The bizarre dance epidemic of 1518

A few months ago, the world was introduced to a novel coronavirus—a pathogen that causes COVID-19. The disease has evolved into a full-blown pandemic, and has already claimed the lives of more than two hundred thousand people worldwide. Experts fear that number could get far higher.

Pandemics have played a role in shaping the course of human history. Empires have fallen. Generations have been annihilated. In 1518 in France, the weirdest plague to strike mankind occurred: The Dancing Plague. For no apparent reason, hundreds of people began dancing in the streets uncontrollably, and they continued until they dropped dead.

"From a distance they might be carnival revellers. But closer inspection reveals a more disquieting scene. Their arms are flailing and their bodies are convulsing spasmodically. Ragged clothes and pinched faces are saturated in sweat. Their eyes are glassy, distant. Blood seeps from swollen feet into leather boots and wooden clogs. These are not revellers but 'choreomaniacs', entirely possessed by the mania of the dance."

Read The Dancing Plague of 1518 in The Public Domain Review.

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Stencils and Subtlety

If there were a Michelin star for public murals, Roamcouch would have it. No debate. His art is an elegant contradiction; it stops you in mid-stride and makes you stare. You argue with what you see. He works with scenes from everyday life, nothing fancy, then drops them into backgrounds full of playfulness and surprise. His murals feel like small rebellions, and they insist on being noticed. Here are some of his recent street art works. Roamcouch has a Facebook page and a website where you can find all his work.

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For readers who love Basquiat

It's been thirty-one years since Jean-Michel Basquiat 's tragic death, but his work still remains in our art consciousness. Now, a new book explores the other side of the graffiti artist turned painter. "Basquiat-isms is a collection of essential quotations from this godfather of urban culture. In these brief, compelling, and memorable selections, taken from his interviews as well as his visual and written works, Basquiat writes and speaks about culture, his artistic persona, the art world, artistic influence, race, urban life, and many other subjects. Concise, direct, forceful, poetic, and enigmatic, Basquiat's words, like his art, continue to resonate." Basquiat-isms , edited by Larry Warsh, is out now.

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