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.

Comments

Irene Saputra's Colorful Stitched Pieces

Embroidery is nowhere near forgotten, and in fact, it's experiencing something of a resurgence as artists around the globe are putting their own unique spins on the craft. Indonesia's Irene Saputra is one of them, and more than 45,000 people on Instagram already follow her. Handmade from colorful threads stitched onto fabric, Irene's embroideries begin as original illustrations. What I really like about her stitched pieces is that some of them are meant to be worn. Look at an array of her handiwork!

The Adorable Sculptures of Yen Yen Lo

These images are from a series of wall sculptures created by Yen Yen Lo . Here you can see her intricately textured ceramic pieces, looking downright adorable. Yen Yen Lo's eye for the unique and whimsical is delightful. Apparently they are not intended for kids under 16. Fifteen-year-olds cannot be trusted with fragile stuff. Get them a Funko Pop instead.

Check out this insane music box powered by 2,000 marbles

The brainchild of Swedish musician Martin Molin, the Wintergartan Marble Machine , is a bizarre music box that allows the user to play tunes using a hand crank and 2,000 steel marbles. The Rube Goldberg'esque contraption features a vibraphone, bass, drums, cymbals and other instruments that play a score programmed into a 32 bar loop comprised of LEGO Technic parts. It's mesmerizing, and you can watch how they built it over here . [h/t: MailOnline ]

finding cain

Search This Blog