Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar

The new Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar was deigned by I.M. Pei. He has also designed the pyramid at the Louvre, the East wing of the National Gallery of Art in D.C. and many other museum spaces. The Museum opened in late November of 2008. The museum houses an encyclopedic collection of Islamic art. The Museum of Islamic Art is dedicated to being the foremost museum of Islamic art in the world, and as well a centre of education and information in the field of the arts of the Islamic world.

The building’s austere, almost primitive forms and the dazzling collections it houses underscore the seriousness of the country’s cultural ambition.

Gottesman Hall of Planet Earth

This past weekend I was finally able to make it to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. During my visit I explored the Gottesman Hall of Planet Earth.


This exhibit provides visitors with a view of Earth outside of our daily experiences. It does this by providing up close looks at rocks, ice, and other natural objects that one wouldn't typically be able to see. These objects are used to explore and answer five core questions:

1) How Has The Earth Evolved?
2) Why Are There Ocean Basins, Continents, And Mountains?
3) How Do We Read The Rocks?
4) What Causes Climate And Climate Change?
5) Why Is Earth Habitable?

My favorite part of the exhibit was the Earthquake monitoring System. This area provides real time seismic data information from Alaska, Arizona, and Japan. It was interesting to see what these seismic graphs look like. I didn't realize that not only is the earth's crust constantly changing, but it the plates seem to move in a sequence. The charts show a slightly higher vibration occurring at regular intervals at all three locations represented.

I also enjoyed the sections on Rocks and the formation of the earth. The large example of Iron Ore offered at the start of the exhibit was as large as a person. This visualization helps visitors make a connection with the object. They learn that metal not only come from the earth in rock-like form, but they can be quite large. visitors also get to see how the iron looks on the inside.

Unfortunately, the section of the exhibit that focused on climate change was having technical difficulties when I visited. Without the video there wasn't much left for visual learners to take in, as the exhibit relies primarily on written explanations.

The Art of Kathleen Earthrowl

Expressionist Kathleen Earthrowl has been painting about color, movement, texture, line and a sublime serenity throughout her career. Kathleen had her first exhibit in 1996 at the Art League of Houston. Kathleen is now in her 70's and she is still painting daily. She currently has pieces in the Harris Gallery of Houston and The Allen Sheppard Gallery in Chelsea, New York City. She uses color to invoke a sense of healing and calm. People have described her painting as spiritual and vibrant.


To see more of Kathleen's work visit her site, The Art of Kathleen Earthrowl.

Taking Shape: Ceramics on Southeast Asia

The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery has an excellent exhibit outlining the process used in Southeast Asia to make ceramic pieces from cooking pots and storage jars.

"Taking Shape presents ceramics made over a span of 4,000 years by women and men living in the region that today comprises Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Burma."

Taking Shape houses approximately 200 ceramic pieces. While this is a very interesting exhibit, one which I would suggest to anyone interested in organized communities and/or ceramics, the most interesting part of the exhibit was how the materials are presented.

The Sackler Gallery is now primarily as an art museum. It focuses on Asian cultures, but as an art museum, as opposed to a cultural museum. Most exhibits are arranged in a similar fashion as any major art museum, which would focus on the visitor seeing the object, while ignoring the other senses. Taking Shape stands out in this crowd of exhibits because it tries to follow the theory of learning through discovery. This theory believes that people will absorb more if they are active participants in the "lesson".

In this case the "lesson" is the information in the exhibit. The exhibit designers ask the visitor to participate in the exhibit by watching and listening to a video showing the actual creation of the ceramics they are standing among. The visitor is then encouraged to touch various ceramic pieces so that they can experience the difference between earthenware and stoneware. Including materials that involve the sense of touch is a pleasant surprise in the middle of the exhibit. It helps to reignite the curiosity that originally brought the visitor into the exhibit. In addition to the use of touch and sound the visitor is given a pamphlet that asks them to "find" specific objects and information in the exhibit.
I personally believe in the learning by discovery theory. Thinking about my own learning style I can't help but see how having multiple senses involved in education has helped me remember various information. To experience an exhibit that follows this theory please visit Taking Shape. The exhibit will be available to the public until 2010.

Recognize!

The National Portrait Gallery is hosting the exhibit "Recognize! Hip Hop and Contemporary Portraiture". The exhibit includes large-scale paintings by Kehinde Wiley, photographs by David Scheinaum, self portrait videos by Jefferson Pinder graffiti murals by Tim Conlon and Dave Hupp, an art instillation by Shinique Smith and poetry by Nikki Giovanni.

