Ancient Art Podcast

Learn all about the beloved elephant-headed Hindu deity Ganesha in episode 33 of the Ancient Art Podcast. We explore the annual festival celebrating his birth, Ganesha Chaturthi, and discover how he happened to get that elephant head. Plus we investigate why, oh, why he’s missing a tusk! We look closely at a few magnificent sculptures of Ganesha at the Art Institute of Chicago and conclude with an exploration of the contemporary art installation Public Notice 3 by Jitish Kallat on view through January 2, 2011, which juxtaposes Swami Vivekananda’s September 11, 1893 speech in Chicago on religious tolerance with the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. See all episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://www.facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

Episode 32 of the Ancient Art Podcast revisits the lovely discussion of the disembodied with the portrait busts of Roman Emperor Hadrian and his young beloved Antinous from the Art Institute of Chicago. From the 2nd century CE, the larger-than-life marble heads of Hadrian and Antinous exemplify the Hellenistic aesthetics and innovation of the Hadrianic era. We discuss the life and times of this dynamic duo, explore the tragic fate of Antinous with his true-to-life unsolved mystery along the Nile, and discover just how far even a, by all accounts, level-headed grieving emperor is willing to go. To round things out, we'll have a brief glimpse of the history of beards in the Roman world and explore how modern connoisseurship, scholarship, and prejudice will mold and influence our understanding of the ancient world. See past episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://www.facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

Episode 32 of the Ancient Art Podcast revisits the lovely discussion of the disembodied with the portrait busts of Roman Emperor Hadrian and his young beloved Antinous from the Art Institute of Chicago. From the 2nd century CE, the larger-than-life marble heads of Hadrian and Antinous exemplify the Hellenistic aesthetics and innovation of the Hadrianic era. We discuss the life and times of this dynamic duo, explore the tragic fate of Antinous with his true-to-life unsolved mystery along the Nile, and discover just how far even a, by all accounts, level-headed grieving emperor is willing to go. To round things out, we'll have a brief glimpse of the history of beards in the Roman world and explore how modern connoisseurship, scholarship, and prejudice will mold and influence our understanding of the ancient world. See past episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://www.facebook.com/ancientartpodcast.

Episode 31 takes a look at the iconic figure of the Hindu deity Shiva Nataraja, the Lord of the Dance. Examining two images of the dancing Shiva at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Snite Museum of Art at the University of Notre Dame, we explore the timeless concept of the cosmic cycle of creation and destruction. We see a philosophy of balance and harmony expressed through the union of diverging opposites, like creation and destruction, male and female, life and death -- and we learn how the imagery, symbolism, and iconography of the popular Nataraja figure embody this philosophy and spiritual belief. Plus we discover Shiva's function as the destroyer of the cosmos, the supreme yogi and cosmic dancer, and father of the beloved elephant-headed deity Ganesha, the Remover of Obstacles. See past episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.ancientartpodcast.org/.

Episode 31 takes a look at the iconic figure of the Hindu deity Shiva Nataraja, the Lord of the Dance. Examining two images of the dancing Shiva at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Snite Museum of Art at the University of Notre Dame, we explore the timeless concept of the cosmic cycle of creation and destruction. We see a philosophy of balance and harmony expressed through the union of diverging opposites, like creation and destruction, male and female, life and death -- and we learn how the imagery, symbolism, and iconography of the popular Nataraja figure embody this philosophy and spiritual belief. Plus we discover Shiva's function as the destroyer of the cosmos, the supreme yogi and cosmic dancer, and father of the beloved elephant-headed deity Ganesha, the Remover of Obstacles. See past episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.ancientartpodcast.org/.

Part 2 in our miniseries on Karnak Temple, episode 30 takes us behind the scenes, exploring the grand hypostyle hall and the meaning to the propagandistic and sacred imagery on the walls, both inside and out. We reenact one of the most famous Ancient Egyptian temples, the Opet Festival, following the sacred barque of Amun through the precinct and along the Avenue of Sphinxes. We wrap up with an investigation of the symbolism and spiritual function of Ancient Egyptian temple architecture as a vehicle for celebrating the creation of the universe. See past episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.ancientartpodcast.org/.

