Five Hundred Years Later and the Mona Lisa is still mesmerizing...to some...

The Mona Lisa is one of the most famous pieces of art since its creation almost 500 years ago. So I’ve wondered, is it the style of the painting or the mystery of the woman herself that has kept audiences intrigued?

Mona Lisa

The Mona Lisa currently resides in its permanent home at the Louvre (Musée du Louvre) in Paris, France. It was at the Louvre three years ago, when I encountered this timeless piece. My first reaction was- where is it? Then I saw the crowd in the center of the large gallery, hovering over the unseen piece. Right away I knew it was Di Vinci’s masterpiece.

Said to be a self portrait of Leonardo Di Vinci

It was beautiful yes, but unexpectedly small. Isn’t art supposed to be great in talent and in size? The Mona Lisa measures 30 by 21 inches. That’s about two and a half feet tall and almost two feet wide, about the size of a portrait. A short distance away, Jupiter Striking Down the Vices, hangs high above heads of visitors yet the Mona Lisa keeps their attention.

Jupiter Striking Down the Vices

Critiques have contributed the fame of the portrait to the mystery of the woman, thought to be the wife of Francisco del Giocondo, who commissioned Di Vinci for the portrait approximately 1505. The gaze of the mysterious subject is striking, as well as her curious smile. However, the fame of the piece goes beyond the woman and into the technique itself. The three quarter pose of the subject was revolutionary. To us, we find it normal for a subject to sit in such a pose but 500 hundred years ago, the portrait style of the 16^th century was not only stiff in character, but profile stance. Today, this revolutionary pose is the default (defacto) for portrait painting.

Another unique trait of the Mona Lisa, unseen until its creation, was the use of “pyramidal composition.” Mona Lisa sits with her hands folded, forming the bottom of the pyramid as her elbows extend out, giving the portrait its shape, then up to her face, the top of the pyramid. Portraits before were heavy and full length, not allowing the eye to connect with one focal point.

Like other artists during the Renaissance period, Leonardo Di Vinci used a more realist style to bring his 2D subject to life. He used a brand new technique called “sfumato” that was coined by the artist meaning “blending”. Di Vinci created a shadowing effect in the hair and neckline of Mona Lisa, as well as the landscape, to give depth and a more realistic look.

Di Vinci was one of the most celebrated artists of the Renaissance and is still celebrated today. The Mona Lisa remains timeless because of the revolutionary skills used in its making as well as the frozen smile that keeps audiences hundreds of years later wondering what she was thinking.

It has been reproduced by artists, advertisers, as well as mockers. However, the Mona Lisa continues to be the subject of debate and the celebration of talent. Although I did not meet her distinctive gaze, I admire art and the fame of the Mona Lisa. I’ve learned that great art can come in small sizes.

An example of pop culture art, inspired by the Mona Lisa

Below is a FANTASTIC video discussing the Mona Lisa and the techniques Di Vinci used to revolutionize art.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IitbJszd1kM

Nursery Rhyme and Question of Faith- The Results of the Black Death

“Ring around the rosy

Pocket full of posies,

‘Ashes, ashes’

We all fall down!”

As a child I used to hand holds with friends, dancing in a circle until we were too dizzy to continue. We would sing along to a nursery rhyme that had no meaning, attractive because of its sing song tune. As an adult I was shocked to find that what I thought was simple rhyme, was actually a reference to one of the darkest times in history.

I’ve always had a fascination with history, especially epidemics such as the Black Death. Within three years, social structures, populations and economies had been altered. What amazed me the most is the severe disconnection that was caused between the people and the church.

