ARTS & CULTURE

What’s Up

Jess Righthand

February 2011

Admire 300 glittering creations from Van Cleef & Arpels at the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt in New York City beginning February 18. Tony Falcone / Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum, SI

Visitors to the National Zoo might glimpse one or more of the seven lion cubs born there in August and September. Mehgan Murphy / NZP, SI

"Watch This!"—the American Art Museum's new permanent exhibit—illustrates how video art has changed over the past 50 years. Estate of Nam June Paik / SAAM

American History's new 1939 gallery has a baseball signed by Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth. Hugh Talman / NMAH, SI

The Navajo artist R.C. Gorman used a dance motif from tribal rugs in a 1974 poster. NMAI, SI

All That Glitters
Parisian jewelers Van Cleef & Arpels pioneered the use of platinum settings. When the metal was reserved for military use in World War II, they turned instead to gold, even for wintry pieces like this diamond snowflake brooch. Admire 300 glittering creations beginning February 18 at the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt in New York City.

Première Screenings
"Watch This!"—the American Art Museum's new permanent exhibit—illustrates how video art has changed over the past 50 years as technology has evolved.

Cubs On The Loose
Visitors to the National Zoo might glimpse one or more of the seven lion cubs born there in August and September. The cubs will be allowed into the lion yard when weather permits.

The Iron Horse
In 1939, after 2,130 straight games with the Yankees, Lou Gehrig was forced to retire because of illness. American History's new 1939 gallery has a ball signed by him and Babe Ruth.

Native Dance
The Navajo artist R. C. Gorman (1931-2005) used a dance motif from tribal rugs in a 1974 poster. See his early works at the American Indian Museum until May 1.