Premier Magazine PH Vol. 2 - Issue 12 December 2022 Lights

Pr emier SAPERE AUDE ISSN2799-0702 Vol. 2.12 DECEMBER, 2022 ISSUE

© Ralph Larmann

ABOUT THE COVER Dark Matter in Berlin, Germany, is the most Google-searched exhibit of 2022. It is one of the best immersive experiences of the year and a feast for the senses. It is a multidimensional parallel world of light, space, and sound.

Dark Matter is a parallel cosmos of expansive light installations in which the boundaries between the real and the digital worlds become blurred. W ithin the pitch-black rooms of a converted factory, the visitor embarks on a journey through seven partly interactive works: light, movement, and sound fuse into emotional choreographies of luminous shapes and colors.

Built across 1,000 square meters of exhibition space, Dark Matter presents a range of multimedia installations. These vary from breathtakingly intimate light compositions to interactive walk-in structures and room-encompassing audiovisual performances. Some works are supported with a unique worldwide 3D sound system. Each room possesses its atmosphere that unfolds upon entry, creating a holistic and one-of-a-kind experience, a space to be enjoyed by visitors of all ages and backgrounds.

Behind this pioneering experience is visionary light artist Christopher Bauder and his design studio W HITEvoid. The team's extensive portfolio collectively includes the prolific installations DEEP W EB and SKALAR at Kraftwerk Berlin. In 2014, Bauder and W HITE Void were also responsible for LICHTGRENZE, in which they imagined and produced 8,000 luminescent balloons to mark the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Dark Matter becomes a place of forward-looking experiments.

In cooperation with other innovative technology partners, Dark Matter operates as a space for continued experimentation. Fifteen years of technical innovation and creative vision come together in this collection of unique light installations, some of which have never been displayed to the public.

On our cover is one of the seven concept installations called LIQUID SKY. It consists of over 800 individual light points forming a coherent surface. The additional mirroring of the entire room creates an endless light horizon that sparkles like a starry sky.

The audience enters a journey through darkness and light in seven chapters.

Visitors move through the exhibits and interact with the objects, sound, light, and surrounding space. For a series of moments, the fast pace of everyday life gives way to the meditative, hypnotic power of light, motion, and sound. In this way, everyone experiences the exhibition uniquely.

The exhibition is a living organism that will evolve and transform over time, illuminating the darkness of the exhibition spaces in new and varied ways. DARK MATTER remains ethereal and always in motion, a vision that only takes shape for brief moments.

POLYGON PLAYGROUND translates a computer-generated object into real space.

A seamless 360-degree projection covers the surface like a digital skin that reacts to the visitor's movements via sensors. © Ralph Larmann

IN THIS ISSUE "?There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.? ? Edith Wharton We have never seen a generation so eager to see the future that sometimes we don't notice how far they have come to becoming geniuses of creation. The year 2022 came and went just like that. It took away many great things but brought us a renewed sense of self. From our standpoint, we've gained a new perspective on life, a precursor of what's to come.

In this issue, the spotlight is on the diverse creators that brought "light" to our lives.

The stunning spectrum of diverse minds helped shape us today. Imagine what we can do in the future. We have a strong feeling that we have yet to even be near the core of how far this generation can go as far as advancements are concerned. A significant percentage of the world's population still needs proper education. Yet, here we all are at the age of a tech revolution and evolution? the age of great innovators and inventors.

Humanity is now 8 billion strong, and whether we will bring the catastrophe to ourselves by wanting so much more and being less accountable remains to be seen (or have we?) Nevertheless, we are hopeful that 2023 is not just a number but a chance to improve our lives and see the world differently and conscientiously. It is, after all, a matter of choice.

We look forward to a year of more solution-based inventions, purposeful technology, a greener lifestyle - less greed, and accountable leadership. It is a tall order, but one can only hope; that is how the light gets in.

The Publisher

DARK MATTER redefines the interfaces between technology, creativity, and interaction to create space for personal sensory experiences.

The exhibition introduces new technical concepts, most of which are made visible to the public for the first time.

The W HITEvoid studio works at the intersection between design and technology.

The creative team comprises specialists in lighting, product, and interior design, as well as electrical engineering, mechatronics, and media. The work is focused on translating the digital into the physical, from bits and bytes into real space. The installation components and sound and light elements interact with one another and the public to form the foundation of the studio's developments. © Ralph Larmann

The employed technologies, such as KINETIC LIGHTS' computer-controlled synchronized winches and light elements, and the completely new HOLOPLOT 3D sound system, represent the absolute highest levels of modern technology. The groundbreaking combination makes DARK MATTER a unique high-tech location for audiovisual spatial experiences. DARK MATTER also functions as a research laboratory where the interactions between these new technologies can be further analyzed and optimized. Each visit is thus a snapshot of what is technically possible and, at the same time, an outlook on future media technologies.

© Till Beckman

The expertise and combined collective work of 30 employees create these complex visual worlds. Computer-aided design and algorithms, along with the latest technical innovations, have formed the basis of a completely new media and event technology.

Light is the guiding theme in all W HITEvoid's works in its many forms and facets. Hence, the theme of light becomes the common thread that ties the seven light-installation rooms within the DARK MATTER exhibition.

W HITEvoid's installations and products can also be seen in museums, exhibitions, fairs, festivals, and concerts worldwide, many of which have been awarded national and international prizes.

© Saskia Uppenkamp

Christopher Bauder is a light artist, designer, and CEO. At the same time, he is the Creative Director of the design studio W HITEvoid, which he founded after completing his studies at the Berlin University of the Arts. In addition to his managerial role, he is furthering his career and passion as a light and media artist worldwide. Bauder is also the founder and Managing Director of the innovative lighting technology manufacturer KINETIC LIGHTS. ?

Above all else, Bauder is best known for his expansive light art installations. In 2014 along with his brother Marc, he was responsible for the project LICHTGRENZE. The extensive outdoor installation was realized as part of the fall of the Berlin Wall?s 25th anniversary and stretched over 15 km along the wall?s former route. Almost 8,000 balloon steles were specially developed and manufactured for the occasion by Christopher Bauder and his studio W HITEvoid.

Christopher Bauder, W HITEvoid, and KINETIC LIGHTS have already exhibited their installations and performances in many places around the world, including at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, MUTEK Festival Montreal, CTM, and Transmediale Berlin, Festival of Lights Lyon, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, and the National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing. His latest project, SKALAR, conceived alongside music producer Kangding Ray, has already received more than 200,000 visitors in Berlin, Zurich, Amsterdam, and Mexico City.

The expertise and combined collective work of 30 employees create these complex visual worlds. Computer-aided design and algorithms, along with the latest technical innovations, have formed the basis of a completely new media and event technology.

Light is the guiding theme in all W HITEvoid's works in its many forms and facets.

Hence, the theme of light becomes the common thread that ties the seven light-installation rooms within the DARK MATTER exhibition.

W HITEvoid's installations and products can also be seen in museums, exhibitions, fairs, festivals, and concerts worldwide, many of which have been awarded national and international prizes.

Photo Credit: W HITEvoid

INVERSE

INVERSE combines 169 moving black spherical objects into a seemingly living entity. It forms a ghostly figure, like a flock of birds in synchronized flight against the bright sky.

From a dark amorphous form, a single-celled organism, a curious slowly develops and seems to interact with the visitor. Monochromatic, sometimes threatening in its appearance, the ensemble presents in silhouette against the bright background.

INVERSE lives from the contrast between artificial movement and associative perception. Sometimes floating lightly and elegantly like a leaf in the wind, sinking heavily to the ground like a tough mass. The form and character of the kinetic sculpture continuously change.

INVERSE Creative Direction: Christopher Bauder Music & Sound Design: Boris Acket Production: W HITEvoid Motor Systems & Software: KINETIC LIGHTS ?

Photos: Ralph Larmann / W HITEvoid / Frank Sauer

LIQUID SKY

LIQUID SKY consists of over 800 individual light points forming a coherent surface.

The additional mirroring of the entire room creates an endless light horizon that sparkles like a starry sky or seems to glitter like a river surface in sunlight.

