as essential for understanding the histories of societies without written records, while Paul Thompson sees them as both a discovery and a recovery of cultural memory. Romila Thapar argues that narratives become indicative of perspectives and conditions in societies of the past, functioning as a palimpsest with multiple layers of meaning accruing over generations as they are recreated or reiterated over time. The folk narratives of the Mizos and Angami Nagas not only recount their origins and historical migrations, but also map significant geographical and cultural landmarks, such as Khezakheno and Lungterok in Nagaland, Rounglevaisuo in Manipur, and Chhinlung or Rih Dil on the Mizoram–Myanmar border. These narratives constitute a cultural understanding of the past, aligning with Greg Dening’s concept of “public knowledge of the past,” which is “culturally shared.” Additionally, as Linda Tuhiwai Smith posits, such stories, as embodiments of the past, and of socio-cultural practices of communities, create spaces of resistance and reappropriation of Indigenous identities even as they reiterate the marginalization of these communities. This paper deploys these ideas to examine how oral narratives can be used to decolonize grand narratives of history, enabling Indigenous peoples, such as the Mizos and the Angamis in North East India, to reaffirm their positionalities within the postcolonial nation. Full article

The Laogulou Yashu Archaeological Site in Chongqing represented a significant discovery in the study of medieval Chinese urban heritage. Among its remains, the 13th century terraced building F1 stood out for its scale and function as a governmental qiaolou (gate tower). This study reconstructed the original architectural design of F1 using an archaeotectural approach that integrated archaeological evidence and Song Dynasty architectural treatises, especially Yingzao Fashi, and comparatively analysed the building with contemporaneous structures and visual references. By applying the statistical estimation of historical measurement units (chi), typological analysis based on modular standards (cai) and the interpretive modelling of structural elements, the research offered a historically grounded and dimensionally coherent reconstruction. The study not only enhanced the understanding of Southern Song governmental architecture but also contributed a replicable methodological framework for reconstructing complex historical buildings from fragmentary archaeological data. Full article

This study investigates the theological function of the contemporary worship song “The Blessing” by addressing the following guiding research question: in what ways does “The Blessing” function as a form of prophetic declaration and communal prayer in contemporary congregational worship? Drawing on frameworks from Pentecostal theology, lyrical theology, and performative speech-act theory, this study analyzes how the song’s language, structure, and performance embody Spirit-enabled proclamation and intercession. Engaging Rice’s Evagrian–LAPT grammar, Glenn Packiam’s theology of worship as encounter, and Steven Félix-Jäger’s model of New Testament prophecy, the textual analysis focuses on the song’s present-tense verbs of divine action and its lyrical constructions. Scripturally grounded in Numbers 6:24–26, “The Blessing” operates as a sung benediction that invokes God’s blessing, sanctification, divine favor and protection, covenantal presence, and peace. The repetitive use of “Amen” functions as a communal seal of affirmation, turning passive reception into active, prophetic participation when sung. This study contends that the song exemplifies how contemporary congregational song serves as primary theology—Spirit-inspired, embodied, and sounded—where proclamation and prayer are nurtured in lived worship. Ultimately, “The Blessing” functions as a pneumatological and ecclesial act of sung prophecy and intercession—an instance of primary theologizing that nurtures the worshiping community and mediates a Spirit-empowered encounter with divine hope. Full article

Traditional villages are irreplaceable cultural heritages, embodying complex human–environment interactions. This study uses historical geography analysis, kernel density estimation, centroid migration modeling, and Geodetector techniques to analyze the 2000-year spatiotemporal evolution and formation mechanisms of 224 nationally designated traditional villages in China’s Qinling-Daba Mountains. The findings are as follows: (1) These villages significantly cluster on sunny slopes of hills and low mountains with moderate gradients. They are also closely located near waterways, ancient roads, and historic cities. (2) From the embryonic stage during the Qin and Han dynasties, through the diffusion and transformation phases in the Wei, Jin, Song, and Yuan dynasties, to the mature stage in the Ming and Qing dynasties, the spatial center of these villages shifted distinctly southwestward. This migration was accompanied by expansion along waterway transport corridors, an enlarged spatial scope, and a decrease in directional concentration. (3) The driving forces evolved from a strong coupling between natural conditions and infrastructure in the early stage to human-dominated adaptation in the later stage. Agricultural innovations, such as terraced fields, and sociopolitical factors, like migration policies, overcame environmental constraints through the synergistic effects of cultural and economic networks. Full article

