End of the Ming Dynasty in China
This day in history, April 25, 1644, marked the end of the Ming dynasty (1368–1644) in China with the death of Chongzhen Emperor (1611–1644). Although the Ming period was turbulent po ...
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Curator's Corner
Gem of the Month: Oki Sato
It’s always refreshing to learn about a designer who combines an unconventional aesthetic with concern for our climate-changing planet, so Oki Sato’s Cabbage Chair is my Gem of the Month. ...
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Curator's Corner
World Landscape Architecture Month: Nanzen-ji
The landscaping and gardens at Nanzen-ji certainly could be considered an outdoor sculptural installation. As landscape architecture, the garden of this extraordinarily peaceful place in Kyoto approac ...
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Curator's Corner
Muthanna: Calligraphic Mirror Writing
I’m celebrating two national days today with this beautiful calligraphy—National Backward Day and National Inspire your Heart with Art Day. What better way than with an image of calligraph ...
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Curator's Corner
Possibilities of Paper: Kim Hyung Joo
Contemporary interdisciplinary artist Kim Hyung Joo explores Korean culture in her artworks, including through papermaking and fiber arts. Means of communicating culture, such as traditional clothing ...
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Curator's Corner
Peace for the New Year
The last couple of years have been rather stressful for all of us, I would imagine, what with the pandemic and all its consequences. When I’m stressed out, I tend to want to look at art; the mor ...
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Curator's Corner
Gem of the Month: Hashimoto Gahō
I have such an admiration for Japanese monochromatic painting that I decided to celebrate the firm establishment of autumn with one of my favorite nihon-ga artists, who was also featured for his winte ...
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Curator's Corner
Gem of the Month: Kim Bong-Ryong
I have long held a big “Wow!” for lacquer in East Asian arts. That was especially true when I recently came upon this piece, which is why I'm featuring it as my Gem of the Month. It is suc ...
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Curator's Corner
Romance Awareness Month: Suzuki Harunobu, Etruria, Safavid
I was not aware of the association of romance with the month of August, but I think it’s refreshing. On one website that explains national month days, it said that “February isn’t th ...
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Curator's Corner
How Art Looks at Age
Having made my weekly visit to my dear friend Alice in a senior residence—where she was committed by a state conservator—I began thinking about how society perceives older (and I refuse to ...
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