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1950 "Saying Grace" Norman Rockwell
Norman Rockwell is well-known for capturing American life within his paintings. This painting depicts an old woman saying a prayer with a young boy while bystanders watch them. The universal appeal of Rockwell's paintings are apparent through people saying that they knew the diner's exact location when the setting and people in the painting are fictional. -
1954 "Cat" - Alberto Giacometti
This sculpture by Giacometti is typical of his work. Instead of a literal interpretation of the physical form, Giacometti states that his goal is to focus on the "shadow that is cast." Giacometti wrote: "Figures were never a compact mass but like a transparent construction." -
1955 "Bavinger House" - Bruce Goff
"Bavinger House" is an example of organic architecture in Norman, Oklahoma designed by Bruce Goff. Organic architecture is a movement that focuses on a design that works in harmony with the existing nature around the structure so that the design is one with the natural surroundings creating a wholistic vision including the natural existing surroundings. In 1987, this home was awarded the Twenty-five Year Award by the American Institute of Architects. -
1957 THE CAT IN THE HAT - Dr. Seuss
THE CAT IN THE HAT is a children's book written and illustrated by Theodor Geisel, who used the penname Dr. Seuss. Since its first publication in 1957, THE CAT IN THE HAT along with many other books by Dr. Seuss continues to be published and distributed through print and electronic mediums-eBooks and interactive applications on mobile devices. THE CAT IN THE HAT has and still inspires movies, amusement parks, and childrens' toys, -
1960 "Smart Araneta Coliseum" - Dominador Lugtu
The "Smart Araneta Coliseum" also known as "The Big Dome" is an indoor multi-purpose sports arena located in Quezon City, Philippines. At the time, the arena was the largest covered coliseum in the world; today, the structure remains as one of the largest clear span domes in the world with a dome diameter of 108 meters. -
1962 "Campbell's Soup Cans" - Andy Warhol
Also known as "32 Campbell's Soup Cans" and currently displayed in the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in New York, NY. These 32 canvases were created using printmaking methods. This work's reliance of themes from popular culture helped popularize the pop art movement in the USA. -
1964 "Yellow Brillo Box" - Andy Warhol
"Yellow Brillo Box" is another example of Warhol's pop art. This piece is a sculpture. Pop art took common consumerist imagery and transformed them into pieces of fine art. Pop art's aim is to mock brand loyalty and the promises of happiness brands would promise to consumers. -
1972 "Main Title (The Godfather Waltz)" - Nino Rota
LISTEN to "Main Title (The Godfather Waltz)" from THE GODFATHER composed by Nino Rota. This theme is as iconic as the film itself and often stands alone to reference or to parody the movie. As a stand alone piece, the music is just as moving as the film's narrative. -
1974 "Buffalo City Court Building"
The "Buffalo City Court Buidling" is a municipal building in Buffalo, NY. This structure is an example of Brutalist architecture. Brutalist is derived from the French word for raw as Brutalist architecture is marked by its exposed concrete, fortress-like structures, and massive structures. In this particular building, there are limited windows to keep courtrooms and judges' chambers free from outside interruption and distractions. -
1975 "Artpark Installation" - Dale Chihuly
"Artpark Installation" is one of Chihuly's first projects and is a temporary outdoor work in Lewiston, NY near Niagara Falls. Chihuly's work consists of colorful glass sculptures. -
1980 "Western City Gate" - Mihajlo Mitrovic
"Western City Gate" or "Genex Tower" is a 35-story skyscraper made up of two buildings connected by a bridge and topped with a revolving restaurant. This architectural structure resides in Belgrade, Serbia and is designed by Mihajlo Mitrovic. -
1987 "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" - Bill Medley, Jennifer Warnes
LISTEN to Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes' "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" featured in the film DIRTY DANCING. This song has won an Academy Award and Golden Globe for "Best Original Song" and a Grammy for "Best Pop Performance by Duo or Group Vocals". This song is one of the most played songs on the radio and is a global hit. The DIRTY DANCING soundtrack was #1 on Billboard charts for 18 weeks and has sold 48 million copies worldwide. -
1989 THE JOY LUCK CLUB - Amy Tan
THE JOY LUCK CLUB is a best-selling novel by Amy Tan focusing on four immigrant Chinese American families. The novel has been adapted into a movie and a play. The novel shows the impact of globalization's effects on social perceptions of Chinese culture of immigrants within the United States and back in China. -
1990 "Vogue" - Madonna
LISTEN to American singer Madonna's "Vogue", a pop-dance song with disco influence released in 1990. This song has reached international success and is credited to exposing an underground subculture to the masses. -
1997-2007 HARRY POTTER SERIES - J. K. Rowling
The HARRY POTTER SERIES is a seven book fantasy series written by British author J. K. Rowling detailing the wizarding world. The books follow the seven school years of the main protagonist, Harry Potter, and his two friends, Herminoe Granger and Ron Weasley. The series focuses on the struggle between Harry and Dark Lord Voldemort. The books have been adapted into films, spinoffs, and an online community. There are amusement parks and attractions dedicated to HARRY POTTER globally. -
1997 “Magenta Colored Girl” – Carrie Mae Weems
"Magenta Colored Girl" by Carrie Mae Weems is a commentary on gender and racial stereotypes surrounding the African American woman, one of the most margianlized groups in the United States. -
2000 "Split-Rocker" - Jeff Koons
"Split-Rocker" is a sculpture by Jeff Koons consisting of stainless steel, soil, geotextile fabric, and an internal irrigation system. Like Koons' first floral sculpture, "Puppy," "Split-Rocker," Koons' second floral sculpture, is covered in 27,000 live flowers,: petunias, begonias, impatiens, geraniums and marigolds. The sculpture of the head of a giant child's rocker consists of two halves: a pony and a dinosaur. -
2001 "River Flows in You" -Yiruma
LISTEN to "River Flows in You" featured in the 2001 album "First Love" of Yiruma, South Korean pianist and composer. This piece is written for and performed by a solo pianist and has been covered by many artists on YouTube. Yiruma's music is mostly classified as new-age due to the structure of his work being more like popular pieces or movie themes rather than classical. Although some refer to Yiruma's work as neo-classical. -
2008-2010 HUNGER GAMES TRILOGY - Suzanne Collins
The HUNGER GAMES TRILOGY consists of three adventure novels written by Suzanne Collins: (1) THE HUNGER GAMES, (2) CATCHING FIRE, and (3) MOCKINGJAY. The series explores a dystopian society that sends two children from each District to battle to the death until there is one survivor in an arena specifically armed with traps. This highly televised battle is dubbed the Hunger Games, the trilogy's namesake, and is entertainment for citizens in the Capitol and a warning to the District citizens. -
2008 "One Nation Under CCTV" - Banksy
Banksy is an anonymous graffiti artist and political activist with no verified identity. This work is an unsanctioned graffiti mural by Banksy in London, England later painted over in April 2009. The Westminster City Council said that artistic reputation is no reason for graffiti to be kept when it is illegal. The Council went on to say that condoning this mural would condone anyone with a spraycan and Banksy "has no more right to paint graffiti than a child."
