Every iterative improvement of the smartphone has added to an undeniable reality: mobile devices are generally all the same in form and function. Of course, the capabilities and quality of features do differ to a degree, but compared to the earliest years of iPhone and Android most phones today are all rather capable devices. So how does a smartphone distinguish itself from the crowd beyond minor hardware tweaks and incremental annual spec updates? According to PUNKT, it is not by addition, but by subtraction.
Mobile manufacturer PUNKT has always operated with an independent punk spirit, developing devices guided by the ethos of protecting focus, stillness, and restructuring the framework in which we interact with technology. This has manifested in devices such as the Jasper Morrison designed PUNKT MP02, a minimalist phone retaining the connections while removing the distractions. Essentially, PUNKT filters out many of the distractions associated with carrying a smart phone, right down to its monochromatic OS.
The MC02 not only monitors the safety risk level of individual apps, but also the environmental imprint of apps operating on the device, with the option to dial up or down usage any time.
While the MP02’s smaller screen and large physical buttons are effective in filtering function to tactile 4G simplicity, the truth is most of us still want a mobile device with a larger screen. PUNKT’s new MC02 expands upon the simplicity, privacy with security, and quiet tech UI/UX of the MP02 to deliver an entire ecosystem prioritizing what the brand defines as “personal digital sovereignty.”
The MC02 is a no bare bones affair, and includes a 6.7” 1080 x 2400 394 PPI resolution screen, 64mp back / 24mp front camera, 6GB memory, and 5,500 mAh battery rated for over 24 hours of use.
Despite its monochromatic UI/UX intentionally toned down to deemphasize the draw of colorful app icons, the MC02’s screen itself is capable of 16 million colors at 24-bit depth, allowing users to review photos they’ve taken or watch videos just like any phones.
PUNKT claims “over 90% of smartphone apps track you across the internet,” a practice integral to Android+Google’s business model where that data is in turn sold to advertisers. Built upon the Apostrophy OS, the MC02 is built to prevent such perpetual personal data and behavior tracking, an operating system built upon the open-source version of Android that allows for support of Android apps without the inclusion of Google Mobile Services.
Apostrophy OS does this by sandboxing each application into partitioned segments. Users can still access a dedicated application store, utilize over-the-air software updates anywhere in the world, customize their on-device Virtual Private Network (VPN), while also accessing the necessities of a digital life, including Email, Calendar, Contacts, and other personal information all securely stored within Switzerland.
All of this personal privacy protection does come at a price. The MC02 operates using a subscription model, with the first 12 months of services free, and about $17 per month thereafter.
The $749 PUNKT MC02 is currently available for pre-orders, scheduled to ship January 2024, and includes a TMO/T-Mobile SIM card (but operates as an unlocked 5G device allowing support from other regional providers). More details at PUNKT.ch.
A survey conducted by Art Basel and UBS Bank on art collecting worldwide shows that spending by high-net-worth collectors has remained strong in 2023.
The analysis previews the market in advance of Art Basel Miami Beach from December 8-10, when exhibiting galleries and their artists arrive in the area. It is expected to make Miami the most extensive artistic scene in the world.
The Global Collecting analysis examines research into the purchasing activities of wealthy collectors over the first half of 2023. Dr. Clare McAndrew, founder of Arts Economics, wrote the analysis, which compiled responses from more than 2,800 collectors from Brazil, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the US.
The report details in its most salient points:
– Average spending on art and antiques in 11 markets around the world reached $65,000 in 2022, up 19% from 2021.
– The average allocation to art in estate portfolios fell to 19% in 2023 from a high of 24% in 2022. This indicates a more cautious approach to collecting, with a greater focus on more liquid financial assets.
– Most spending in 2023 has been on paintings (58%), with works on paper the second largest component (13%).
– The proportion of spending on digital art was only 3% of high-net-worth collectors’ total spending in 2023, and digital artworks accounted for 8% of their collections.
– After a decline in 2022 to $202,000, collectors in mainland China reported the highest average spending in the first half of 2023, $241,000.
– Millennials gravitated toward sculptures, installations, photography and film or video art.
– The proportion of collectors focused on purchasing artwork valued at more than $1 million fell from 12% in 2021 to 4% in 2022.
Art Together, a subsidiary under major Korean art auctioneer K-Auction, announced Monday it has submitted its registration statement for fractional investments in Yayoi Kusama’s 2002 artwork, “Pumpkin,” to the country’s top regulator, the Financial Supervisory Service.
Art Together purchased the painting from renowned British auction house Christie’s for 1.09 billion won ($835,000) and has set the subscription price at 1.18 billion won, allowing retail investors to subscribe to buy 11,820 shares at 100,000 won per share.
By subscribing to the shares, retail investors can hold fractional ownership in the artwork, and later turn a profit when the entire work is sold or by selling their share. Fractional investment assets are not limited to fine art but could also be expanded to real estate properties, music copyrights and even cattle that are sold at auction for beef.