Both the three-dimensional surface and the light animations result from complex computer simulations that imitate forms and movements from nature. Continuous algorithmic variations create a sky of "liquid" light.

The first three installations of the exhibition (LIQUID SKY, INVERSE, CIRCULAR) are accompanied as a triptych by the 8-channel soundtrack composed by the Dutch sound designer Boris Acket. The sounds move from room to room and connect the three installations like abstract living beings communicating.

LIQUID SKY Creative Direction: Christopher Bauder Music & Sound Design: Boris Acket Production: WHITEvoid Software: KINETIC LIGHTS ?

Photos: Ralph Larmann

© Ralph Larmann

CIRCULAR

CIRCULAR is a hypnotic ballet of three rings of light performing a weightless dance in the darkness.

Held in suspension by an unknown force, this perfect trio conveys a feeling of freedom and connectedness. The three mechanical actors find themselves in a continuous interplay of unity and independence.

The rings stand as symbols of endlessness and perfection. In harmony with the electronic score, the pulsating light animations and elegant movements create a calming, meditative mood.

CIRCULAR also forms the third and final installation of the "triptych" of light installations in the first exhibition hall, which follow a familiar soundtrack by Boris Acket.

CIRCULAR Creative Direction: Christopher Bauder Music & Sound Design: Boris Acket Production: W HITEvoid Motorized Lighting Systems & Software: KINETIC LIGHTS ?

Photos: Ralph Larmann

BONFIRE This installation uses modern technology to simulate an archaic institution - the Bonfire.

Digital technology creates the illusion of sitting around a campfire under a starry sky with friends. You can almost feel the warmth of the digital flames. For a moment, one is reminded of the deeply rooted longing for shared experiences in and with nature. A memory that, indeed, everyone shares.

But BONFIRE also addresses how people move further and further away from nature. They are destroying it and then feel the need to bring it back in a controllable way as a simulation using technology.

BONFIRE consists of a 5m high, three-dimensional arrangement of 162 light elements with over 20,000 individually controllable light points.

BONFIRE Creative Direction: Christopher Bauder Music and Sound Design: KlingKlangKlong Production: W HITEvoid Lighting Systems & Software: KINETIC LIGHTS LED Candles: MORI London ?

Photos: Ralph Larmann

© Ralph Larmann

POLYGON PLAYGROUND

POLYGON PLAYGROUND translates a computer-generated object into real space. A seamless 360-degree projection covers the surface like a digital skin that reacts to its environment via sensors.

POLYGON PLAYGROUND is a playground for all ages, inviting visitors to experiment. By interacting with the object, everyone becomes part of the work and directly influences its appearance. ?

The interactive surface plays with perception and gives the impression of the ground moving under feet. A constantly changing, digitally expanded sculpture is created for visitors to climb over, walk around, or lounge upon. ?

Directly synchronized with the changing surface, the spatialized soundscape from Berlin?s KlingKlangKlong sound studio unfolds around the visitors. The interactive audio is reproduced by the unique wave field synthesis spatial sound system from Berlin?s HOLOPLOT startup. ?

The first version of POLYGON PLAYGROUND was developed in 2008. Since 2012 the installation is also part of the permanent exhibition at the Science Museum in Daegu, Korea.

POLYGON PLAYGROUND Creative Direction: Christopher Bauder Music & Sound Design: KlingKlangKlong Production: W HITEvoid 3D Sound System: HOLOPLOT ?

Photos: Ralph Larmann

GRID GRID combines kinetic motion, light, and electronic music to create a giant audiovisual sculpture that hovers above the audience.

GRID symbolizes the merging of the digital and physical worlds. The kinetic installation is a tangible embodiment of a computer-generated dynamic surface.

Like a chameleon, GRID continuously adopts new forms and colors. At times the installation appears weightless, as a flying carpet is woven from threads of light. At others, it becomes an alien vessel, threatening to dive and engulf the audience, only to dissolve into a crackling cloud shortly after. GRID is enduring and fleeting simultaneously, an endless transformation of dreamlike sequences.

A massive spatial sound system from HOLOPLOT spans the entire room. Every sound and musical element in Robert Henke?s composition is reproduced in direct relationship to the animation of the sculpture. This creates an almost synaesthetic impression that transports the visitors to another world.

GRID was first shown in 2013 at the Lyon's Fete des Lumières Light Festival.

GRID Creative Direction: Christopher Bauder Music Composition: Robert Henke Production: W HITEvoid Motorized Lighting Systems & Software: KINETIC LIGHTS 3D Sound System: HOLOPLOT ?

Photos: Ralph Larmann / W HITEvoid

TONE LADDER

A household ladder extended with sensors turns into a real musical instrument. The ordinary ladder becomes a TONE LADDER. An individual piece of music is created by climbing up and down or touching several rungs of the TONE LADDER simultaneously. If you step on a rung or touch it with your hand, a sound or rhythm varies from step to step. W hether in pairs as a duet or with several people - a whole band is quickly formed. ?

Each sound played simultaneously triggers an associated light animation. The interaction of the visitors with each other and the TONE LADDER creates a new audiovisual live concert again and again. ?

The TONE LADDER is the first interactive work by Christopher Bauder, which he created while studying at the Berlin University of the Arts almost 20 years ago.

TONE LADDER Creative Direction: Christopher Bauder Music: Gianluigi D'Autilia / Christopher Bauder Production: W HITEvoid ?

Photos: Ralph Larmann / W HITEvoid

For four days at the end of the summer of 2015, the World Famous Lighthouse went to Hollywood! They opened their doors to Director Damien Chazelle and his team as they brought to life his musical creation: La La Land!

Actors Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone play the main characters adding a modern twist to an already well-known story of love colliding with the desire to live out your most incredible dreams.

Musician / Actor John Legend completes the cast as the leader in Ryan's movie band.

The film showcased the already infamous venue while reaching out to a new fan base of music lovers.

© Wang Yuxuan

Damien Chazelle will be recognized with the Advanced Imaging Society's Gene Kelly Visionary Award at the 13th annual Lumiere Awards in February 2023. © The Harvard Crimson

The Lumiere? Award Where Technology Meets the Business of Content The Advanced Imaging Society was formed in 2009 by the Entertainment Technology professionals who ?vet the tech? driving the entertainment industry?s creative stakeholders, including The Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, DreamWorks Animation (DWA), Sony, Paramount, IMAX, Dolby, Panasonic, MasterImage and others to advance the creative arts and sciences of stereoscopic 3D. As new cutting-edge technologies come to the forefront, the Society has been charged with ?informing the content pipeline? of professionals on these emerging innovations.

With chapters in the U.S., China, Japan, the E.U., India, and the U.K., the organization serves thousands of professional participants in over 20 countries active in improving the arts and technologies of advanced imaging.

The Lumiere? Awards recognize outstanding international achievement in creating immersive storytelling using advanced visual technologies like Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, High Dynamic Range, Stereo 3D, 360 Video, High Frame Rate, Artificial Intelligence, Real-Time Rendering, and more.

The Society honors content and experiences produced for film, television, advertising, gaming, mobile, online, and more. Past Lumiere winners include some of Hollywood?s most prominent creative leaders, such as Martin Scorsese, Ang Lee, Victoria Alonso, Jon Favreau, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and Christopher McQuarrie.

Award winners will be recognized at the 13th Annual Lumiere Awards celebration on February 10, 2023, at the Crystal Ballroom, The Beverly Hills Hotel.

We chose to highlight the Gene Kelly Visionary Award among the 21 awards previously awarded to Guillermo del Toro to celebrate Damien Chazelle's contributions, one of the most outstanding visionary filmmakers of our times.

"It's interesting when you wind up distilling all your ambitions and your goals and dreams into one single person. It's giving that person a lot of power."

- Damien Chazelle

Image: amazon.com © Aston APSU Martin

?It's time to write our own story.?

"It's a weird thing - Misty Copeland where, especially in jazz, you have to totally mention cutting sessions and people one-upping each other and people being super, super tough on each other. And out of it emerge these genius musicians."