"Since its inception in the late 1970s, hip hop has become hugely influential in America. While images of hip hop performers are as pervasive in our culture as the music itself, some visual artists have created powerful images that both celebrate and explore the complexity of this creative form. The six artists and one poet whose work is included in RECOGNIZE! have approached hip hop culture through the lens of portraiture, and, in combination, their contributions highlight its vitality and beauty." Official introduction to the exhibit.

Each artist depicts hip hop from their own unique prospectives. After growing up in the 1960's Scheinaum was inspired by the unity of the hip hop community. Wiley wanted to show that hip hop was more than just entertainment, as it has often been represented. Hip hop is a culture, and a valuable part of American heritage. Wiley shows this by painting portraits of hip hop artists in positions that are reminiscent of Renaissance artists.


The exhibit has been in the National Portrait Gallery since February 8, 2008 and will be available to visitors until October 26, 2008.

The Magic of the Pyramids

For 5,000 years the Great Pyramids of Giza have stood over the desert. They have been symbols of mysticism, power, and prosperity. These great marks of the ancient world have withstood the test of time and have been recognized as one of the seven wonders of the world.


The Pyramids have always drawn the rich and curious to their bases. As a result tourism is one of the largest sources of income for locals. Today, visitors are confronted by peddlers offering everything from trinkets to camel rides. To try to increase the amount of tourists and the enjoyment of their visit the Egyptian government has undergone a $26 million project to modernize the area. This project includes limiting the amount of peddlers in the area, a 12-mile chain-link fence, and organized visits on golf carts.

When commenting on the renovations Zahi Hawass, Egypt's chief archaeologist said "It was a zoo. Now we are protecting both the tourists and the ancient monuments."

The project is intended to protect the tourists as well as the pyramids. Visitors were allowed to climb upon the Pyramids from the 19th century through the 1970's. Today visitors are unable to climb on the Pyramids, but they are still able to wander freely through the area. The modernization will help control where visitors are able to go and help preserve the site.

We are giving back the magic of the Pyramids. ~ Zahi Hawass

Recent bombings in Sinai and the surrounding area has raised security concerns for the Pyramids. The modernization project will include security upgrades, such as motion detectors, alarms and cameras around the site.

Museum of Cycladic Art

Located in Athens, Greece the Museum of Cycladic Art is one of, if not the largest single collection of Cycladic artifacts. When planning my trip to Athens it was the third place to see, falling behind the National History Museum and the Acropolis.

The museum was founded in 1968 to house ancient Greek and Cycladic art. During my visit a portion of the Greek exhibit was closed and on tour elsewhere, however the Cycladic exhibit was open. I did have a little scare that I would not be able to see the exhibit because the Museum was keeping odd hours the day I went. It opened at 6pm. This change of hours occurred because the Museum was giving away free books to registered archaeologists; a practice that I fully support. On a side note it was very interesting to see that the majority of the archaeologists were women.

The artifacts at the museum were in excellent condition. The exhibit was well organized and provided you with a very good sense of the values of the people being represented.



Marble Cycladic figurines come from 3,200 to 2,000 bc and are the main type of artifact preserved from this time. The height of these figures varies significantly. Some are a few centimeters high while others are 4 feet tall. The standard figurine would be lying down on their back with their knees bent and arms crossed over the stomach. The majority of figures did not have many individual features, such as eyes or mouth, but they all had a prominent nose and sometimes ears. Their style reminds me of modern sculpture.

Quick Definitions

All of the following definitions are in reference to Classical architecture, art and artifacts.

Abaton: A place in a sanctuary where mystic rites were carried out.

Ambulacrum: The covered semi-circular walkway beneath the seats in a Roman theatre.

Ashlar: A rectangular block of cut stone.

Bouleuterion: The meeting-place for the council of the city.

Boustrophedon: Writing each lines alternatively from left to right and right to left. (In an imitation of ploughing).

Cella: The enclosed main room of a temple.

Daedalic: The style of sculpture of the 7th century bc.

Heroon: A shrine dedicated to the cult of a local hero.

Krater: A vessel for mixing wine and water.

Odeum: A small theatre building.

Pithos: A large storage jar.

Rhyton: A vessel for libations often in the shape of an animal or an animal's head.

Sima: The gutter; crown moulding or a cornice.

Vomitorium: The entrance to a theatre or amphitheatre.

Afganistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul

The Smithsonian National Gallery of Art, in collaboration with the National Geographic Society, is hosting an exhibit from the National Museum of Kabul from May 25 - September 7, 2008. The exhibit is meant to show how northern Afghanistan, Bactria, has developed through time. From its ancient origins over 2,000 years ago as the Oxus Civilization through to Tillya Tepe, the "Hill of Gold". The capital of Bactria, Balkh, was a grand city which Marco Polo describes as:

"a noble city and very large, Formerly it was nobler and larger, it was the most vast and beautiful city in the region... And I tell you that in this city King Alexander the Great took as his wife the daughter of Darius, king of the Persians, according to the people of this city."
--The Description of the World, 1298

Due to it's location Bactria has been influenced by three centers of civilization, India, China and Mesopotamia. This influence can be clearly seen in the artwork produced from the area. The artwork displayed at the Smithsonian range from 2200bc to the second century ad.

The Greeks brought their language and culture into Bactria in the fourth century bc. This is when Alexander the Great and his armies conquered the area. His successor, Seleucius I, founded the Greco-Bactrian city of Ai Khanum, "Lady Moon". The city became the eastern outpost of Greek culture and was able to flourish due to it's location on the Oxus river, a point on established trading routes, including the Silk Road.

Ceremonial Plaque depicting Cybele Ai Khanum, temple with niches), gilded silver, beginning of 3rd century bc.

Mongolian nomads overran Bactria around 145bc. Tillya Tepe became one of the centers for this nomad group. Excavations have shown Tillya Tepe to be a center for burials for the nomadic chieftains. Some pieces found here include:

A golden crown from Tillya Tepe Tomb VI, 1st century ad.

One of a pair of boot buckles depicting a chariot drawn by dragons. Tillya Tepe, Tomb IV, 1st Century ad.

Overall I felt that the exhibit was well organized. The pieces chosen to represent a culture that changed throughout a vast amount of time were well selected. As the visitor I left feeling more informed about an area I had previously had little to no knowledge on, and I wanted to continue to dig for information about the Bactria area.

Decentralization of the Museum in Greece

Greece, like most Mesopotamian countries, is abundant with ancient artifacts. Greece used to display the majority of its artifacts in a central, national archaeological museum in Athens. While this was great for tourists, who could experience all of Greece's history in a "one-stop shop". However, this didn't provide tourists with the complete picture of what Greece had to offer in the Classical period, or today. Viewing a sculpture of Apollo while standing a few feet from the temple it adorned in provides a context that can be easily lost in a museum with hundreds of other sculptures. Recently the Greek government has decided to re-disperse the artifacts to the regions where they originated. This new arrangement has the added benefit of dispersing the profits created through tourism. The regional archaeological museums allow tourists to view artifacts in context and in a time that does not push their attention limits.

Greece Vacation: The Acropolis

Recently I was lucky enough to travel to Greece for 10 days. It was an amazing vacation. A dream vacation. In the next couple of posts I will be discussing various things that I observed while there. I spent my time in Attica and Crete. I'm going to start these posts in the most obvious place, the Acropolis.



The Acropolis was amazing to see in person. I unfortunately do not posses the vocabulary to properly express what it is like to be in a place that one has studied and imagined for years. I will only say that I was overwhelmed and lost in a euphoria.

When visiting the Acropolis I was naturally drawn to the Parthenon, as one should be. After all it was built to awe visitors and honor the Goddess Athena. Athena happens to be my favorite of all the Greek Gods. Despite this natural draw I found that I preferred spending my time admiring another building on the Acropolis, the Erechtheum.

The Erechtheum is located in the north side of the Acropolis. While significantly smaller than the Parthenon it provides it's visitors with a rare sight. Caryatids, statues of draped women functioning as columns, support the "Porch of Maidens". The porch is located on the south side of the building, leaving the statues forever gazing at the Parthenon. Today the original Caryatids reside in the British Museum, except for one located in the Acropolis Museum (Which was closed as they were moving the artifacts from the old museum to a new museum.).



The Erechtheum was built for an ancient Hero named Erichthonius, although some believe it was actually built in honor of the legendary King Erechtheus. The building was erected sometime between 421 and 407 BCE.

Historical Artifacts: Who is the Rightful Owner?

Who owns historical artifacts???

