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Happy New Year! 🪄🎁🥳 May you crush it in good health and mammoth wealth. 🙏🏾 We're going off the Social Media grid until the third week of January. 😯 Chat soon. Ugh! Cheers! 😘 #creativitywillsaveus #nigerianteachers #nigerianparents #teacherteacherng

The 53rd and last Monday of the year! What are you grateful for? 🤔 Thanks for your support this year, and may your good dreams come true.🙏🏾 #creativitywillsaveus #nigerianteachers #nigerianparents #teacherteacherng

Merry Christmas! 🎉🎅🏾🎄🎁 #creativitywillsaveus #nigerianteachers #nigerianparents #teacherteacherng

Yipeekiyay! It's six (if you are in Australia) or seven days to the end of 2024. And it's time to reflect on all our lessons this year. 🤔 May the year end on a high note for you. 🙏🏾 #creativitywillsaveus #nigerianteachers #nigerianparents #teacherteacherng

Art Heist Alert! 😯🧑🏾🎨 Ever heard of Govaert Flinck's "Landscape with Obelisk"? This 17th-century masterpiece was stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1990, and it's still missing! Size: 54.5 cm x 71 cm (about the size of a large pizza box but with no toppings and more art). 😂 Style: Oil on wood, featuring a dark and stormy landscape with a dramatic obelisk. What's an obelisk? It's a tall, slender, four-sided monument with a pyramid-shaped top. Basically, a giant, pointy toothpick for the gods. 🤣 Why build an obelisk? Ancient billboards! They commemorated rulers and significant events. Instead of advertising the latest chariot model, they celebrated divine power and royal achievements. Who is Govaert Flinck? A Dutch painter and Rembrandt's talented sidekick. Think Robin to Batman. Other paintings with obelisks: 1. "The Obelisk" by Giuseppe De Nittis (Place de la Concorde, Paris). 2. "View of the Piazza del Popolo" by Giovanni Paolo Panini (Rome). Popular obelisk monuments today: 1. Washington Monument in D.C. (the Eiffel Tower's pointy cousin). 2. Luxor Obelisk in Paris (It has travelled more than most! Originally erected in front of the Luxor Temple in Egypt around 3,300 years ago and gifted to France in the 19th century—a journey that took several years). So there you have it! A missing masterpiece, a dramatic obelisk, and a sprinkle of art history. Be sure to check out the other 12 posts regarding the Isabella Museum Art Heist—81 minutes, 13 stolen pieces, and a $10 million reward for information about the artworks. Wishing you a "yay" kind of Friday! Image source (fair use): wbur.org #creativitywillsaveus #nigerianteachers #nigerianparents #teacherteacherng

Who on earth decides to steal a cup...oh wait, a Gu from a museum?! This ancient Chinese Gu, a fancy bronze vessel used in rituals during the Shang and Zhou dynasties, was just one of the treasures stolen in the legendary Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum heist on March 18, 1990. Dating back to 1200-1100 BC, this beauty showcases some serious ancient metalworking skills. With its elegant silhouette—a slender neck, flared base, and trumpet-like mouth—it was probably the go-to for pouring ritual libations and sipping wine during ceremonies. 😯 And guess what? Nigeria has vessels like the ancient Chinese Gu! The Longuda (or Lunguda) folks of Adamawa and Gombe States whip up their own creations called “Kwandalowa”. Plus, the Nok Culture, one of Nigeria's oldest civilisations, crafted terracotta vessels over 3,000 years ago! We can’t forget the Ife bronze and clay vessels from around 1200 AD, the iconic Benin Bronzes, and the figurative vessels from the Mambila people of Cameroon and Nigeria. So, go dive into the Internet rabbit hole and feast your eyes on all those stunning designs! Oh, you will also learn that the Longuda ethnic group are the only known matriarchal tribe in Nigeria! 🙊 Happy weekend! 💃🏾 Image source (fair use): wbur.org #creativitywillsaveus #nigerianteachers #nigerianparents #teacherteacherng

La Sortie De Pesage! 🤔 This dazzling gem by the fabulous French maestro Edgar Degas whisks you right into the heart of a horse racing extravaganza! Known also as “Leaving the Paddock,” it’s all about those jockeys and their equine pals strutting their stuff toward the track, bursting with anticipation and energy. Sure, it’s an unfinished piece, but this 19th-century wonder showcases Degas’s magical flair for capturing movement and emotion with his brush. Oh, and let’s not forget – it was snatched from Mrs. Gardner’s Museum in 1990, but it still gallops proudly in Degas’s legacy, reflecting his love for those little moments that make life sparkly. 🪄 Feeling the Christmas vibes yet? The holiday cheer is practically oozing from every nook and cranny! With twinkling lights, merry tunes, and the delicious scent of festive treats in the air. 😍🎉 As we soak up the seasonal joy, let’s take a page from Degas’s book – art and life are all about savouring those fleeting moments, just like his delightful 10.5 by 16cm watercolour artwork. And remember, life isn’t a race! As Bob Marley wisely said, the day you stop racing, is the day you win the race! 💯💃🏾 Image source (fair use): wbur.org #creativitywillsaveus #nigerianteachers #nigerianparents #teacherteacherng

