Royal Ontario Museum Blog
Monthly Archive: December
Presenting our Winners of the 2018 ROM Wildlife Photographer of the Year Contest
![Burrowing Owlet. Photo by Megan Lorenz. owlet standing on branch](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/romwpyon_grand_prize_winner_burrowing_owlet_c_megan_lorenz.jpg?itok=jGZlrhU6)
Captivating Images from Winners of the ROM Photographer of the Year Contest
Safavid Tile Arch Project III: The Palace of the Stables
![Tile spandrels on the outside of the Hasht Behesht Palace, Isfahan (1669). Like the tiles we are studying these spandrels are also antithetical, one side of the arch being the inverse of the other. The arch displays the Lion and the Sun, an ancient Iranian symbol of royal power. These tiles were probably made by the same craftsmen as ours. (source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hasht_Behesht_Isfahan_Aarash_(7).jpg) Tiles over an archway.](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/hasht_behesht_i_aarash_7.jpg?itok=lus5jmaN)
Written by Lisa Golombek, Curator Emeritus (Islamic Art)
Facing Histories: A Block Maker, a Dye Specialist, and a Textile Study Room
![Woodblocks carved by Gangadhar at the weekend display, ROM, October 2018. Woodblocks carved by Gangadhar at the weekend display, ROM, October 2018.](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/rajappa_gangadhar_4.jpg?itok=j7eoal-1)
This guest post was written by Rajarshi Sengupta, ROM IARTS fellow 2017/18.
Fear for Adults and Fascination for Kids: Spiders and Friends Day at The Hospital for Sick Children
Written by Mark Bernards, Environmental Visual Communications student
An Afternoon With Weird Science at the ROM's 80-Year-Old Camp
![Bethany Kempster sit with her science class observing rocks and minerals. Image: Michael Berger Bethany Kempster sit with her science class observing rocks and minerals. Image: Michael Berger](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/werid_science_2_credit_michael_berger.jpg?itok=Bk6_oYhY)
On their quest, they find glow-in-the-dark rocks, which leads to a lesson about ultraviolet radiation. A lesson, Bethany admits that will not be taught in school until grade 12.⠀
Turning Fear Into Fascination
![The digitally projected spiders that greet visitors to the Spiders: Fear & Fascination exhibit. Image: Claire Foran. Claire walks along a floor with projected digital spiders, that crawl away from her as she walks. Image: Claire Foran.](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/dsc02402.jpg?itok=eh0_cw99)
As you enter the Royal Ontario Museum's latest exhibition, you are immediately swarmed by scurrying spiders; hundreds of them, crawling all around you. But you can't touch them- they aren't real.
Totally Buggin’: Spiders and Insects in Pop Culture
![Image Credit: Director of Photography TRENT OPALOCH; Director NEILL BLOMKAMP. DISTRICT 9 image copyright TRISTAR PICTURES INC.](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/4._district9.jpg?itok=l1W7n2F8)
He slowly raises his head. It’s then that she notices a clicking noise emanating from beneath his jaw. The workings of his jaw begin to move. Something is not right.
Image Credit: Director of Photography TRENT OPALOCH; Director NEILL BLOMKAMP. DISTRICT 9 image copyright TRISTAR PICTURES INC.
Eight-legged and Adorable
![Jumping Spider. © Natasha Hirt, 2017. Used with permission. Jumping Spider. © Natasha Hirt, 2017. Used with permission.](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/unnamed.png?itok=ipyyfAYf)
Let me paint you a picture of a spectacular critter. Staring up at you is an adorable little animal precious enough that it could fit in your hand. You carefully pick him up, and his tiny feet tickle your palm. As he slowly nestles into your hand, you realize that their fluffy body is soft to the touch. When you lean in to say hello, he peers back at you with shimmering eyes so sparkly that it seems like a cartoon character has come to life. Just like you, he can appreciate an evening staying cozy inside with his human pals. What are you thinking of?
Glimpses of Upper Burma: Clement Williams (1833-1879)
![View of a pagoda, Clement Williams, Myanmar (Burma), 1861-1863, albumen contact print from a collodion glass plate negative, 8 x 8.4cm, ROM 2016.66.20 Gift of David Strachey. Black and white pagoda image](https://www.rom.on.ca/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/blog_post/thumbnail/deepali_2016.66.20_1.jpg?itok=P6UHImdG)
The recently-acquired collection of photography, documents, and artifacts provides a rare glimpse into Upper Burma before colonization, allowing us to consider the intersection of politics, trade, and religion in the 19th century. Written by Ron Graham and Deepali Dewan.
Appreciation of Indigenous Storytelling with Sister Spider
Written by Carly Brascoupé, Kiowa Wind Memorial Indigenous Youth Intern