- Damien Chazelle

Image: IMDB

" There are parallels to the tumult in today?s Hollywood, as streaming platforms and the pandemic have put cinemas in jeopardy and led to Hollywood relying on tried-and-tested franchises and superheroes. We are really at a crossroads.

Today in Hollywood, there?s a lot of fear, and not a lot of people taking risks. There are always great movies being made, thankfully, but it?s a time of fear.?

- Damien Chazelle

Image: Universal Pictures © Donald Giannatti

Image: IMDB Image: IMDB

" If you're an artist, you want to draw from real life; you want to draw from experiences, emotion, and it's something that a lot of musicians juggle with. I've always found it so fascinating. " - Damien Chazelle

© Lucas Alexander

Debonair District and All That Jazz

I

It was one of those lucky days when we were compiling suitable content materials and came across a group of Filipino jazz musicians that perfectly fit our theme - creative, light, and distinct. Music is inherent to Filipinos, but as far as jazz music is concerned, it is still at its nascent stage. Debonair District, individually or as a group, is not. If you've had a chance to listen to their kind of music, you're in for a treat.

Here's our Premier Q & A feature on the group. Get to know more about the jazz ensemble that brings a new take on Filipino folk songs done by talented musicians from the heart of Asia.

How and when/where the group was formed?

Toma: The group was formed back in 2016 when I was looking to create a jazz band. Back then all of the members were still in the UP College of Music. I met up with Neo, a horn player, and Neo pulled in Joey (bass), Harold (piano), and Chico (drums). The concept that I proposed and that put us together that time (and until now) was this wonderful idea of jazzing up folk songs and kundiman music. This inspiration was based off of iconic 40s to 50s music that the older generation grew up with. These jazz standards were already timeless in their right, and I thought that there was a lot of Filipino material that we could arrange into the jazz medium for the younger generation to appreciate and hear. We included OPM into the mix later on. Filipino music is just so rich most especially the kundiman and folk songs!

Please share with us how you came up with your name.

Toma: It was a challenge at the start. We wanted it to be catchy but at the same time, gives weight to the kind of music that we make. We knew that jazz is very niche here in the Philippines but we also wanted it to be welcoming and approachable through our music. Because of this, we find ways to welcome new, curious, and interested listeners and not to gatekeep our music; we do this for the jazz genre as a whole. We?d like to share our music both locally and internationally so when people hear ?Debs? (our shortened version of our name coined by Neo), they?d be in a classy setting (Debonair; the jazz music), but in an inviting and familiar one (District; the Filipino music ? OPM, kundiman, folk songs).

What is the groups' musical DNA? Harold: Even after 5 years, we are still continually looking for our DNA one tune at a time (as do all other bands). From what started as a group of young college kids trying to do a ?Kids on the Slope? homage, to doing jazz renditions of folk tunes and kundimans, the group eventually grew to dreaming of something bigger. One cover after another and one original tune after another, we are still in search for that Debonair District sound. I guess this search for the band?s sound is ultimately powered by our desire to add what we can to the Philippine and global jazz scene.

We'd like to get to know the members of the group and a brief background on each ...

Toma Cayabyab sings, arranges, and composes for the band and does music work in the industry. A Magna Cum Laude from the University of the Philippines College of Music, he conducts both choirs and orchestras. He is a music educator in both the Senior High School and College levels of the Ateneo de Manila University. Through his music, Toma dreams to make a mark in the Philippine music industry and aims to contribute to its rich culture.

Neo Mañosca comes from a family of musicians and learned to play the trumpet at the age of 9. He started to play in gigs in the local bars at 13 with his father and cousin in San Pedro, Laguna. He started in the College of Music of UP in 2015 and is now a cruise ship musician.

Joey Biato started playing the upright bass at the age of 14 with a local orchestra from his town, Angono, Rizal. He later went on to study Double Bass Performance at the UP College of Music. Since then, he went on performing as a freelance orchestra and rhythm section bassist for various orchestras, bands, and musical theater as well as becoming a member of the Asian Youth Orchestra in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

Chico Macorol plays drums for Debonair District. He is also a freelance drummer and plays for other artists and bands on the side. Chico is also a member of th Symphony Orchestra, plays for various orchestras, and does freelance work as a classical percussionist.

Harold Santos is an Asian Music and Musicology graduate from the University of the Philippines Diliman where he was immersed in different Asian music cultures such as the koto, kulintang, gamelan, cordillera ensemble music, etc. Another side of Harold is his pianist-self, wherein he mostly plays jazz, fusion, and pop.

Apart from his performer life, he also composes music for film, theater, and contemporary dance. He is constantly driven by the desire of finding the perfect balance of tradition and innovation of his generation.

Antonio Concepcion is a philosophy and social science teacher by day and a musician by night. While these are seemingly two different fields, education and music can be complementary. He finds inspiration for his music inside the classroom and vice versa.

How do you develop a selection of music for DD? Harold: We try as much as possible to cater to people of all ages. Since we play jazz music, a style of music that should perfectly between tradition and innovation, we create music that all ages would like. This means listening to the legends of the past like Parker, Baker, or Evans, Montgomery, or Joe Jones to being continually influenced by today?s artists pushing the boundaries of jazz like Snarky Puppy, Jacob Collier, Emmet Cohen, Laufey, etc. Debonair District also pulls in influences from Filipino jazz innovators such as Eddie Munji, Bob Aves, AMP, Ryan Cayabyab, and more.

Future gigs?

Toma: It?s exciting because despite the ?new normal?, we are grateful that we get to perform our music again live! As of the moment, we have lots of wedding gigs in line this 2023! We also have upcoming gigs in BGC, Mow?s (Matalino St.), and in Tago Jazz Café in the first quarter of the year so stay tuned!

". . . we would defi ni tely conti nue doi ng what we love doi ng. We?d

We?d definitely like everyone to come join us! Details will be available on our Facebook page, Debonair District, and our Instagram, @debsdistrict. You can also contact us through these pages for inquiries!

What's the best or favorite song of the group you all love to perform?

Anton: A large part of what makes performing so fun is the audience's reaction to our music and Leron Leron Sinta is the song that usually gets best kind of reaction from our audience. It's probably because the rhythm section plays an important role in the song. They drive the song forward, a characteristic of many latin rhythms.

Its rhythmic complexity makes it challenging and fun to play. And when we enjoy what we play, our audience enjoys the music with us too.

Toma: A contender would be our arrangement of Sineskwela. Despite the nostalgia, its noteworthy theme infused with an unexpected ballad beginning brings a smooth and cool approach to a childhood memory.

Afterwards it takes the audiences to an adventure as we go to different keys and rhythms, culminating into an energetic cadence. The best part is when audience ecstatically sings along to the theme.

How do you guys stay committed to your art?

Anton: It can be hard to stay committed to any art form, let alone jazz, when there are not many spaces for it.

But what keeps us committed and inspired is the community of musicians and listeners who have been supporting and keeping jazz alive, against all odds. And lastly, it's the love we have for each other and the music that really keeps us going.

li ke tomake a huge contri buti on toFi li pi nomusi c and culture. . ."

Harold: Music requires a lifetime of learning and shedding. Practicing regularly keeps the flame burning. Whenever we are away from our instruments, we have always loved listening to whatever music we can, not just jazz. As individuals, we come from different backgrounds. We, as individuals, have our roots from chorale, orchestra, rock, traditional music, fusion, marching band, etc. It is in fact a miracle jazz had connected us together.

So, listening to all kinds of music out there helps us draw inspiration from any style of music - which we would consider what the style of jazz was and is always about.

Neo: An important note is that we really want our music to be an inspiration, especially to the young ones.

What is your dream material for the group?

Toma: To be honest, we have yet to find a ?dream material? for the group but what we know is this: we would definitely continue doing what we love doing. We?d like to make a huge contribution to Filipino music and culture and our jazz arrangements of Leron Leron Sinta, Malinac Lay Labi, Pen Pen de Sarapen, Ti Ayat ti Maysa Nga Ubing, Sampaguita, and Pamulinawen are our stepping stones. We also continue to create our originals and we have just released 3 originals last 2022 ? Just Because, Mukhang Pera Sa?yo, and Pasko sa Atin. We have 3 more ready to go early this year, and many more to come later! Do check us out on Spotify, Apply Music, and Youtube.

