Painting
October 15, 2024

Partially Blind Artist Finds Solace in Painting After Beginning To Lose Eyesight at the Age of 28 [Interview]

For artist Ed Urena, art is a form of therapy. More than a pastime, hobby, or even a form of self-expression, painting brings him a much-needed sense of calm. The solace is welcome given his conditions. At age 28, Urena began losing his eyesight, having to go under the knife in a matter of days to save what was left.

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History
October 14, 2024

Día de los Muertos: How Mexico Celebrates Its Annual “Day of the Dead”

Throughout history, cultures across the globe have adopted creative ways to deal with death. In ancient China, they crafted funerary sculptures to fill complex mausoleums. During the Dutch Golden Age, artists touched on mortality in their memento mori still life paintings. And, in modern Mexico, people celebrate Día de los Muertos, a colorful holiday dedicated to the dearly departed. Though this festival has evolved over centuries, it remains one of Mexico's most historically and culturally important events.

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Art
October 13, 2024

Study Shows That Viewing Real Art in Museums Stimulates Brain Much More Than Reproductions

Art lovers travel far and wide to see their favorite paintings in real life. Surely, they may have seen them dozens of times online or in books, but getting to witness the real thing just hits differently. While some could argue that it's all in their head, scientists working with the Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague, home to Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, have found that there is truly something special to it.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.