Oil Painting
July 28, 2022

Conservators Discover a Hidden Van Gogh Self-Portrait Under Another Artwork

While preparing for their exhibit A Taste for Impressionism, conservators at the National Galleries Scotland turned to a technique standard in the art world: X-ray. X-ray is used to examine what lies beneath layers and frames. Turned upon a small painting by Vincent Van Gogh, entitled Head of a Peasant Woman, the X-ray machine revealed something astonishing.

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Social Cause
July 28, 2022

Ukrainians Are Hosting “Clean up Raves” To Restore Places Destroyed by Russian Attacks

Techno music is helping to repair a village in northern Ukraine. Yahidne, a town of about 300 people, has been wrecked by the Russian occupation. But the young folks in the country aren't going to let the devastation stay that way. They recently held a daytime “clean-up rave” to help clear debris from Yahidne and repair some of its buildings, all while electronic dance music was blaring in the background.

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Endangered Animals
July 27, 2022

Monarch Butterflies Are Now Classified as an Endangered Species

The monarch butterfly's iconic orange and black wings are a summer staple in North America. Alighting on flowers and flitting around, light as air, the creature is perhaps one of the few insects universally regarded as beautiful. Unfortunately, the most famous type of butterfly is becoming a much less common sight. In fact, the species was just listed as endangered in a sobering warning sign for the future of other species.

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Food Art
July 27, 2022

Adorable Rice Balls Reimagine Japan’s Cutest Bird as Anime-Style Delinquents

Japan is known for its culture of cuteness, and it goes beyond fashion and entertainment. Kawaii culture has also seeped into the country’s food. Thanks to Twitter user boku shima enaga (aka @daily_simaenaga), we get a taste (no pun intended) of adorable onigiri (rice balls) designed to look like a delectable gang of delinquent birds. This charming assortment of savory snacks is inspired by two separate staples of Japan: the long-tailed tit (or shima enaga in Japanese)

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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.