On Friday, I went to the Museum of Art and Design – awesome exhibits! There was a papercuts exhibit- doesn’t really do justice to the amazing artworks to call it that. There was a German WWII tank – out of papers with Jewish Hebrew prayers on them – and stag beetles cut so they stood up out of the prayers. The artist described the stag beetles who normally hide in the desert sands but have the armor to defend themselves when necessary. Plus he did some kool technical adaptations out of respect for Jewish laws against destroying holy books – ie the beetles can fold back into place on the pages – they are not cut off (not entirely sure that solves the issue, but I was impressed nonetheless).

Pietro Ruffo, Youth of the Hills (2008)

Close up of the stag beetles. Pietro Ruffo, Youth of the Hills (2008)

There was also a very kool exhibit on Madeleine Albright’s pins. It was fascinating to see how she used her jewelry to convey messages and set the tone for her work. And can you imagine, a pin made out of a piece of the Berlin Wall? I can’t find an image of it, but that fascinates me.