In my lifetime the most severe disease spread was swine flu my freshmen year of college. Severe flu symptoms and hospitalization scared me enough to stay out of contact with any possible carriers. Once I heard that two residents in my dorm of 800+ students had been officially diagnosed, I contemplated becoming a hermit in my sterilized room. Of course, with modern technology and knowledge, with two sprays up each nostril I was off again to class, uninfected by the possible illness. Looking back, it’s difficult to imagine that within one week, your friends had succumbed to the plague. I was anxious when another resident that I had no contact with was ill yet hundreds of years ago, families had to fight to stay healthy when another member of the household began to show symptoms. But what if of all your neighbors were showing signs of the illness yet your family is still uninfected. What would you do? Some packed up and left in search of an isolated area; others shut themselves in, praying that God would rescue them. Entire villages were wiped out because the disease had spread from home to home, taking young and old.

God was the answer. When illness struck, the church was the doctor and prayer was the medicine. But what happened when prayers weren’t answered and sickness continued to spread? During an epidemic like the Black Death, I’ve always been curious of the effect it had on the church and faith itself.

In a world without technology or modern medicine, health was within the hands of God. This disease could spread through the air and across the water. Originating in an Asian desert and then spreading to the busy trade routes of China, the Black Plague even reached the shores of Iceland. No one suspected the carriers to be rats and fleas because these were all too common in the 14^th century. To an unknowing and faithful mind, the Black Death could be the second flood; pestilence the new water.  Once a victim showed signs of the plague, the expectancy of life was about a week. One week to find a cure that did not exist but was attempted through bloodletting, lancing of boils, and bland diets. God was the only hope after.

A physician during the plague.
(I've always been quite frightened of this image-
thank goodness doctors don't wear those masks anymore.)

The church had always had the answers however they could offer no reason for the disease. This caused disloyalty and tested beliefs. Even the clergy could fall victim to the rosy rashes. Many monasteries fell ill and passed from the plague. Still in need of power, authority, and money, the church put the blame on the most historical scapegoats, the Jews. Because of their lower mortality rate, the Jewish population was blamed for poisoning the water in order to destroy Christendom. However, it was only the blessing of cleanliness that kept Jewish populations alive not the hatred of God.

Today we know what caused the plague but during a time period that questioning against the church was prohibited it’s difficult to imagine another solution other than a vengeful God. The plague was devastating to population size as well as individual beliefs. Many questioned God and the church’s teachings because the presence that had been taught for so long had been absent during a time of most need.

The nursery rhyme I twirled to as a child now makes me shiver at the thought. Today children play and sing along, unaware that a child lay lifeless because the plague had consumed his body before God had a chance to save him. If I lived during the time of the Black Death and witnessed the horror that was every day, I too would question my faith.

The African King and Malcolm X- Protectors of their people and worshipers of Allah

Fight for the sake of God those that fight against you, but do not attack them first. God does not love the aggressors. Slay them wherever you find them. Drive them out of the places you from which they drive you.

-The Qu’ran

During the 1960’s, aggression ran through the blood and hatred flowed through the words of many Americans, both black and white. Malcolm Little’s story began like many, a broken family creating a life of trouble that led him to conviction. It was in prison that Malcolm found faith in the teaching of the Nation of Islam (NOI). The practice appealed to Malcolm and when he was released, he met with Elijah Muhammad and eventually become one of the most influential leaders of the NOI.

Malcolm X
Starring Denzel Washington
Directed by Spike Lee

The Autobiography of Malcolm X was turned into a feature film by director Spike Lee in 1992. Starring Denzel Washington as Malcolm X, the film won numerous awards and was nominated for two Academy Awards. Spike Lee and Arnold Perl adapted the screenplay from The Autobiography of Malcolm X written by Malcolm X and Alex Haley, completed in 1965.

The film has fascinated me because of the changing life of Malcolm X and the influence he had on Americans and the Islamic faith.        

How did one man lead so many Americans to find faith in Islam during one of the most violent times in American history? The simple answer is faith itself. Although Al-Bakri’s story of the African king who converted to Islam was written a thousand years ago, the theme of the story still exists in films such as Malcolm X. In the story, the king’s country is affected by drought every year. The inhabitants pray for rain and sacrifice cattle, hoping for relief. Muslim guest arrives, practicing the traditions of the Sunni. The guest tells the king he must believe in Allah and testify that He is the One and acknowledge Muhammad as His prophet. If he does so, the king will be delivered under Allah’s mercy. The king converted to Islam that Friday and at dawn, “God caused abundant rain to descend upon them.”

