Travel
September 2, 2025

Portland Japanese Garden: The Most Authentic Japanese Garden Outside of Japan [Interview]

Nestled within Portland’s Washington Park sits a majestic garden and one of the city’s highly treasured spaces. The Portland Japanese Garden is a true gem and lauded as the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden outside of Japan. Encompassing 12.5 acres, the site is more than “just” a garden; it’s a place where visitors can immerse themselves in Japanese culture while enjoying and appreciating nature in all its glory.

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Acrylic Painting
September 2, 2025

Artist Brings an Impressionist Touch to Paintings Depicting Life in Zanzibar

Artist Dullah Wise adds an impressionist touch to scenes depicting life in Zanzibar. His landscape paintings showcase the Tanzanian archipelago using bright colors and strong brushstrokes. The compositions depict a city culture with stone alleyways, but also a place that thrives on the ocean; sailboats navigate the waters with buildings and palm trees in the distance. Coupled with Wise’s use of purples, oranges, and blues, it’s an idyllic look at everyday life.

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Landscape Photography
September 1, 2025

Photographer Spent Final Moments Saving the Film He Shot During the 1980 Mount St. Helens Eruption

On the evening of May 17, 1980, Robert Landsburg set up camp near Mount St. Helens in southwestern Washington. The 48-year-old freelance photographer had been visiting the volcano for weeks, all in the hopes of capturing its forthcoming eruption. He wasn’t the only one enduring the trek; when seismographs detected small tremors beneath Mount St. Helens in March 1980, countless scientists, photographers, and hikers descended upon the area, preparing for a dramatic blast.

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Health
September 1, 2025

Japanese Art of Shinrin-Yoku, or “Forest Bathing,” Is Beneficial for Us All

In the 1980s, Japan was facing a significant crisis in the workplace. Employees were experiencing record levels of burnout and stress, but luckily new studies suggested a possible—and timeless—solution. By 1982, the Forest Agency of Japan introduced the practice of shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing,” arguing that phytoncides, a chemical released by trees and plants, could boost the immune system. Now, decades later, it’s a well-known fact that spending time in nature can help alleviate stress.

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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.