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Virtual Museum
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"The Martian Chronicles," Ray Bradbury (Short Fiction)
Dealing with topics such as racism, intolerance, immigration, and acceptance of fate, Ray Bradbury was able to loosely connect his greatest science-fiction short stories in "The Martian Chronicles." The final story, "The Million-Year Picnic," incorporates ideas of leaving the past behind and grasping onto the future, especially by the use of the father introducing his son to a Martian: his own reflection. Bradbury’s collection is the epitome of what short fiction strives to achieve. -
"Massacre in Korea," Pablo Picasso (Oil on Plywood)
Picasso depicted the Sinchon Massacre of the Korean War in his expressionistic painting, “Massacre in Korea.” Picasso’s politically charged canvas illustrates the confusion/senselessness of war by pitting unarmed (and unclothed) non-combatants on the left against the heavily armed seemingly entangled knights on the right. Picasso’s work was exemplary in the use of political themes as inspiration for art. -
"Do Not Go Gentle into That Goodnight," Dylan Thomas (Poetry)
As read by Dylan ThomasOriginally published in the journal Botteghe Oscure, “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” is considered one of the finest works by Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. Written as an ode to his dying father, “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night” inspires hope even though time may be short, urging the reader to fight the inevitability of death specifically. The poem has been included in several films (including Interstellar, Dangerous Minds and Back to School). -
"Puddle," M. C. Escher (Woodcut)
M.C. Escher’s “Puddle” is an amazing piece using multiple perspectives simultaneously. The reflection of the puddle illustrates trees and a sky, while the main focus on the ground is of footprints/tire tracks in the mud. “Puddle” is a perfect metaphor for life; if we are too focused on our path, we might just miss the journey. By interlaying the reflection of the sky with the reality of the ground, Escher demonstrates that perspective is a matter of how we look at the world around us. -
"The Old Man and the Sea," Ernest Hemmingway (Novel)
Awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (and latter attributing to Hemingway’s Nobel Prize in Literature), “The Old Man and the Sea” demonstrates the fickleness of luck while showing appreciation for adversity. Santiago the fisherman broke his streak of poor luck by landing a great marlin only to witness his marlin destroyed by sharks while trying to bring the fish to shore. Hemingway shows humility in his character while keeping his character grounded in humanity. -
"Throne of Blood," Dir. Akira Kurosawa (Film)
Making of the Watch Tower SceneKurosawa was able to successfully adapt Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” by transposing the Scottish play and making it a Japanese film. Kurosawa’s film adapted styles from the Japanese Noh and incorporated the western influence of “Macbeth” to demonstrate how the east and west did not have to be mutually exclusive. The cast was led by Toshiro Mifune and Isuzu Yamada in stellar performances. “Throne of Blood” is still considered one of the best (if not the best) adaptations of Shakespeare. -
"The Problem We All Live With," Norman Rockwell (Oil on Canvas)
Ruby Bridges InterviewNorman Rockwell’s painting illustrates the difficulties of the civil rights movement, specifically depicting Ruby Bridges’ attendance at an all-white public school during desegregation. Having ended his contract with the “Saturday Evening Post” over limits placed on political themes, “The Problem We All Live With” was originally published in an issue of “Look.” Rockwell’s painting views racism not only through the eyes of an enraged public, but through the eyes of an innocent child. -
"The Giving Tree," Shel Silverstein (Children's Literature)
The Giving Tree read by Shel Silverstein (Animated)Silverstein’s book, “The Giving Tree,” received mixed reception due to the relationship between the boy and the tree. While some see the relationship as a positive reflection of unconditional love, others negatively perceive the relationship between the boy and tree as abusive because the boy eventually takes everything from the tree. Though Silverstein originally had difficulty finding a publisher for the book, it is now a classic children’s story. -
"Maiden voyage," Herbie Hancock (Song, Jazz Instrumental)
Maiden Voyage“Maiden Voyage” is a jazz standard composed by Herbie Hancock. The track originally started as a TV jingle for Fabergé, exhibiting the ties between art and commercialism. “Maiden Voyage” has been covered several times, notably by Blood Sweat and Tears, Phish, and Toto, illustrating how true artistic genius is able to translate across different musical genres. -
"LOVE," Robert Indiana (Sculpture)
Robert Indiana’s “LOVE” was inspired by his pop-art paining of the same name. Indiana was inspired by a plaque with the inscription “God is Love” in the church he attended in his childhood. The inspiration shows how the spiritual can influence art. Efforts have been successful in restoring the original look (and intent) of the sculpture. The preservation efforts of “LOVE” have demonstrated how artwork should be saved for future generations’ enjoyment. -
"The Godfather," Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, Starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino
Scene from The Godfather Regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, “The Godfather” won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actor (Marlon Brando), and Best Adapted Screenplay (by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola). Though the film did not create the gangster film, it would innovate the genre by adding depth and complexity to the characters. The film spawned two successful sequels and has been a source of influence for countless other films, both drama and comedy alike. -
"The Shining," Stephen King (Horror Novel)
Though considered a horror novel, “The Shining” better illustrates the problems of addiction and how these problems affect those around us. In teasing Jack Torrance’s addictions, the Outlook Hotel influences Jack Torrance’s situation causing him to go mad, destroying his family (and the hotel) in the process. King’s third novel, “The Shining” was his first bestseller and inspired a sequel published in 2013. “The Shining” was adapted into a film directed by Stanley Kubrick and a miniseries. -
"Marquee Moon," Television (Alternative Rock Album)
Title Track“Marquee Moon” is recognized as the first alternative rock album and has been influential to such bands as U2, Echo & the Bunnymen, Red Hot Chili Peppers, R.E.M., The Pixies, and Sonic Youth. The dual guitar work by band members Tom Verlaine and Richard Lloyd was revolutionary at the time, incorporating a balance of melody/counter-melody. Critically acclaimed at its release, the album failed to sell 80,000 copies in the U.S. proving influential artists are not always commercially successful. -
"Rumours," Fleetwood Mac (Rock Album)
full album playlist“Rumours” was Fleetwood Mac’s most successful album, selling over 40 million copies worldwide and won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 1978. Tracks, like “Go Your Own Way,” demonstrate the turmoil the band was going through. Songs from the album have been widely covered by bands like Matchbox 20, Elton John, Jewel, The Cranberries, and the Goo Goo Dolls. The personal refection used in many of the songs demonstrates how music can have a cathartic effect for musician and audience alike. -
"The Spirit of Radio," Rush (Song, Rock and Roll)
The Spirit of RadioReleased on the Rush album “Permanent Waves,” “The Spirit of Radio” is essentially about how music can elevate the mood of the listener, however, as music has become more corporate, the honesty of music is put into question. When profits outweigh the overall quality of music, music is still priceless (both emotionally and physically). The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame has ranked “The Spirit of Radio” as one of the 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. -
"Super Mario Bros.," Nintendo (Video Game)
Level 1-1“Super Mario Bros.” seemingly single handedly saved the video game industry from the video game crash of 1983. In addition to reviving the video game market, “Super Mario Bros.” popularized the side-scrolling genre, selling over 40 million copies alone. The popularity of the game spawned several sequels spanning all Nintendo platforms. The video game industry can trace its current height of art and entertainment to the simplicity of “Super Mario Bros.” -
"Watchmen," by Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, and John Higgins (Graphic Novel)
Watchmen, written by Alan Moore with artwork by Dave Gibbons and John Higgins, was initially released in 12 comic-formatted issues, but reached critical acclaim when it was released as a graphic novel. The commercial and critical success of Watchmen led libraries to devote sections to graphic novels. Watchmen includes a non-linear story line including a story within the story and incorporates public fears of the Cold War, abuse of power, and lack of checks and balances within government. -
"The Joshua Tree," U2 (Pop Album)
Where The Streets Have No NameThemed with American culture and spirituality, “The Joshua Tree” reached number one on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart and produced two number one singles. Though an internationally successful band before releasing “The Joshua Tree,” their fifth album, U2 was launched into superstardom after the album’s release. The album has sold over 25 million copies worldwide. Upon the album’s release Rolling Stone magazine stated that “’The Joshua Tree’ could be the big one.” -
"Miller's Crossing," Directed by Joel and Ethan Coen, Starring Gabriel Byrne, John Turturro, and Albert Finney (Film)
Scene from Miller's CrossingThe gangster film “Miller’s Crossing” depicts a world of ethics and morality in a world often seen devoid of these characteristics. Inspired by the novels “The Glass Key” and “Red Harvest” by Dashiell Hammett, the Coen Brothers film was a box office failure, making less than half of its production cost at theaters. The film was critically well received, praising the acting of Gabriel Byrne and John Turtorro, and gained a greater appreciation after being released on video (and later DVD). -
"Forrest Gump," Directed by Robert Zemeckis, Starring Tom Hanks (Film)
Siskel & Ebert ReviewBased on the life of the naïve title character through some of the most iconic moments in US history between the late 1950s and 1980s, “Forrest Gump” was a commercial and critical success. Earning nearly $700 million worldwide, it won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor, along with several other awards. “Forrest Gump” was selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” -
"Blindness," José Saramago (Novel)
Written by Portuguese author José Saramago, “Blindness” focuses on nameless characters and the breakdown of social structure following a mass epidemic. Saramago’s writing does not conform to literary norms as he often uses commas instead of periods to produce long-winded efforts and ignores the use of quotation marks, leaving the speaker either unidentified or dialogue mistaken—both enhancing the confusion of the story. Saramago won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1998.
