Monday, July 6, 2009

Podcast: FAMSF Curator of Ancient Art Renee Dreyfus Talks About Tut in '79 and Now

Our newest podcast features FAMSF curator of ancient art and interpretation Renee Dreyfus, who talks about the 1979 Treasures of Tutankhamun exhibition and the current Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs. Renee was on the curatorial team for the first Tut exhibition 30 years ago, and now heads up the FAMSF curatorial efforts for the current offering.

Download the podcast MP3
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Posted by: Andrew Fox | July 6 at 10:45:45 AM
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Listed under: de Young News | Exhibitions | Web and Technology

Friday, May 8, 2009

The Story of Julia Warhola

Who was the woman behind the artist? In Andy Warhol’s case, it was his mother, Julia Warhola. As adults, the two lived together for 20 years in a New York City apartment. They shared a close bond, as well as an interest in the arts.

Julia and her husband, Andrej Warhola, were immigrants from Miková, Slovakia. They settled in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania just after the turn of the 20th century. In 1942, Andrej died and she was left to tend to their three children.

Julia was fond of drawing and craft making. She noticed that her youngest child, Andy, was a talented artist at an early age. She encouraged him to explore his creativity and pursue an education in the arts.

In 1951, Julia moved to New York City to be close to Andy. They lived together in an apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. She enjoyed taking care of him and organizing his work.

Andy would often use her decorative handwriting in his illustrations, including the album cover The Story of Moondog (1957). The album is on view in Warhol Live at the de Young.

Celebrate motherhood this Sunday with a visit to Warhol Live. Closing May 17, this is the last week to experience the thrill of this infamous pop artist. Click here for more information.

Posted by: Cheryl McCain | May 8 at 3:57:07 PM
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Listed under: de Young News | Exhibitions

Friday, April 17, 2009

Notes from Cairo

Camels at the Giza Pyramids

Last week a team of journalists and museum staff journeyed to Cairo, Egypt for a week of shooting and research to produce a one-hour documentary and newspaper supplement for our upcoming exhibition, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs.

We were fortunate to be accompanied by the noted archaeologist and cultural phenomenon, Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquties for Egypt.  You may have seen Dr. Hawass in many television specials on the National Geographic or Discovery Channels about ancient Egypt, King Tut, mummies or scientific discoveries relating to antiquity.  That’s right, he’s the man with the hat.  Just this week he announced that the Supreme Council of Antiquities is close to unearthing the location of the tombs of Cleopatra and Mark Anthony in a dig near Alexandria.

[Read the rest of this post and view photos from the Egypt trip on our Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs exhibition website.]

Posted by: Jill Lynch | April 17 at 11:40:09 AM
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Listed under: de Young News | Exhibitions

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Get Your Flat Anubis!

Flat Anubis is here!

Go to our King Tut website to get your own Flat Anubis*. Download, print, color and cut out, then take him on your travels and share share your photos on our Adventures of Flat Anubis Flickr group.

Learn more about Flat Anubis and download your copy here.

*Thanks to the original Flat Stanley for inspiring this project!

Posted by: Andrew Fox | April 14 at 3:29:53 PM
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Listed under: de Young News | Exhibitions

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

New King Tut Website Launches!

We recently launched a new website for our upcoming exhibition Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs, which opens at the de Young on June 27. Check it out at www.tutsanfrancisco.org.

The website was designed and constructed in-house using the open-source Drupal platform. On it you can order tickets for FAMSF members and groups (general public tickets on sale in April 6), preview a selection of the artifacts on view in the exhibition, and send a King Tut e-card.

We'll be rolling out more content, including background information on ancient Egypt and a look back at the 1979 Treasures of Tutankhamun exhibition at the de Young in the weeks to come.

Posted by: Andrew Fox | February 25 at 5:22:07 PM
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Listed under: de Young News | Exhibitions | Web and Technology