Lastly, could you share some songs you love as a group?..

Retold (Kinfolk) ? Neo Blackbird (Ellen Anderson) ? Neo Cherokee (Kamasi Washington) - because it?s a tasteful and feel-good rendition of what was once an challenging uptempo exercise - Harold It Could Happen to You (Benny Benack III) because it?s one of the tastiest vocalese solos ever performed - Harold Smile (Ellen Anderson) ? Joey Fragile (Laufey) ? Toma This Happy Madness (Stacey Kent version) ? Toma The Way You Look Tonight (Michael Buble version) ? Toma ? It?s one of my oldest favorites and one of the doors that opened me to jazz music. - PremierMagPh

MAKE THE INVISIBLE

VISIBLE © Levi Jones

The global campaign, called Be the change, encourages people to take action in their lives to change how they use, consume and manage water.

The promises made by individuals on the campaign website will contribute to the Water Action Agenda - a primary outcome of the UN 2023 Water Conference, which opens on World Water Day, 22 March 2023.

The Water Action Agenda is a collection of voluntary commitments from governments, companies, organizations, institutions, coalitions, and members of the public, designed to deliver rapid progress on internationally-agreed water and sanitation targets, most notably Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6): water and sanitation for all by 2030.

Currently, the world is seriously off track on SDG 6. The latest data show that governments must work on average four times faster to meet this Goal on time.

Dysfunction throughout the water cycle undermines progress on all major global issues, from health to hunger, gender equality to jobs, industry education, disasters to peace.

Rapid, transformative change is needed, and everyone can play their part. Every action ? no matter how small ? will make a difference.

To find out more about World Water Day 2023, click here https://www.worldwaterday.org/.

To make your Water Action list, click here https://www.unwater.org/bethechange/.

THERE IS AN ANCIENT STORY* OF A HUMMINGBIRD, AND IT IS ABOUT HOW WE REACT TO A CRISIS. RIGHT NOW, WE FACE A WATER AND SANITATION CRISIS. DO WE STAND AND STARE? OR DO WE ACT?

Source/ Photos: UN Water . Org

"Tomorrow" to start filming SOON!

From the best-selling author of The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry: On a bitter-cold day in the December of his junior year at Harvard, Sam Masur exits a subway car and sees, amid the hordes of people waiting on the platform, Sadie Green. He calls her name. She pretends she hasn't heard him for a moment, but then, she turns, and a game begins: a legendary collaboration that will launch them to stardom. These friends, intimates since childhood, borrow money, beg favors, and, before graduating college, they have created their first blockbuster, Ichigo. Overnight, the world is theirs. Not even twenty-five years old, Sam and Sadie are brilliant, successful, and wealthy, but these qualities won't protect them from their creative ambitions or the betrayals of their hearts.

Spanning thirty years, from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Venice Beach, California, and lands in between and far beyond, Gabrielle Zevin's Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow examines the multifarious nature of identity, disability, failure, the redemptive possibilities in the play, and above all, our need to connect: to be loved and to love.

About the Author GABRIELLE ZEVIN is a New York Times best-selling novelist whose books have been translated into forty languages.

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow was published by Knopf in July of 2022 and was an instant New York Times Best Seller, a Sunday Times Best Seller, a USA Today Best Seller, a #1 National Indie Best Seller, and a selection of the Tonight Show's Fallon Book Club. Maureen Corrigan of NPR's Fresh Air called it "a big beautifully written novel? that succeeds in being both serious art and immersive entertainment."

Following a twenty-five-bidder auction, the feature film rights to Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow were acquired by Temple Hill and Paramount Studios. She is currently writing the screenplay.

© gabriellezevin.com

CES is Back and Thriving!

Las Vegas, NV ? Jan 08, 2023 CES® 2023 ended today after an incredible week of product launches, major company announcements and innovation that will help to solve global challenges. CES shattered expected attendance drawing over 115,000 industry professionals ? marking the largest audited global tech event since early 2020. With over 3200 exhibitors, including 1000 startups, CES 2023 showcased the next era of innovation from transportation and mobility to digital health, sustainability, Web3, metaverse and beyond.

For the first time, CES had a theme focused on Human Security for All. CES partnered with the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security and the World Academy of Art and Science on the Human Security for All (HS4A) global campaign to foster food security, access to health care, personal income, environmental protection, personal safety, community security and political freedom. The products unveiled at CES 2023 tackle global issues such as access to clean water, food security, smart cities infrastructure, sustainable energy solutions, personal security and more. CES also featured the latest in accessibility tech, with innovation helping those in the disability community. ?CES 2023 was the great reconnection and rocked by every measure - from attendance to the keynote stage to press conferences and product debuts on the exhibit floor ? showing the entire world that in-person events are BACK!? said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CTA. ?The innovation unveiled this week will drive economic growth and change in meaningful ways to improve our lives and create a better future for the next generation.?

While CES 2023 concluded today, on-demand content from the show will be available through February on CES.tech. Visit CES.tech for keynotes, sessions, product announcements and show floor coverage.

CES returns to Las Vegas, January 9-12, 2024.

CES 2023 by the Numbers -

Nearly 2.2 million net square feet of exhibits (70% larger than CES 2022)

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3200+ exhibitors, including 1000 new exhibitors

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Over 115,000 attendees (pre-audit figures)

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Over 40,000 international attendees from more than 140 countries (pre-audit figures)

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4800 global media from 69 countries (pre-audit figures)

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60% of Fortune 500 companies represented

Top Trends at CES 2023 With over 3200 companies, including Abbott, Amazon, Bosch, BMW, Canon, Delta, Google, Hisense, John Deere, LG Electronics, Microsoft, Qualcomm, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony and Stellantis launching products, key trends on the CES show floor included: - Human Security for All ? With unprecedented global challenges, the HS4A campaign was a central theme at CES 2023 highlighting the importance of collaboration and innovation across all industries, and all countries, to improve the human experience.

- Automotive and Mobility ? With some 300 vehicle tech exhibitors, CES 2023 was one of the largest auto shows in the world. Keynotes from BMW, John Deere and Stellantis and products launches from global companies focused on self-driving tech, electric vehicles and personal mobility devices for land, air and sea.

Exhibitors: Candela Marine Technology, GM, Italdesign Giugiaro, Magna, Mercedes-Benz, MobilEye, Waymo, RYSE and Volvo Penta.

- Digital Health ? CES 2023 brought more digital health innovations and brands to the global stage, showing how rapidly the market is growing. Innovations included digital therapeutics, mental wellness, women?s health tech and telemedicine.

Exhibitors: Abbott, LOTTE Healthcare, MedWand Solutions and Omron Healthcare.

- Sustainability ? Global brands like John Deere, LG, Samsung and Siemens showcased how innovation can conserve energy and increase power generation, create sustainable agricultural systems, power smart cities, and support access to clean water.

Exhibitors: 3M, Bridger Aerospace, Caterpillar and NexGen Power Systems, Panasonic and Sony.

- Web3 and Metaverse ? For the first time, CES 2023 had a dedicated Metaverse area on the show floor, highlighting groundbreaking sensory technology building immersive, interactive digital worlds. A Web3 Studio, produced by CoinDesk, was the focal point of the Web3, Metaverse and Blockchain area at CES. Exhibitors: Magic Leap, Microsoft, OVR Technology and SK. - Startups ? Eureka Park at CES featured 1000 startups from countries, regions and territories, including Japan, Korea, France, Italy, Taiwan, Turkey, Hong Kong, Netherlands, US, and Ukraine. Technology included renewable paper solutions to reduce CO2 emissions; AI technology used to reduce food waste; solar technology to capture both electrical and thermal energy; personal safety apps and more.

© Sony Group Corporation

Moving Creators Forward STAR SPHERE STAR SPHERE is a project to bring space closer to all and to discover the "space perspectives" to provide an opportunity to think about the global environment and social issues. On Jan. 3, 2023(PST), a remote controllable nano-satellite "EYE" equipped with a camera capable of shooting from space, was launched.

