September 2024
We continue to look at our world with a different perspective. And to help you discover this constantly evolving world, our team at Veritas continues to create this digital annual calendar that hits your mailbox once every month, bringing with it a wave of curated information on iconic people, travel destinations, art and architecture projects, world cinema, literary works, food, technology and lots more.
While we do provide a PDF download link to the calendar, our major announcement this year is the availability of this curated information on our website under Publications, to help you revisit or bookmark the information for later.
We hope you enjoy this journey and our new way of re-discovering the world.
Gangotri, located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, is a significant pilgrimage site in Hinduism, revered as the origin of the sacred river Ganges. Perched at an elevation of approximately 3,100 meters in the Himalayas, Gangotri is surrounded by majestic snow-capped peaks and dense forests, offering breathtaking natural beauty. The town is centered around the Gangotri Temple, dedicated to Goddess Ganga, which attracts thousands of devotees annually. According to Hindu mythology, this is the place where the goddess Ganga descended from heaven to earth, purified by the touch of Lord Shiva.
Apart from its religious significance, Gangotri serves as a gateway for trekkers and adventure enthusiasts. The nearby Gomukh glacier, considered the actual source of the Ganges, is a popular trekking destination, located about 18 kilometers from Gangotri. The trek to Gomukh offers spectacular views of the surrounding peaks. The region’s rich biodiversity, including alpine flora and fauna, adds to its allure. Gangotri National Park, encompassing the area, is a haven for wildlife and nature lovers, with species like snow leopards, Himalayan tahr, and various high-altitude birds. Overall, Gangotri is a unique blend of spiritual reverence and natural splendor, making it a must-visit destination.
“Perfect Days” is a poignant and introspective film that delves into the seemingly mundane yet profoundly rich life of its protagonist. Directed by Wim Wenders, the movie centers around Hirayama, a middle-aged man who works as a WC cleaner in Tokyo. Through his daily routine, the film explores themes of solitude, purpose, and the search for meaning in ordinary moments. Hirayama’s meticulous attention to his work, coupled with his simple, contemplative lifestyle, paints a vivid portrait of a man who finds beauty and fulfillment in life’s small details. The film’s slow pace and minimalist approach allow the audience to deeply connect with Hirayama’s inner world and reflect on their own lives.
The visual storytelling in “Perfect Days” is enhanced by stunning cinematography that captures the vibrant yet serene essence of Tokyo. Wenders’ direction emphasizes the juxtaposition of the city’s bustling environment with Hirayama’s tranquil, introspective existence. The film also features a compelling soundtrack that complements its reflective tone, adding layers of emotional depth to Hirayama’s journey. “Perfect Days” is not just a narrative about an individual’s life but also a meditation on the human condition, encouraging viewers to find grace and satisfaction in their everyday experiences. Through its nuanced character study and evocative imagery, the film offers a touching and philosophical cinematic experience.
Saul Leiter might not be the most familiar name in photographic history, yet his contributions suggest he arguably deserves more recognition. Highlighted in a recent monograph, Leiter emerges as a pioneering figure, challenging conventional norms with his avant-garde style that produced a significant body of innovative work. It was only later in his life that he gained the acclaim he had long merited, securing his position among photography’s elite.
From a young age, Leiter was drawn to painting, and his path took a pivotal turn in New York when he crossed paths with Richard Pousette-Dart, an abstract expressionist painter who inspired him to explore photography. Initially working with a 35 mm Leica in black and white, Leiter ventured into color photography around 1948, despite the prevailing skepticism towards color in serious photographic art at the time.
Leiter’s primary focus was the everyday urban landscape and his close acquaintances, capturing many of his iconic images within a short distance from his apartment. His work is distinguished by its abstract qualities and bold compositions, imbuing it with a distinct, painterly essence that sets it apart from that of his peers in the New York School.
In the latter half of the 20th century, Leiter found financial stability as a fashion photographer, contributing to esteemed publications such as Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, British Vogue, Queen, Nova, and Esquire. Concurrently, he diligently documented city life in both color and black and white, created intimate portraits and nudes, and pursued his passion for painting through abstract watercolors, playful sketchbooks, and painted photographs.
CREDITS
This Calendar uses references, excerpts and modifications of varied material available from numerous online sources (referenced below), including text generated in part with GPT-3, OpenAI’s large-scale language generation model and Wikipedia articles & photos, released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike Licenses. Upon generating the draft language, the editorial team reviews, edits, and revises the language.
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