Who Arted: Weekly Art History for All Ages

The Alexander Mosaic in the House of Faun, Pompeii

The Alexander Mosaic, also known as the Battle of Issus Mosaic, is a masterpiece of ancient Roman artistry that continues to captivate viewers with its detailed depiction of a pivotal moment in history. Unearthed in the House of the Faun in Pompeii, this intricate mosaic offers a glimpse into the military prowess, political ambition, and cultural exchange of the ancient world. The mosaic captures the dramatic clash between Alexander the Great of Macedon and Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Issus in 333 BCE. The scene is filled with action, showcasing the chaos and intensity of the battlefield. Alexander, depicted on horseback, charges towards Darius, who recoils in fear on his chariot. The mosaic portrays the emotional turmoil of the moment, with soldiers engaged in fierce combat, fallen horses, and the palpable sense of impending doom for the Persian army. This is an encore presentation. Every January/February, I release daily episodes to refresh everyone's memory on the 64 artists and artworks that will be included in my Arts Madness Tournament held in March. While most of these daily episodes will be reruns, I will continue publishing new episodes on Mondays.  Check out my other podcasts  Fun Facts Daily | Art Smart | Rainbow Puppy Science Lab Who ARTed is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Felix Gonzalez-Torres | Untitled (Portrait of Ross in L.A.)

Felix Gonzalez-Torres was a conceptual artist who became well known in the 1980s and 90s for his works that broke down the barrier between artist and audience. Many of his works invited the audience to become a part of the creative process making the work more dynamic and engaging. This is an encore presentation. Every January/February, I release daily episodes to refresh everyone's memory on the 64 artists and artworks that will be included in my Arts Madness Tournament held in March. While most of these daily episodes will be reruns, I will continue publishing new episodes on Mondays.  Check out my other podcasts  Fun Facts Daily | Art Smart | Rainbow Puppy Science Lab Who ARTed is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jean-Michel Basquiat | Horn Players

Jean-Michel Basquiat has created some of the most highly valued American paintings ever to go on auction. Basquiat sought to remake art history in his image, and I would say he was successful. His triptych, Horn Players, is one of the artworks required for the AP Art History curriculum studied by American high school students. In the middle of February 1981, a group exhibition opened at P.S.1 in New York. The show featured over a hundred different artists from the underground art scene. There were paintings, drawings, photographs, objects and graffiti all mixed together in an explosive portrait of the post-punk scene. The show was called New York/New Wave and many affectionately referred to it as the armory show of the 80s. The armory show was of course the famous exhibition from 1913 that introduced European modern art to the American audience. This time though, it wasn’t European artists upending the New York gallery scene. This time, the revolution was coming from inside the community. Among the artists on display was a 20 year old by the name of Jean-Michel Basquiat. He had previously made a name for himself as a graffiti artist. Basquiat and his friend Al Diaz created a text-based project SAMO spraypainting messages around new york. They were particularly active in the area where numerous gallery spaces were located. SAMO often sought to be a little bit humorous, but also gives an outsider’s perspective on the art world with phrases like “SAMO AS AN END TO PLAYING ART” or “SAMO FOR THE SO-CALLED AVANT-GARDE”.  This is an encore presentation. Every January/February, I release daily episodes to refresh everyone's memory on the 64 artists and artworks that will be included in my Arts Madness Tournament held in March. While most of these daily episodes will be reruns, I will continue publishing new episodes on Mondays.  Check out my other podcasts  Fun Facts Daily | Art Smart | Rainbow Puppy Science Lab Who ARTed is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Warhol | Marilyn Diptych

Andy Warhol's Marilyn Diptych is a commentary on the nature of fame, celebrity, and mass media. Warhol appropriated a well-known image of Monroe, using repetition and contrasting colors to create a work that is both iconic and unsettling. The diptych format, traditionally used for religious works, elevates Monroe to a figure of almost religious significance, while also highlighting the manufactured nature of her celebrity persona. Through this work, Warhol explores the tension between the public image and the private individual, and the way in which mass media can distort and commodify our understanding of reality. The Diptych serves as a powerful critique of the cult of celebrity and the dehumanizing effects of mass media. This is an encore presentation. Every January/February, I release daily episodes to refresh everyone's memory on the 64 artists and artworks that will be included in my Arts Madness Tournament held in March. While most of these daily episodes will be reruns, I will continue publishing new episodes on Mondays.  Check out my other podcasts  Fun Facts Daily | Art Smart | Rainbow Puppy Science Lab Who ARTed is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dale Chihuly | Seaforms

Born in 1941 in Tacoma, Washington, Dale Chihuly is a pioneering figure who transformed glass from a functional, industrial material into a celebrated medium for fine art. Influenced by the rugged landscapes of the Pacific Northwest and early experiences in interior design, Chihuly’s artistic journey began with an experimental weaving project in 1963 where he first fused glass shards into a tapestry. After studying at the University of Wisconsin and the Rhode Island School of Design, Chihuly became the first American glassblower to work at the prestigious Venini Glass Factory in Venice. There, he adopted the collaborative team-based approach to glassblowing that would later define his career and allow him to produce increasingly complex, large-scale installations. The Seaform series, initiated in the early 1980s, stands as one of Chihuly’s most iconic contributions to contemporary art, showcasing a mastery of organic, fluid forms. These sculptures are characterized by their diafananous, shell-like textures created using optical molds and the deliberate use of gravity and centrifugal force to achieve asymmetrical, "slumped" aesthetics. By allowing the molten glass to find its own shape rather than enforcing perfect symmetry, Chihuly evokes the natural growth patterns and light-catching qualities of the ocean. Today, his work is featured in over 200 museum collections worldwide, ranging from the canals of Venice to massive public gardens, solidifying his legacy as an artist who bridged the gap between craft and high art. Check out my other podcasts  Fun Facts Daily | Art Smart | Rainbow Puppy Science Lab Who ARTed is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices