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Month: March 2016

Fashion in the Natural World: Fusing Science with Art

Grace Costantino
March 16, 2016
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This post first appeared on the Biodiversity Heritage Library blog in February 2016.

Emile-Allain Séguy was a popular French designer throughout the Art Deco and Art Nouveau movements of the 1920s. Often confused with the French entomologist Eugene Séguy who was active during the same time period, E.A. Séguy designed primarily patterns and textiles and was heavily influenced by the natural world. He was particularly fond of the intricate patterns and beauty of insects (Eugene would have approved), which he saw as “mechanic wonders” that provided abundant inspiration for interior design (Schiff, 157).

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Ian Cheng: Live Simulation

Erin Rushing
March 14, 2016
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Ian Cheng
Photograph of Ian Cheng from Natt & Dag.

This post was written by Tim Cannon, intern in the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden Library.

Suspended Animation, which opened on February 10 at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, features work by six contemporary artists working with digitally generated images. Among these artists is Ian Cheng, a New York-based artist who worked for George Lucas’ visual effects company, Industrial Light and Magic, before earning an MFA at Columbia University. His work is typically based on computer simulations, often lacking a fixed duration or narrative, so that the action unfolds more or less spontaneously, according to an algorithm rather than a plan. Cheng’s live simulation (his term for the programs he makes) Emissary in the Squat of the Gods, will appear in the exhibition.

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“Explore the Four” for Museum Day Live! 2016

Erin Rushing
March 8, 2016
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Join the Smithsonian Libraries and the wider Smithsonian community as we explore careers in museums, libraries and research through Museum Day Live! 2016. Special events and opportunities will be held throughout the Smithsonian on March 12, 2016, as well as nation-wide through participating institutions. According to the Museum Day Live! website, “held during Women’s History Month, this “special edition” of  “Museum Day Live!” will encourage all people, and particularly women and girls of color, to explore their nation’s museums, cultural institutions, zoos, aquariums, parks and libraries—which will offer free admission for the day.”

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Join us for “Indoor Recess”!

Liz O'Brien
March 4, 2016
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Participants get crafty with “Indoor Recess”.

On February 5th, the Smithsonian Libraries presented its first Indoor Recess, a creative lunchtime getaway geared toward museum professionals and educators. Led by Sara Cardello, the Libraries’ education specialist, the monthly Recess events seek to fuse libraries and art. Participants are invited to bring their lunch, listen to a fun story by a museum professional, and make a themed craft. The next Indoor Recess is happening today at noon!

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One for the money: a library internship in Numismatics

Carrie Smith
March 2, 2016
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This post was written by Katrin Richter, intern at the National Museum of American History Library through the Whitworth Smithsonian Internship Program.  Are you interested in learning more about interning with Smithsonian Libraries? Visit our Internships and Fellowships page and explore our Summer 2016 opportunities. Applications close April 1st, 2016.

During my three weeks in January as an intern at the Smithsonian Libraries, I gained an understanding of librarianship, as well as a deep appreciation for the Smithsonian Institution.

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