Artz and Martius

March, it is the third month of the year in Gregorian and Julian calendars. It is 31 days long. In the early Roman calendar it was the first month and known as Martius for Mars the god of war. Mars was the founder of the Roman people through his sons Romulus and Remus. He was also regarded as a guardian of agriculture.

 Festivals that honored Mars began in this month and it marked the beginning of the planting season as well as a time for warfare. Celebrations were held in the first part of the month welcoming in the New Year. It is one of the few months named for a deity.

The Equirria, a much anticipated chariot race and festival was held each year on the 14 day of March to honor Mars. It took place on the Campus Martius of Field of Mars outside of Rome. This festival is the only festival to fall on an even numbered day.

This week we will take a look at March as inspiration.

Patrick - Irish Artz

March 17 is St. Patrick’s Day. So this week we will take a look at some art by Irish Artists named Patrick in honor of this patron Saint of Ireland.  But first….

o   Patrick spent 6 years as a slave to Chief Milchu in Dalriada Ireland. He tended the chief’s flocks.

o   Patrick became fluent in the native Celtic Tongue.

o   He escaped.

o   He was chosen to go to Britain with Germain to undue the teachings of Pelagius (remember from the movie of 2004 King Arthur with Clive Owen he was a follower of Pelagius).

o   Patrick died March 17 AD 460

o   Patrick means Patrician, Noble

o   Legend says he taught the doctrine of the Holy Trinity using a shamrock.

o   The absence of snakes in Ireland gave rise to the legend St. Patrick banished them all to the sea after they attacked him during a 40 day fast.

Enjoy the art of each Patrick this week.

Times Artz

Since we have now implemented Daylight Saving Time let’s see exactly what it is.

DST – Moving the clocks forward one hour in the spring to make better use of the available daylight. Throughout history adjustments of 20, 30, 40 minutes have occurred. Two hour adjustments were made during the 1940s.  From 3 February 1942 until 30 September 1945 most of the United States stayed on DST; it was referred to as War Time.

DST is a benefit to the tourism industry allowing more time for tourists to participate in outdoor activity. It saves energy by limiting the amount of time artificial light is needed.  

Benjamin Franklin suggested Daylight Saving Time in1784. George Vernon Hudson from New Zealand suggested it in 1895. 

William Willet of England again suggested it in 1905.

 In 1908 the House of Commons reviewed Mr. Willet’s proposal.  In 1916 at the onset of World War one Daylight Saving Time was adopted and implanted by several European countries.

This week we will take a look at Time as art.

Tick Tock!

Didn't everyone watch Alice in Wonderland last night?

Green with Artz

Cave paintings contain no green pigments. It was rarely found in Greek art; black, red, yellow and white being considered the four classic colors.

 Egyptians used green since it represented rebirth and health, especially in tombs which were painted with hieroglyphics made from ground malachite. The color of Venus is green and the Romans used it for wall paintings.

Green comes from an old English word with the same root as grass and grow which can trace its way back to Old Norse. In most languages there is no word for green only words that interpreted mean grass, meadow, vegetation, new growth, or the bluish green seen in the Mediterranean Sea. Viridis is a Latin word that means green.

Green used for dying fabric was difficult to come by but the pigments for painting were easier to produce and led to a variety of greens.

 The colors a person wore was a symbol of their status in Medieval times such as; Mona Lisa wears a green dress. 

The Bride in the Arnolfini portrait wears green. It denotes Bankers, merchants person from the Gentry. Green clothing was also worn by young people not yet married as it represented the youth and pureness of spring. 

Green is associated with hope, spring, Islam, and environmental issues as well as with inexperience and St. Patrick’s Day.

This week we will look at some interpretations of green.