Visual Arts
Where Did Jackson Pollock Get His Ideas?
A talented painter who died poor and forgotten may have inspired the influential American artist's work in ceramics
May 24, 2012 |
By Henry Adams
Events May 25-27: Laundry Day, Healing and Aloha, 100 Artworks at the American Art Museum
This weekend, air out your dirty laundry, live the life of "aloha" and check out the American Art Museum's latest exhibit.
May 24, 2012 |
By K. Annabelle Smith
Winners of Nature's Best Photography
Through January 2013, the Natural History Museum is home to stunning photographs of wildlife around the world
May 24, 2012 |
By Smithsonian.com
How Posters Helped Shape America and Change the World
One enthusiast's collection, on exhibit at the Oakland Museum of California, offers a sweeping look at grass-roots movements since the 1960s
May 23, 2012 |
By Jeff Greenwald
The 86-Year-Old Company that Still Designs Your In-Flight Experience
Seattle-based design firm Teague has designed every Boeing aircraft interior since the 1940s, from the post-WWII Stratocruiser to the 2009 Dreamliner.
May 22, 2012 |
By Sarah C. Rich
Events May 18-20: Identities in Motion, Metro Mambo, Surfboard Carving
This weekend celebrate Asian-Pacific Heritage Month, do the Mambo at the National Museum of African Art and witness Tom Stone carve a traditional Hawiian surfboard.
May 17, 2012 |
By K. Annabelle Smith
A More Efficient Airline Meal Tray
A recent innovation in the design of the airline meal tray has resulted in massive savings. Maybe the next innovation should focus on the actual food.
May 17, 2012 |
By Sarah C. Rich
What a Physics Student Can Teach Us About How Visitors Walk Through a Museum
By sketching the movements of people at the Cleveland Art Museum, Andrew Oriani laid the groundwork for some deep insights into how art is appreciated
May 16, 2012 |
By Henry Adams
Designing Democracy Around a Ditch
How a ditch irrigation system in the arid Southwest became the backbone of local democracy.
May 14, 2012 |
By Sarah C. Rich
Events May 15-17: Words, Earth and Aloha, merengue and méringue, and ZooFari
This week, watch a documentary about Hawaiian music, enjoy a performance of Dominican merengue and Haitian méringue, and chow down at ZooFari
May 14, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
There’s a Happening Tonight at the Hirshhorn
Tonight, the Hirshhorn's nightly 360-degree projection, SONG 1, comes alive with an outdoor concert.
May 11, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
Events May 11-13: Gardening for Healthy Living, Bolivian Festival, Steinway Series for Mother’s Day
Celebrate living well with Mom this weekend at Garden Fest, the Bolivian Festival and at the Steinway series with Mendelssohn Piano Trio.
May 10, 2012 |
By K. Annabelle Smith
Questions About Apollo
A stunning statue at the Cleveland Museum raises concerns about the acquisition of antiquities
May 10, 2012 |
By Henry Adams
Celebrating Motherhood in Pictures
Here are some of our favorite photos recognizing moms of all kinds submitted by readers over the last nine years
May 10, 2012 |
By Smithsonian.com readers
Lalla Essaydi: Revising Stereotypes at the African Art Museum
A new solo exhibition by Lalla Essaydi challenges Western and Muslim perceptions of women's identities
May 09, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
Rebuilding Rainwater Collection in India
From one conservationist's perspective, harvesting rainwater doesn't necessarily mean high-tech strategies—traditional techniques have been around for centuries
May 09, 2012 |
By Sarah C. Rich
Howard Carter: Famous Archaeologist, Not-So-Famous Painter
Didn’t know he was an artist too? "Tut tut!"
May 09, 2012 |
By K. Annabelle Smith
Events May 8-10: Carolyn Morrow Long, Encore Chorale Spring Concert, and The Unknown Aaron Burr
This week, get a book signed by New Orleans specialist Carolyn Morrow Long, enjoy a concert by the Encore Chorale, and discover the real Aaron Burr in a lecture by H.W. Brands.
May 07, 2012 |
By Aviva Shen
Making Water Use Visible
Could the design of a Brita filter help us with controlling how much water we waste?
May 03, 2012 |
By Sarah C. Rich
Events May 4-6: Cool off with IMAX, Fly a kite at the Sackler and celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with Smithsonian
This weekend, view the spectacular journey of a polar bear and her cubs in IMAX, make your own Korean kite and join Smithsonian in kicking off the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebration.
May 03, 2012 |
By K. Annabelle Smith


