A Smithsonian site -- Telling Stories: Norman Rockwell from the Collections of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg

I am continually looking for museum websites with interesting content and the Smithsonian has achieved that again. It was a surprise to learn George Lucas has at least 36 works of Norman Rockwell and Steven Spielberg 21. Their passion of collecting these works comes from their youth and the Saturday Evening Post. There is a pattern of their own collection, maybe patterns, can you see them? If you have some time (30 minutes) take a look at this podcast, it is worth it. The art of story telling through visuals is ever present. You will definitely gain insight into Rockwell's creative process and wonderful delightful humor of daily living.

Steven Spielberg tells us why he likes this painting so much it is hanging in his office.
The site covers works spanning the years from 1917 to 1972 offering of a view of American life. Since Lucas and Spielberg enjoyed these works in their early teens perhaps some youngsters may enjoy hearing the stories too. It's fun to look at the pictures see what you think is going on, then hear Lucas and Spielberg relate the stories. Take some time and listen and enjoy, tell us what you think? What's happening in the picture here?

Mobile Sites and Regular Websites

Before, during and after your outing you can look up websites using your mobile device such as an Iphone, IPad, Blackberry or Android Phone to prepare, complement, and review information of interest. Websites are being made to view on your smaller screens and give you the information in a format that is easier to see, yet offering the site in a compact viewing mode. Here is a screen shot of the the National Postal Service website in the "Normal" view:

Now here's a screen capture of the same site on a mobile device:

This option is just beginning as web developers program for mobile devices. Please note you will find if there is a mobile option on the regular site, or the mobile device will pick it up automatically.

Time to enjoy and catch up while in transit. Recently, I was at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC viewing the Matisse show. It was very crowded and I was tired. I looked at their podcast that I had downloaded and saw the text and highlights of the show were included, so I did not have to stand in front of a wall trying to read the descriptions as people passed by.

Fashion...shoes and the economy

Shoe Museum - Toronto, Canada

The New York Times published an OP-Art...On the Heels of a Recession with photos of shoes from 1938, 1943, 1974, and 2010 respectively. Interesting to see how styles are effected by world financials. The credits on this article noted two museums, one in Toronto, Canada - The Bata Shoe Museum and the other in Florence, Italy - Museo Salvatore Ferragamo. Both museums websites have wonderful photos of shoes and a slice of life, styles and financial history that impacted the fashion of the times.

Take a look at these shoes, can you guess the country of origin and what they were used for? Use the comment space to tell up what you think!

James Taylor's Guitar Vault

WolframAlpha

I listed WolframAlpha back in July of 2009. Things have been moving along with this wonderful tool. I have an app on my iphone which recently they reduced from $50 to $1.99 which was an interesting marketing move. It can also be downloaded for the ipad. If you watch the introductory video you we get an excellent idea what can be done. I just wish educators in Elementary and Secondary schools were taught how to integrate this into their curricula. Here is a link to the video, enjoy! What do you think?

What do you think of these sites?

When reviewing new websites, I think what age and subject most appropriate for the site. I usually come to the conclusion that many sites have a versatility and depends on the viewer. A creative person may use the site for various subjects and ages. I would appreciate your input of what YOU think. Vogel 50x50 is a site about a couple who were art collectors amassing a collection of more than 4,000 pieces during their marriage. Both were civil servants they lived on one salary and the other salary was used for their art collecting. There is also a film on the Vogels that would be a nice complement to this site. It is one of the Netflix films, Herb & Dorothy and worthwhile seeing.

The Global Museum on Communism is a virtual museum, a project of the non-project, non-partisan Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation, established on December 17, 1993. This site is packed full of information, I question why the site is not rendered in various languages? Perhaps one day is will be. What enables these tyrannical leaders to come into power and carry out their heinous acts of terror, murder, torture, repression of people and their rights? I find their childhoods reveal a lot, thus my interest and strong desire to address our youth especially those who are troubled.


The third site is an interactive site produced by the Museum of Natural History in New York, Traveling the Silk Road, has lots of interactive parts to it. Just frustrated because either my connection is problematic or the site is too busy or has issues. So I will try it again when I am where connectivity is better! Let me know if you have issues viewing the site.

Do Shoe Styles Reflect the Economic Times?

Fashion Institute of New York has an exhibit: Scandal Sandals and Lady Slippers: A History of Delman Shoes. Beautifully crafted shoes appear in the news constantly, but of late the heels are so thin and long, 3 to 4 inches. How do women walk in them? I did a search on expensive women's shoes and found websites that are a few years old. Developing websites on expensive shoes in this economy (2009-2010) is not happening, but there are references to earlier sites, take a look at some of these extraordinary shoes (2008)....and note their price tag!
Many of the Delman shoes are viable for wearing today, but what would they cost? Walking around we see most people wearing shoes that are not made of leather, appear to be more durable and sporty as many other clothing items.