History
February 20, 2021

How African American Art and Culture Blossomed During the Harlem Renaissance

In the early 20th century, New York City's Harlem neighborhood underwent a historic transformation. During what is now described as the Harlem Renaissance, the area thrived as a cultural hub for African Americans, culminating in unprecedented advancements in art, literature, and music. Though this “golden age” lasted less than 20 years, its legacy has lived on for decades.

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Sculpture
February 20, 2021

Chinese Artist Covers Paper Torsos in Ancient Paintings to Challenge Traditional Femininity

Contemporary Chinese artist Peng Wei puts a spin on tradition with her paper sculptures of female torsos. The figures, composed of layered flax and cotton, are painted with images from ancient Chinese narratives including Paragons of Feminine Virtue by Ming-dynasty thinker Lv Kun and Strange Tales from the Chinese Studio by Qing-dynasty novelist Pu Songling.

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Nature
February 19, 2021

Rare ‘Baikal Zen’ Phenomenon Has Rocks Balancing on Pedestals of Ice on Lake Baikal

Lake Baikal in Siberia produces an incredible phenomenon when the weather turns bitterly cold. As the world's deepest and most voluminous freshwater lake, it has a geography that produces the gravity-defying sight of rocks teetering on “legs” of ice. The wonder is known as Baikal Zen, in reference to the stacking of stones found in Japanese gardens. The pedestals created for these stones aren't fashioned right away.

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Portrait Photography
February 18, 2021

Photographer Spends 7 Years Capturing Beautiful Portraits of Redheads Around the World [Interview]

Whether you’re self-conscious of your height or hate the shape of your nose, we all have hang-ups about how we look. But it’s our physical differences that make us beautiful. Each person has their own unique features. However, there’s one particular physical trait that is especially rare. Just 1-2% of the world's population has natural red hair.

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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.