Connecting The World:The Panama Canal at 100 at the Mint

First Dredges Through the Gatun Locks by Alison Skinner Clark: Strolling over the locks

“The Eighth Wonder of the World.” “The Thirteenth Labor of Hercules.” “The Big Ditch.” The Panama Canal deserves all these titles as the exhibit now showing at the Mint Museum through clearly demonstrates. It is intriguing as well as unbelievable what human beings will do to achieve connectedness. 

Steam shovel bucket discovered sunk in mud. Weighing 75 tons it was used to widen the Canal in the 1930s.

Through science, organization, sheer willpower, and massive expenditure of capital, America made the Canal work. When the first ship passed through the Canal on August 15, 1914, history was made.

Dr. Jonathan Stuhlman, curator of the exhibit

Wells Fargo is the lead sponsor for the Mint Museum’s fascinating exhibit and like the Canal has linked the Atlantic and Pacific coast for 160 years.

In the Tropics by Frederick March Church: Artist's depiction of this exotic and wildly dangerous country

Our overall reaction to this exhibit was one of wonder and amazement. It’s a great history lesson allowing the viewer to see into a time without reservation. 

The locks attracted many tourists before completion

Described by some as a “volatile, invasive attack on the earth,” the canal raises many questions.  Can you hear the planet groaning? Do we have the right to invade the earth to such an extent? 

The shear enormity of what man is capable of to further our evolution and bring us closer to one another is depicted in this exhibit.

T.R in Panama by Edward Laning: Teddy Roosevelt visited Panama to see the canal in progress

Connecting the World: The Panama Canal at 100 is on display at the Mint Museum Uptown through Feb. 1, 2015. Visit  www.mintmuseum.org for more information.

Steve Plaxco, Exhibit Chief

Beyond Craft at the Mint Museum Uptown

Leatrice S. and Melvin B. Eagle, leading collectors of decorative arts and founding members of the Mint’s Founders Circle, assembled this renowned collection over 53 years.

This is truly the most beautiful exhibit I have ever seen anywhere. I actually got cold chills after viewing this collection of beauty, style and grace. 

The pieces are so very different from one another and the visual sensation of the artistry and composition of each piece tantalizes the senses. 

 The collection will be exhibited through February 22, 2015. 

 

On February 6-8, 2015 the museum will host a panel discussion with the Eagles as well as artists represented in their collection. This is part of a weekend long celebration of the Eagles with support from the Founders Circle. See details of these and other events at mintmuseum.org/happenings.

Allure of Flowers at the Mint Uptown

A touch of warmth and beauty - and a breath of spring

Today we had a real springtime experience at the Mint Museum’s Uptown location as we previewed its newest exhibit, Allure of Flowers: Botanical Motifs in Craft, Design & Fashion. 

Tulip vase

 We strolled through a unique array of flowers made from glass, textiles, and paper. 

Exquisite ladies'  fan shows roses on paper

 We viewed these lovely creations arranged in perfect harmony, one after the other, in awe of how and when they were created. 

Hanging tree lamps provided guidance through the exhibit

Annie Carlano, Senior Curator of Craft, Design & Fashion for the Mint, graciously guided us through the exhibit of beauty from the Mint’s permanent collection, and described not only each piece but where, when and who created it.

A sculpture of fashion and design and a paper dress preserved from the '60s

This paper dress is quite rare

What a warm and beautiful visual experience visiting the Mint Museum’s Uptown location! If you are getting tired of the cold and wintry weather, this exhibit is sure to warm your bones and your heart. 

Iris on glass comes alive

More flowers on glass

 Don’t miss the visual display of digital flowers opening and changing on petals of fabric to the sound of music designed especially for this display.

Textile with a poppies design

Beyond quilting

The Allure of Flowers exhibit continues until August 10, 2014. For more information, go to mintmuseum.org/

Hornets nest in the garden

World’s Fair at the Mint Museum Uptown

When we first walked into this new exhibit at the Mint Museum Uptown we had no idea we were about to see the most amazing exhibition of design and artistic workmanship we had yet to witness anywhere. The largest exhibit the Mint has done, expanding to galleries on two floors, is breathtaking. Not just the pieces but the lighting and spacing of the presentation is exquisite. 

