• Journal of English Language & Literature
• /
• v.58 no.6
• /
• pp.1103-1117
• /
• 2012

This paper focuses on eighteenth-century English pastor, poet, and hymnist, Isaac Watts (1674-1748), a significant yet neglected nonconformist dissenter, who defines a public religion and transforms poetry as a new literary political genre. During England's post-Revolutionary religio-political turmoil, Watts's poem, "The Hurry of the Spirits, in a Fever and Nervous Disorders" (1734), deliberately engages in a methodical refusal to settle upon a single system of images or terms for describing or referring to the speaker's identity or situation. Watts's, literal and metaphoric, refusal to identify with one religio-political approach to nonconformist dissent has been the very point of criticism that not only undermines the poet's monumental work on hymns but also the lasting impact that the poet had upon England's national consciousness. This study, therefore, questions why the poet refuses to choose one ideal path in his pursuit for religious freedom and, further, analyzes how the hymn writer defends his demotic aesthetics. This paper investigates Watts's comprehensive and detailed formulation of what a secularized "social religion" should entail and, further, explores its beneficial role in the pursuit for society's peace. In contrast to Milton's apocalyptic vengeance, Watts's nonconformist goal seeks to balance and locate authority in the individual with the ancient ideal of a "sacred order" that is represented in "The Hurry of the Spirits" through the means of poetic imagination.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.82-92
• /
• 2016

This study aims to contribute to better understanding of the Baroque architect Francesco Borromini, and, as a consequence, of the Baroque period itself. Recognizing that historical studies have focused mainly on the architectural (i.e., formal) aspects of Borromini's work and largely neglected the technical (i.e., structural) issues, and that the relationship between the architectural and structural worlds in Borromini's activity has consequently never been studied in depth, this research set as its objective the study of this relationship, and has developed a comparative analysis of Borromini's attitude toward architectural problems and questions of tectonics. The investigation has been conducted on two meaningful case-studies in Rome: San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane and Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza. The analysis has highlighted a strong dichotomy between Borromini as an architectural designer and Borromini as a structural designer. While Borromini's design is experimental, innovative, and nonconformist, his structures are cautious, tested, and validated by trustworthy tradition. His unprejudiced use of constructive solutions from different historical periods, regions, and cultural areas allows the definition of his approach to tectonics as "constructive eclecticism." The analysis has also highlighted the independence between the architectural and structural aspects of his work, as the two do not interfere with or limit each other. The dichotomy between form and structure in Borromini's work may reflect the "theatrical" tendency of Baroque culture, where what is shown on the face is often different from what is hidden behind.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
• /
• v.46 no.6
• /
• pp.1105-1127
• /
• 2022

This study investigated the role of fashion granfluencers as cultural intermediaries in the present digital era. The concept of fashion granfluencer as cultural intermediaries and their fashion style characteristics were defined and examined. The literature on cultural intermediaries, social media, and seniors in the context of fashion was reviewed. Primarily, three characteristics of cultural intermediaries-interactive communication, nonconformist attitude, and aesthetic disposition-were identified and used as analytical variables in this study. Through netnography, 1,452 Instagram posts from the renowned fashion granfluencer Iris Apfel (@iris.apfel) were examined. This study presented Iris as a fashion granfluencer and a senior professional, who uses fashion to express herself and define her identity. As a cultural mediator, she contributes to revitalizing the cultural economy and creating cultural products. Iris Apfel' fashion and style embody her digital persona. Her engagement in fashion activities-producing fashion content or attending fashion events-mediates the relationship between fashion producers and fashion consumers, thereby promoting the aesthetic value of fashion.