Sony's exhibit called "Space Shooting Lab," an experimental simulator that proposes a "space" for experiential photography from space that STAR SPHERE plans to offer in the future, and a mock-up of a nano-satellite equipped with Sony camera equipment. © Sony Group Corporation

Las Vegas, NV ? Jan 04, 2023 Kenichiro Yoshida, Chairman, President, and CEO of Sony Group Corporation, took the stage at Sony's press conference held on Wednesday, Jan. 4, ahead of the exhibition's public opening. He explained that collaboration with creators who create Kando (emotion) is essential to advancing Sony's Purpose to "fill the world with emotion through the power of creativity and technology."

He also emphasized that the "live" sharing of time and space is the essence of entertainment. Sony's creation and interaction technology will support the virtual world to provide live experiences and connect them with the physical world in exciting ways.

He was also joined by a diverse array of speakers from the worlds of pictures, games, music, sports, and mobility to discuss the potential for expanding the scope of entertainment through technology.

© Sony Group Corporation

Enhancing the value of mobility space, Afeela will expand it into entertainment and emotional space. They have begun exploring new possibilities in mobility with Epic Games. Kim Libreri, CTO, Epic Games, joined them on stage to share his passion for partnering with Sony Honda Mobility and how he looks forward to co-creating through the new partnership. The challenge of creating new value in mobility services and entertainment has begun. © Sony Group Corporation

AFEELA expresses an interactive relationship where people "FEEL" mobility as an intelligent entity, and mobility "FEELs" people and society using sensing and network IT technologies.

Spatial Reality Display: New Prototype with a Large 27-inch Screen Sony is unveiling a 27" prototype of the Spatial Reality Display (SR Display), which reproduces the real world with 3D spatial images. The larger screen format enables the display of life-sized objects so that medical images and product designs can be reproduced more realistically. At the booth, the SR Display will be used to show 3D computer graphics content with applications in various fields, such as point cloud data used in VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality), as well as architecture and computer-aided design (CAD), in a virtual space. In addition, a multi-view video created by Hawk-Eye's live sports data and virtual characters can now be reproduced on the SR Display as a new style of entertainment. © Sony Group Corporation

PlayStation®VR2 and PlayStation®5 Sony PlayStation®VR2 (PS VR2), the next-generation virtual reality headset for PlayStation®5 (PS5? ), brings an immersive gaming experience like never before. PS VR2 has some critical features realized through PS VR2 Sense Technology, such as headset feedback, eye tracking, 3D Audio, adaptive triggers, and haptic feedback from PS VR2 Sense? Controller. Select PS VR2 and PS5 games were made available to try at the exhibit, along with PS5 accessories showcased at the booth. © Sony Group Corporation

Virtual Fan Engagement Sony is conducting a PoC (proof of concept) with the English Premier League football club Manchester City, aiming to realize the next generation of online fan communities and engagement through the combination of physical and virtual to excite and engage with both new and existing sports fans. In the booth, visitors can experience metaverse content as if they were in the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City's home, reproduced in virtual space. Fans can express their feelings and passion for the team by creating customizable avatars on their smartphones and, in the future, connect with millions of fans across the globe and access various services to increase engagement.

Portable Volumetric Capture This exhibit showcases a prototype of a new system that can capture and distribute animated 3D reconstructions of people, objects, and spaces with low latency in any location. The system only requires seven sensors, which allows it to be set up anywhere quickly, meeting the demand for live 3D video distribution. The booth lets visitors enjoy experiencing a 360-degree view of Manchester City players and the audience shown in a 3D metaverse space through tablets and Sony's Spatial Reality Displays.

© Sony Group Corporation

Rise Gardens Announces Launch of the New Rise Garden at CES 2023 Recognized as a CES® 2023 Innovation Award Honoree for Food + Ag Tech, newest top-of-the-line model from popular indoor garden maker combines elegant design with state-of-the-art hydroponic technology LAS VEGAS ? January 4, 2022 ?Rise Gardens, the maker of award-winning home hydroponic garden systems, announced the launch at CES 2023 of a new top-of-the-line, fully modular garden that enables the most significant number and widest variety of plants to be grown in any system ? up to 108 different plants at one time.

Recognized as a CES® 2023 Innovation Awards Honoree* in the Food & Ag Tech category, the New Rise Garden offers a host of accessories such as trellises and plant stands and allows you to grow everything from rooted veggies (radishes, beets), vining crops (beans, peas), large flowering plants (tomatoes, cauliflower, eggplant, peppers), microgreens, to leafy greens and herbs.

Whereas other indoor garden systems are made of plastic and PVC pipes, the New Rise Garden uses powder-coated metal in various colors and a natural wood structure. It features an upscale, minimalist aesthetic that fits in any room of any sized home. Wi-Fi-enabled and app-controlled, there's no guesswork involved.

Featuring smart hydroponic technology, the New Rise Garden is self-watering and self-fertilizing ?, and the app will tell you exactly when to add nutrients and water, lets you manage lights and track your growing progress, and even tells you when it's time to harvest.

The system also features an Alexa integration for voice control. And, unlike other indoor smart gardens on the market, Rise Gardens' IoT connectivity is available to all customers, not just subscribers. The system will be displayed and demoed at Amazon's Experience Area in the Venetian.

Also unique to Rise Gardens is a nursery system and three-part nutrients and pH management products to ensure the best possible growing success. In addition, Rise Gardens offers the widest variety of seed pods of any system on the market.

In this latest release, Rise Gardens has created a system that is easier to clean, easier and faster to assemble than its predecessor, has more durable electronics, and several features such as a more extensive water reservoir that improves how well and how many plants you can grow. In addition, the New Rise Garden now comes in additional colors, including a charcoal hue to better fit into any home decor.

"The New Rise Garden is the only fully modular indoor smart garden on the market. No other system enables such flexibility and productivity," said Rise Gardens CEO & Founder Hank Adams. "With this latest release, we have improved on the features that already set our brand apart ? productivity, functionality, and a sleek, minimalist design aesthetic."

Rise Gar den s design s st at e-of -t h e-ar t in door h ydr opon ic pr odu ce gar den s t h at m ak e it easy f or an yon e t o gr ow t h eir f ood. Th e syst em cr eat es a com plicat ed pr ocess t h at is pr odu ct ive an d f u n f or gar den er s con st r ain ed by bu sy sch edu les, sh or t gr ow in g season s, or access t o lan d in u r ban set t in gs.

Photo courtesy of RISE Gardens

Photo courtesy of RISE Gardens

Th e m odu lar , Wi-Fi-con n ect ed plat f or m allow s var iou s gr een s an d veget ables t o expan d an d gr ow.

Fou n ded in 2019 an d back ed by f u n din g f r om in vest or s, in clu din g Tr u e Ven t u r es an d t h e Alexa Fu n d, Rise Gar den s en cou r ages bet t er n u t r it ion an d h ealt h ou t com es by h elpin g people gr ow t h eir ow n f ood year -r ou n d an d par t n er in g w it h sch ools t o bu ild n u t r it ion edu cat ion in t o t h e classr oom .

Solos is developing the world?s most advanced smart glasses technology with a human-first approach.

Born out of Kopin Corporation (NASDAQ: KOPN) with MIT engineers, Solos combines industry-leading wearable electronics with the comfort and style of traditional eyewear.

W hisper? Audio Technology One of the very distinctive features of Solos?AirGo? smart glasses is its built-in W hisper? Audio Technology. W hisper? is a unique patented noise cancellation algorithm developed solely by Solos that adopts many state-of-the-art noise cancellation algorithms such as beamforming, normalized least mean square (NLMS), voice activity detection (VAD), and wiener filter ?etc., to cancel out all kinds of ambient noise and at the same time only enhance the narrow beam

speech

signal from

the

user. W ith

W hisper?

Audio

Technology, the ambient noise can be reduced by 45dB, which tremendously improves the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and provides a great ASR (Automatic Speech Recognition) performance for voice assistance as well as crystal clear phone call conversation for users at any environment.

