Below is a comprehensive guide on the best WordPress security plugins and how to set them up to ensure optimal protection for your WordPress site.

Best WordPress Security Plugins

1. Wordfence Security

Features:

• Web application firewall (WAF) to block malicious traffic.
• Malware scanner to detect and remove suspicious files.
• Real-time threat defence feed to stay updated on emerging threats.
• Login security features (reCAPTCHA, two-factor authentication).

Setup Best Practices:

1. Install and Activate:
   • Navigate to Plugins > Add New, search for “Wordfence Security,” and install it.
2. Configure Basic Settings:
   • Go to Wordfence > Dashboard.
   • Enable the Web Application Firewall (opt for extended protection).
   • Configure scan settings to run automatically at least once daily.
3. Enable Login Security:
   • Go to Wordfence > Login Security.
   • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for admin accounts.
   • Set strong passwords enforcement.
4. Block IPs:
   • Under Firewall > Blocking, block suspicious IPs automatically.

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Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a crucial strategy for enhancing a website‘s visibility in organic search results, driving traffic, and improving online presence. By optimizing content and keywords, businesses can attract targeted audiences, improve brand credibility, and enhance user experience. SEO offers long-term benefits by continuously drawing organic traffic without the need for ongoing ad expenditure.

2. iThemes Security

Features:

• Brute force protection to limit login attempts.
• File change detection to alert you of unauthorised modifications.
• Two-factor authentication for login security.
• Security dashboard for a centralised view of threats.

Setup Best Practices:

1. Install and Activate:
   • Search for “iThemes Security” and activate it.
2. Secure Your Site:
   • Navigate to Security > Settings and run the Security Check feature.
   • Enable brute force protection to lock out users with repeated failed login attempts.
   • Set up file change detection to monitor core file modifications.
3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication:
   • Go to Security > Two-Factor Authentication.
   • Generate and scan the QR code using an authentication app like Google Authenticator.

3. Sucuri Security

Features:

• Website firewall for blocking malicious traffic.
• Malware scanner for detecting vulnerabilities.
• Post-hack actions to recover a compromised site.
• Security activity auditing.

Setup Best Practices:

1. Install and Activate:
   • Search for “Sucuri Security” in the plugins repository.
2. Configure General Settings:
   • Go to Sucuri Security > Settings.
   • Enable auditing, malware scanning, and blacklist monitoring.
3. Enable Firewall:
   • Configure the firewall for advanced traffic filtering. The premium version includes a DNS-level firewall for enhanced protection.

4. All In One WP Security & Firewall

Features:

• Login lockdown to prevent brute force attacks.
• User account security with password strength enforcement.
• Firewall to block harmful requests.
• Database security to change default database prefixes.

Setup Best Practices:

1. Install and Activate:
   • Search for “All In One WP Security & Firewall” and activate it.
2. Strengthen Login Security:
   • Enable login lockdown and set a limit for failed login attempts.
   • Add reCAPTCHA to the login form for added protection.
3. Enable Basic Firewall Rules:
   • Go to Firewall > Basic Firewall Rules and activate core options like 404 detection and block fake Google bots.
4. Backup Your Database:
   • Use the plugin’s database backup feature to create regular backups.

5. MalCare Security

Features:

• One-click malware removal.
• Real-time firewall protection.
• Login protection features like CAPTCHA and 2FA.
• Scheduled site scanning.

Setup Best Practices:

1. Install and Activate:
   • Search for “MalCare Security” and activate the plugin.
2. Run a Site Scan:
   • Perform an initial site scan to detect any vulnerabilities.
3. Enable Firewall:
   • Go to MalCare > Security Firewall and activate real-time firewall protection.
4. Automate Scans:
   • Schedule daily scans for malware detection.

General Security Tips

1. Regular Updates:
   • Keep WordPress core, plugins, and themes up-to-date.
   • Remove unused or outdated plugins/themes.
2. Use SSL Certificates:
   • Install and configure an SSL certificate to encrypt data transmission.
3. Backup Regularly:
   • Use plugins like UpdraftPlus or BackupBuddy for automated backups.
4. Limit Login Attempts:
   • Use plugins to restrict the number of failed login attempts.
5. Strong Passwords and 2FA:
   • Encourage all users to set strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
6. Monitor Activity:
   • Regularly check security logs for unusual activities.
7. Restrict Access:
   • Use IP whitelisting and restrict admin area access to trusted IPs.