The rising demand for freshwater, driven by population growth, economic development, and climate change, necessitates proactive watershed management. This study focuses on prioritizing the watersheds of the Doon Valley in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) using geospatial techniques. It involves a detailed morphometric analysis incorporating hydrological and topographical parameters, ranking the watersheds using the compound factor value (CFV), and prioritizing them based on the given CFV. The Doon Valley watersheds exhibit dendritic to parallel drainage patterns and moderate relief. The study identifies the Suswa watershed as the most susceptible, necessitating urgent conservation attempts to mitigate soil erosion and ensure sustainable land use. In contrast, the Song watershed, characterized by steep slopes and high relief, requires targeted management strategies to control rapid runoff and prevent potential flooding. The Asan watershed, with a medium priority classification, also requires intervention to prevent ecological degradation. Prioritization based on the CFV provides a strategic framework for targeted management, offering valuable insights for policymakers and planners. This research supports sustainable watershed management by guiding effective conservation practices and addressing the specific needs of each watershed. Full article

StageMix is a video compilation of multiple stage performances of the same song, edited seamlessly together using appropriate editing points. However, generating a StageMix requires specialized editing techniques and is a considerable time-consuming process. To address this challenge, we introduce AutoStageMix, an automated StageMix generation system designed to perform all processes automatically. The system is structured into five principal stages: preprocessing, feature extraction, identifying a transition point, editing path determination, and StageMix generation. The initial stage of the process involves audio analysis to synchronize the sequences across all input videos, followed by frame extraction. After that, the facial features are extracted from each video frame. Next, transition points are identified, which form the basis for face-based transitions, inter-stage cuts, and intra-stage cuts. Subsequently, a cost function is defined to facilitate the creation of cross-edited sequences. The optimal editing path is computed using Dijkstra’s algorithm to minimize the total cost of editing. Finally, the StageMix is generated by applying appropriate editing effects tailored to each transition type, aiming to maximize visual appeal. Experimental results suggest that our method generally achieves lower NME scores than existing StageMix generation approaches across multiple test songs. In a user study with 21 participants, AutoStageMix achieved viewer satisfaction comparable to that of professionally edited StageMixes, with no statistically significant difference between the two. AutoStageMix enables users to produce StageMixes effortlessly and efficiently by eliminating the need for manual editing. Full article

Music therapy in paediatric palliative care offers a unique opportunity for emotional support, legacy creation, and therapeutic connection for children and their families. This paper describes the Heartbeats Intervention, as delivered by a paediatric palliative care music therapist at Sydney Children’s Hospital Australia. This intervention involves recording and creatively integrating the heartbeats of children and family members into personalised musical compositions. Originally inspired by music therapist Brian Schreck’s work, the intervention has evolved to meet diverse therapeutic goals, from soothing children with serious illnesses (including cancer) with recordings of their families’ heartbeats to creating legacy song tracks that support families through bereavement. Despite some logistical and resource challenges, the intervention has been well-received and continues to expand, including the integration of environmental soundscapes and broader community involvement, which allows the intervention to be experienced by a greater number of families. This paper contributes to the limited but growing literature on music therapy in paediatric palliative care, highlighting the Heartbeats Intervention as a flexible and meaningful way to enhance psychosocial support and connection for children and their families. Further research to evaluate its long-term impact and to explore children’s direct experiences of the intervention is needed. Full article