A few weeks ago, I was doing a little research to plan a trip to Japan next year. One of the most enjoyable times to visit is in spring during hanami (flower viewing) season, when the sakura (cherry blossoms) bloom. I found a really interesting Japanese site run by Weathernews that utilizes prediction methods based on temperature trends as well as photos of budding sakura trees taken by everyday people to inform the public about the southwesterly progression of the “sakura wave.” It’s one of the most interesting uses of crowdsourcing that I’ve seen. They even have a simulator, where you can review the multiple-day, countrywide blooming event from a virtual satellite view. Judging from observations to date, it’s time for everyone in Kyushu to get out their picnic baskets.

Photo by gullevek via Flickr

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Filed under: Horticulture, Technology

Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

Inspiration is a funny thing. It seems to be fleeting, one of the most important things in an artist’s life. Without it, the dreaded “block” which holds an artist immobile. How do artists find inspiration?

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Filed under: Art, Guest Bloggers, Musings

Indianapolis Art Survey – Scott, over at “On the Cusp.org,” has posted a survey that hopes to collect the thoughts and habits of the Indianapolis art scene. The questions are thought provoking and answering them took about 10 minutes. If you’re in a survey mood, head on over and check it out.

pushbuttonreceivebacon.com – As of late, I’ve had to get pretty good with MS Paint and can really appreciate people being creative with such a simple and broken tool. I’m so used to the constraints of Paint that I actually like it more than say, the Gimp. If you can relate to being creative on a budget that doesn’t include Photoshop, check out this blog with bacon it its title.

Environmental Impact of Google Searches – Who knew?

Koto Sound Team Kyara – This Friday, join us in The Toby as this acclaimed ensemble interprets classical, jazz, and anime themes through traditional Japanese instruments. As much one can rock on a Koto, I expect this performance to be up there as far as “bangers” go. Join us.

Monday Music – “Lucky Girl” by The Pepper Pots. A little sugar for Monday ears that also like to hear a good “Iron Man” reference.

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Filed under: Art, Current Events, Design, Exhibitions, Horticulture, Local, Marketing, New Media, Technology

Barbie, THE Barbie turns 50 this month. It’s hard to believe considering her still fantastic looks and non-stop go go go attitude. Poor Midge fell apart so early. And Ken. Well, Ken was always second banana to the girls anyway (no pun intended).

Barbie and I go way back. We’re practically the same age. I can still remember looking at the Sears and Roebuck Christmas catalog (when it was still Sears and Roebuck) and two things always caught my eye: Barbie and GI Joe. I wanted them both desperately but Santa was always short on the come-through. Once past the Santa stage I still wanted them both, I admit.  With Barbie it frequently was those glorious evening dresses. Tons of silk and satin and fur. What boy wouldn’t have been mesmerized?

But what is the secret to that never aging body, everything firm and still in place? Believe it or not it’s gardening. Yes folks, gardening. Sure she’s all glamor and pearls but she’s also all mulching and pruning.

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Filed under: Horticulture

The IMA blog staff is filled with all types. Some of them know their blog topics weeks ahead of time. Some work at a steady pace and figure out an idea a couple of days in advance. Some (me) usually wait until the last minute. I realized this yesterday and turned to Twitter and Facebook for inspiration. Some suggestions were inappropriate for an IMA post, some were funny, some were thoughtful, and I had a lot of people suggest blogging about IMA’s Deaccessioned artwork page.  Yes it’s cool….it’s transparent….it’s many things….but I had absolutely nothing to do with it.  If you do want more info, bug Charlie or IMA’s registration department- bravo to everyone involved in that project.

Thinking about that page led me to think more broadly about IMA’s main website.  Inside the museum, the IMA site is a major topic of conversation amongst the web team.  We’re in the planning stages for a web redesign of imamuseum.org.  This will include a better calendar system, better integration of digital content, a new collection page and lots more bells and whistles I can’t mention right now.  This process has really made me consider one word and one section: Interact.

IMA's Interact Section

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Filed under: New Media