Christina Snyder is an associate professor of History and American Studies. Her current research project, Ancient America, argues for the dissolution of the divide between prehistory and history in favor of a transdisciplinary approach that combines archaeology, history, and oral tradition to tell a sweeping, Native-centered history of North America from ancient times through the early colonial era. Rather than a linear history that tells of a progression from hunter-gather societies to chiefdoms, the resulting book, Ancient America, will stress the divergent paths and dynamic responses of Native peoples to climatic shifts, environmental stress, population increase, social upheaval, and cultural change. This talk focuses on methodology, periodization, and terminology, considering how archaeologists and historians can bridge the disciplinary gap and work in more collaborative ways.

Is it magic or is it science? Have great fun exploring the surprising tricks mirrors can play on your brain! This special hands-on exhibition for people of all ages is on display at WonderLab (Tuesday – Sunday) through April 13.

Thoughts, Things, and Theories…What Is Culture?
“Thoughts, Things, and Theories…What Is Culture?” examines the nature of culture through the exploration of cultural traditions surrounding life stages and universal needs. Runs through March 16, 2014.

Assessing Authenticity: Museum Fakes and Mistakes
This exhibit explores issues surrounding object identification and authentication within museums. Runs through March 16, 2014.

From the Big Bang to the World Wide Web: The Origins of Everything
This exhibit examines history on a large scale, through the exploration of cosmic, biological, and human origins. Runs through March 16, 2014.

Ojibwe Public Art, Ostrom Private Lives
“Ojibwe Public Art, Ostrom Private Lives” explores works by late 20th century Ojibwe artists of Manitoulin Island, Canada, collected by Elinor and Vincent Ostrom. The exhibit was curated by a team of IU graduate students through a project partially supported by the IU College of Arts and Sciences Ostrom Grants Program. Runs through March 16, 2014.

Rhythms of the World Audio Exhibit
Rhythms of the World is a free audioguide tour of musical instruments from around the globe featured in exhibits throughout the museum. The audioguide includes narration and musical clips of the highlighted instruments. Runs through March 16, 2014.

Mather Museum Hours: Tues. – Fri., 9 am – 4:30 pm; Sat. & Sun., 1 – 4:30 pm

Is it magic or is it science? Have great fun exploring the surprising tricks mirrors can play on your brain! This special hands-on exhibition for people of all ages is on display at WonderLab (Tuesday – Sunday) through April 13.

Museum hours:
Tuesday-Saturday: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 – 5:00 p.m. Sunday: Noon – 5:00 p.m.

Focalpoint: Personal Objects: Art from Eastern and Southern Africa
January 14–May 11, 2014 Raymond and Laura Wielgus Gallery of the Arts of Africa, the South Pacific, and the Americas, Focalpoint, third floor From jewelry and headdresses to household objects such as containers, headrests, and spoons, the art of eastern and southern Africa for the most part is intimately connected with the individual. Though these regions of Africa do not have the large numbers of masks and figural sculpture for which western and central Africa are known, the personal objects found there frequently reflect the deep cultural significances and attention to form and detail seen elsewhere on the continent. This installation has been organized to coincide with the A352/A552, Art of Eastern and Southern Africa, a course being taught during the spring 2014 semester in the Department of the History of Art.

New in the Galleries: ‘Max Beckmann’s Woodcuts’
Gallery of the Art of the Western World, Doris Steinmetz Kellett Endowed Gallery of Twentieth-Century Art, first floor
February 4–June 22, 2014
Although the German Expressionist artist Max Beckmann was a prolific graphic artist (producing 374 prints during his lifetime), he created fewer than 20 woodcuts. Most were produced during the 1920s, when Germany was experiencing a revival of interest in the medium. Seven prints from this period will be featured in this installation.

Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: Noon – 5:00 p.m.

March 1–March 31, 2013
Thomas T. Solley Atrium, second floor
Featuring works of art by K–6 Monroe County students, selected and submitted by area art teachers.

“Community Voices Gallery: League of Women Voters”
League of Women Voters exhibit, open now through March 29, 2014, through photos, documents, written history and objects you will be able to see the involvement of the Bloomington Chapter of this nationwide organization. Please note, museum hours are Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm.

“Giants in Cornfield, Civil War Sesquicentennial”
“Giants in Cornfield, Civil War Sesquicentennial” exhibit open now through April 12, 2014, gives an incredible look at the soldiers from Monroe County and their role in the battles of the Civil War. Please note, museum hours are Tues-Sat, 10am-4pm.

“The Life and Times of Local Author, Ross Lockridge”
Ross Lockridge, Jr was born in Bloomington, IN 1914 where he attended Bloomington High School and Indiana University and aspired to write the next great American Novel. He began writing Raintree County in the mid-1940s. The 1,060 page novel was published in 1948. The novel explored nineteenth-century Midwestern history, folklore, and landscape all set in a single day, July 4, 1892. The exhibit explores his life before writing Raintree County and after, including the Midwestern iconography that inspired his book. Runs through May 31.

“Cracking the Code: Quilt Pattern Meanings”
In the past many thought that Quilts made during the mid-to late part of the 19th century were created to aid travelers on the Underground Railroad. Now, research shows that there is no documentation regarding quilt patterns as a form of communication for Underground Railroad Travelers. This exhibit will examine different patterns and their purported meanings. Convention Center Quilt Show is March 6-8, 2014. The show and exhibit are on the bus route and FREE with IHQS wristband or hand stamp,during quilt show only. Runs through August 1.

Pictura Gallery presents ‘When Morning Comes’, an photo exhibition of life in the Mississippi Delta, by Brandon Thibodeaux.

“When Morning Comes falls somewhere between a poem and a documentation. We may not need to call this documentary photography, but the work relates to that genre in that what’s presented feels like the truth. In theory, documentary photography is about presenting just what you see. But in its best expression, it can also be a very personal extension of the inner self.

Brandon’s photographs are sincere and unassuming, quite likely because he is that way himself. His photographs reflect the person in front of him as well as his internal encounter with that person. It may be most helpful to think of this work as portrait photography, with honest portraits laying out the path to good storytelling.”

Exhibit runs until March 29. Gallery is open Tuesday – Saturday, 11 am – 7 pm.

Now on display in the Upper Loft Gallery through April 30: A selection of spring paintings from the Marie Goth Estate Collection. Also on display: Brown County Art Guild’s Member Artists Spring Exhibit; two floors of all new artwork by 45 of the Midwest’s finest artists! Reception: Second Saturday, April, 12, 5-8 pm during the Village Art Walk. Hours: Tuesday– Sat: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm, Sunday: 12:00 – 5:00 pm (Closed Mondays).

The Kinsey Institute is offering two exhibits this season, featuring a mix of artwork from the archives along with several paintings borrowed from private collections. “Beauty and the Beast: The Erotic Art of Ian Hornak” showcases a major gift of drawings and paintings from the estate of 20th century American artist Ian Hornak. Although best known for his photo-realist landscapes, Hornak’s early work from the late 1960s often focused on the nude figure, at times combining human and animal anatomy. “Flora” presents a broad selection of photographs, prints, paintings, sculptures and books that feature plant or landscape imagery. Due to adult content, visitors should be 18 years of age or older, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The Kinsey Institute Gallery opens on Monday, January 27 for self-guided tours, 1:30 to 4:30 pm M-F or by appointment during business hours. Guided group tours may be scheduled by calling 812-855-7686 or emailing [email protected]. Admission is free. The Kinsey Institute is located at Indiana University, Morrison Hall, Room 313, Bloomington IN 47405. Telephone: (812) 323-1727. www.KinseyInstitute.org The Kinsey Institute is closed all Indiana University holidays.