The fortepiano is one the oldest surviving early pianos. The artifact remains on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The piano has only 54 keys, while modern pianos have 88. The structure is wing shaped similar to a hapsicord. The piano would produce a different sound,giving musicians more to work with. […]
Read more "The Fortepiano (1720)"The Dark Crystal was released in 1982 and it was radically different from Jim Henson’s other work. This interview on the Russel Harty show Jim Henson and Fran OZ explain the world and folklore of the Dark Crystal. The film utilized some of the most sophisticated puppets at the time. Henson also provides the audience with […]
Read more "Jim Henson and Frank OZ Promote The Dark Crystal on Russell Harty (1982)"This was a political cartoon produced in France discussing European colonial ambition in China. The racist representation of a Chinese Qing official was a common depiction at the time in European newspapers and visual media. The European leaders depicted are ignoring him as they slowly divide up China. The leaders shown are Queen Victoria, Kaiser […]
Read more "“China The Cake of Kings And Emperors ” Political Cartoon (1898)"“Any Bonds Today” was a one minute propaganda cartoon produced in 1942 by Warner Brothers. This short was directed by Robert Clampett. The United States at the time was engaged in total war with three countries. The Axis powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan were rapidly expanding in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The US […]
Read more "Bugs Bunny- “Any Bonds Today” (1942)"Will Vinton (1947-2018) was the developer of a type of stop motion animation known as claymation. His interest in animation came from architecture, but only later did he gain an interest in film. The process involves using clay to create the illusion of movement. This required that the character being animated would have to be […]
Read more "Will Vinton Interview (1985)"The painting above depicts Venus rising from the sea.Her birth according to mythology occurred in the sea and she emerged fully grown. The depiction of Venus Anadyomene (rising from the sea ) was a common representation in art. The Birth of Venus was the work of artist Sandro Botticelli. He was a pioneer of early […]
Read more "The Birth of Venus (1485)"It was 50 years ago Sesame Street debuted on public television. Ever since it has been giving children both education and entertainment in a delightful program. The show was created by Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett. Jim Henson and his crew of puppeteers created memorable characters for Sesame Street. Muppet characters such as […]
Read more "The First Sesame Street Intro (1969)"