This is a photograph I took of a man looking at a painting in the Norton Simon Museum. I loved seeing him sitting there for a long time. And the longer I watched him (watching the painting), the more I realized that there was a mathematical beauty in not only the composition of the painting, but in the new composition created by the man sitting on the bench looking a the painting. Some months later, I noticed myself enjoying this calendar image on our refrigerator, in much the same way as the man was enjoying the painting in my photograph. I’d be waiting for the water in our tea kettle…
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Vinnie Ream’s Lincoln Statue
Note from Pamela: When Malena, with whom I have the pleasure of exploring all subjects related to the humanities, and I were delving into the years after the American Civil War, we read a marvelous picture book about a young girl who met President Abraham Lincoln and ended up sculpting his bust. Her name was Vinnie Ream. Her story led Malena to investigate statues of President Lincoln. This post is the third and final post of three Lincoln statues Malena chose to research. ************* Vinnie Ream’s Lincoln Statue by Malena Ani Vinnie Ream was born on September 25, 1847 near Madison, Wisconsin. Her mother was Lavinia Ream and her father…
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Everyone’s Lincoln
Note from Pamela: This guest post is by Malena Ani, the 9th grade student with whom I have the pleasure twice a week to explore all topics related to the humanities. This is the second of three posts about sculptors who had the chance to demonstrate their love for Abraham Lincoln in statues they created. Due to Malena’s research, I now know the story behind the hands of this awe-inspiring statue. My resident cinematographer — Professor William McDonald — appreciated the story behind the lighting of the statue (the first version mortified Daniel Chester French). When Bill and I lived in Washington D.C. we used to visit the Lincoln Memorial…
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1 of 200+ Abraham Lincolns
Note from Pamela: Did you know that there are over 200 statues of Abraham Lincoln in the United States? (Only four are on the west coast.) Malena, who I tutor in history and the humanities (literature, philosophy, art) fell in love with Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ statue of Lincoln. So…I suggested she research the story behind the artist and his statue. The following post is what Malena learned. In the coming weeks, stay tuned for two more stories about two more Lincoln statues. “The Standing Lincoln” or “Lincoln, the Man” by Augustus Saint-Gaudens Located in Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois Dedicated on 10/22/1887 ****************** My Favorite Lincoln by Malena Ani Augustus Saint-Gaudens was born…
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Kilt + Kimono = A Love Story
On my birthday, I finally opened the package that had landed on our doorstep a week earlier. It had travelled many miles across sea and land. Wrapped so meticulously in its brown paper, I hadn’t wanted to open it right away! I placed it on a table where I could see it each time I walked by for a few days. And then it was my birthday and time to open it. Included in the package’s contents was the delightful “Wee Kimono Magnet” (see photo above) made from folded paper. And this note: I know you love Japan, I know you admire brave women and I know you love stories. So, here’s…
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Broken Refrigerator = Creative/Collaborative Challenge
My name is William McDonald and I am chair of the Department of Film, Television, and Digital Media. And I have something very important to tell you: My refrigerator broke down last week. Let me repeat that: My refrigerator – in this heat – broke down – last week. Last Thursday had been a long, hot day, made longer and hotter by a commute home that ordinarily takes 40 minutes, but took two hours. Then, around 9:30 that evening, my lovely wife Pamela and I noticed food and drink we were taking out of the fridge were not very cold. Fearful of what this might mean, I was willing to…
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Teatime Keeps the Grumpies Away
This year you will be seeing some Guest Posts by Malena, who Natalie and I tutored in math and humanities last year. She is in ninth grade this year and I have the good fortune to still be her humanities tutor… and to have regular teatimes with her 🙂 Here is an article she wrote about our teatimes in the past: Teatime Keeps the Grumpies Away (it really does) by Malena On Mondays and Fridays, when I have math and humanities lessons with Natalie and Pamela, we almost always have teatime. Usually, we have tea in the afternoon after math and before humanities. We always have Assam or Organic Breakfast…
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Appreciating Each Drop (of Water)
Note from Pamela: Over the past couple of years, we have been trying to become more water-aware, which has led us to discover some wonderfully easy ways to conserve and appreciate water. Currently, I am staying in a house in Cambria, California, which is practicing the highest level of water conservation, due to the low levels of water in the community. Using clean water for gardens or car-washing is strictly forbidden. When I learned that taking a shower requires 2.5 gallons of water per minute, I decided to try an experiment. In addition to one shower, I knew the house we were staying in had a big old-fashioned bathtub. However,…
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A Film Professor Answers an 8th Grader’s Questions
Occasionally a student will write a letter or email to my husband Bill McDonald, who is a professor in UCLA’s Department of Film, Television and Digital Media, and say that they are interested in filmmaking and have some questions. Bill’s plate is always overflowing but if he sees that the student has taken the time to compose a list of thoughtful questions, he will take the time to answer the query. He recently received just such a letter from an eighth grade student who was going to be making a presentation at her middle school. He shares his answers to her questions here. You may also want to read our…
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Do You Know Mary Katherine Goddard?
Pamela’s Note: Natalie and I are so lucky to have a delightful student this year, who we tutor in math (Natalie) and humanities (Pamela). Malena is being home schooled during eighth grade, so that she can delve into the pleasure of learning this year (without the stress of peer pressure). We eagerly look forward to our time with Malena each week. Last Friday, Natalie, Malena and I sat around the kitchen table and took turns reading aloud from Joy Hakim’s marvelous history book series: A History of US: From Colonies to Country, 1735-1791 Natalie read the last chapter and we all applauded after she reached the end. I said, “Let’s figure out…
