Google Arts&Culture

Ando is also known for his "invisible" architecture, burying buildings to protect the natural scenery. Take a closer look at his buildings on Google Arts & Culture. goo.gle/4sD8kH8

Ando uses still pools to reflect his work, turning heavy materials into something weightless. This leans into "Ma", the Japanese aesthetic of the "void" or "gap", where the physical structure ends and a reflective, spiritual space begins.

Did you know one of the world’s top architects was once a professional boxer? 🥊 Self-taught architect Tadao Ando is known for his "Modernist heart, Japanese soul" philosophy. Let’s dive into his style. ⬇️🧵

@NMAAHC Discover the history of Palmer Hayden’s identity as an artist: from dramatic seascapes to the Harlem Renaissance.👇 goo.gle/4rNjs2Y

@NMAAHC Although this work is undated, it's considered one of his earliest works. In his early years, Hayden spent time drawing seascapes, working in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, not far from Bonaventure Island.

Let’s zoom in on the painting “Isle de Bonaventure” by American artist Palmer Hayden. @NMAAHC

Discover the many different varieties of cherry blossoms in Japan’s Ueno Park on Google Arts & Culture. 🌸 Add link: goo.gle/4sctNq4

In 1625, monk Tenkai planted Mt. Yoshino's sakura at Ueno's Kaneiji Temple to ward off evil. This sparked a "sakura boom" and inspired iconic ukiyo-e art. Today, Ueno Park hosts over 50 varieties forming a stunning pink tapestry each spring.

Have you ever seen something so beautiful you had to stop everything just to look again? 🌸 In Japan, there is a legendary cherry blossom called the Mikuruma-gaeshi. Its name literally means "carriage turner" and its story is a testament to how captivating nature can be. 🧵

These Shin-hanga prints were popular masterpieces of the early 20th century. The artist was capturing the beauty of Japan to share with the rest of the world. 🏛️ @UAlbertaMuseums Get closer to more of Kasamatsu Shiro’s work here: goo.gle/4s5htb5

Peeking through behind the abundance of cherry blossoms is the red, 1625 five-story pagoda of Kaneiji Temple. Shiro anchors the bottom of the artwork with three sturdy stone lanterns. This heavy contrast is intentional, exaggerating the delicate petals. 🌸

These cherry blossoms form a beautiful screen but what is artist Kasamatsu Shiro trying to hide? 🤔 In Japan, sakura are a symbol of renewal and the fleeting nature of life. Let’s dive in deeper… 🧵

@smithsoniannpg What’s your favorite detail? Click the link to zoom in on every brushstroke👇 goo.gle/4qS9InC

@smithsoniannpg And a bright blue jug.

The Abstract Expressionist painter Elaine de Kooning was born on this day in 1918. Let’s zoom in on the details of her 1946 self-portrait. 🏛️@smithsoniannpg