Rancho: Hey Fifi, what do you know about that infamous 1633 self-portrait by Rembrandt that went missing from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum? Fifi: Oh, I know that Rembrandt's got a knack for painting his mug shot! He even used the same face from his Self-Portrait in another painting called "Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee." 😯 Rancho: Spot on! In "Christ in the Storm," he's the one clutching his hat, giving us a look like, "Yep, I’m weathering this storm too!" Fifi: That’s so cool! Rancho: His self-portrait is a Baroque masterpiece, measuring 70 by 54 cm. He used oil on a panel to nail that serious vibe. Plus, his signature light and shadow trickery makes his face pop. Fifi: It’s like a 17th-century selfie. Rancho: You got it! Rembrandt was all about that self-portrait life - he got nearly 100 of them! This stolen gem from 1633 captures him at his peak, exuding all the confidence of a young art master. Fifi: Hmmm! I wish I could see it up close! Do you think they'll ever recover the stolen paintings? Rancho: Who knows? But until then, let’s bask in the brilliance and tales behind these art treasures! Fifi: Thanks, Rancho! I'll go create a painting of myself too. 😜 Image source (fair use): wbur.org #creativitywillsaveus #nigerianteachers #nigerianparents #teacherteacherng

Rancho: Hey Chuchu, do you know that giving valuable information about the Gardner Museum heist and this stolen bronze eagle finial could fetch you $10 million? 😯 Chuchu: No way! What's a bronze eagle finial, Rancho? Rancho: A finial is a decorative ornament usually placed at the top of a structure, like a flagpole or a roof. This particular finial is a 10-inch tall gilded bronze eagle meant to be attached to a staff on top of a flagpole and carried into battle. Chuchu: Hmmm! Why is this one important? Rancho: This eagle finial was the insignia of the First Regiment of Napoleon’s Imperial Guard. It’s important because it symbolises the 'divine' authority of Napoleon's empire. Plus, it’s one of the few remaining pieces from that era. Chuchu: Who was Napoleon? Rancho: Napoleon Bonaparte was a French military leader and emperor who conquered much of Europe in the early 19th century. He was known for his brilliant military strategies and his ambition to expand his empire. Chuchu: Did he say anything famous? Rancho: Oh, definitely! One of his famous quotes is, "Victory belongs to the most persevering." 🤔 Chuchu: Can you tell me how the heist was carried out that day? Rancho: The two thieves, dressed like cops, managed to steal 13 pieces of art, including the bronze eagle finial, in just 81 minutes during the infamous Isabella Gardner Museum heist in 1990. They cut the finial from the flagpole but left the flag behind because it was too large to carry out quickly. Chuchu: That’s crazy! And you said there is a reward for finding it? Rancho: Yes, the museum is still offering a $100,000 reward specifically for the finial and the $10 million reward for any valuable information leading to the recovery of the stolen artworks. Chuchu: That’s a lot of money! Thanks for the art and history lesson, Rancho! Rancho: Anytime, Chuchu! And we hope they find the stolen pieces too. Image source (fair use): wbur.org #creativitywillsaveus #nigerianteachers #nigerianparents #teacherteacherng

Rancho: Hey Little Picasso! Have you heard about Edgar Degas' stolen artwork called "The Three Mounted Jockeys"? Little Picasso: No! What's it all about? Rancho: It is an unfinished piece created by Degas between 1885 and 1888. It's done in graphite and black chalk on tan wove (not woven) paper, with some touches of oil paint, measuring about 12 by 9 1/2 inches. The drawing shows three jockeys on horseback with soft black lines and light shading giving it a dynamic yet delicate feel. Little Picasso: Cool! What about horse races and jockeys back then? Rancho: Horse racing has existed for centuries, with organised events becoming popular in the 17th and 18th centuries. Jockeys also became professional athletes around this time. Training to be a jockey can take up to four years, starting as young as sixteen. They need to be incredibly fit, agile, and fearless! Little Picasso: And what about the horses? How long does it take to groom them for races? Rancho: Grooming a racehorse is a meticulous process that starts from a young age. Horses can begin formal training as early as two years old, but grooming them for top-level races involves years of care and training. Grooms, the unsung heroes of horse racing, work tirelessly to ensure these horses are in peak condition. Little Picasso: Wow, that's a lot of work! How many breeds of horses are there? Rancho: There are approximately two hundred recognised horse breeds worldwide, each with unique characteristics and purposes. From the speedy Thoroughbreds to the sturdy Clydesdales, there's a breed for every need! Little Picasso: Which are the most expensive and rarest horses? Rancho: The most expensive horses often come from prestigious racing bloodlines. For example, a Thoroughbred named Fusaichi Pegasus was sold for a whopping $70 million! As for the rarest, the Akhal-Teke, known for its metallic sheen, is one of the rarest and most beautiful horse breeds in the world. 😯 Little Picasso: Wow! Thanks for the lesson! Rancho: You're welcome! So, would you bet on the horse or jockey to win a race? 😜 Image source (fair use): www.wbur.org #creativitywillsaveus #nigerianteachers #nigerianparents #teacherteacherng