So how are the teachings of Islam seen a thousand years later through the lens? The African king was one of the first Africans to convert to Islam, leading Africa to become one of the largest Muslim populations a thousand years later. Throughout history trade routes had been established through Timbuktu, mosques erected in Kilwa, and the spread of Islam continued to other corners of the continent and the world.  In the film Malcolm X, the Nation of Islam gained popularity with African Americans because it believed America was not their home. In a time of struggle such as the civil rights movements, black was not the color of America. Like the story of the African king, the NOI came as the Muslim messenger, promising mercy from Allah during a time of distress.

African Americans had been attacked for hundreds of years and Allah was giving them the power to fight back. Malcolm X used the teachings that had been taught to African men a thousand years before to fight for his people against the “white devils” in 1960s America. As he famously said in a public address, “we didn’t land on Plymouth Rock, the rock landed on us.”

However, aggression became the main teaching of the NOI and Allah’s true message was distant. In the film, Malcolm X sees the corruption among the NOI and struggles with his true path in Islam. Following the pillars, he makes his pilgrimage to Mecca. In Mecca, Malcolm finds completion between himself and Allah. As he writes to his wife Betty, he explains that there are no colors, no races, only one God and one humanity. He now sees that racism will lead to disaster.

Malcolm X during his hajj

Upon his return, Malcolm used the words of the Qur’an, not the interpretations of the NOI, to find resolution during the civil rights movement and to teach that being African did not mean that one could not be American. He wanted equality for all, not hate for the few.

A thousand years after Allah’s name was first chanted in prayer throughout Africa, Malcolm X awakened the spirit of Islam in Americans. No one could have imagined that a troubled man from Omaha had the potential to become one of the most famous public figures during the civil rights movement, and later a Muslim martyr. Spike Lee’s Malcolm X has always been one of my favorite films because of its historical accuracy as well as religious context. Within three hours, a man experiences the joys of life, the power of faith, and the tragedy of death.

Malcolm X during a prayer in Mecca

Roman Baths- the Modern American Country Club

Steam rooms, hot foods, pools (kind of), exercise areas, and of course, an opportunity to socialize; the Roman baths were the ancient socialite setting of the modern American country clubs.

Socializing by the pool, an American tradition.

The Romans visited the public baths almost every day. Hygiene was very important but the baths offered so much more. Musicians, poets and jugglers were among the many entertainment options as you bathed. Romans valued a healthy lifestyle that included a nutritious diet and plenty of exercise. Before bathing, many visitors to the bath would exercise in the palaestra to work up a little sweat. Nothing competitive or difficult, just enough to get the blood flowing.

Before entering the bath, Romans loosened sweat and dirt from their skin. This may sound similar to taking a quick rinse before jumping into the pool, however; Romans had a much more complex process that took place in the tepidarium. What I find the most fascinating is the tools Romans would use to clean their skin. A process called “strigiling” was performed by using a small curved metal tool to scrape away dirt and other oils on the skin. This was before the use of soap so it was most effective after spreading oil over the skin to loosen dirt and then use the strigil to scrape it off. Even more interesting was that your slave or a worker from the bath would scrape it for you. Really makes you grateful for your loofah, foam soap, and a private shower?

After your “strigiling” aka skin scrub, proceed to the caldarium. This is the first of many hot and cold baths. The caldarium could offer one or a sequence of pools, all heated by hypocaust. Hypocaust was a way to heat the pools by leaving space between walls and floors so smoke from the furnace would heat the room (pool) in all directions. The caldarium was heated to extreme temperatures to open up the skin’s pores to release additional dirt. At the baths of Caracalla, the caldarium was heated to almost 100 degrees Fahrenheit with 100 percent humidity. Today many country clubs consider saunas a luxury service to their members. Saunas and steam rooms offer guests a relaxed environment (if you can stand the heat) that can be good for one’s internal and external wellbeing. You may feel sticky but it’s worth it!

