Amphorae

“I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” - Albert Einstein

(This cartoon brought to you courtesy of Stephanie Brooks .) We hear people use the phrase "cockles of the heart" all of the time, but what does it mean? In light of the medical discussion (which I will finish soon, I promise!), I thought it a pertinent time to find out. Turns out that no one knows for certain where or when the saying originated, but theories abound. It may be from the latin description "cochleae cordis" which was used to describe the chambers of the heart. This seems likely because the prevailing opinion at the time seemed to have been that the venticles of the heart resembled mollusks, refered to as cochleae, or cockles. It's possible that the comparison between heart and mussel worked the other way, that the shells resembled the heart, but then why wouldn't the heart be refered to as "cardium"? Food for thought. There was a popular Irish song called  "Molly Malone" circa the 1880s, which was about a street vendor...

This was part of my graduate thesis project about a year ago. It was made acording to opera standards, with lots of seam allowance and good seam placement for alterability. It's also super supportive with heavy boning, a canvas interlining, and lacing at the back. I beaded a fabric belt from Target that I found in the same colors as the dress fabric, and made the necklace from jewelry findings. Sometimes in theatre it's about how much you can do with very little. Not bad for my first draping project!

In my last (far too distant post) I told you about an exhibition at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC called The Body Inside and Out: Anatomical Literature and Art Theory . The exhibit only lasts a short while longer, ending January 23rd, but I made sure to go and can now report back in case you want to hurry and see it this weekend. The first thing I should mention is that the exhibit is very small with only about seventeen examples of anatomical illustration tucked into a small vestibule. If you do plan on seeing it I suggest asking for directions at the information desk, because the way through the sculpture gallery and various twists and turns is difficult to find simply by wandering and there are few signs. Once you do find it though it's like a hidden treasure, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Examples include works by Durer, Da Vinci, and one particularly detailed frontispiece by Boucher that I loved. The catalogue is available online here , and can tell you far mor...

There is an exhibit currently on display at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC called "The Body Inside and Out: Anatomical Literature and Art Theory Selections from the National Gallery of Art Library". In light of our recent focus on health and medicine throughout the ages it is an exhibit I look forward very much to seeing soon. The online catalogue describes t iby saying, "This exhibition, featuring outstanding examples of anatomy-related material from the collection of rare books in the National Gallery of Art Library, offers a glimpse into the ways anatomical studies were made available to and used by artists from the 16th to the early 19th century." Running through January 23, 2011 there's not much time left to catch it. 

My apologies, friends, for not completing my series on health issues through time, but with a show about to open and wedding work consuming my free time I've been more than a little busy. I'll finish those shortly when I've had more to time to do the research. In the meantime I leave you with a favorite quote..."Post Tenebrus Lux (After the darkness, light)"- Motto of the city of Geneva Happy holidays to all!

In the two centuries just prior to 1900 not only medical professionals, but ordinary people had taken an increased interest in new ways of maintaining their health. Spas had sprung up all over Europe and America, usually around natural sources of mineral water and hot springs. Here people went to seek cures for everything from infertility to rheumatism and paralysis. The methods used varied from curative waters to electroshock therapy, and typically included special diets and exercise regimens. One such place was the Battle Creek Sanitarium which opened in Michigan in 1866. The name was a corruption of the word "sanitorium" which usually refered to a place of rest for soldiers. It was here that the Kellogg brothers started their "wellness institute" based on the health principles of the 7th Day Adventist Church. The Toasted Corn Flake Company follwed in 1906, and provided the basis of what would become the cereal empire we know today. Famous people who attended th...