History
August 21, 2020

Sommelier History: How Poison-Detecting Servants Became Respected Wine Connoisseurs

The 2012 documentary Somm exposed many Americans to the fascinating hidden world of sommeliers. Somm followed four men studying for the exam that confers the highest qualification in the field: Master Sommelier. But to many people, sommeliers may still be something of an enigma. How can one make a career out of pouring and tasting wine? The answers might surprise you. What Is a Sommelier? Simply put, a sommelier is a wine expert.

Read Article

Art
August 21, 2020

Artist Turns Face Masks and COVID-Related Objects Into Miniature Outdoor Adventures

For almost a decade, Japanese artist Tanaka Tatsuya has spent every single day crafting miniature scenes made of everyday objects and tiny figurines. His ongoing Miniature Calendar series sees teeny subjects posed in miniature worlds where broccoli is a tree, a thumbtack is a table, and rice balls are mountains. However, ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, Tatsuya has opted for incorporating objects that reflect the “new normal.

Read Article

Resources
August 20, 2020

Learn How to Draw a Tiger in This Step-by-Step Tutorial

No animal can quite compare to the majesty of a tiger. With its striking orange and black coloring and enigmatic presence, this big cat is one of the most beautiful creatures in the world. Although it may seem daunting to try and render this striped feline on your own, you'll see that with a little bit of patience and some illustrated guidance, you too can draw the tiger of your dreams.

Read Article

History
August 20, 2020

200-Year-Old Mexican Recipes Are Now Free to Download in These Digitized Cookbooks

The University of Texas at San Antonio is currently working to bring diverse perspectives on Mexican cuisine together for a global audience. Taking a digitized collection of 2,000 Mexican cookbooks, archivists at the UTSA Libraries Special Collections are compiling recipes into a series of three cookbooks they’re calling Recetas: Cooking in the Time of Coronavirus.

Read Article

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.