Baths at Caracalla. I just thought this was a great diagram to show how large the public baths were.

At one time Rome had over 900 bath houses, ranging in guest capacity of 300 to 1500 people. Most bath houses had one or two large pools, or the “Great Bath” as well as many small heated rooms with plunge pools. Men and women usually visited the public baths at separate times however larger baths could accommodate both sexes at one time. In Bath, England, the Roman bath has West and East bath suites that allowed for men and women to use the facilities simultaneously but still in separation.   

Summer 2008 I had the pleasure of visiting Bath and the Roman public bath.

The "Great Bath."

A smaller, heated pool.
Not the most ideal smell for bath water though.

After your time in the bath rooms, you may find yourself sun bathing in Mediterranean sun, enjoying the entertainers, or dining on fine fast foods. A typical summer afternoon in Arizona may sound quite similar, except swap the Mediterranean sun for the desert big blue sky. Although the Romans may have had jugglers for entertainment, today the more common form is the imagination of children who have just advanced to deep end of the pool privileges. Thousands of years later, the Roman baths have been adapted and although we may dine on hot dogs and watermelon instead of eggs and fish, the tradition of the Roman bath lives on, in the American country club. 

I just found this picture!
Me in Bath, England

Centuries Later, Far From Home - Venus de Milo Lives as the Immortal Aphrodite

"Down the long hall she glistens like a star,

The foam-born mother of Love, transfixed to stone,

Yet none the less immortal, breathing on.

Time's brutal hand hath maimed but could not mar…” 
–Emma Lazarus

The Venus de Milo

  Overlooking the Seine, an ancient Greek masterpiece rests in its permanent Parisian home. Standing 203 centimeters tall, the Venus de Milo looks over the heads of visitors, at the end of one of many vast halls in the Louvre. The marble statue’s composition is derived from a 4^th century BC Corinthian statue. The 3D drapery, strong projection of the knee, and twisted stance are all classic examples of Hellenistic art. Carved by sculptor Alexandros about 150 BC, Venus de Milo however was not found until 1820 on the Aegean island of Melos (Milos or Milo) in Greece.

Although the Venus is far from home and long after its time, its beauty remains. The statue depicts one of the most influential gods, the goddess of love. Aphrodite, or Venus to the Romans, controlled the innermost feelings of the heart as well as the source of human passion. Greek legend says that a golden apple was thrown from the heaven to be given “to the fairest.” Athena, Hera and Aphrodite fought for the apple but it was Paris who would ultimately choose. Each offered him a bride but it was only Aphrodite who could give Paris the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen. It is because of Aphrodite’s indirect actions that caused the Trojan War. Once again, the power of love cannot be measured and the power of passion cannot be tamed.

Born from the foam of sea, the goddess of love was forced to marry the ugly god of fire, Hephaestus. However, marriage could not contain her. Aphrodite wanted freedom and constantly searched for new lovers, some gods and some humans. Her children each would later represent a trait of love, but the most admired is Eros (or the Roman Cupid).  Famous of his golden arrows, he is the god of love; and more commonly the reason for chocolates and flowers on Valentine’s Day.

Aphrodite was desired by gods and man. She was the goddess of beauty but she was made even more irresistible by the girdle she wore. The Venus de Milo is however, not wearing the infamous girdle. Why? Honestly, I couldn’t say but Alexandros carved his sculpture in admiration for the beauty of goddess.  Draped in cloth only on the lower half of her body, the vulnerable Venus looks to the distance with no shame.

Although Aphrodite is known for her beauty, the Venus de Milo has gained fame for her missing arms and original plinth that have long been detached from the body.  Every person has a different reason, but in one way or another, everyone is drawn to her.