By using one or more of these plugins and following the setup practices outlined above, you can significantly reduce the risk of security breaches on your WordPress website. Always stay vigilant and update your security measures as new threats emerge.

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Building a website with WordPress is an excellent choice due to its versatility, ease of use, and a vast array of plugins that enhance functionality. Here’s a comprehensive guide to building a WordPress website, along with recommendations for the best plugins.

How to Build a Website with WordPress

1. Choose Hosting and a Domain Name

• Domain Name: Select a domain name that reflects your brand or purpose. A popular Australian Domain Registration service comes from Fastdot.com.au to register your domain name.
• Web Hosting: Pick a reliable hosting provider. Popular options include:
  • Managed WordPress Hosting: Optimised for WordPress is Fastdot.

2. Install WordPress

• Most hosting providers offer a one-click WordPress installation through their control panel (e.g., cPanel or Plesk).
• Alternatively, you can download WordPress from WordPress.org and manually upload it to your server using FTP.

3. Choose a Theme

• Navigate to Appearance  Themes in the WordPress dashboard.
• Select a free theme from the WordPress repository or purchase a premium theme from marketplaces like ThemeForest.
• Popular Web Design themes:
  • Astra: Lightweight and customisable.
  • OceanWP: Great for e-commerce and multipurpose websites.
  • Divi: Drag-and-drop builder with premium features.

4. Install Essential Plugins

• Go to Plugins  Add New to install plugins that add functionality.
• See the list below for the best plugins to consider.

5. Customise Your Website

• Pages: Create essential pages like Home, About, Services, Blog, and Contact.
• Menus: Set up navigation under Appearance  Menus.
• Widgets: Use the widget areas for sidebars, footers, or custom sections.

6. Configure Settings

• General Settings: Set the site title, tagline, and timezone.
• Permalinks: Optimise URLs by selecting the Post Name structure in Settings  Permalinks.
• SSL: Ensure your site is secure using HTTPS. Many hosts provide free SSL certificates through Let’s Encrypt.

7. Add Content

• Use the Block Editor (Gutenberg) or install a page builder plugin like Elementor for a more intuitive design experience.
• Regularly add blog posts or updates to improve SEO and keep visitors engaged.

8. Optimise and Launch

• Test your website on various devices and browsers.
• Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights to optimise performance.
• Once ready, launch the website by making it public.

Best Plugins to Use

Essential Plugins

1. Yoast SEO
   • Helps optimise your content for search engines.
   • Features: Keyword optimisation, meta descriptions, readability analysis.
2. Elementor
   • Drag-and-drop page builder for designing custom layouts.
   • Features: Pre-built templates, responsive design, dynamic widgets.
3. WPForms
   • Create contact forms, surveys, and polls easily.
   • Features: Drag-and-drop builder, conditional logic, spam protection.
4. WooCommerce
   • Best for e-commerce websites.
   • Features: Product management, payment gateways, shipping options.
5. Wordfence Security
   • Protects your site from malware and attacks.
   • Features: Firewall, malware scanner, brute force protection.
6. UpdraftPlus
   • Simplifies site backups and restoration.
   • Features: Automated backups, cloud storage options.

Performance and Optimisation

1. WP Rocket
   • Premium caching plugin to speed up your website.
   • Features: Page caching, file compression, lazy loading.
2. Smush
   • Optimises images to reduce loading times.
   • Features: Bulk image compression, lazy load.
3. LiteSpeed Cache
   • Excellent for LiteSpeed servers.
   • Features: Cache management, image optimisation, database cleaning.

Design and Customisation

1. SeedProd
   • Best for creating landing pages and coming soon pages.
   • Features: Drag-and-drop editor, integrations with marketing tools.
2. Ultimate Addons for Gutenberg
   • Extends the default WordPress block editor.
   • Features: Advanced blocks, design controls.
3. Slider Revolution
   • Create stunning sliders and carousels.
   • Features: Animation effects, templates.

