THE WORLD ART TOUR

by David Wilson

Every human requires shelter from the elements, whether they live under the intense African sun or by the frigid Arctic Ocean. Our need to build has produced countless styles of architecture, from ancient temples to modern skyscrapers, some soaring into the air and some containing just one room for an entire family. Architecture is a complex endeavor, encompassing a variety of artistic and technical fields to create the spaces where we live, work, play, eat, relax, pray, and enjoy ourselves. Some buildings are meant to be works of art while others need only shelter a family temporarily before they move on. The past and the future are ever present in the architecture around us. At the same time that we build taller and taller towers of glass and steel, we work to restore the structures that have survived through the centuries in the hopes that the next generation can look up at them with the same sense of awe. A wide range of traditions, from those of ancient Greece and Rome to the Renaissance and Art Deco, inform modern architecture. By contrast, some cultures have perfected simple buildings that have remained virtually unchanged over the course of centuries. Join us on this world tour of architecture as we explore some of the greatest structures around the globe.

by Amy Sterling Casil

We express our taste and personality through the clothes we wear, how we style our hair, and how we groom ourselves. Style is individual, and it can be eternal, appealing to people throughout centuries. Fashion today means the international industry of clothing designers, manufacturers, retailers and influencers who present styles of clothing we can choose to wear—or not. From simple loincloths, which are still worn by indigenous people in the Amazon in South America and highlands of tropical Papua New Guinea, to the latest fashions on the runway at Fashion Weeks in Paris, London, Milan and New York, clothing represents personal taste and practical needs—and the way we see ourselves. Clothing can conceal and it can reveal. This book explores fashion as an art form that combines technology, artistry and imagination. It can tell stories that we want to hear or show us new visions that stir our imagination.

by Eric Benac

Have you ever wondered why Asian restaurants are so good? Or why your mom loves making meat and potatoes with every dinner? These questions, and many more, are explored in the Culinary Arts book in the World Art Tour series. Seven different cuisine cultures from around the world are studied in great depth to provide readers with the inside scoop on the foods of the world. Within these pages, you’ll learn where hummus was invented, why Jewish people don’t eat pork, the origin of Tex-Mex food, how African cooking influenced Cajun dishes, and much more. You’ll also learn why food—and how it is eaten—affects the world around you. So, if you are a foodie or just a fan of knowledge, this book will boost your food IQ.

by David Wilson

The urge to get up and dance whenever we hear music is universal across all human cultures. Whether the music is a simple drum or a full orchestra, dance across the globe reflects our deepest emotions, from love to fear to hope. Some dances can be done alone on the street, whereas others require a full dance floor and dozens of participants. From the smallest islands of Oceania to the hottest clubs of major cities, dance floors can be found wherever you go. Join us as we explore some of the most famous dances in the world—from the tango of Argentina to the bamboo-leaping tinikling of the Philippines—and see how different cultures use dance to tell a story or woo a partner or invoke the divine. Colorful costumes, rapid rhythms, and emotional expressions all come together to make up the world of dance. This book introduces you to dances both ancient and modern. Some dances have spread across the globe and others are only performed by a single tribe. Whatever the reason and whatever the footwork, dance reflects cultures and the human condition across the globe.

by Sandy Mitchell Pavick

The so-called decorative arts—the furniture, housewares, and ornamentation people use in the places where they live—can tell you a lot about a society and what its people hold most dear. In this volume, we look at cultures and design styles and trends around the globe, from ancient times to the present. For example, did you know that the Arts and Crafts movement in the United States was as much a political statement as a design theme? Are you aware of the different Native American influences on American contemporary design, or the effect colonialism has had in decorative arts from Asia to South America? Do you know what culture developed virtually all of the basic ceramic techniques, so much so that their name has become synonymous with fine porcelain? In this book you will learn about all these issues, and so much more.

by Christina Wedberg

From the beginning of humankind, people have been drawing and painting. Perhaps we can call these early handprints and pictures of hunting scenes “art,” or perhaps they were merely a way to tell stories of everyday events. From these early images came the longing for humans to express themselves aesthetically by using their hands and their minds. A unique guide to the world of drawing and painting, this book takes the reader on a journey all over the world to discover the rich culture and traditions in each of the world’s continents. From the discovery of making paper by the ancient Chinese to the street-smart graffiti art movements emerging throughout the world, drawing and painting is a vital tool for artists to express their individual voices.

by Esther Lombardi

Festivals are essential expressions of culture. They represent the identity of a country and a people. They remind us of where we came from, of our history and our values. These events tie us together as a community, allowing us to celebrate, grieve, and learn. With masks, music, and extravagant displays, we step outside the realm of the everyday and into a time of myth and legend. Beyond the stories we tell, there’s also a very personal, religious experience that’s tied into many festivals and celebrations. From sacred to just plain fun, the festivals in this book explore the culture, history, myth, and legend that bring people together to celebrate, commemorate, and pause to reflect. Learn about Tunisia’s Festival of the Sahara, India’s Diwali, and China’s Tomb Sweeping Day. Discover combustible and free-spirited events like Burning Man and Holi as well as the Running of the Bulls, the Day of the Dead, and Carnival. And North America has its own newer traditions, such as Coachella, Lollapalooza, South by Southwest, and the Fourth of July. Festivals around the world give us the opportunity to be and become whomever we wish to be.

by Amy Sterling Casil

Sculpture—three-dimensional art—is the oldest-known art form, dating back more than 40,000 years. From the earliest statues of gods and goddesses found today in museums, every world culture has created sculpture for many different audiences and purposes. Unlike two-dimensional paintings, sculpture is meant to be seen in the round, which means you can walk around it and look at it from every side and angle. From the famous ancestor statues of Easter Island to the Egyptian Sphinx, sculptors have created visions to awe, amaze, impress, and delight. Sculpture ranges from small stone ornaments used as jewelry or amulets to gold-covered depictions of the Buddha that are more than 10 stories tall. Sculpture may help people remember leaders like Abraham Lincoln or depict the beauty of nature or the human body. From stone monuments that have lasted thousands of years to creations made from the earth itself, like the Great Serpent Mound in Ohio and Utah’s Spiral Jetty, any material the human hand can touch, carve, or mold can become sculpture.