A little taste of history, one morsel at a time.
Dear Readers – COVID-19 has put the kibosh on travel among many, many other things so today I’m diving into the archives. As we do our part to practice social distancing and flatten the curve, please enjoy this reboot of Cracklin' Rosé, originally posted on February 1, 2019. Note, readers in North America had just endured a frigid polar vortex.
Take a deep breath because today on Museum Bites we’re striking a match and lighting up some incense. This ancient form of aromatherapy dates back to the Egyptians and has been used to call forth the gods, chase away demons, offer up prayers, purify a room, honor ancestors, enhance meditation, and so much more. I’ve come across a variety of incense burners on my museum travels. Join me for a closer look at three delightful examples. We begin by rolling back the clock to the 6th century…
Happy Friday! Today on Museum Bites we’re tiptoeing through the tulips. From their humble beginnings in the foothills of Central Asia to the fertile fields of the Dutch countryside, the tulip has a rich and illustrious history. This colorful bloom has traveled the world, influencing ancient Turkish headgear, sparking a financial crisis, and inspiring art and song. We begin with the Ottoman Empire…
Happy Friday! Today on Museum Bites we’re talking babies. Awww babies. We snuggle their soft pudgy bodies, coo at their sweet innocence, and trick them out in adorable little outfits. I’ve come across a wide variety of babies on my museum travels. Many are cute and cuddly, but just as many exhibits feature babies that are perplexing, fierce, and downright creepy. From little-man babies to genetically altered mutants, I’ve pulled together a collection of favorites. We begin with little-man Jesus…
Happy Friday! Today on Museum Bites we’re bidding the polar vortex adieu with a robust glass of red. Wine is an ancient brew that dates back more than 7,000 years and throughout the ages, it has played an integral role in our lives. From grape to glass, we lovingly cultivate it, rejoice its harvest, take pains to pair it, and get sniffy about age and blend. And in all the fuss we’ve come up with some rather interesting wine accoutrement. Join me for a brief look at some of the wine gear I’ve come across in my travels. But first, a little background…
Despite taking a beating, the no-nonsense nail keeps it all together. Whether common or finishing this simple fastener props up our art, keeps our homes and buildings intact, fosters community, provides a unique form of acupressure, and gets hammered into clever forms of art. Join me for a brief bite into the unassuming nail.
Happy Friday! Today on Museum Bites we’re talking babies. Awww babies. We snuggle their soft pudgy bodies, coo at their sweet innocence, and trick them out in adorable little outfits. I’ve come across a wide variety of babies on my museum travels. Many are cute and cuddly, but just as many exhibits feature babies that are perplexing, fierce, and downright creepy. From little-man babies to genetically altered mutants, I’ve pulled together a collection of favorites. We begin with little-man Jesus…
Today on Museum Bites we’re taking an enchanting tour through the University of Michigan Museum of Art’s dazzling collection of Tiffany glass. Artist, entrepreneur, philanthropist and pioneer, Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933) was a darling of the Gilded Age.
Happy Friday! The winter Olympics are in full swing and all that glitters in South Korea is bronze, silver, and gold. Today on Museum Bites, we too, are headed to Korea via the University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA).
Museum Bites 