Douglas Lay knows knots. He can look at the wefts in an old Persian rug and tell you which Central Asian country it comes from, which region of that country, and even the tribe or village. “If every second row of knots is twisted 45...
Each year offers new opportunities to create a more environmentally conscious world around us. With developments in energy efficiency coupled with a rise in green-focused lifestyles, new technology, and the challenge of keeping up with what’s conceptually in style, the science and art behind creating...
The gorgeous lady may be staring at you, but don’t feel self-conscious. She stares at everybody. If you are staying at Chicago’s Kimpton Hotel Allegro, you’ll inevitably meet Lady Lucent of Awakening, an 8-foot-tall self-portrait of artist Sarah Raskey that always surprises guests during check-in. [caption...
For many of us, a trip to Egypt to view the rich tombs of the pharaohs would be a dream come true. The same longing applies to other sites of important ancient history, remarkable architectural achievements, and centuries-old works by master artists. Museums and exhibitions,...
Nathan Bennett is an alchemist. A visit to his studio reveals creative signs you’d expect to see in a medieval workshop. Every surface is strewn with half-filled vials containing a bewildering array of chemicals and unknown elements. The remnants of past mixtures stain the floors...
A Hawaiian feather cape more than 237 years old, traveling from New Zealand to Honolulu, arrived in astonishingly good condition at the Bishop Museum in March 2016. The cape’s vivid yellow and red feathers were plucked from approximately 20,000 birds, and it was maintained impeccably at...
All original prints are not created equal, yet there is a rule of thumb that experts say to apply across the spectrum of artists, printmaking methods, and condition of items at issue: Buy what you love and what you wish to see on your walls...
When a sculpture is cast at the foundry, the bronze comes out a nondescript, pale yellow. The rich, burnt umber look of burnished leather we associate with famous Western bronzes, such as those by Remington or Russell, comes from patination. And while most Western-themed bronze...
Most art collectors remember their first purchase with the same clarity and emotion that they remember their first date with their spouse, or first kiss. Plunking down a wad of cash, which for many young professionals is their first disposable income, for a piece of...
The environmental or earth art movement in the U.S. took shape in the late 1960s when painters, sculptors and mixed-media artists demanded to breach the confines of galleries and museums. These freethinkers adopted the natural landscape as their palette, trading paint brushes and drawing pads...