George Eastman House: Picture Perfect: By creating the first affordable, user-friendly camera, George Eastman became the father of popular photography. The museum established at his home celebrates his contributions to advance the art and science of photography. The photography collection at George Eastman House is a history of photography that represents the work of 14,000 photographers. The technology collection at George Eastman House contains about 16,000 objects, including about 5,000 cameras. The Eastman House holds the largest Daguerreotype collection outside of France. George Eastman worked to make photography accessible to everyone; he created the first affordable, user-friendly camera and founded the Eastman Kodak Company. Eastman's "Brownie" camera revolutionized photography, and the motion picture film he invented with Thomas Edison became the industry standard for movies. The 50 room colonial estate George Eastman began building in 1902 serves as the centerpiece for his museum. In addition to photography-related artifacts, the museum houses many of Eastman's personal possessions. Today the George Eastman House is one of the world's premiere motion pictures archives. In 1996 the George Eastman House established the first school in North America to teach the restoration, preservation, and archiving of motion pictures. The George Eastman House offers a variety of means to access collections, including 140,000 online images, that celebrate the art, technology, and impact of photography and motion pictures.
The Lowdown on Lowbrow: West Coast Pop Art:
Artist Anthony Aussang says Lowbrow, West Coast Art, is essentially a reaction to highbrow culture. The dictionary definition of Lowbrow is, "a person regarded as uncultivated and lacking in taste”. Artist Robert Williams says he invented the term but doesn't care for its meaning. Some believe Lowbrow Surrealism is a more fitting term while others embrace just ‘Lowbrow’. Lowbrow art appeals to the masses. Pop culture, car culture, and folk art have both had major influences in Lowbrow. Robert Williams, the original Lowbrow artist, discussed his early career as a Lowbrow artist. At a time when galleries were not willing to display Lowbrow, the Laguna Art Museum put on a show featuring Williams and others. MAD Magazine had an impact on Lowbrow art culture. Artist Anthony Ausgang says, "Lowbrow blitzkriegs the idea that high culture requires a certain level of intelligence." Robert Williams thinks the established art world is set up to promote only certain types of art like minimalism and abstract, and the mainstream world will not accept Lowbrow. These unaccepted artists created their own art scene after being shut out from museums and galleries. The punk rock generation propelled Lowbrow art culture, with album covers and fliers. Artist Nicole Steen and other members from the Pop Tarts discussed the parallel underground art scenes in Vancouver and California. The Pop Tarts gained more recognition and acceptance after being featured in a book about female Lowbrow artists. Twenty years ago Robert Williams couldn't get anyone to show his art work, and now he is in demand all over the world.
Bones of Contention: Native American Archaeology: Native Americans' bones were collected as a scientific curiosity during the U.S. genocide against Indians. Anthropologists differ on whether or not the bones should be returned now. Dr. Samuel Morton studies brain size and concludes that the size of one's cranium is related to intelligence, and he stores Indian skulls in museums. The Smithsonian's inventory shows 18,000 Native's bones are stored there. Repatriation requires that scientists first determine the bones tribal affiliation. Skull measurement helps to identify where the bones should be returned. Scientists learn a lot about today's health problems by studying the remains of human beings from the past, including Indian remains. Bruce Rothschild, an arthritis researcher, theorizes that arthritis is a new disease whose trigger may come from the Tennessee River region. British researchers claim research helps understanding how man changes from the ancient to the modern man. For example, changes in Indian diet and lifestyle is related to high rates of diabetes. Dennis Hastings, an Omaha Indian, is satisfied with the reburial of his ancestors' remains. Both the tribe and scientists have gain new knowledge by having the bones analyzed prior to burial. Now, Native Americans design the exhibits in New York's Native American Museum. Ancestors' bones continue to be brought home and re-buried.
Displaying Modern Art: The Tate Approach: Modern art in the Museum of Modern Art from 1929 onwards was displayed primarily in chronological order. Art is displayed on white walls with lighting. By the 1970s, traditional ways of displaying modern art are questioned. Art came became busy and noisy. Artists explored the political and ideological context of the museum itself. The Tate Modern displays its modern art in four sections. In each section a principle provides a theme for the selection and exhibition of the art. The Tate's thematic approach to displaying art is controversial with three works by Richard Long and Monet's "Water Lilies." But the connections among the artwork is justified . Unlike the Museum’s original concept of displaying art in chronological order, visitors to the Tate are provided with transitions between the individual display rooms. Many abstract artists tried to convey emotions, aesthetic effects, or social vision. The Joseph Beuys room in the Tate Modern creates a church-like atmosphere. Visitors do not materially understand what they see. They transition to the next room where art consists of waste and junk.
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