Museums
January 3, 2021

Photographer Chronicles the Alluring Abstract Beauty of the National Museum of Qatar

Belgian photographer Julien Lanoo’s recent photo series captures both the impressive outer form and the cavernous interior of the National Museum of Qatar. The stunning images showcase the breathtaking architectural work photographed from the vantage point of a human, allowing us to imagine viewing the locale in person. The National Museum of Qatar was designed by Ateliers Jean Nouvel from the inspiration of a desert rose.

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Renaissance Art
December 31, 2020

What Is a Reliquary? Here’s a Short Introduction To the Bejeweled Medieval Vessels

The veneration of saints was a fundamental feature of medieval Christianity. The remaining relics of these holy people took on new religious significance in the early Middle Ages. As objects of veneration and pilgrimage, the physical remains of the holy and their belongings required some of the finest works of medieval metallurgy and artistry: reliquaries. These purpose-built containers were typically constructed of precious materials and often depicted scenes from the saint's life and Biblical history.

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Illusion
December 31, 2020

Mind-Bending Optical Illusion Makes Static Figures Appear to Run and Jump Off Stairs

Another incredible optical illusion is taking the internet by storm. Twitter user Jagarikin created the illusion, which appears to show a set of figures running up and then jumping off a set of stairs. Dubbed the Super Illusion Brothers, the image is actually static. If you're asking yourself how that's possible, it's actually quite simple. Jagarikin's work is a reverse-phi illusion. That means it uses light and dark colors to create a sense of movement.

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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.