Analytics and Marketing

1. MonsterInsights
   • Integrates Google Analytics with your website.
   • Features: Real-time stats, audience reports.
2. Mailchimp for WordPress
   • Adds email subscription forms.
   • Features: Integration with Mailchimp, customisable forms.
3. PushEngage
   • Adds push notification functionality.
   • Features: Subscriber segmentation, automation.

E-Commerce-Specific Plugins

1. CartFlows
   • Optimises sales funnels for WooCommerce stores.
   • Features: Pre-built funnel templates, A/B testing.
2. YITH WooCommerce Wishlist
   • Adds wishlist functionality to your store.
   • Features: Shareable wishlists, multi-platform compatibility.
3. Stripe Payment Gateway
   • Enables Stripe payment processing.
   • Features: Secure payments, easy setup.

Maintenance and Management

1. ManageWP
   • Central dashboard to manage multiple WordPress sites.
   • Features: Backup, security checks, updates.
2. Broken Link Checker
   • Detects broken links on your website.
   • Features: Link monitoring, automated fixes.
3. WP-Optimize
   • Cleans and optimises your database.
   • Features: Cache, database cleaning, image optimisation.

Hopefully those tips and recommended WordPress plugins will get you on your way to building a high-quality WordPress website tailored to your needs. Always regularly update WordPress, themes, and plugins to ensure security and performance.

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Developing a WordPress website requires careful planning, execution, and optimisation to ensure it is functional, user-friendly, and effective. The process can be broken into key stages, and each stage benefits from specific plugins to enhance functionality and performance.

Here’s a detailed guide to the most important stages of WordPress website development and the essential plugins for each stage.

Stages of WordPress Website Development

1. Planning and Preparation

This foundational stage involves defining the website’s purpose, goals, and target audience.

Key Actions:

• Identify your website type: blog, e-commerce, portfolio, etc.
• Create a sitemap to outline the website’s structure.
• Choose a domain name and reliable hosting provider.

Recommended Plugins:

• WP Maintenance Mode & Coming Soon: Display a “coming soon” page while your site is under construction.
• Elementor: A drag-and-drop page builder for creating wireframes or mockups.

2. Installing and Configuring WordPress

Set up WordPress and customise its basic settings to create a solid foundation.

Key Actions:

• Install WordPress on your hosting platform.
• Configure basic settings like site title, tagline, and permalink structure.
• Choose a theme that aligns with your website’s purpose.

Recommended Plugins:

• Starter Templates: Import ready-made website templates to kickstart development.
• LoginPress: Customise the WordPress login page for branding purposes.

3. Designing the Website

Focus on creating an appealing and user-friendly design that aligns with your brand identity.

Key Actions:

• Customise your theme using the WordPress Customizer or a page builder.
• Use high-quality images and consistent typography to enhance the design.
• Ensure the design is responsive and works well on all devices.

Recommended Plugins:

• Elementor: Build custom pages with a visual editor.
• Smash Balloon Social Photo Feed: Integrate Instagram feeds for visual appeal.
• Slider Revolution: Add advanced sliders and animations.

4. Adding Content

Content is the heart of your website. Populate pages with valuable information, images, and media.

Key Actions:

• Create essential pages like About, Contact, Services, and Blog.
• Optimise images and videos to reduce load times.
• Use headings, bullet points, and whitespace for readability.

Recommended Plugins:

• Classic Editor: For users who prefer the traditional WordPress editing interface.
• WPForms: Build contact forms and surveys easily.
• Ultimate Blocks: Enhance the Gutenberg editor with additional block options.

5. Optimising for SEO

SEO is essential to ensure your website ranks high on search engines and attracts organic traffic.

Key Actions:

• Optimise meta titles, descriptions, and URLs.
• Conduct keyword research and integrate them naturally into your content.
• Set up an XML sitemap to help search engines index your site.

Recommended Plugins:

• Yoast SEO: Comprehensive SEO management, including content optimisation and XML sitemaps.
• Rank Math: Advanced SEO features with built-in analytics.
• Schema Pro: Add structured data for rich snippets.

6. Enhancing Performance

Website speed and performance impact user experience and SEO rankings.

Key Actions:

• Minimise image sizes and enable caching.
• Use a content delivery network (CDN) for faster loading times.
• Monitor performance metrics regularly.

Recommended Plugins:

• WP Rocket: A powerful caching plugin to speed up your website.
• Smush: Optimises images without compromising quality.
• Cloudflare: Integrate with a CDN for faster load times and improved security.

