A surprise in the art museum

Hello, everyone.  While we were visiting Alaska, we happened to stroll into the Anchorage Museum. This turned out to be a combination of art and ethnographic in nature. There was a sadly didactic multi-media piece on the theme of recycling (?) that was wall-sized.

The phone turned this on its side but I don't think it is any worse for it. 

The curled up can lids work as a unifying element, along with the blues. It's really more of an advocacy poster than a work of art, what with all of the random slogans scattered around on it. 

They did have some more interesting exhibits of various items that were used by the various native groups living there in the past. 

This sewing bag has caribou embroidery decorations.  I imagine that these days the skill of this kind of embroidery has been lost. 

And, the surprise: 

A blast from the 1970's! A crocheted tote bag made from plastic bags. You never know what will be put on display at an art museum. 

The flower was really heavy

Hello, everyone.  In my Texas garden, I can't grow any of the beautiful flowers we saw in Alaska. And they were glorious! As a consolation,  though, I can grow various Southern plants. 

The Milk and Wine crinum flower is blooming,  with two big, tall stems. This morning I discovered that one had fallen over during the night. The blossoms in the truss are just too heavy, I guess. I cut that stem and brought it inside.

A detail:

The pink streaks are why it's called Milk and Wine Lily.

Airport Art

Hello, everyone.  It's an unofficial ongoing series around here, when I see Airport Art and have to to snap a picture, I  share it with y'all. (Sadly, ANC Anchorage Airport has some very nice art but I didn't have time to make pictures of it. If any of my readers has some, y'all can add it in comments if you wish.)

This was in the terminal at Seattle Tacoma Airport. It's a sort of fantasy canoe. The silhouettes on the side are actually mirrors that show different colors depending on where the viewer stands. The long fringe like stuff on the sides is, of course, the rowers' paddles. 

Perhaps it's supposed to be a dragon boat?

Beautiful Bead Embroidery

Hello, everyone.  I have mentioned in my last post that I made a trip up north. While there I visited the Alaska Native Heritage Center, a kind of hybrid between cultural demonstration and art museum.

This beautiful piece was on display there. It is bead work on smoked moose hide and the design and execution are wonderful. It was inspirational.