We Are Made by History

A groundbreaking exhibition, bold bronzes, and miniature feasts. [View full email in your browser]( [Colossal]( Was this forwarded to you? [Subscribe here](. [an animated gif of a smoke ring floating through the sky]( In Sicily, Mount Etna Blows an Unprecedented Frequency of Rare Volcanic Smoke Rings to locals as the “Lady of the Rings,” Sicily’s Mount Etna is both the highest island mountain in the Mediterranean and the most active stratovolcano in the world. [A video]( from The Straits Times documents its elegant smoke rings as they drift through the atmosphere. [Watch now]( [a fiber portrait]( SPONSOR Dive Into the Dallas Art Scene: 5 Artists Not to Miss at The Other Art Fair Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of artistry and creativity at [The Other Art Fair]( presented by Saatchi Art, returning to Dallas from May 9 to 12. Whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast, a first-time buyer, or just looking for a creative experience, there’s something for everyone to discover and enjoy. [Learn more]( [a portrait of the artist wearing orange glasses and a blue and yellow patterned top that matches the backdrop]( Thandiwe Muriu’s New Book Celebrates the Multi-Faceted Beauty of Kenyan Culture In 2015, [Thandiwe Muriu]( began CAMO, a series that takes a kaleidoscopic view of the lives of contemporary African women. Nearly a decade later, hundreds of self-portraits and photos are gathered in a new book from Chronicle Chroma that celebrates the project’s striking visual impact and the nuanced, multi-faceted stories hidden in each image. Dive into Muriu's world—and celebrate World Book Day!—by picking up a copy in the [Colossal Shop](. And if you're a [Colossal Member](, don't forget to use the code in your account for 10% off. [See more]( [top: two large scale figures in fringe and beads stand in a gallery. bottom: the outside of a neoclassical structure wrapped in red]( Venice, Jeffrey Gibson Envelops the U.S. Pavilion in Kaleidoscopic Color and Flawed Promises in blocky, bright typography, “We hold these truths to be self-evident” wraps the top of the neoclassical facade of the U.S. Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale. The opening lines from the Declaration of Independence greet visitors to the groundbreaking exhibition the space in which to place me by artist [Jeffrey Gibson](, the first Indigenous artist to represent the U.S. with a solo exhibition. [See more]( [a miniature still life of a fish and cheese in a small compact with a lush landscape on the lid]( Paper Scenes Unfold in Shannon Taylor’s Miniature Compact Dioramas [Shannon Taylor]( creates each exquisitely detailed miniature work from tiny watercolor paintings on paper, layered into antique cosmetic compacts that she finds at flea markets, vintage shops, rummage sales, online, or from friends. [See more]( [large bronze figures line up in a public square]( 13 Bronze Figures Reinterpreted from Velázquez’s ‘Las Meninas’ Line Up in a Central Venice Plaza]( Thirteen bronze women in wide pannier skirts stand single file in St. Mark’s Square. The large-scale installation is the work of Spanish artist [Manolo Valdés]( and on view for the 60th Venice Biennale. [See more]( [an illustration of birds]( Flip Through More than 5,000 Pages of This Sprawling 19th-Century Atlas of Natural History [Lorenz Oken]('s General Natural History For All Classes was published as a series of seven volumes between 1833 and 1843. The enormous atlas depicts known species ranging from beetles and fish to birds and ferns. You can flip through it online now. [See more]( [three hand candles holding the peace sign in black, pink, and blue]( Peace, in a New Light Set the tone for an evening of peace and quiet with [this life-sized candle](. Available in three colors. [Shop now]( Join Us Today and Help Make Art Accessible for Everyone 💖 We rely on the generous support of [Colossal Members]( to keep newsletters like this free for everyone. Reader support allows us to continue publishing stories that matter while highlighting incredible artists around the world who may not be covered in the mainstream press. ➡️ [Become a Colossal Member today]( Add some art to your favorite feeds: [mastodon]( [instagram]( [threads]( [facebook]( [pinterest]( [Colossal]( [Newsletters]( [Shop]( [Advertise]( Edited today by Grace Ebert. 🌎 Colossal 6177 N. Lincoln Ave. #314 Chicago, IL 60659 ✶ ✶ ✶ ✶ You received this email because you signed up on our website and are an amazing person. [Unsubscribe]( | [Update preferences](