It's a tough question to answer. Is it the person or organization who owns the land that it was found on? Perhaps the person who found it owns it? -- Finders Keepers?? Is it the national government's possession, because of the cultural heritage? Or perhaps the local community? If one of these groups should sell the artifact to an art dealer or museum, is then the property of the purchaser if they purchased it solely from the finder and did not compensate the land owner or community?

Depending on your point of view the answers to these questions can vary greatly. I personally believe that each case should be considered individually. An overarching policy would not represent everyone fairly.

Lately this question of ownership has come into the limelight. Countries across the world are requesting the return of artifacts that have been residing in foreign countries. Peru has been trying to get some artifacts found in Machu Picchu from Yale University. Greece wants to have the Parthenon Frieze returned from Britain. Egypt has been trying to collect pieces from around the world, especially the bust of Nefertiti in the Berlin Museum.



Ancient artifacts can be the source of great political tension. Recently Egypt has threatened to start a "scientific war" with Germany. Greece is doing this because Germany will not allow the bust of Nefertiti to go on a temporary tour to Egypt. Germany is saying that the piece is not in a condition to be safely transported to Egypt. Egypt believes that Germany is using this as a cover and that they are afraid Egypt won't return the bust when the tour is over.

Peek-a-Bear

Recently I have taken an interest in percent-for-art programs. These programs are based on federal, state, county, and city policies that allocate a certain percentage of construction costs of public buildings for decorative purposes. The percentage used in the U.S. is typically between .5 and 2%. this percentage goes towards murals, sculptures or other visual art pieces that will reside within, on, or outside of the constructed building.

The Percent-for-Art programs developed over time. The first city to approve a percent-for-art ordinance was Philadelphia in 1959. Today there are over 300 percent-for-art programs in the U.S.

Denver has a percent-for-art program. In 2005 Lawrence Argent's piece "I See What You Mean", a 40-foot tall, blue bear was installed at the Colorado Convention Center. Follow the link above to see a video on how the bear was constructed. It's pretty cool to watch.

Neil Hollingsworth

Every once in a while there comes an artist with such talent and vision that when you look upon his painting you become speechless. I am always stunned by paintings that have a clean, realistic look to them. This doesn't mean that the idea is realistic just the image itself. I have definitely be rendered speechless a few times when viewing pieces of this caliber. It is why I often find myself turning away from water colors in favor of oil paintings, although there are highly talented artists out there who have mastered the ability to make clear works. Over the past few months I have been watching Neil Hollingsworth tackle various pieces through his blog.

Pool Balls No.6

Neil is a very talented artist, whose work I greatly appreciated and thus wished to mention him here.

The Onassis Cultural Center

The Onassis Cultural Center is located in New York city (645 Fifth Avenue). I visited the Center about two years ago with my Greek Art and Architecture Professor. At the time they had a small, but impressive exhibit of Minoan Art and artifacts. Recently the exhibit has been featured in Archaeology Magazine.

If you are in NY I strongly recommend visiting the Center. It really makes you appreciate this ancient culture centered in Crete. Their coin collection, though not part of the Minoan exhibit, alone is enough to amaze and inspire any visitor. I remember being surprised at how small some of the coins were, and the artists still managed to fit a highly detailed portrait of Alexander the Great, lion head and all!

My Impulse Buy

Yesterday Afternoon I was browsing through eBay looking at the paintings being auctioned. I cam across this three piece and put a bid down for $50. Now I felt that $50 was an under-bid. The time it took to paint this piece must have cost more than $50 (at $10 per hour), never mind when you add the cost for materials. So I put the bid in, thinking I'd either help the artist get a better price or get an original piece of art for a really good price.

It ended up being the latter.

I will make my final decision about whether this was a good impulse buy when it actually arrives. Right now I'm feeling good about it.

p.s. I love this painting! It arrived the other day and looks great!

Sibylline Books

Above: depiction of Sibyl with her Books.

The Sibylline Books were a collection of ancient Greek oracles. The Sibylline Books were written in Greek Hexameters, and kept by the Sibyl untill King Tarquinius Superbus of Rome purchased them. These oracles were believed to hold the secrest of Rome's destiny. A special order of priests were in charge of protecting and interpreting the Books, an important task in a world where a superstitious populous could impart power on a politically inclined individual.

The Books were consulted at various times by Roman politicians until Flavius Stilicho ordered them burnt. Scholars believe that he did this because they were being used in argument against his leadership. A few of the prophacies have survived within the Memorabilia of Phlegon of Tralles.

Sources:
Encyclopedia Britannica
Antiquity by Norman F. Cantor