Norton Simon Museum from Home | Brancusi’s “Bird in Space” Soars Again

Sit down and enjoy some art-related activities courtesy of the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena

Bird in Space installed with a new base, pedestal and isolator. © Succession Brancusi - All rights reserved (ARS) 2020

New! Dispatches from the Conservation Studio: Brancusi’s “Bird in Space” Soars Again

In this new essay, Conservator John Griswold writes about Constantin Brancusi’s Bird in Space, one of the Museum’s most iconic 20th-century sculptures. Its prominent placement in the Modern Art gallery, with its gleaming yellow-bronze surface magnificent under the skylighted rotunda, is the culmination of a long process of art historical inquiry, scientific investigation and conservation treatment since its acquisition in 1972, and, as John details, it required some challenging issues to be resolved. | READ

Meditative Moments: Flight Meditation

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With his Bird in Space, Constantin Brancusi wanted to “fill the vault of the sky.” The sculpture expands and undulates upward from its narrow base to form a smooth and round center before tapering to a point at its top. Its golden, metallic surface reflects all of its surroundings, including any fleeting impressions of movement in the galleries. “All my life,” Brancusi said, “I have only sought the essence of flight. Flight—what bliss!” In this standing and stretching meditation, embody the essence of flight and shine! | MEDITATE

DIY Stories in the Afternoon: Kandinsky/Klee & Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away

Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away, written by Meg Medina and illustrated by Sonia Sánchez; Unequal by Vassily Kandinsky; and Possibilities at Sea by Paul Klee

While the Museum is closed, we are pairing some of our favorite children’s books with works from our collection for you to explore with your child at home. Don’t have access to the recommended book? Just select something similar from your child’s book shelf or your local library.

This week’s activity is centered on friendship with the pairing of Evelyn Del Rey is Moving Away, written by Meg Medina and illustrated by Sonia Sánchez, with Vassily Kandinsky’s Unequal and Paul Klee’s Possibilities at Sea. Inspired by the friendship between the characters in the book and between Kandinsky and Klee, write a letter to a friend that you haven’t seen in a while and share a favorite memory together. | READ AND WRITE

What We’re Reading: The Corner of Heart-to-Hearts Interactive Zine from the Smithsonian

Manager of Youth and Family Programs Mariko Tu writes, “The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center offers a care package of creative offerings by a community of artists, writers and scholars. In the interactive zine The Corner of Heart-to-Hearts, writer Chad Shomura and comic book artist Yumi Sakugawa explore how meaningful connections can be made through listening and dialogue with oneself and others. I enjoyed reading this as well as experiencing the collection of meditations, poems, family recipes, film and more—curated with love to provide a sense of respite in these uncertain times.” | READ

The Museum Online Store is Now Open!

We are pleased to announce that our online store is now open for orders. Browse our assortment of games, books, stationery, art supplies, and so much more, from the comfort and safety of your home. All orders are shipped (no onsite pick up).

Members: Receive a 20% discount on all online purchases using your unique discount code (last name plus member number, ex: doe12345). All memberships that were set to expire during our temporary closure are still active, as we have extended memberships through this period. | SHOP