Travis Simpkins: December 2014

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Lindsay Russian Art Ltd.: Review of "The History of Loot and Stolen Art" by Travis Simpkins

Ivan Lindsay: Review of "History of Loot and Stolen Art" by Travis Simpkins

A brief review I wrote for Unicorn Press (London, England) of Ivan Lindsay's "History of Loot and Stolen Art" is up on the Lindsay Fine Art Ltd. website here:

www.russianartdealer.com- Review by Travis Simpkins of Ivan Lindsay's "History of Loot and Stolen Art"

Ivan Lindsay: Review of "History of Loot and Stolen Art" by Travis Simpkins

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

How Sherlock Changed the World: Forensics

How Sherlock Changed the World

by Travis Simpkins

Narrated by Andrew Lincoln, created by PBS, How Sherlock Changed the World (2013) is an intriguing two-part TV series that delves into the advances in criminal and forensic science investigations brought about by the ideas dispatched through Sherlock Holmes... the fictional 19th Century detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The documentary looks at the origins of the Holmes character, inspired by Doyle's real-life mentor, Dr. Joseph Bell. Much emphasis in pointed at how far ahead of their time Holmes' theories of deductive reasoning and forensic science really were, with the first forensics lab being utilized in 1935, nearly 50 years after Doyle's stories were published. Careful insight is given by contemporary forensic investigators, including the renowned Dr. Henry Lee, who explain how their love of the Sherlock Holmes stories still inspires their approach to modern crime scene analysis. Real-life cases are used, displaying how influential the process really is. From latent evidence to ballistics, many ideas were indeed conjured up by Doyle long before they were put to general use. Of particular interest are the parts that relate directly to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who later in life took on an investigation of his own, and worked diligently to help create the modern appeal system to clear those that were wrongly convicted through lack of proper evidence. The series also looks at popular depictions of the character, including that of Benedict Cumberbatch in BBC's Sherlock. The short documentary series is well worth the 110 minutes.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Dr. Henry Lee

Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes

a scene from "How Sherlock Changed the World"

Monday, December 29, 2014

Research: Worcester Art Museum "Then and Now" by Travis Simpkins. Update #33

-The first photo, from 1910, shows a view of the third floor's East Gallery at the Worcester Art Museum. This photograph (from a glass plate negative) was likely an outtake, considering the abrasions and what appears to possibly be part of the photographer's dark cloth showing in the frame at far right. It provides a glimpse into the older, more laborious, process of photographing in the galleries. Today, this renovated space houses a rotating selection from WAM's post-1950 Art collection.
-Considered by many to be an uninviting entrance to visitors arriving from Lancaster Street, in 2005 demolition began on the old Lancaster Terrace. Here, in the photo at left in this second "Then and Now" composition, the dig is in full swing. Construction of the new stairs and terrace took several months, during which time the Lancaster doors were closed and foot traffic had to be diverted to a side stairwell exit in the Higgins Education Wing.

-The sketch depicts the Ancient Egyptian "Statuette of Hapidefai" (2060-1780 B.C.)

-This last Knights! construction photo sequence (part 5 of 5) was documented over the course of nearly 4 months (15 weeks) during the various stages of the Higgins Armory collection installation in the 2nd floor Hiatt Gallery. "Helmutt", the armor-clad dog figure, can be seen in the 11th and 12th images.

3rd Floor (East Gallery). Worcester Art Museum. by Travis Simpkins

Lancaster Terrace. Worcester Art Museum. by Travis Simpkins

Hapidefai. Worcester Art Museum. by Travis Simpkins

Knights! Construction. Worcester Art Museum. by Travis Simpkins

Sunday, December 28, 2014

The Jewel of the Nile (1985): Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Adventure

Directed by Lewis Teague, The Jewel of the Nile (1985) sprung off the success of Romancing the Stone. The sequel story takes place six months after the first, with the happy couple attempting to rescue a "jewel" from an evil dictator in Africa… but the prize is not what it seems. Entertaining and adventurous, the action runs nonstop. Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner maintain their good chemistry. Danny DeVito reprises his role as well.

Kathleen Turner: The Jewel of the Nile

: The Jewel of the Nile

Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito: The Jewel of the Nile

Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner: The Jewel of the Nile

Kathleen Turner: The Jewel of the Nile

: The Jewel of the Nile

Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner: The Jewel of the Nile

Kathleen Turner: The Jewel of the Nile

"The Jewel of the Nile"- movie trailer

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Romancing the Stone (1984): Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Treasure

Directed by Robert Zemeckis, Romancing the Stone (1984) inevitably drew some unfair critical comparisons to Raiders of the Lost Ark, but the film stands on it's own and ranks amongst the best films of 1984. The story concerns a romance novelist, who travels to Colombia to deliver a treasure map to the abductors of her sister… along the way, she meets an adventurer who convinces her that they should go after the treasure on their own. Full of action and genuine comedic moments, the film is enjoyable throughout. Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner have good chemistry in the lead roles. Danny DeVito costars.

Kathleen Turner: Romancing the Stone

Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner: Romancing the Stone

Danny DeVito: Romancing the Stone

: Romancing the Stone

Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner: Romancing the Stone

Michael Douglas: Romancing the Stone

Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner: Romancing the Stone

Danny DeVito: Romancing the Stone

Kathleen Turner: Romancing the Stone

Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner: Romancing the Stone

"Romancing the Stone"- movie trailer

Friday, December 26, 2014

Secrets: The Sphinx of Ancient Egypt

Secrets: The Sphinx

by Travis Simpkins

Produced for the Smithsonian Channel, Secrets: The Sphinx (2013) provides an intriguing 45-minute look at the primary mysteries surrounding the Ancient Egyptian Sphinx in Giza: When was it created? and whom does the carved face atop the lion's body represent? Because it is carved directly from the bedrock, rather than assembled by blocks, it is difficult for archaeologists to accurately date the Sphinx based on construction. Surrounding structures and geographical features help fill in the gaps and shed some light on the mystery. The first theory presented is controversial, relating to the disproportionate body to head ratio of the Sphinx, and surmises the the carved human head was actually adapted and re-carved later on from a much older statue representing a lion that predated the Pyramids. Further theories, much more traditional in scope, focus on the positioning of the Sphinx in the foreground of the Pyramids. Cases are made for the Sphinx being created by the "Pyramid Pharaohs" Khufu, and alternately by his son, Khafre. Zahi Hawass, the famous Egyptologist, provides brief insight. However, the best and most brilliant contributions to the episode are provided by Melinda Hartwig, Associate Professor at Georgia State University. Delightful and photogenic, Dr. Hartwig's eloquent delivery and energy is truly engaging. In the end, the enduring mystery of the Sphinx still remains, but an enjoyable and informative presentation has been made.