A little taste of history, one morsel at a time.
Today on Museum Bites we’re scaling the Hoover Dam. More than 70 stories high and made of 6 ½ million tons of concrete, this massive barrier was built to rein in the Colorado River. Despite political pettiness, agonizing work conditions, and a fierce and unforgiving river, the Hoover Dam was completed under budget and in record time. Join me for a look at this impressive feat of engineering. We begin along the shores of the Colorado River…
Today on Museum Quick Bites we’re digging into Salvador Dalí’s, Inventions of Monsters (1937). This eerie, desolate dreamscape portrays a world gone mad. Which seems especially relevant given our current events. Dalí’s surrealist paintings are heavy on symbolism and filled with bizarre juxtapositions, and Inventions of Monsters does not disappoint.
Today on Museum Quick Bites we’re taking a closer look at Ernst Barlach’s, The Avenger (1922), a bronzed beauty that bristles with intensity. Bent at the hip and balancing on one foot with a sword clasped in his hands, The Avenger lunges toward an unseen foe. His flowy robes resemble those of a whirling dervish. If it wasn’t for the sword, The Avenger would appear to be skating or executing a tricky yoga pose. Aside from his pursed lips, his expression appears blank. Is he numb to the task?
Dear Readers – COVID-19 has us living in a surreal and difficult time. Despite my best efforts to proceed in this new normal of sheltering in place and social distancing, I’m having a hard time concentrating. So I’m going to switch things up. Instead of my usual format, I’m going to offer Museum Quick Bites. These weekly snippets will focus on a single piece of art and artist. Our theme for the next several weeks will be scenes of comfort, something I think we all need right now. Stay safe. – CJ Verb
Happy Friday! Today on Museum Bites we’re continuing our tour through the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM). Join me for a wild ride on a bucking bronc, a delicious dive into a cool pool, and the opportunity to pay homage to victims of war. We begin in post-World War I Germany…
Fasten your seat belts because today on Museum Bites we’re taking a trip down Route 66. This iconic US highway spans over 2,000 miles, crosses 3 time zones and rolls through 8 states. Nicknamed Mother Road and the Main Street of America, Route 66 has been immortalized in books, movies, songs, and even a TV series. Join me for a ride down this historic road. We begin by rolling back the clock to the 1920s...
Today on Museum Bites we’re wrapping up our three-part series on bicycles with a tour through the Minneapolis Institute of Art’s (MIA) delightful display of bike art. The MIA teamed up with local bike aficionados, Handsome Cycles to craft three eye-catching bikes based on iconic works featured within their hallowed halls. Hop aboard for a fun ride through art and history. We begin in the French countryside…
Today on Museum Bites we’re wrapping up our tour of the Grand Rapids Public Museum with a trip through candy land!
All aboard! Today on Museum Bites we’re back on the rails and winding up our tour through the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin. In our second and final installment, we’ll climb mountains, commute in style, travel undercover, and discover how trains can foster gratitude. We begin in the Rocky Mountains…
Today on Museum Bites we’re hitting the rails with a whirlwind tour through the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin. In this first of a two-part series, we’ll chug across the country plowing the rails, breaking speed records, and whipping up a batch of chowder. We begin on a bruising bus train…
Museum Bites 