Advantages: 1. Immunity from noise to give clean voice 2. No nonlinear distortion to give High ASR Rate 3. Patented proprietary design for audio performance 4. Highly optimized to run at digital signal processor (DSP) in real-time.

© Solos Smartglasses

Posture & Motion Sensing Solos'

advanced

hardware

technologies

allow users to make smart glasses functions much easier to control by a gesture. Users can just tap the smart glasses to play/ pause their favorite music or activate Siri or OK google voice assistance; slide forward or backward to adjust the volume and accept or reject incoming call; turn on/ off the audio when the glasses is put on/ off. Using a 9-axis sensor and Solos AirGo? Apps, AI Coach and AI Care were developed to take care of your health regularly. AI Care can track your posture and remind you with voice prompts when you are in an improper posture for a period. AI Coach analyses data recorded by the sensor and then provides feedback to help you exercise or burn fat. It also offers real-time running parameters such as distance, pacing, and cadence to improve your running performance.

Directional Stereo Speakers You deserve to enjoy 100% care-free audio enjoyment with AirGo? ! The unmatched open-ear directional stereo speakers inside AirGo?

create sound outputs like light

beams, aiming at the ear direction to reduce sound leakage and not disturb others around you. These directional stereo speakers allow you to soak up the atmosphere of thrilled music on the go while people around you don't even know you are enjoying your favorite music. The semi-open ear speaker design provides privacy and comfort and lets you alert the surroundings.

High-quality

surround sound effects can be experienced using AirGo? smart glasses anytime and anywhere.

The World?s 1st Modular Design Solos? AirGo? smart glasses are wearable

gadgets

and

very

humanized accessories that can be seen in the details of the design.

The patent-pending Lego®-styled modular temples of solos? smart glasses are designed for different frames?

compatibility

to

fit

individual needs, allowing you to switch your favorite frames among other shapes, sizes, colors, and materials to express your fashion style. W hile different styles of glasses frames are adaptable, the modular

temple

can

also

be

replaced as a backup battery for all-day purposes. Apart from the detachable

temples,

there

are

some changeable items on the smart glasses: - Frames - Nosepad - Lenses - Temple tips

Earable® Disrupts Sleep Tech with FRENZ? Brainband Global Launch Event at CES 2023

© Mercedes-Benz

Las Vegas, NV, Jan 6, 2023 ? Earable® Neuroscience held a global launch event for its FRENZ? Brainband at CES 2023. During the event, the company discussed innovations behind the award-winning device, its potential to disrupt sleep tech, a special promotional price, and its 88 Pioneer project.

Earable® Neuroscience, a deep tech company delivering scalable, human-centric solutions that improve everyday experiences, held a global launch event for the FRENZ? Brainband at the 2023 Consumer Electric Show (CES 2023) on Jan 6 and revealed the innovations powering the award-winning device.

FRENZ Brainband by Earable is the world's first sleep tech wearable that can track and stimulate brain activities via bone-conduction speakers to facilitate better quality sleep, focus, and relaxation.

The global launch event was held at CES 2023 for leading journalists and live-streamed online for audiences worldwide. The event also welcomed five-time USA Memory Champion Nelson Dellis and leading sleep experts to discuss sleep tech and means of achieving super performance via enhanced cognitive function. Being among the early users, Nelson shared enthusiastically, "As a memory improvement expert and coach, having a tool like FRENZ to help enhance my cognitive training and to improve my sleep quality is a game-changer. FRENZ gives you that edge if you want to level up your mental game."

Every year, 900 million consumer wearables are sold worldwide. W ith 60% of the world population suffering from sleep problems, the world is experiencing a sleep pandemic, which is expected to grow. As a result, sleep-aid products are emerging as a potent and fast-growing industry. In 2021, the global sleep aid market was valued at USD 64.08 billion, with an astounding CAGR growth of 7.1% expected by 2030.

Tam Vu, the Founder and CEO of Earable shared, "In providing accessibility, affordability, and easily acquirable habits, the FRENZ? Brainband can improve sleep worldwide and unleash true human potential. We aim to be the deep tech neuroscience company that dramatically improves the world's mental state at scale and ease."

The famous San Francisco-based venture capital firm, the Founder's Fund, broke its conventional practices by becoming Earable's lead investor well before the company had any traction.

According to co-founder Keith Rabois, "We like out-of-the-box companies that have the potential to change the world. Earable demonstrates this spirit. We're proud to have been Earable's lead investor since its early stages, and we look forward to seeing Earable continue as a disruptor in the emerging sleep tech wearable industry."

Earable® announces its global 88Pioneers project - featuring 88 key opinion leaders (KOLs) from various industries to become the first people to experience FRENZ and share the reviews with their communities. At the launch event, Earable® also kicks off its global pre-order campaign. Customers who pre-order a FRENZ? Brainband and pay in full by March 8th, 2023, receive a promotional pre-order price of $350 (excluding sales tax and shipping cost), a savings of 30% off the regular total price of $490, and the option to choose the limited-edition mint color, a fashionable leather travel case, priority delivery as early as April 2023. Additionally, from January 3rd until January 15th, 2023, to celebrate the CES Launch, Earable® Neuroscience is offering an exclusive $250 pre-order promotional price (excluding sales tax and shipping costs) for its FRENZ?

Brainband

when

using

the

code

CESFRENZ

at

checkout

at

www.frenzband.com Earable®

Neuroscience US is a

deep tech company delivering scalable,

human-centric solutions that improve the everyday experience. Earable® invented the FRENZ? Brainband - the world's most accurate consumer wearable that can track and stimulate brain activity for better sleep, focus, and relaxation.

© Crystal City

Crystal City and the ?Tallest?

Multipurpose Tower in the Metaverse

Felipe Escudero, founder and principal of Quito-based Estudio Felipe Escudero (EFE), has unveiled Crystal City, his latest metaverse design for LEDY, one of the discipline's leading developers, and Decent Amusements, the district manager. In addition to a high-rise observation deck, an ice-covered marketplace, and a packed snow gallery, this new metaverse destination will feature Decentraland's tallest multi-purpose tower, Crystal Tower.

Cryst al Cit y aims to break w it h t he limit at ions of t he contemporary physical world by defying gravit y and material propert ies and offering a t ranscendent al and immersive experience t hat could not exist anyw here else but in t he digit al world. W it h around 6 hect ares, t he design by Ecuadorian architect Felipe Escudero w ill house offices, stores, galleries, and event s.

Cryst al Tower is t he t allest cent ral cryst al-shaped met al tower in Decent raland, one of t he largest and best-know n met averse plat forms. This tower rises 167 meters and emerges upw ards and out w ards like a glacier in all direct ions, rising from it s iceberg bed w it h t he observat ion deck surrounding one of it s branches on t he 16t h floor. This plat form w ill allow companies, art ist s, and creators to rent space in t he tower, t he market , and t he event area at affordable prices w hen it is usually expensive to acquire a plot t here. It should be noted t hat brands w ill also be able to rent open plot s to develop t heir st ruct ures. © Crystal City Written by Agustina Iñiguez | Translated by Amelia Pérez Bravo

The base of Cryst al Cit y consist s of ample space for public event s equivalent to t wo soccer fields, result ing in approximately 11,113 square meters. This space feat ures a series of cut s t hat resemble glacier crevasses. At it s center, it houses a 2-story high organic sculpt ure called GEM, designed by t he same architect , and serves as a communit y gallery.

Inside t he public event space is a market place composed of a floor t hat resembles a t hin layer of w ater and an ult ra-t hin roof of ice t hat float s like a spaceship. As t he market is built and ascends w it h new spaces for it s tenant s, t he ice on t he roof w ill begin to melt , accommodat ing it s grow t h and making reference to w hat is happening in t he material world w it h glaciers melt ing in t he face of indust rial development , but avoiding generat ing consequences for t he eart h and it s inhabit ant s.

