Oh, I see! moments
Travel Cultures Language

Culture Smart: How Much Power’s in a Flower?

by Sheron Long on October 20, 2013

Yellow rose, a cultural symbol whose meaning varies in different cultures

In the language of flowers, what does a yellow rose mean to you?

The Yellow Rose, Cultural Symbol of . . .

Friendship and joy. Jealousy and infidelity. New starts and love’s end. It all depends on when and where you live.

Fleeting Art: A High-Rise Swan Song

by Meredith Mullins on October 17, 2013

Artistic Expression at the Tour 13

Collage of color on walls and radiator, artistic expression of street art at the Tour 13 (Photo © Meredith Mullins)

Work by Kruella (Portugal) at the Tour 13
Photo © Meredith Mullins

Guess what’s the hottest attraction in Paris these days? Eiffel Tower? Notre Dame? Louvre Museum? Any of these answers could be true. But, at the moment, the hottest (free) ticket in town is a visit to a bright orange dilapidated building in the 13th arrondissement.

Artistic Expression That’s a Cut Above

by Janine Boylan on October 14, 2013

Karen Bit Vejle, showing the artistic expression of cut paper art (Image © Marjaana Malkamäki)

Karen Bit Vejle
Image © Marjaana Malkamäk

The Cut Paper Art of Karen Bit Vejle

Until just a few years ago, Karen Bit Vejle had a secret hidden under her rugs.

Like many in her home country of Denmark, Vejle grew up making gækkebrev, cut paper holiday cards. She discovered that she was rather talented at cutting out the little greetings.

For years, Vejle reserved her paper cutting for the holidays. But the summer she turned 16,  she had an “Oh, I see!” moment:

. . . I saw a man who was sitting in the sun cutting out paper silhouettes with motifs I had never before seen. I was enraptured, and stood there staring for a long time, watching the man as he maneuvered his scissors to bring forth the most beautiful little paper cutting. I was so taken with the idea that I went right home and got my mother’s sewing scissors, and I have never let them out of my sight since.

Copyright © 2011-2026 OIC Books   |   All Rights Reserved   |   Privacy Policy