Part 2 in our miniseries on Karnak Temple, episode 30 takes us behind the scenes, exploring the grand hypostyle hall and the meaning to the propagandistic and sacred imagery on the walls, both inside and out. We reenact one of the most famous Ancient Egyptian temples, the Opet Festival, following the sacred barque of Amun through the precinct and along the Avenue of Sphinxes. We wrap up with an investigation of the symbolism and spiritual function of Ancient Egyptian temple architecture as a vehicle for celebrating the creation of the universe. See past episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.ancientartpodcast.org/.

The first of at least two parts, episode 29 invites us inside one of the world's most ancient, largest, and most mysterious sacred space, the Ancient Egyptian Temple of Karnak. Including video and photo highlights from the host's recent visit to Karnak, we take a survey of the temple complex, it's satellite precincts, layout, and orientation. Over the course of the "Karnak" series of episodes, we'll look closely at the architecture and history, the different divinities and their festivals celebrated at the site, and the symbolism and function of Ancient Egyptian temples in general. See past episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.ancientartpodcast.org/.

The first of at least two parts, episode 29 invites us inside one of the world's most ancient, largest, and most mysterious sacred space, the Ancient Egyptian Temple of Karnak. Including video and photo highlights from the host's recent visit to Karnak, we take a survey of the temple complex, it's satellite precincts, layout, and orientation. Over the course of the "Karnak" series of episodes, we'll look closely at the architecture and history, the different divinities and their festivals celebrated at the site, and the symbolism and function of Ancient Egyptian temples in general. See past episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.ancientartpodcast.org/.

With all the hype about James Cameron’s latest film, Avatar, episode 28 takes a look at the real story of the avatar as we explore the stories and art of the avatars of the Hindu god Vishnu. We’ll learn about the epic heroes Rama of the Ramayana and Krishna of the Mahabharata, discover the Buddha’s role in Hinduism, and encounter Vishnu’s fierce forms of the boar Varaha and man-lion Narasimha. See past episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.ancientartpodcast.org/.

With all the hype about James Cameron’s latest film, Avatar, episode 28 takes a look at the real story of the avatar as we explore the stories and art of the avatars of the Hindu god Vishnu. We’ll learn about the epic heroes Rama of the Ramayana and Krishna of the Mahabharata, discover the Buddha’s role in Hinduism, and encounter Vishnu’s fierce forms of the boar Varaha and man-lion Narasimha. See past episodes, image galleries, credits, transcripts, and additional resources at http://ancientartpodcast.org. Connect at http://twitter.com/lucaslivingston and http://facebook.ancientartpodcast.org/.

A short announcement about the new look and features of the Ancient Art Podcast website. Plus the debut of the Ancient Art Podcast Facebook Page! Explore more at http://ancientartpodcast.org.

A short announcement about the new look and features of the Ancient Art Podcast website. Plus the debut of the Ancient Art Podcast Facebook Page! Explore more at http://ancientartpodcast.org.

iPod version. For HD video visit ancientartpodcast.org. Episode 27 explores the art and life of one of the most influential 20th century Japanese woodblock print artists, Hiratsuka Un'ichi, including prints recently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago. A pioneer of the early 20th century Japanese Creative Print movement (sosaku hanga), Hiratsuka is steeped in ancient Japanese spiritual and visual traditions, while strongly influenced by the evolving culture of early 20th century Japan. Discover how Hiratsuka Un'ichi broke the rules of the rigidly predefined role of woodblock carver and inspired a new generation of artists.

Episode 27 explores the art and life of one of the most influential 20th century Japanese woodblock print artists, Hiratsuka Un'ichi, including prints recently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago. A pioneer of the early 20th century Japanese Creative Print movement (sosaku hanga), Hiratsuka is steeped in ancient Japanese spiritual and visual traditions, while strongly influenced by the evolving culture of early 20th century Japan. Discover how Hiratsuka Un'ichi broke the rules of the rigidly predefined role of woodblock carver and inspired a new generation of artists.