When I visited the Louvre three summers ago, I entered the massive museum not knowing what to expect. Other than walking scenes from The Da Vinci Code, I was at the pace of the art. I turned the corner to head upstairs and then I saw her. Old yet timeless, she still sparkled in the gray Parisian light. To me, her lost arms made her even more beautiful and more curious. I stood at her base, staring up into her marble eyes, trying to wrap my mind around how long this sculpture has existed.

She has been maimed by harsh hands, both natural and man, yet she is no less immortal. She has been worshipped by the love struck and the heartbroken. She can give a history lesson to anyone willing to listen and lesson in love to anyone willing to open their hearts. For centuries, the Venus de Milo has embodied the power of Aphrodite. Today she stands in Paris, transfixed but still alive, reminding visitors that the power of love still exists.

Outside the Louvre- It's not the best picture, but this was one of my own, taken during my trip to Paris.

The Venus de Milo- not the greatest lighting but still breathtaking. 

From Gilgamesh to Joan Rivers to California Scientists - The Search Continues For Eternal Life

Endless morality, years of beauty, no fear of the unknown; eternal life holds an attraction for everyone. Long ago Gilgamesh wandered the grasslands, today researchers explore sciences and philosophy, both searching 

for the key to elude death.

The topic of aging sparked a thought last week when I read an article saying most women buy their first anti-aging product in their 20’s. I am 20. I asked myself, should I start now? I still consider myself a child some days and yet, I need to worry about my first wrinkle. Our culture is obsessed with turning back the clock and possibly, beating death.

But, why beat death? I believe the answer is simple, we fear death because it brings the unknown. In his quest for eternal life, Gilgamesh admitted that he was afraid to die. The death of his brother weighed heavy on Gilgamesh because one day, he would meet the same fate. He embarked on a long journey to find Utnapishtim and the secret to eternal life.

Today, lifetimes after Gilgamesh, we still embark on long journeys, hoping to find the modern Utnapishtim. Science continues to find more and more answers as technology advances. First the obsession with turning back the clock was enough to sustain the hunger. Botox, chemical peels, and face lifts helped to hide unwanted years. However, society has gone beyond turning back the clock by researching methods that would, in few words, bury the clock for good.

However, for those that hang the clock on the wall and acknowledge its passing time, death is inevitable. In an article authored by Kristen Philipkoski, Miss Alabama 1994 was asked what she would do if she could live forever. Her response, like many other people today, was that she would not want to live forever because if we (humans) could live forever then we would. It is statements such as Miss Alabama’s that shed light on the obvious link to religion. But as one critic said, exploring the eternal life is “more rational that depending on Jesus to provide everlasting life.”

Although I would never wish for eternal life as a mortal, I too wonder what I will meet when I die. I believe in heaven and the life everlasting but, what if I’m wrong? Will I float into the sky, spirit without a body or will I just fade into nothingness? The idea of one day being nothing; no body nor mind. This is what I believe to be at the root of many researcher projects-the fear of disappearing.

We have allowed our schedules to fill in every empty slot of our daily calendar that is life. We stress over family, school, children and work. We are never rested and have to plan vacations sometimes years in advance to force ourselves to enjoy this gift that is life. The idea of leaving the life that many people will spend 80 or more years to create is simply frightening. However, as new research in genetically engineered organisms have extended the lives of cells ten times longer, giving a new hope for eternal life.

This leads me to my final point. If such a method was possible that could prolong our lives by two or even five times longer, would we want it? I think our culture is obsessed with the image of youth, but the concept of eternal life could bring consequences. Like the vampires, we want to be young and beautiful forever but what are the risks? No one wants to live for 500 years as their body slowly dies and once familiar loved ones have passed.

Gilgamesh went in search for eternal life in fear of death. Today we still fear death but our culture is more obsessed with the appearance of youth, hoping that will keep death at a standstill. I believe one day we may find the key to eternal life but like death, we do not know what life everlasting as a mortal could mean.