Ancient Art Podcast, Ancient Worlds

Arts & Culture Podcasts

Ancient Worlds is the audio series of the Ancient Art Podcast where we choose a single work of art as a launchpad for inspiration. Here we unpack the stories, history, myths, and culture from antiquity through a modern lens and with tongue firmly planted in cheek. The Ancient Art Podcast explores the art and culture of the Ancient Mediterranean World with host Lucas Livingston. Uncover the truths and unravel the mysteries of the civilizations that shaped our modern world. Each episode features detailed examinations of exemplary works from the Art Institute of Chicago and other notable collections in addition to broad themes and concepts of Ancient Mediterranean art and culture.

Location:

United States

Genres:

Arts & Culture Podcasts

History Podcasts

Description:

Ancient Worlds is the audio series of the Ancient Art Podcast where we choose a single work of art as a launchpad for inspiration. Here we unpack the stories, history, myths, and culture from antiquity through a modern lens and with tongue firmly planted in cheek. The Ancient Art Podcast explores the art and culture of the Ancient Mediterranean World with host Lucas Livingston. Uncover the truths and unravel the mysteries of the civilizations that shaped our modern world. Each episode features detailed examinations of exemplary works from the Art Institute of Chicago and other notable collections in addition to broad themes and concepts of Ancient Mediterranean art and culture.

Language:

English

Episodes

Japanese Ukiyo-e Pictures of the Floating World (91)

1/30/2019

http://ancientartpodcast.org/91 In this excerpt from my lecture on the Art Institute's recent special exhibition Painting the Floating World: Ukiyo-e Masterpieces from the Weston Collection, I set the stage for what was Japan's Floating World culture during the Edo Period of the Tokugawa Shogunate, 1615-1868. We touch on the origin of the term, the cultural climate in which it rose the popularity, and how the floating world psyche was expressed in Japan's visual arts at the...

Duration:00:06:02

Adventures of Ulysses in an Italian Renaissance Hope Chest (89)

1/14/2018

http://ancientartpodcast.org/89 In this excerpt from a recent tour, I explore some of the highlights from Homer's Odyssey in a 15th century Florentine painting and learn a little about Italian Renaissance marriage and fidelity. Names and terms dropped: Homer, Odysseus, Penelope, Nausica, cyclops, Polyphemus, the Sirens, Hermes, moly, Circe, Calypso, Argos, Apollonio di Giovanni, James Joyce, Trojan War, Tuscan, gilding; important terms not dropped: cassone. For images of the featured work...

Duration:00:09:48

Tibetan Mandalas (88)

12/21/2017

http://ancientartpodcast.org/88 In this short excerpt from my lecture on Tibetan Buddhist art, we skim the surface of the spiritual meaning, function, and structure of Tibetan mandalas. For images of the featured works of art, visit http://ancientartpodcast.org/88. Featured Works of Art: Drepung Gomang Monastery Mandala of World Peace September 21, 2014 Miller Beach, Indiana Photo by Lucas Livingston, ancientartpodcast.org/88 Arjia Rinpoche Architectural Model of the Kalachakra...

Duration:00:25:49

Circe and Witchcraft in Ancient Greece (87)

11/16/2017

http://ancientartpodcast.org/87 This is a short excerpt from my lecture "Things That Go Bump: A Visual Survey of Witches, Demons, and Ghosts." Herein we explore the ancient Greek tradition of witchcraft and metamorphosis in two images — one ancient and one modern — of Circe, the definitive witch of Grecian lore and seductive sorceress of Odyssean fame. Waterhouse masterfully betrays her jealous cruelty in those cold, dark, uncaring eyes. Vying for the affection of a handsome lover, the...

Duration:00:03:34

Goya's Caprices and the Wicked Witch of the West (86)

10/31/2017

http://ancientartpodcast.org/86 Happy Halloween! In this very brief excerpt from my lecture "Things That Go Bump: A Visual Survey of Witches, Demons, and Ghosts," we introduce Goya's 1797/99 published volume The Caprices (Los Caprichos). This tome of nightmares, witches, and devils satirizes human vice and intolerance of late 18th century Spanish society through the demons born of religion and power. We conclude with a brief glimpse at our modern icon of the Wicked Witch through the lens of...

Duration:00:02:37

Odysseus Journeys to the Underworld (85)

10/25/2017

http://ancientartpodcast.org/85 A very brief excerpt from my lecture "Things That Go Bump: A Visual Survey of Witches, Demons, and Ghosts!" Odysseus Journeys to the Underworld and holds a seance with the souls of Hades through necromantic blood magic so the countless shades of the dead and the gone would surge around him. Featured Work of Art: Jar (pelike) with Odysseus and Elpenor in the Underworld Greece, Athens, Classical, about 440 BC The Lykaon Painter Museum of Fine Arts, Boston...

Duration:00:02:12

Birth of Dionysus (84)

9/16/2017

http://ancientartpodcast.org/84 Diving head first into the many myths of the celebrated god of wine, ecstasy, theater, and madness, episode 84 of the Ancient Art Podcast's Ancient Worlds series explores The Birth of Dionysus. Drawing inspiration from the famed sculpture Hermes and the Infant Dionysus, we explore the wine god's parentage, his mother Semele's tragic fate, and the curious case of the twice-born god. Names dropped: Zeus, Semele, Hera, Hermes, Cadmus, Harmonia, Europa, Ovid,...

Duration:00:16:47

Dragons and Tigers (83)

8/16/2017

http://ancientartpodcast.org/83 In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, we walk through two starkly contrasting Japanese folding screens celebrating the time-honored, iconic subjects of dragons and tigers with exceptional energy and dynamism. Features Works of Art: Kishi Ganku (1749-1838) Dragon and Tiger, 1835 Pair of six panel screens; ink and gold on paper Art Institute of Chicago, 2016.314a-b Morita Shiryu (1912-1998) Dragon (Ryu), 1965 Four-panel screen; aluminum-flake...

Duration:00:09:03

Medicine Buddha Bhaishajyaguru - Meaningful Materials (82)

7/12/2017

http://ancientartpodcast.org/82 How do artists' choices of materials assign identity and meaning to works of art? How does meaning assign material? In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, I explore the meaningful material of the semi-precious blue stone lapis lazuli in a Tibetan painted banner (thangka) of the Buddha of medicine and healing, Bhaishajyaguru. Features Works of Art: Painted Banner (Thangka) with the Medicine Buddha (Bhaishajyaguru) Central Tibet, 14th century Pigment...

Duration:00:05:57

Chinese Jade - Meaningful Materials (81)

6/30/2017

http://ancientartpodcast.org/81 How do artists' choices of materials assign identity and meaning to works of art? How does meaning assign material? In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, I explore the meaningful material of Chinese jade — its symbolic and medicinal value, function, materiality, artistry, and poetic inspiration. Features Works of Art: Dragon Pendants Jade China, Eastern Zhou dynasty Warring States period (c.480-221 BC) c. 4th/3rd century B.C. 9.2 x 16.8 x 0.7 cm...

Duration:00:05:47

Incan Gold and Chicha Beer - Meaningful Materials (80)

6/8/2017

http://ancientartpodcast.org/80 How do artists' choices of materials assign identity and meaning to works of art? How does meaning assign material? In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, I explore the meaningful material of gold in Incan art and culture. We also discuss the traditional Andean corn beer called "chicha." Features Works of Art: Beaker Inca, Ica Valley, south coast, Peru Late 15th/early 16th century Gold 16.5 x 6.4 cm (6 1/2 x 2 1/2 in.) Art Institute of Chicago,...

Duration:00:08:31

Boli Ritual Object - Meaningful Materials (79)

5/19/2017

ancientartpodcast.org/79 How do artists' choices of materials assign identity and meaning to works of art? How does meaning assign material? In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, I explore the meaningful materials in a Boli Ritual Object of the Bamana people in Mali, Africa. This recording comes complete with all the juicy, unscripted, live-action museum gallery accents including background chatter and beeping proximity alarms. Permanent collection label: Bamana sculpture often...

Duration:00:03:07

African Nkisi Nkondi Power Figure - Meaningful Materials (78)

5/18/2017

ancientartpodcast.org/78 How do artists' choices of materials assign identity and meaning to works of art? How does meaning assign material? In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, I explore the meaningful materials in a Nkisi Nkondi Power Figure of the Vili people in central Africa. This recording comes complete with all the juicy, unscripted, live-action museum gallery accents including background chatter and beeping proximity alarms. Image: Power Figure (Nkisi Nkondi) Vili,...