Felipe Escudero w ill house a st udio and gallery in a st ruct ure of his ow n t hat seeks to resemble a vast float ing glacier near t he towers. The OBIO gallery w ill exhibit recent ly launched OBIO project s t hat combine music and video w it h fashion and object s so t hat visitors can experience Felipe's work out side t he Met averse. It w ill be accessible by teleport at ion.

"The metaverse is a space where there are new opportunities for design. Here I can apply ideas that cannot exist in the real world, ideas that can provide inspiration and vision of what could be in the future, the physical world." - Felipe Escudero

Philip Escudero Founder and Director. Escudero worked at Heatherwick Studio in London from 2013-2014, at Mad Architects in Beijing from 2008-2010, and at Space4architecture in New York from 2007-2008, before founding EFE, Estudio Felipe Escudero.

Escudero received his master's degree from the Architectural Association in London and his bachelor's degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology, after studying on scholarship in Paris and Rome. As founder and director of EFE, Escudero leads design at various scales, encouraging the participation and empowerment of all collaborating parties.

http:// felipeescudero.com/

HISTORIC SALES RECORD COMPLETES LANDMARK YEAR FOR ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS

Rolls-Royce has achieved its highest-ever annual sales in 2022, delivering a total of 6,021 motor cars, up 8% on 2021, to clients in around 50 countries worldwide. This is the first time in the company's 118-year history that its sales have exceeded 6,000 in a single 12 month period. The value of Bespoke commissions also reached record levels, while demand for all Rolls-Royce models remains exceptionally strong, with advance orders secured far into 2023. eRolls-Royce has achieved its highest-ever annual sales in 2022, delivering a total of 6,021 motor cars, up 8% on 2021, to clients in around 50 countries worldwide. This is the first time in the company's 118-year history that its sales have exceeded 6,000 in a single 12?month period. The value of Bespoke commissions also reached record levels, while demand for all Rolls?Royce models remains exceptionally strong, with advance orders secured far into 2023.

In 2022, Rolls-Royce achieved sales growth in almost all regions, with particularly strong year-on-year growth seen in the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, the USA and Europe. More importantly than volume alone, the value of clients?Bespoke commissions was higher than ever before. The almost endless possibilities for Bespoke personalisation resulted in clients being willing to pay an average of around half a million Euros for their unique Rolls-Royce. Thanks to the high value of Rolls-Royce?s unrivalled Bespoke offering and the company?s consistent focus on profitability, the marque will make a significant contribution to its principal shareholder.

The Middle East is the marque?s leading region for Bespoke commissions, with many unique creations of particularly extensive and individual personalisation. In 2022, Rolls-Royce opened an invitation-only Private Office in Dubai, the first outside Goodwood, bringing the Home of Rolls-Royce closer to the marque?s local clients. Further Private Offices will be introduced around the world in the coming months and years.

The Americas saw significant growth in 2022 and remains the largest single region for Rolls?Royce, with almost all markets achieving higher sales than the previous year. Greater China is of vital strategic importance to Rolls-Royce and is the marque?s second largest sales region. Ongoing headwinds there led to a single-digit drop in sales compared with 2021?s record results, however this was successfully counterbalanced by increased sales in other markets.

Despite the serious geopolitical challenges affecting Europe, the region grew overall in 2022 with record sales in several markets, including the UK and Germany. The Asia-Pacific region also achieved higher sales than ever before.

Rolls-Royce?s unprecedented success comes as, in January 2023, the company marks the 20th anniversary of the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood. Its transformation ? from offering a single model, Phantom, and building just one motor car a day ? to today's record figures is the result of a long-term strategy based on sustainable growth, careful management and planning, and the successful reinvention of the brand. The past decade, in particular, has seen Rolls?Royce consciously refine and rejuvenate its brand and product portfolio to reflect its clients?changing requirements, tastes and demographics, while retaining its innate exclusivity and rarity. As both a true luxury house and an innovative, engineering-led company, Rolls?Royce represents, as it always has, the very highest levels of craftsmanship, technology, luxury and creativity.

© Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

?2022 has been a momentous year for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. Not only did we reveal Rolls?Royce Spectre, our marque?s first ever fully-electric series model to the world, it was also the first year we ever delivered more than 6,000 cars in a single 12-month period, with strong demand across our entire product portfolio. But as a true House of Luxury, sales are not our sole measure of success: we are not and never will be a volume manufacturer. Bespoke IS Rolls-Royce, and commissions were also at record levels last year, with our clients? requests becoming ever more imaginative and technically demanding ? a challenge we enthusiastically embrace. The unrivalled Bespoke creativity and quality achieved by our team here in Goodwood means that on average, our clients are now happy to pay around half a million Euros for their unique motor car.

"Of course, this success has not been achieved overnight. In 2023, we mark the 20th anniversary of the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood, during which time we've transformed our business through a long-term strategy based on continuous and sustainable growth, careful management and planning, an unwavering focus on profit and a respectful but forward?thinking reinvention of the Rolls-Royce brand. We?ve succeeded because we listen and consistently evolve our products in line with our clients? tastes and requirements, consciously rejuvenating our brand while retaining our innate exclusivity and rarity. Our product portfolio has expanded significantly and later this year we will launch the world?s first ultra-luxury electric super coupé: Rolls-Royce Spectre. Two and a half thousand people are now employed at Goodwood, with over 150 new jobs created in 2022 alone. But perhaps most importantly, we have never put style above substance. In terms of technology, quality and luxury, Rolls-Royce still stands, as it has always done, for the very best of the best.?

Torsten Müller-Ötvös Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

© Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Population aging is a defining global trend of our time. People are living longer, and more are older than ever before. Spectacular improvements in health and survival and reductions in fertility have driven this momentous shift, which is expected to begin soon in all countries and areas. This change brings challenges and opportunities as countries strive to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In 2022, the world marked the twentieth anniversary of adopting the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. To commemorate this landmark, the World Social Report 2023 explores the economic and social implications of the aging of the human population. It builds on the Plan of Action?s framework for national policies to create equitable, inclusive societies for people of all ages, providing recommendations to put the rights and well-being of older persons at the center across the life course.

Photo Courtesy of Carmen Dell'Orefice is an American supermodel and actress. She is known within the fashion industry for being the world's oldest working model as of the Spring/Summer 2012 season. She was on the cover of Vogue at the age of 15 and has been modeling ever since.

Born: June 3, 1931 (age 91 years), New York, United States

WORLD SOCIAL REPORT 2023: LEAVING NO ONE BEHIND IN AN AGING WORLD KEY MESSAGES Population ageing is a major success story of our time, but it also poses challenges Population ageing is an inevitable and irreversible consequence of the demographic transition towards longer lives and smaller families. It is not limited to countries in advanced stages of the transition but starts to unfold already in relatively youthful populations.

Countries are at different stages of population ageing. It is important in all stages to ensure that the productive capacity of the economy can support the consumption needs of a growing older population.

Countries in early stages of the demographic transition need to plan ahead so that they can effectively manage the challenges, as well as the opportunities, of population ageing.

Giving every person an equal chance to grow older in good health and with economic security starts by promoting equal opportunities from birth Ensuring that everyone has access to quality education, health care and decent work opportunities throughout the life course can help to boost economic security at older ages and reduce inequalities among older persons.

It can also ease pressures on public pension budgets and other ageing-related expenditures.

Older persons should be able to continue working for as long as they desire and are able, but should not be compelled to do so In implementing pension reforms, such as raising the retirement age, Governments should consider the circumstances faced by different groups of workers. Instead of a uniform approach, they may consider establishing flexible, phased or partial retirement policies with guaranteed universal minimum benefits.

Governments should work to eliminate barriers to the participation of older people in the labour force while also supporting their learning and skills development throughout the life course.

Governments should balance the need for fiscal sustainability of public pension systems with the goal of ensuring income security for all older persons All older persons should be covered by a pension, but strategies to expand coverage can vary. The overall direction should be towards introducing or expanding tax-funded pension schemes that provide basic income security to all older people, including workers in informal employment, and on reducing or eliminating gaps in coverage.

