Mysteries at the Museum
There is this book called Behind the Scenes at the Museum. It’s written by one of my favorite authors, Kate Atkinson; and while it is a great read, this story is not what I wanted it to be about when I first saw the title: mainly, a tale of intrigue at a world-famous museum.
So, imagine my excitement when I stumbled across the Travel Channel’s new show, Mysteries at the Museum. A whole series about mysteries at real life museums! How grand! Here’s the show’s premise:
“Museums are where America displays its wondrous treasures of the past – often strange and curious remnants of the momentous events that have shaped our history. Behind each artifact is yet another story to be told and secrets to be revealed – tales brimming with scandal, mystery, murder and intrigue. Whether a diary from an Arctic exploration, a stone giant thought to be the remnant of a race of enormous people, or a futuristic house that almost changed the world, iconic museum artifacts help us uncover who we are and what we’ve become.”
There have only been three episodes so far, but they sure have covered a lot of ground. They’ve been to famous Alcatraz in the sharky waters of San Francisco Bay and the pretty sweet National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. They’ve investigated Seattle’s Avalanche Train, gone behind the scenes at the National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore, and explored the unknown in Roswell, New Mexico. The Harvard Museum of Natural History‘s mastodon even made an appearance.
Mysteries at the Museum is a show worth watching for a number of reasons:
- It’s a chance to learn about the backstory of museum artifacts (famous and non) beyond what’s available on a museum placard.
- It’s an opportunity to meet the people who work at museums – curators, archaeologists, scientists, historians, etc. – and to see the passion that goes into preserving and presenting artifacts.
- It’s a great way to visit museums all across the country without putting a serious dent in your pocketbook and dealing with jet lag. (Downside: no frequent flier miles for you).
- Mysteries are exciting, of course.
However, if you aren’t willing to pass up a Dancing with the Stars results show or can’t miss sweating it out with the Biggest Loser (both shows air on Tuesdays at 9 Eastern, just like Mysteries), you can always catch a rerun. Or, visit Travel Channel’s website for clips from past episodes, slideshows like “Top 10 Museum Mysteries” and “Must See Museums,” opportunities to plan your own museum travel itinerary, or leave a comment about your favorite museum experience.
Awe-inspiring
There is something to be said for uncomplicated directions.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it…
1) Open Photoshop;
2) Take a famous (or otherwise) piece of art;
3) Make it AWESOME!
The call to Make Art More Awesome has been raised here. Many a brave soul has taken up the challenge, and while not all have succeeded, more than a fair few have actually triumphed in their quest.
There are more than a few American Gothic, Mona Lisa, and Last Supper remixes, and quite a few people think phallic symbols are just the thing to spruce up the Old Masters, but there are some truly inventive and entertaining ones as well.
For example, check out this modern take on a Boticelli classic…
Here’s one way to celebrate your last meal…
There’s this revisionist history gem…
Now you can paint like Rothko too…
You know who can make art most awesome? Chuck Norris…
These are just a few taken from the over 38 pages of humorous, strange, and intriguing art mash-ups submitted in the Make Art More Awesome Challenge, which means that you are bound to find at least one that tickles your fancy. But even more important than the entertainment value of this adventure, I think it is fascinating to see how multiple people can look at one work of art and envision so many different stories. It’s a testament to the importance and power of art in fostering creativity.
Oh, it also goes to show that even the Old Masters have room for improvement.
What famous work of art would you attempt to make more awesome?
Mother Dearest
Mother’s Day is fast approaching. That’s right procrastinating children everywhere, mark May 9 on your calendars. As you pick out the perfect card and put in your order for festive bouquet at the florist, consider giving Mommy dearest something a little different. That’s right, just in time for the most maternal of holidays, just what Mom always wanted…a dot.
A dot, you say? Yes, a dot. But this is no ordinary dot. This is a dot from Georges Seurat’s famous A Sunday on La Grande Jatte 1884, which is 125 years old this year. You can choose from six colors (three of which are limited edition): like sun-catching Light Green, understated Orange, wind in the sails White, sky is the limit Light Blue, burst of brightness Red, or blushing beauty Pink. The cost for adopting these color swatches? 1 for $10, 3 for $25, or all six shades for $50. What does your Mom get out of this adoption? Well, an awesome commemorative button of her beloved dot as well as a description of the role it plays in the painting as a whole. Oh, and you get that warm fuzzy feeling of having helped fund the conservation of one of the great art masterpieces.
Adopt your dot online at the Art Institute of Chicago. And if you’re too late to get one for Mother’s Day, don’t worry, Father’s Day is just around the corner.
Be Mine
A little Valentine’s Day treat from Warren Thomas King: conversation hearts for the art world. Make sure to swing by King’s site to see more.
Here is your mission: 5 Great Museum Mission Statements
1) The Umbrella Cover Museum in Peaks Island, Maine.
“…is dedicated to the appreciation of the mundane in everyday life. It is about finding wonder and beauty in the simplest of things, and about knowing that there is always a story behind the cover.”
I don’t know about you, but I feel inspired. I may not own an umbrella, or an accompanying cover for that matter, but if I ever find myself in Peaks Island, Maine you better believe I’ll stop by to learn about what I am missing.
2) The Museum of Bad Art in Deadham, Massachussetts.
“…to bring the worst of art to the widest of audiences.”
Short, sweet, and to the point. Proving there is no accounting for taste, but at least you can have a sense of humor about it.
3) The Museum of Questionable Medical Devices in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Now an exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota.)
“Precisely because the tyranny of opinion is such as to make eccentricity a reproach, it is desirable, in order to break through the tyranny, that people should be eccentric. Eccentricity has always abounded when and where strength of character has abounded…and the amount of eccentricity in a society has generally been proportional to the amount of genius, mental vigor and moral courage it contained. That so few dare to be eccentric marks the chief danger of the time.” -John Stuart Mill, “On Liberty”
Um, exactly. Wait, I thought only rich people could be eccentric? Everyone else is just plain crazy. Oh well, dream big.
4) The Texas Prison Museum in Huntsville, Texas.
“The Texas Prison Museum shall collect, preserve, and showcase the history and culture of the Texas prison system and educate the people of Texas and of the world.”
Did they mention they’re in Texas? Certainly conveys a sense of place. Only issue: doesn’t exactly make clear what they plan to educate the people of Texas, oh, and the rest of us, about.
5) The International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
“…to preserve the history of the towing and recovery industry, to educate the children of the world, and all of society, about said industry, and to honor those individuals who have made significant changes, and have dedicated precious time throughout our industry.”
Apparently there was an urgent need for an establishment for passionate towing and recovery enthusiasts to gather, and that need has been filled. Thank you.
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