Duration:00:12:27

African Congo Kuba Mukenga Mask - Meaningful Materials (77)

5/5/2017

ancientartpodcast.org/77 How do artists' choices of materials assign identity and meaning to works of art? How does meaning assign material? In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, I explore the meaningful materials in an African Congolese ceremonial mask of the Kuba Kingdom. This recording comes complete with all the juicy, unscripted, live-action museum gallery accents including background chatter and beeping proximity alarms. Image: Mask (Mukenga) Kuba, Western Kasai region,...

Duration:00:06:44

Black Figure vs Red Figure Ancient Greek Vase Painting Techniques (76)

4/21/2017

ancientartpodcast.org/76 In this excerpt from one of my museum tours, I discuss the techniques of Greek vase painting and the differences between the black-figure and red-figure styles. We also dip a toe into some Greek history, talk about the names of Greek vase painters, artists signing their works, and compare Greek vase painters to the French Impressionists. This recording comes complete with all the juicy, unscripted, live-action museum gallery accents including background chatter,...

Duration:00:11:07

Chinese Tang Funerary Figurines - Coloring the Past (75)

4/15/2017

ancientartpodcast.org/75 Why are the heads, crowns, and hands of magnificent Tang Dynasty Chinese tomb figurines so startlingly bare compared to their brilliantly colored bodies? This is an excerpt from my gallery talk "Coloring the Past" in the Art Institute of Chicago from March 9, 2017. This recording comes complete with all the juicy, unscripted, live-action museum gallery accents of background chatter, beeping proximity alarms, and echoing reverb. Please forgive the poor sound quality....

Duration:00:03:51

Etruscan Gigantomachy, Gods vs Giants - Coloring the Past (74)

4/7/2017

ancientartpodcast.org/74 We examine the use of color in ancient art to designate role, status, nature, and more, and discuss causes for the disappearance of polychromy in ancient art. Side note: Why does the Egyptian God Osiris sometimes appear with black skin and sometimes with green skin? Names dropped: Zeus, Athena, Olympians, Giants, Gaia, Osiris. This is an excerpt from my gallery talk "Coloring the Past" in the Art Institute of Chicago from March 9, 2017. This recording comes complete...

Duration:00:08:34

Zeuxis and Parrhasius, Pliny the Elder, Roman Painting - Coloring the Past (73)

3/31/2017

ancientartpodcast.org/73 Pliny the Elder shares with us the tale of dueling artists Zeuxis and Parrhasius as they battled for the title of who could paint a more beguilingly realistic trompe-l'oeil ("fools the eye") masterpiece. We also hear another short story of Zeuxis's dashed pride. This is an excerpt from my gallery talk "Coloring the Past" in the Art Institute of Chicago from March 9, 2017. This recording comes complete with all the juicy, unscripted, live-action museum gallery...

Duration:00:07:28

Tinted Venus - Painted Aphrodite - Coloring the Past (72)

3/23/2017

ancientartpodcast.org/72 Many sculptural works from the ancient world were once beautifully colored. This is an excerpt of my gallery talk "Coloring the Past" in the Art Institute of Chicago from March 9, 2017. Here we discuss the original polychromy of the famous Aphrodite of Knidos by Praxiteles and the 1862 Tinted Venus by English sculptor John Gibson. This recording comes complete with all the juicy, unscripted, live-action museum gallery accents of noisy kids, beeping proximity alarms,...

Duration:00:14:52

Cycladic Female Figure - Coloring the Past (71)

3/17/2017

ancientartpodcast.org/71 Many sculptural works from the ancient world were once beautifully colored. This is an excerpt of my gallery talk "Coloring the Past" in the Art Institute of Chicago from March 9, 2017. Here we explore the use of color on a Cycladic Statuette of a Female Figure from the Early Bronze Age, 2600-2400 B.C. Please forgive the poor sound quality. Gallery Talk: Coloring the Past (American Sign Language-interpreted) Art Institute of Chicago March 9, 2017 "How does our...

Duration:00:20:16