design – SANGHA KOMMUNE (SSR)

Aesthetics of Qing court workshops from a contemporary design perspective.

Hong Kong: Exhibition Unveils 157 Treasures from Qing Imperial Workshops! (1.10.2026)

01/10/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

Hong Kong, September 29 (Reporter Liu Yueqing) — The special exhibition “Qing Palace Manufacturing and Contemporary Design” held a media preview at the Hong Kong Palace Museum on the 29th and will open to the public starting September 30. This exhibition showcases the craftsmanship and ingenuity of the Qing Dynasty through 157 treasures from the Palace Museum’s collection (including 14 national first-class cultural relics), deconstructing the operations and aesthetics of Qing court workshops from a contemporary design perspective.

Double Star of David - British WWIi Vertex Watches!

UK: James Bond, Vertex & Zionist Symbols! (26.9.2026)

26/09/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

Why were British soldiers (not all White or European) were asked to risk their lives wearing this religious symbol (linked to Zionism)? I acknowledge that there were a number of Jewish British soldiers – and that they were free to do as they please – but what about the vast majority of the others? I personally do not want to wear any religious symbol going into battle. Vertex, of course, The Vertex Watch Company was founded in London in 1912 by Claude Lyons – who was Jewish – and started after he borrowed £1,000 from his father-in-law, Mr. Mayer. I am told that a number of Swiss watch companies today insert this symbol upon the innards of their watches – but never on the exterior – as it is thought this would adversely effect sales.

UK: Visting Tower Bridge – North & South Towers – East & West Walkways! (1.8.2026)

01/08/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

Of course, the bridge was never designed to be a tourist attraction per se – but it certainly is today – replete with a glass-floor on each of the two towers. Climbing the 209-steps-up essentially culminates in the traversing of the two towers – “North” and the “South” which are 213-feet above the water of the River Thames. Along the side of the Walls are arranged historical write-ups about this or that fact. For instance, a “bail of hay” has to hung beneath the arms of the bridge when these arms are not in operation and/or receiving repair.

UK: The “Engine Room” of London’s Tower Bridge! (1.8.2026)

01/08/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

We visited Tower Bridge on Friday July 31st, 2026. Oddly, none of us had visited this iconic site before. The Engine Room is around a hundred foot or so from the bridge proper (we actually visited the bridge proper – before we approached the Engine Room) – and features the original turbines that lifted the bridge up and down. Although the engineers that built the bridge received ridiculously good wages – the everyday workers who kept the bridge functioning safely on a daily basis received nothing like as good pay. Still, the engine is said to be similar to those found in ships like the Titanic.

UK: Finding a Pair of Genuine CCCP Binoculars in a Local Charity Shop! (25.7.2026)

25/07/2026 Adrian (釋大道)

There were shops in major cities in the USSR reserved for visitors – that were designed to exhibit the best quality goods the Soviet Union had to offer. What is interesting that nowhere on this product is a price mentioned – not even on the Certificate – which makes wonder whether this device was “gifted” rather than sold. Although it is said that Soviet citizens could not afford to shop at the special tourist shops – due to the prices charged (these prices were still relatively cheap for foreign visitors – my great uncle flew from one-side of the USSR to the other for £5) this really did not matter, as Soviet citizens would receive these goods either “free” (provided by the State) or at a fraction of the price charged to rich foreigners. You can see how Western propaganda used every opportunity to “lie” about the Soviet Union and give the impression of inequality or oppression. My great uncle – a former Coldstream Guardsman – used to practice photography as a hobby, and he would regularly fly to the USSR to purchase cameras – as Soviet cameras possessed the best lenses (perfected during the Space Race). Photography in the 1950s and 1960s was a completely different beast to the contemporary equivalent.

Market Overton: 17th Century Window! (6.11.2025)

06/11/2025 Adrian (釋大道)

What is now the dining area – where I set-up my study space – was probably once part of the garden. Therefore, the window itself was once considered the height of building technology. In those days, draughts from blowing winds were a major issue. The frame of this window is firmly embedded in the wall-structure so that no wind can penetrate. The cement and plaster hold it robustly in place – whilst its relatively small surface area allows for strength and stability. As glass was not as strong then as it is now – the panes of glass used were far-smaller – with each held in-place by its own frame. Furthermore, and a feature I like, is the central pane that possesses a stout hinging and opening and shutting mechanism. Even today – this design still retains much of its original strength – whilst being now inside the house means it is now better preserved.

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