Tag Archives: art

My Favorite Version of the Future

Posted on November 21, 2025 by mitchteemley

This year marks the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future. I love the 1980s version of the future. But even more I love the 1880s version. Think of the Nautilus in 20,000 League Under the Sea. Or The Time … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

Sky: The Ultimate Artist’s Canvas

Posted on September 19, 2025 by mitchteemley

“There is one spectacle grander than the sea,” Victor Hugo observed, and that is “the sky.” Yet, “there is one spectacle (even) grander than the sky,” he added, and “that is the interior of the soul.” That isn’t a coincidence. … Continue reading →

Posted in Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

Hope Is the Thing With Feathers

Posted on September 11, 2025 by mitchteemley

When all seems hopeless, hope takes flight. We learn this again and again. Hope is always there, waiting. And when it’s needed, it spreads its wings. In memoriam: 9/11/2001. Click on any image to enlarge it, to read caption, or … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 48 Comments

Learning About Human (and Inhuman) Nature

Posted on September 9, 2025 by mitchteemley

My Real Memoir It was my last term of graduate school. I’d become engrossed in researching my final thesis paper, “Moral Disintegration in the Roman Theatre.” During its last 100+ years, I discovered, the empire had abandoned the Greek model … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 51 Comments

Think You’ve Seen Dolls? Think Again!

Posted on August 29, 2025 by mitchteemley

I became utterly fascinated when gathering these images. Dolls aren’t “just dolls.” They’re sculptures-with-attitude! Sure, some are cute, but in unexpected ways (see werewolf babies below). Others are funny or provocative. In short, they’re even more varied than people. Why? … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Entertainment and Popular Culture, Humor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 43 Comments

Rejected. And Yet Better Than Ever!

Posted on August 22, 2025 by mitchteemley

“One person’s junk is another person’s treasure.” There are lots of junk artists in the world. But they all have one thing in common: they see robots, flying machines and winged horses where we see rusty bolts, tarnished cutlery and … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 31 Comments

Imagination: Enter a World Without Limits

Posted on August 15, 2025 by mitchteemley

Imagination shows us beautiful, whimsical, absurd, and sometimes disturbing things that exist only in our minds. It allows us to escape from the world as it is. And then, upon returning, to make it better. Click on any image to enlarge … Continue reading →

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Here’s Why We’re Fascinated by Robots

Posted on July 19, 2025 by mitchteemley

The idea of creating imitations of ourselves has always fascinated us humans. In Greek mythology, the sculptor Pygmalion brought his statue Galatea to life. Ancient Chinese scholar Daoxuan spoke of creating “metallic people” to weep when the Buddha died. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Entertainment and Popular Culture, Humor | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 40 Comments

How Should We Experience Art? Together!

Posted on July 11, 2025 by mitchteemley

Together literally means “to gather.” That’s what makes public art public, people experiencing art together. All art invites us to come and see it. But public art comes to us. It invites us to walk around it, or under it, to climb … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Entertainment and Popular Culture, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 42 Comments

50 of the Best Signs Ever!

Posted on June 20, 2025 by mitchteemley

When I was 13, I painted a sign for a local hamburger joint, and was very proud of it. It featured a dead guy opening a casket with the word “Open” on the lid. They chose not to buy my … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Quips and Quotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 42 Comments