Author Archives: maerickson5

The Beautiful Country of Mongolia I have always wanted to visit Mongolia. The vast plains with the mountains as a backdrop and such a rich history has always promised a great adventure to me. I think the nomadic lifestyle that is still practiced today in urban areas is absolutely fascinating. The embassy website (http://mongolianembassy.us/about-mongolia/culture/) hasContinue reading “Captain’s Log: No Cowboys Here”

The Future is Being Created Now Some Background: I think we live in a pretty remarkable time. There is darkness, sure, some parts of the world and even America have some pretty stark dystopian elements. But we also live in an era where things are declared impossible and then created only a few years later.Continue reading “Captain’s Log: All Caught Up”

The Harlem Renaissance: A Little Background I really enjoy reading about the Harlem Renaissance because it was such an explosion of culture and artistic expression. The Harlem Renaissance started in the early 20th century (roughly 1910’s) and lasted in the 1930’s. During this period there was a large population migration from the south due toContinue reading “Captain’s Log 6: Early Modern Art”

Art and Science in the 1700’s Some Background The 18th century was an explosive era in time, full of cultural and scientific development. There was an extensive change in thinking involving increased scientific exploration. This was a shift from metaphysics and spirituality to empirical observation (https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/monarchy-enlightenment/rococo/a/a-beginners-guide-to-the-age-of-enlightenment) that brought rationality to the front of the humanContinue reading “Captain’s Log 5: The Science of Art and the Art of Science”

The Incredulity of St. Thomas Some Backstory Michelangelo Merisi Da Caravaggio was a hugely popular painter who lived a turbulent life where huge groups of people were either attracted or repelled by his actions. When he was 21 he moved to Rome to study and improve his art forms. After a rough couple of years,Continue reading “Captain’s Log 4: Seeing is Believing”

Landscape With The Fall of Icarus Created in 1560 By Pieter Bruegel the Elder A Little Backstory This 28.9in x 44in work of art was created by Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Pieter was born in 1525 and is considered the greatest member of a large Netherlandish family of artists that were active in the 16/17thContinue reading “Captain’s Log 3: Getting Close to the Sun”

By Maximilian Erickson “The Vision for the Shard was to create an architecturally striking vertical city incorporating retail, offices, hotel, apartments, restaurants and a public viewing gallery.” – Ivine Sellar The London Shard – A Fusion of Art and Science The Background The shard was developed by Irvine Sellar, who had a vision to createContinue reading “Captain’s Log 2: The Shard”

Introduction: My name is Maximilian Erickson. I am a fifth year senior studying mechanical engineering and minoring in English. Originally from Anchorage, I journeyed north looking for adventure and so far I’ve met a lot of cool people and seen a lot of cool things. I enjoy movie nights, martial arts, weight lifting, and visitsContinue reading “Captain’s Log 1:”