Governments should enable the expansion of decent work opportunities for women and other groups traditionally excluded from the formal labour market, both to secure their well-being at older ages and to expand the productive capacity of the economy. https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2023/01/2023-WSR-on-Ageing-web-EX.pdf Source: UN Department of Global Communications

© Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

The Pale Blue Eye is a 2022 American gothic mystery thriller film written and directed by Scott Cooper, adapted from the 2003 novel of the same name by Louis Bayard. Its plot follows veteran detective Augustus Landor in 1830 West Point, New York, as he investigates a series of murders at the United States Military Academy with the aid of Edgar Allan Poe, a young military cadet. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Christian Bale, Harry Melling, Gillian Anderson, Lucy Boynton, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Toby Jones, Harry Lawtey, Simon McBurney, Timothy Spall, and Robert Duvall.

The Pale Blue Eye was released in select cinemas on December 23, 2022, before its streaming release on January 6, 2023, by Netflix. The film received mixed reviews, as expected. If a viewer isn't familiar with Edgar Allan Poe and his works, the journey to valuing the film, much less understanding the entire context of the story itself, will be a somewhat complex experience. A brief background on one of the great literary icons is in order.

Edgar Poe was born on January 19, 1809, to traveling actors Eliza and David Poe. David abandoned the family when Edgar was a baby, leaving Eliza to support three young children. In a devastating turn, Eliza contracted tuberculosis and spent the last few months of her life in Richmond. She died on December 8, 1811, at 24, leaving behind her three children. Richmond couple John and Frances Allan took two-year-old Edgar in. Edgar was never officially adopted, a cause and result of constant tensions between him and his foster father. He did not take their last name; instead, he became Edgar Allan Poe. As a teenager, Poe enjoyed the life of the elite upper class.

In 1824, a young Edgar Allan Poe was a part of a junior honor color guard that escorted the Revolutionary War General Marquis de Lafayette around Richmond, Virginia. Lafayette and the color guard stopped at Richmond's Old Stone House to visit the Ege family, who had assisted in the American Revolution. Poe stood guard on the front steps of the house. Ninety-eight years later, the Old Stone House became the Poe Museum.

At 17, Edgar traveled to Charlottesville to attend the University of Virginia (UVA). He left behind a fiancé, Elmira Royster, who promised to wait until after graduation to marry. Edgar almost immediately ran into trouble at UVA. Although he was a talented student, he had arrived at college with only $110 for tuition.

UVA's tuition was three times that, so he gambled to raise the rest of the funds. Instead, Edgar generated $2,000 worth of debt. After just a few months at UVA, he returned to Richmond disappointed and continued to feud with his foster father.To make matters worse, Elmira had become engaged to someone else. He steered her toward another man who promised to be a successful businessman and a respectable citizen, something Edgar could not promise. While Edgar was off at UVA, Elmira's father intercepted Edgar 's letters.

Poe then moved to Boston. He didn't stay long, but he published his first book of poetry, "Tamerlane and Other Poems" under the pseudonym "A Bostonian." When Poe was 18, he joined the army under the name "Edgar Perry." Poe did exceptionally well in the military, rising to sergeant major in two years. He then went to West Point, where he did well academically but ran into financial issues. Poe was court marshaled for extreme dereliction of duty. He then moved to Baltimore.

Photo Courtesy of Netflix

The movie title can be found from Edgar Allan Poe's short story called "The Tell-Tale Heart - : "One of his eyes resembled that of a vulture -- a pale blue eye, with a film over it. Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold; and so by degrees -- very gradually -- I made up my mind to take the life of the old man, and thus rid myself of the eye for ever."

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In Baltimore, Poe lived with several relatives, including his aunt Maria Clemm and her daughter, Virginia.

Poe lived in Baltimore for four years, during which time he shifted from writing poetry to short stories.

One publication that took a particular interest in him was the Southern Literary Messenger based in Richmond, Virginia. Poe published "Metzengerstein," considered his first horror story, and "Berenice," which was so graphic and terrifying that the magazine received multiple complaints from readers. Editor Thomas White offered Poe a job on the staff of the Messenger. Poe agreed and moved back to Richmond.

Soon after Poe joined the Southern Literary Messenger, he and White began to have issues, the root of which perhaps came from Poe's drinking. Poe invited his aunt and cousin, Maria and Virginia, to live with him in Richmond. One year later, Poe and Virginia then got married. She was 13; he was 27. This is an unlikely pairing, and there is much debate about the nature of their relationship. Poe often referred to Virginia as "sissy" (sister) and Maria as "Muddy" (mother). Although many people today presume their relationship was familial, we will never know what happened in their marriage behind closed doors.

Virginia and Maria had a stabilizing effect on Poe. He seemed to be more responsible and happier during the years when they were with him.

In 1837 Poe left the Southern Literary Messenger and Richmond. Starting in 1838, while living in Philadelphia, he enjoyed his prime years of literature. Poe wrote "The Tell-Tale Heart," the "Masque of the Red Death," "The Black Cat," "The Pit and the Pendulum," "The Gold Bug," "The Fall of the House of Usher," "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," and more.

"The Murders in the Rue Morgue" is significant because it was the first modern detective story. Poe was the first to write about an eccentric genius who solves mysterious crimes. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle cites Poe's character, C. Auguste Dupin, as the literary inspiration behind his character, Sherlock Holmes. Poe was also an early pioneer of science fiction. Interestingly, the majority of his stories are comedies.

Poe wrote in many genres, but his contribution to horror is what makes him famous today. Poe revolutionized the genre. He was one of the first to involve deep, intuitive psychological horror. He often wrote stories where the true monster was the capacity for evil inside each person and what happens when that evil is acted upon.

Poe's most famous piece is "The Raven." Once published in the early months of 1845, this poem made him an overnight success. Before the publication, Poe was well known in literary circles, but because of "The Raven," Edgar Allan Poe became a household name. Although Poe only made around $15 from the publication of "The Raven," its international success created financial opportunities like taking on literary clients and giving lectures and recitations. Poe was the first American writer to live entirely off of his earnings from writing. But for most of Poe's adulthood, he struggled to financially support himself and his family.

Unfortunately, by this time, his wife Virginia began exhibiting symptoms of tuberculosis. She was sick for several years and died in 1847 while the couple lived in New York. Virginia was 24 years old when she died. Poe never emotionally recovered from the death of his wife. It was evident that he relied on her for mental and emotional support. Poe began to drift back south towards the city of his childhood: Richmond.

While in Richmond, Poe rekindled his childhood romance with Elmira Royster Shelton, who was then a wealthy widow. To the dismay of her children, she and Poe again became engaged in 1849. Poe planned to move permanently to Richmond to be with Elmira. He planned a trip to New York to bring Maria (his mother-in-law) back to Richmond. He was also planning to see a client in Philadelphia on the way up the coast.

Poe?s last day in Richmond was September 26th, 1849. Elmira was worried about his health. After his bout of cholera, his health had been quite fragile. She encouraged Poe to visit his doctor who is also a friend.

Poe did, but it was primarily a social visit. He had a late meal at Sadler ?s Restaurant. And at 4 am on September 27th, 1849, Poe boarded a ship headed for Baltimore. From September 27th until October 3rd, there is no record of his whereabouts.

On October 3rd, an election day, Poe was found delirious in a tavern called Gunner ?s Hall in Baltimore. He appeared drunk, wearing someone else?s clothes, and was taken to Washington University Hospital. For the next four days, he was in and out of consciousness, sometimes being alert, sometimes screaming at nothing and no one.

Edgar Allan Poe died on October 7th, 1849. The doctor labeled his cause of death as ?phrenitis? (inflammation of the brain) which was commonly used when the true cause of death was unknown.

Because of these mysterious circumstances, and their persona of Poe, there is much speculation about the true manner of his death. There are over 26 published theories on his demise, so far.

Poe?s death, although untimely and unfortunate, was quite the fitting end for a writer who created stories of true horror and mystery. Even in death, Edgar Allan Poe created a mystery that would live on forever. poemuseum.org

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Pr emier SAPERE AUDE ISSN2799-0702 Vol. 2.12 DECEM BER, 2022 ISSUE

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