Art Together analyzed 359 transactions of similar works by the artist from January 2013 to October 2023, and also received appraisals from external agencies to justify its subscription price, according to the company.
If approved by the FSS, local brokerage house NH Investment & Securities will receive subscriptions from investors who have real-name accounts at the firm from Dec. 26 to Jan. 2.
This is the second time Art Together has submitted a registration statement for fractional art investment to the FSS.
Shortly after submitting the registration for Stanley Whitney’s painting “Stay Song 61” in August, it withdrew the registration, responding to concerns about unfair price appraisal, considering it had purchased the artwork from its parent company, K-Auction.
“The previous withdrawal was a voluntary one for fair value suggestion and investor protection,” analyst Choi Jae-ho at Hana Financial Investment said. “It is likely that the newly submitted registration will earn the financial authorities’ approval, having continuously reflected their feedback.”
With companies such as Art Together lining up for registrations, Korea’s fractional investment market has been gaining traction in recent months. In August, the FSS allowed five companies — Stockeeper, Tessa, Yeolmae Company, Seoul Auction Blue and Art Together — to submit registration statements for fractional investment, after exempting them from tight regulations.
On Nov. 28, Seoul Auction Blue, operator of the fractional art investment app Sotwo, also submitted to the FSS its registration for the artwork “Dollar Sign” by Andy Warhol.
Affiliated with Seoul Auction, another big-name art auction house here, the company procured the artwork for 626 million won from its parent company.
Like Art Together’s Kusama piece, the subscription price has been set at 100,000 won. It plans to allow retail investors to subscribe to 7,000 shares worth a total of 700 million won. If the FSS approves the registration, the public subscription process will kick off in late December.
Yeolmae Company, the operator of the app ArtnGuide, has also submitted its registration for another piece by Kusama also titled “Pumpkin” (2001). It plans to attract 1.23 billion won of investments in the piece, which depicts the artist’s most well-known pumpkin motif, but is of a different size than the work owned by Art Together.
In addition, fine art fractional investment platform Tessa is to submit its registration to the FSS by the end of December, while Stockeeper, the operator of Bancow, a platform for investing in cattle to be auctioned for beef, is also gearing up to start its registration procedures.
“Though the FSS has not approved any company yet, the first subscription is likely to happen in December, considering the current process,” analyst Yoon Yu-dong at NH Investment & Securities said. “K-Auction and Seoul Auction shares are growing in value, reflecting market expectations for fractional investment.”
When British photographer Stephen Pemberton heard reports that the Aurora borealis would be visible in his area, he quickly gathered his camera equipment and headed out the door. He made his way to his favorite location in Northumberland—the Howick Bath House. Free from light pollution, the structure makes for an interesting setting. Once he arrived, he was pleased to see that the Aurora was active, but he certainly didn’t expect what came next.
“Once there, I got my camera on the tripod, focused on a distant star, and took an image of the bathhouse lit up by the Aurora. At the same time, there was a bright white trail directly overhead crossing the Milky Way,” he tells My Modern Met. “I’d never seen this before and almost dismissed it as trails from a passing aircraft. Curiosity got the better of me, so I pointed the camera toward the streak and let it take a 10-second exposure. Then it happened!”
“On the back of the camera, there was a vivid red and white stripe running the length of the image. It absolutely took my breath away. I knew immediately this was incredibly rare to see, and it was beautiful. The contrast from one side of the line to the other made it look as though there were two skies separated by a tear in the sky. I’m incredibly lucky to have captured the image, and it’s hands down the best photo I’ve ever taken.”
So, what exactly was the ribbon in the sky that Pemberton photographed? Named STEVE, this optical phenomenon was only named in 2016, though aurora watchers have noted it for centuries. STEVE stands for Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement, and it is caused by a wide ribbon of hot plasma that flows rapidly through the sky. It often has a pink or green coloration.
While it’s not unusual to see the phenomenon, it is quite rare to photograph STEVE together with the Aurora, the Milky Way, and a shooting star thrown in for good measure. Pemberton’s ability to capture the scene is remarkable. While he’s been actively practicing photography for 25 years, he just took up astrophotography three years ago.
It’s his hope that through these images, people realize that they can find incredible scenes like these right in their own backyards. As for Pemberton, he’ll continue exploring Northumberland with the hope to one day transition to full-time photography with the ability to lead photography tours showing the beauty of the area.
It will take place next Tuesday
A Christmas market and fine art exhibition is set to be held at Robert Smyth Academy.
On Tuesday (December 12) staff and students are holding a free festive evening from 5pm to 7.30pm.
It will include stalls and refreshments from local businesses and artists, along with student’s work on show in the fine art exhibition.
Spokesman Daniel Page said: “The holidays are a time to come together, so please join us for some Christmas cheer.”
