5 minute read
it Feels right to be leFt
Is it true lefties are always right?
August 13 is International Left-Handers Day
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Zoe Landi Fontana, The Weekly Journal
Napoleon Bonaparte, Leonardo da Vinci, Marie Curie. Or perhaps you relate better to their contemporary counterparts – Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Jimi Hendrix. All legendary. All left-handed.
For those who have never thought twice about the convenience of notebooks, door handles, and corkscrews, the troubles of left-handed people have probably gone unnoticed. Yet ask any lefthanded passerby, and you’ll quickly come to the realization that life is, indeed, full of unnecessary hardships for this minority of the population. I, as a member of the right-handed majority, was curious to learn more about this.
In an exclusive interview with THE WEEKLY JOURNAL, a source who requested to remain anonymous recounted his lifelong strife as a lefty. “It is common knowledge that life is challenging for people with extreme physical and emotional disabilities in a world that is catered for the “normal” people. I’d argue the second worst thing is to have a disability just small enough to be forgotten yet big enough to impact lives,” he said.
As he sat across from me, I observed how he struggled to pick up the mug of coffee set in front of him by a close-minded, right-handed waiter. With a sigh, he slid the mug to the other side. It clearly wasn’t the first time this affront had occurred.
“It would be a worthy cause for society to fight for a more hand-neutral world: where left handers don’t have to make micro decisions and micro adjustments in everyday life - what instruments can I learn, what sports can I play, why aren’t the scissors working, are faucets always this confusing to open, no one wants to arm wrestle with me,” he lamented.
Endowed with genius
The question is what is it that these left-handed people have that we, right-handed normies, don’t? Let’s get into some science.
Control of the body works contra laterally. That is, the right side of the body is controlled by the left side of the brain and vice versa. Additionally, as you’ve probably heard, each side of the brain has its unique strengths. The left side is credited with numbers, science and math, reasoning, and logical functions. The right side commands everything enjoyable. Despite trials and tribulations, many renowned artists and musicians have overcome the challenges of working with tools and instruments crafted for right-handed folk. The devilishly gifted violinist Paganini, the longfingered Rachmaninov, and the painter of starry nights Van Gogh are just a few more recognizable names on the long list of gifted lefties. We can unofficially say that those few ruled by the right-brain (read: left-handed people) have significantly enhanced function in the areas of music awareness, imagination, creativity, and intuition. Well, and if you’re still second guessing,
In fact,
Control of the body works contra laterally. That is, the right side of the body is controlled by the left side of the brain and vice versa. just go back to the list of names at the top of this article.
In his last plea, our embittered anonymous source expressed the following: “I understand life can’t be tailored to perfection, but what’s the point if not to strive for it. I urge you all to work towards a more hand-neutral world – one hand at a time.”
On this International Left-Handers Day, celebrated on August 13, check in with the lefties in your life and ask them what it’s like to be so unappreciated.
Anonymous Lefty
Seeing Frida Kahlo’s life and art thru technology
The exhibit uses historical photos and virtual reality
The Weekly Journal
Frida Kahlo, the renowned and ever present Mexican artist, is the subject of another exhibit, but this time art is combined with technology to provide her followers with an immersive experience in the life and times of the troubled genius.
“Frida Kahlo, an Immersive Biography” makes use of historical photographs, projections and virtual reality experiences to reproduce the environment and circumstances where she created several of her master pieces in Mexico and abroad.
“This is a unique artistic and technological spectacle. Through the use of sophisticated audiovisual devices, visitors will have a multisensory experience that will submerge them in the life and art of Frida,” said Paco López, the exhibit’s producer. The exhibit includes seven different halls with different transformations where visitors will be able to look into the most relevant moments in the life an artist that dedicated herself be a social and artistic reference for modern women, and to promote Mexican folk art.
According to López, “we aim to capture all those looking to experience art in a different way… through a combination of technology and the history of a woman who used her life experience to create beauty.” Born Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderón to a German father and a mestiza mother, she had been a promising student headed for medical school until a bus accident caused her lifelong pain and medical problems. She was 18 at the time of the accident. During her recovery, Frida returned to her childhood interest in art with the idea of becoming an artist. Kahlo, now the subject of numerous exhibits, only had one solo exhibit in Mexico shortly before her death in 1954. Kahlo’s work has been celebrated internationally as emblematic of Mexican national and indigenous traditions and by feminists for what is seen as its uncompromising depiction of the female experience and form.
In fact,
Kahlo’s work has been “Frida Kahlo, an Immersive Biography,” is celebrated for its the only official exhibit authorized and created uncompromising by the Frida Kahlo Corporation and renowned depiction of the Spanish digital arts center Layers of Reality. After a female experience resounding success in Barcelona, Spain, the exhibit and form. starts in Puerto Rico its tour through the United States, Canada and Latin America. The exhibit at the Pedrín Zorrilla sports center, is open to the public Wednesday thru Sunday, from 11:00 am to 8:30 pm. In order to better enjoy the experience, while complying with all safety and health regulations, the public will access the exhibit in groups of no more than 45 people, every 15 minutes. Evidence of Covid-19 vaccination is required and the use of a mask is mandatory while in the exhibit.
Paco López, producer
