The Amazing Ancient Egyptians...Pioneers in Architecture...and Astronomy?

I am fascinated by the ANCIENT EGYPTIANS! In the process of creating eternal resting places for their pharaoh's, servants constructed timeless structures with rudimentary materials. The pyramids constructed are in relatively good repair today (considering the number of years that mother nature has had to perform her magic upon them.

The lingering thought in my mind remains, why do structures from ancient Egypt still remain while those constructed in the recent past barely make it through a storm? What could we learn from studying their building techniques?

Today I read an article that deepened my fascination with the ANCIENT EGYPTIANS. The article, Ancient Egyptian Calendar Reveals Earliest Record of 'Demon Star', opened my eyes into another aspect of their culture; their interest in astronomy. Astronomers have found evidence to suggest the Egyptians were the first to record the existence of a variable star and record patterns they noted in the sky.

Read the article to find out more about the regular dimming of the DEMON STAR, something that has changed ONLY .017 days (25 minutes) over the centuries!

Google Art Project

Check out Google Art Project. You can visit museums ... from your home.

Something new I just learned...we can discover together!

Social Media and Art History

There are numerous ways to stay connected with Art History beyond a school classroom.

Many MUSEUMS have Facebook and twitter feeds that you can follow.

The Holocaust Art Restitution Project and Art History Resources are favorite Facebook feeds that I enjoy reading.

Another way you can stay informed about Art History and the Humanities is to join groups on LinkedIn. I recently read an article titled 50 Great LinkedIn Groups for Liberal Arts Grads. Check out the article, it may be something of interest to you!

Networking and being aware of what is in the forefront will be helpful in finding internships and jobs. Find ways to stay connected with content, WHILE STILL BEING A RESPONSIBLE DIGITAL CITIZEN!

American Artists At Work!

This Film Series sounds GREAT! Wish I was able to get to the Whitney earlier this month to see the film Mike Kelley.


As a Michigan native, I am fascinated by those that "came from" a similar background. I feel a connection and wish to support them! Mike Kelley's Mobile Homestead.

According to the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit's (MOCAD) Press Release, "Mobile Homestead, one of Mike Kelley’s last major projects, will be completed later this year in Detroit, the city where the artist spent the first two decades of his life. Kelley grew up in a 1950s single-story ranch-style house in Westland in the suburbs of Detroit. Kelley’s Mobile Homestead project is based on the construction of a full-size replica of the childhood home, relocated to the center of the city in a reversal of the ‘white flight’ which accelerated after the ‘12th Street Riot’ of 1967".

What a great concept! HOME is WHERE THE HEART IS. As someone that moved away from her childhood home and home state, I truly feel home will always be where I was raised as a child, Grand Blanc, Michigan. I am lucky my house still stands, and can identify with the idea of recreating one's childhood home to let one's memory live on ... beyond one's life. Childhood is a very SIMPLE time in life. It is a time without bills, responsibilities and, personal and professional obligations. Returning to that peaceful time, via memories or artifacts, can bring serenity to someone.

MOCAD's Press Release continued to state, "Kelley had signed off on plans and a site for the project in late 2011 before his death in January 2012. The Trustees of the Mike Kelley Estate have now agreed with the commissioners of Mobile Homestead, the London-based arts organization Artangel, the LUMA Foundation and the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) that the project will be completed this year".

What an exciting project. Can't wait to see it!

Check out the Whitney's Biennial Art Exhibit to see the work of contemporary American Artists!

Look at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit's Website

to see what else is going on in the Detroit Arts Scene!

A Study of Art History Keeps One's Eyes Open

As I was online searching for connections for "Beyond the European Tradition" Review, I found a site that listed 10 Buddhist Maxims for Business. I waited till after the AP test top post...the POSTS here AFTER the test are for general reference, not testable material!

Check out the site when you have a chance! See how studying Art History can draw connections into all aspects of your life.

Friday May 10th

The Final Exam information is posted on the 2011-2012 KEY Documents Page on the Class Website.

We'll work in the library next week ... due the 29th.

AP Test Debriefing Friday 5-18-12

Movies and Art Making Continue the rest of the semester