Magnificent silk embroidered Japanese screen
so beautiful you have to see this to believe

The very first World’s Fair in London in 1851 was created to attract artisans and craftsmen from around the world to exhibit their works in metalwork, glass and hardwood inlay.

The Tennyson Vase, an example of the fine art of silversmithing,
now in the collection of the Carnegie Museum

The rest of the story lies in the 200 examples of the most extraordinary works of furniture, metalwork, glass, ceramics, textiles, and jewelry produced by leading international artists and firms, some never before seen in the United States.

Baccarat punch bowl, exhibited at the
1867 Paris World's Fair

Tiffany dragonfly lamp, exhibited at the
1900 Paris World's Fair

Tiffany gold collar, studded with diamonds,
fire opals, rubies and other stones,
exhibited at the 1900 Paris World's Fair

It was truly an honor to view and experience a time when artists from all around the world communicated and shared their work without the technology we have today.

French coupes created by
Charles Duron and Valentin Morel

capture the richness of a previous age

Ebony and ivory chair and
footstool from India

Art Nouveau dressing table with mirror

1934 vanity and ottoman by Gilbert Rohde

Glider from Holland

Czech glassware, exhibited at the 1925 Paris World's Fair

The exhibit includes is film of the masses who came from far and wide to enjoy the World’s Fair showing continuously, really not a bad production considering it was made so long ago. It really put me there with the ladies in bustles and parasols scampering off the ships and trains to the horse and buggy ride to the all glass pavilion that was built for the fair. 

Banners depicting  past world fairs hang
from the ceiling over the exhibit

Curator Brian Gallagher, our narrator
and tour guide extraordinare

More treasures from the World's Fairs exhibit:

  

Montana sapphires
and diamonds

A must see for everyone. 

Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World's Fairs 1851-1939 will be on exhibit at the Mint Uptown through Jan. 19, 2014. A separate admission fee is required. See www.mintmuseum.org  or call 704-337-2000 for more information.

Taste of the Mint at the Mint Museum Uptown

F.O.O.D.

(Food, Objects, Objectives, Design)

                 
Tonight at the uptown Mint Museum of Art we had the profound pleasure of attending the Taste of the Mint presenting Food as Art event which included two of Charlotte's newer restaurants: e2 and Halycon, both located in the Duke Energy complex along with the Mint Museum and other venues.


Our evening began at e2 with a beautiful salad, spicy mussels and pizza slices made with local farmers cheese.  Also served was champagne, a lovely white wine and a red.


It was enchanting to see how just the right wine with just the right food can transform a table of strangers into a group of folks that can't stop talking and seem as if they have known each other for ever.  To me this is art.  It brings to mind a wonderful movie about the love of food and wine and each other "Babette's Feast" a must see for all romantic food lovers.

After a delightful time at E2 we moved on to Halycon just around the corner to share and enjoy something very different. 




The Halcyon portion of the evening started out with a before dinner drink of moonshine and ginger ale in a fruit jar with a tray of pickled green beans, peppers, unleavened bread and assorted cheeses.

The main course was spicy ham slices, potato salad and fresh homemade strawberry shortcake for dessert.  A choice of red or white wine was served.


After our dinner at Halycon we were taken on a tour of the F.O.O.D. exhibit located on the 4th floor of the ever so beautiful Mint Museum.



There we saw and enjoyed kitchen gadgets, dishes, works of art by famous artists relating to the creation of food and cooking from days gone by.  In all there are 260 pieces on display created by artists from around the world.  You will see items displayed that your Mothers and Grandmothers used in their kitchens.



Jamaica Kincaid was represented by saying "If I ran the world I would do it from the kitchen."  The Mint Museum is soon to publish a cook book with recipes from individual contributors.

Sweet potato lady

This is truly a showing of arts and crafts design, an artful experience for all those who love the creation of food and  want to have a unique experience.




Please contact Leigh Dyer our gracious hostess in charge of Marketing. The exhibit will be showing  through March 7, 2013. Dinner is served nightly at Halcyon and e2.

The Taste of the Mint event will be repeated on April 20, May 15, and June 26. Follow this link for more information.

For more information on the F.O.O.D. exhibit, visit the Mint Museum website: www.mintmuseum.org