Category: Blog
Walking Through Memory: What Belfast Teaches Us About Place, Conflict, and the Stories Hidden in Everyday Streets
by KIKE CALVO
Kelsey Hanson’s dissertation, “Memoryscaping,” investigates how guided walks in Belfast unveil the interconnectedness of memory, landscape, and identity. By exploring ordinary places, she reveals that personal and collective memories are embedded within the city’s fabric. Her work emphasizes that understanding a location goes beyond seeing; it requires listening to the stories that shape our experiences.
+ Blog, Curious Minds, Exploration History, Focus, History & Heritage, Maritime Heritage, Photo Expeditions, Photography & Storytelling
What Is a Windjammer? The Remarkable History of the Sailing Ships You Can Still Sail Today
by KIKE CALVO
The post explores the historical significance and modern experience of windjammers—traditional sailing vessels that once dominated maritime commerce. Originating in the late 19th century, the term “windjammer” referred informally to multi-masted commercial ships, transitioning from cargo transport to tourism under Frank Swift’s initiative in the 1930s. Maine now boasts a robust windjammer tourism industry, allowing travelers to sail on historic schooners like the Stephen Taber, launched in 1871, which remains operational without an inboard engine. These experiences blend adventure and history, highlighting sailing as a unique mode of exploration amidst the scenic Maine coastline.
When Ancestors Come Home: Why an Oxford Museum Is Returning Naga Human Remains
by KIKE CALVO
Walk through some of the great ethnographic museums of Europe and you encounter an extraordinary record of humanity. Masks. Weapons. Textiles. Ritual objects. Jewelry. Musical instruments. Sculptures. But hidden within the history of many collections is a much more difficult question: How did these things get here? And sometimes an even more uncomfortable one: What happens when the “collection” isn’t an object at all—but … Read More When Ancestors Come Home: Why an Oxford Museum Is Returning Naga Human Remains
Why September 11 Is New Year’s Day in Ethiopia
by KIKE CALVO
For much of the world, September 11 is a date associated with memory and tragedy. For me, it is deeply personal. I was a young aspiring photojournalist living in New York in 2001, spending countless hours walking Manhattan with my camera, always searching for stories. On September 11, I suddenly found myself documenting a story none of us could have imagined. I photographed the … Read More Why September 11 Is New Year’s Day in Ethiopia
+ anthropology, Blog, Cultural Exploration, Indigenous Art, Indigenous Communities, Visual Anthropology, Visual Storytelling
When Tradition Is Invented: Embera Masks, Heritage Desire, and the Stories We Want to Believe
by KIKE CALVO
A new academic article explores how contemporary woven masks from Panama became internationally promoted as “ancient shamanic artifacts”—despite little evidence of historical ritual use There are moments in travel when authenticity feels unquestionable. A woven mask hanging in a gallery.A craft market framed through the language of “ancestral tradition.”A cultural object presented as ancient, sacred, and timeless. But what happens when those stories are … Read More When Tradition Is Invented: Embera Masks, Heritage Desire, and the Stories We Want to Believe
+ Blog, Cultural Exploration, Exploration History, Middle East, Photography & Storytelling, Saudi Arabia, Visual Anthropology
Across the Sands of Time: What Wilfred Thesiger Can Still Teach Us About Photography, Arabia, and Exploration
by KIKE CALVO
A new academic study examines the influential work of photographer Wilfred Thesiger, who captured the Arabian Peninsula between 1945 and 1950. His extensive photographic archive, which includes iconic images of the Empty Quarter, shaped Western perceptions of Arabia, presenting a timeless and unmodernized landscape. The study by Roba AlSalibi raises critical questions about authenticity and the nature of photographic representation, emphasizing that photos reflect both the subject and the photographer’s perspective. It urges readers to consider how cultural narratives evolve and acknowledges the rapid transformation of Saudi Arabia while recognizing the enduring landscapes that still inspire exploration and curiosity.
The Pearls That Changed the Ocean: A Curious Journey Through Cultivated Pearls, Exploration, and a Hidden Treasure in London
by KIKE CALVO
Inside one of London’s oldest scientific societies rests a small object that transformed luxury, marine science, and global trade forever Most people walk past The Linnean Society of London without realizing that hidden inside its collections is a remarkable piece of history: 👉 some of the world’s earliest cultivated pearls. Tiny objects.But connected to an enormous story involving: Because pearls are not merely jewels. … Read More The Pearls That Changed the Ocean: A Curious Journey Through Cultivated Pearls, Exploration, and a Hidden Treasure in London
+ Art, Craft & Material Culture, Blog, Marine Exploration, Marine Exploration, Science & Discovery, Visual Storytelling
Painting Beneath the Sea: Zarh Pritchard and the Impossible Art of the Underwater World
by KIKE CALVO
Zarh Pritchard, originally Walter Howlison Mackenzie Pritchard, revolutionized the portrayal of the underwater world by painting it from within the ocean using modified diving gear and waterproof materials. In a time when underwater imagery was scarce, he traveled to diverse locations, creating artwork that revealed the ocean’s vibrancy, movement, and mystery. Pritchard viewed himself as a naturalist rather than just an artist, blending artistry with scientific observation and exploration. His work challenged people to connect with the sea’s hidden beauty, prefiguring modern ocean storytelling and conservation photography while emphasizing the importance of making the invisible visible.
The Living Heritage We Often Overlook: When Animals Become Keepers of Culture
by KIKE CALVO
When we think about cultural heritage, we often picture castles, temples, archaeological sites, museums, or historic cities. But what if some of humanity’s most important heritage isn’t built from stone? What if it walks, grazes, migrates, or swims? Around the world, countless cultures have developed alongside particular animal species. These relationships are far more than economic. They shape identities, influence traditions, inspire art, preserve … Read More The Living Heritage We Often Overlook: When Animals Become Keepers of Culture
Why Brazil’s Pantanal Is the Best Place on Earth to See Jaguars
by KIKE CALVO
The Pantanal in Brazil is the world’s largest tropical wetland and an exceptional destination for observing jaguars in the wild. With open habitats and abundant wildlife, visitors can witness jaguars swimming, hunting, and raising cubs in a scenic environment. Ecotourism here promotes conservation, making every sighting a memorable experience.
How the Silk Road Reached Japan: A Journey Across Asia Through Art, Faith, and Culture
by KIKE CALVO
The Silk Road was not just a trade route but a cultural bridge linking East Asia to Europe. It facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and beliefs, notably Buddhism, which transformed Japanese culture. Artist Ikuo Hirayama advocated for Silk Road heritage, emphasizing the importance of cultural connections over time.
The Haenyeo of South Korea: The Extraordinary Women Who Dive With the Sea
by KIKE CALVO
The Haenyeo, or “Women of the Sea,” are a remarkable community of free-diving women from Jeju Island, South Korea. For generations, they have harvested marine life using traditional techniques and knowledge, prioritizing sustainability and community. As they age, fewer young divers are continuing this cultural legacy, recognized by UNESCO for its heritage significance.
