The Boise Art Museum: Modest Yet Noble

I happened to be in Boise, Idaho for the first time on December 9th. Naturally, it was time to visit the Boise Art Museum. The museum's holdings are modest, but not barebones like the one in Las Vegas.

One painting from the permanent collection particularly caught my eye. Titled Jason (2004, click on photo to enlarge), it depicts a gentleman of diminutive stature who neverthless manages to maintain his dignity. A metaphor for the museum itself, perhaps.

On display through March 2006 is the exhibition The Daily News, which "features eleven American-based artists who appropriate the form and content of newspapers in their art." One particularly creative artist took 30 consecutive front pages of the New York Times from 1996 and drew over all of the articles (guns cover war stories, etc.) or added color to enhance photographs. Along the way, the artist made some witty "statements" and commentary, either with the drawings or a few choice words. For example, in a news story that discussed Elizabeth Dole, the artist with three words implied that the wrong Dole was running for President.

Fill My Wine Glass-- Unleaded, Please

A newly-released study stemming from high-tech examination of bones and hair reveals that Ludwig van Beethoven likely died of lead poisoning. One of the possible sources of the lead? His "liberal indulgence in wine consumed from lead cups." Hmmmm . . . note to self: hold off on asking for those antique lead-lined wine glasses for Christmas.

On the bright side, it looks as though Beethoven may have been cleared of the charge that he had syphilis, because there was no trace of mercury found in his remains and syphilis was commonly treated with mercury.