Visual Arts
Packing List Series, Part 2: An Artist’s Illustrated Guide
With a watercolor sketchbook guide, Adolf Konrad drew on his talents to record his belongings
August 01, 2012 |
By Emily Spivack
Could a Whale-Powered Bus Be the Future of Transportation?
Visionary postcard artists illustrated around 90 fanciful cards between 1899 to 1910 that imagined what the future held in store for France in the year 2000.
July 31, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
Sherlock Holmes and the Tools of Deduction
Sherlock Holmes’s extraordinary deductions would be impossible without the optical technologies of the 19th century
July 31, 2012 |
By Jimmy Stamp
Curator Talk at the American Art Museum on African-American Art Exhibition
Virginia Mecklenburg offers a Wednesday lecture on the artists from "Harlem Renaissance, Civil Rights Era and Beyond"
July 31, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Teaching Molecular Biology with Watercolors
Molecular biology professor David Goodsell is just as skilled with a microscope as with a paint brush and creates festive hand-drawn watercolors to illustrate the inner workings of bacteria, viruses and human cells.
July 31, 2012 |
By Rachel Nuwer
When LBJ Ordered Pants From the White House
Johnson liked his Haggar slacks slack—and colorfully described a special custom-cut
July 30, 2012 |
By Emily Spivack
The Deerstalker: Where Sherlock Holmes’ Popular Image Came From
The literary detective's hunting cap and cape came not so much from the books' author as from their illustrators
July 26, 2012 |
By Sarah C. Rich
The Long Journey of Chief Joseph’s War Shirt
Important Native American artifact seen in Smithsonian portrait fetches $877,500 at Nevada auction
July 25, 2012 |
By Emily Spivack
Olympic Games at the Smithsonian
Before you settle into your couch to watch the Olympics, get down to the Smithsonian for exhibits, games and more.
July 24, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Q&A: Archaeologist Unearths 600-year-old Bra in Castle
Though in tatters, the undergarment looks thoroughly modern. But was it comfortable!?
July 23, 2012 |
By Emily Spivack
Events July 24-26: Animal Migrations, Belly Dancing and the Invention of Klingon
This week at the Smithsonian, learn how animals find their way across continents, try out belly dancing and pick up a new language with the creator of Klingon.
July 23, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
The History of the Olympic Pictograms: How Designers Hurdled the Language Barrier
Infographic design first appeared at the Olympics in 1948, when the games were last in London.
July 20, 2012 |
By Sarah C. Rich
40 Under 40 Opens at the Renwick Today
Forty artists honor 40 years of craft.
July 20, 2012 |
By Guest Blogger
Events July 20-22: Living Earth Festival, Movie Day, Book Signings at Air and Space
This weekend, celebrate Earth, have a movie day and check out some super cool planes at the Udvar-Hazy Center.
July 19, 2012 |
By K. Annabelle Smith
Teen Photographers Win Spot at National Portrait Gallery
Winners of the museum's Teen Portrait Competition discuss their portraits and the stories behind them.
July 18, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
The Mystery of 221B Baker Street
Our series on Design and Sherlock Holmes begins with an investigation into the location of the famous detective's London flat
July 18, 2012 |
By Jimmy Stamp
The Swimsuit Series, Part 4: A Competitive Swimmer’s Musings
In Leanne Shapton's Swimming Studies "Bathing" chapter, there's a story behind every suit
July 17, 2012 |
By Emily Spivack
Five Things Leslie Knope Should See at the Smithsonian
As NBC's "Parks and Recreation" prepares to shoot its season five opener in D.C., we offer up five must-sees for the newest city councilmember of Pawnee, Indiana
July 17, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
The End of Swimsuit Design Innovation
Design innovation often seems like a path with no end, but in competitive swimwear, we've found the point where ingenuity fundamentally changes the nature of the sport
July 16, 2012 |
By Sarah C. Rich
Why TED Founder Richard Saul Wurman Thinks TED Is So Last Century
The creator of the popular speaker series spent Friday at the Smithsonian talking about the next step in his prolific design career
July 16, 2012 |
By Leah Binkovitz
