Visual Arts
Could Solar Panels on Your Roof Power Your Home?
Researchers at MIT are investigating how to turn houses in Cambridge, Massachusetts, into mini-power plants
March 2013 |
By James Holloway
Events March 1-3: A thriller film, a Women’s Suffrage Festival and Influential African American Women
This week, see Nicole Kidman melt down, celebrate women's rights and learn about great African American women you've never heard of
February 28, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
How to Survive China’s Pollution Problem: Masks and Bubbles
The air quality in China's biggest cities is famously atrocious, but designers think they may have found a way to combat the issue
February 26, 2013 |
By Jimmy Stamp
Snakes in a Frame: Mark Laita’s Stunning Photographs of Slithering Beasts
In his new book, Serpentine, Mark Laita captures the colors, textures and sinuous forms of a variety of snake species
February 26, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
The History of the Flapper, Part 4: Emboldened by the Bob
New short haircuts announced the wearers' break from tradition and boosted the hairdressing industry
February 26, 2013 |
By Emily Spivack
10 Vintage Menus That Are a Feast for the Eyes, If Not the Stomach
From the late-19th century to the 1970s, restaurants had one surefire way of standing out
February 26, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Who Owns This Half-Million Dollar Banksy Mural?
A public piece of art, painted on a private wall, by an pseudonymous artist. Who owns the work?
February 25, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Events February 26-28: A Garden Scavenger Hunt, Japanese Flute and Drums and Author Taylor Branch
This week, get active in Smithsonian's gardens, jam out to jazz on traditional Japanese instruments and meet the author of The King Years
February 25, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
Amazing Astrophotography Lets You See Nebulae in 3D
Gorgeous animated gifs give depth to stunning nebulae
February 22, 2013 |
By Colin Schultz
Oscar Redux: Life is a Cabaret; An Old Friend is Back
For the 40th anniversary of the Oscars that made Cabaret a classic, actor Joel Grey stops by the Smithsonian for a special donation and screening
February 22, 2013 |
By Amy Henderson
Photo Interactive: The Civil War, Now in Living Color
How one author adds actual blues and grays to historic photographs
February 22, 2013 |
By Ryan R. Reed
With Biodesign, Life is Not Only the Subject of Art, But the Medium Too
Artists are borrowing from biology to create dazzling "biodesigns" that challenge our aesthetics—and our place in nature
February 21, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
Micro Apartments Are the Future of Urban Living
To combat the growing housing crisis in major American cities, architects are designing smaller, more efficient apartments that will change the way urbanites live
February 21, 2013 |
By Jimmy Stamp
The Renwick, the Grand Dame of Washington, Is Slated for Rehab
The historic 1859 art gallery, which has served many other purposes in its lifetime will undergo a two-year renovation
February 20, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
What Kind of Dog Was Pavlov’s Dog?
Turns out, Pavlov wasn't picky about which pooches he trained to salivate at the sound of the bell
February 20, 2013 |
By Rose Eveleth
Locking Eyes With Spiders and Insects
Macrophotographer Thomas Shahan takes portraits of spiders and insects in the hopes of turning your revulsion of the creatures into reverence
February 20, 2013 |
By Megan Gambino
Birds and Bards: Beautiful Japanese Images from the Edo Period
Everything from parrots to gossipy novels influenced art in Japan between 1603 to 1868
February 20, 2013 |
By Leah Binkovitz
Events February 19-21: Native Voices, a Modern Silent Film and Trumpet Jazz
This week, watch films by American Indian youths, see Academy Award-winner "The Artist" and snap your fingers to some world-class jazz
February 19, 2013 |
By Paul Bisceglio
The History of the Flapper, Part 3: The Rectangular Silhouette
Finally, women could breathe deeply when the waist-nipping corset went out of style
February 19, 2013 |
By Emily Spivack
The Drones of the Future May Build Skyscrapers
Innovative architects are experimenting with small unmanned aerial vehicles to prove that drones can do more than cause destruction
February 15, 2013 |
By Jimmy Stamp