7. Securing the Website

Security is critical to protect your website from hacks, malware, and other threats.

Key Actions:

• Enable two-factor authentication for admin logins.
• Regularly update WordPress core, themes, and plugins.
• Backup your website to safeguard against data loss.

Recommended Plugins:

• Wordfence Security: A robust security plugin with firewall and malware scanning features.
• UpdraftPlus: Schedule automated backups for easy recovery.
• Sucuri Security: Monitors and protects against potential threats.

8. Testing and Launching

Before going live, thoroughly test your website to ensure everything works as expected.

Key Actions:

• Test responsiveness on multiple devices and browsers.
• Check all forms, links, and functionality.
• Monitor site speed using tools like Google PageSpeed Insights.

Recommended Plugins:

• Broken Link Checker: Identifies and fixes broken links on your site.
• Redirection: Manages URL redirects and tracks 404 errors.
• WP Maintenance Mode & Coming Soon: Transition from construction to live mode seamlessly.

9. Post-Launch Monitoring and Maintenance

Regular maintenance is necessary to ensure the website remains functional and updated.

Key Actions:

• Monitor performance metrics and fix issues promptly.
• Regularly update WordPress, plugins, and themes.
• Engage visitors with fresh content and interactive features.

Recommended Plugins:

• Google Site Kit: Integrates Google Analytics, Search Console, and AdSense into your WordPress dashboard.
• Jetpack: Provides performance monitoring, backups, and additional site features.
• MonsterInsights: Offers detailed analytics for better decision-making.

Bonus Plugins for Enhanced Functionality

• WooCommerce: Build and manage an e-commerce store.
• Social Snap: Add social media sharing buttons to increase engagement.
• TablePress: Create and manage tables on your site.
• TranslatePress: Build multilingual websites with ease.

Conclusion

WordPress website development is a step-by-step process that involves planning, designing, content creation, optimisation, and maintenance. By leveraging the right plugins at each stage, you can ensure your website is not only functional but also optimised for performance, security, and user engagement.

Focus on these stages and plugins to build a WordPress website that stands out and delivers results.

• What makes Fastdot.com such a great WordPress hosting provider : Specializing in WordPress hosting, Fastdot.com prides itself on offering easy installation processes, a secure infrastructure, and round-the-clock expert support.
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Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) is essential for improving your WordPress website’s visibility in search engines. Here are the most powerful tools to optimise your site effectively:

• Yoast SEO

  One of the most popular plugins for SEO, offering comprehensive features to optimise content, structure, and metadata.

  • On-page SEO analysis for readability and keyword optimisation.
  • Automated XML sitemap generation.
  • Meta title and description management.
  • Integration with Google Search Console.

  Best For: Beginners and advanced users seeking an all-in-one solution.

• Rank Math

  A feature-rich plugin offering advanced functionality for free.

  • Optimise posts for unlimited keywords.
  • Built-in schema markup and rich snippet support.
  • Detailed SEO analysis and recommendations.
  • Integration with Google Analytics.

  Best For: Users wanting a lightweight yet powerful alternative to premium plugins.

• All in One SEO (AIOSEO)

  A user-friendly plugin offering advanced tools for optimising websites.

  • Local SEO optimisation for businesses.
  • WooCommerce SEO support.
  • Smart XML sitemaps and video sitemaps.

  Best For: Small businesses and eCommerce stores.

• Google Site Kit

  An integration of Google tools into your WordPress dashboard for analytics and SEO insights.

  • Insights from Google Analytics and Search Console.
  • AdSense revenue tracking.
  • Page-specific performance metrics.

  Best For: Users looking for Google-based insights.

• SEOPress

  A versatile and lightweight plugin offering features similar to premium alternatives.

  • Manage titles, meta descriptions, and Open Graph tags.
  • Generate XML and HTML sitemaps.
  • WooCommerce integration.

  Best For: Developers seeking customisable SEO tools.

• WP Rocket

  A caching plugin that improves site speed, a critical ranking factor for SEO.

  • Page caching for faster load times.
  • Image lazy loading.
  • Minification of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

  Best For: Performance optimisation alongside SEO.

• Broken Link Checker

  Helps find and fix broken links, which can negatively impact SEO rankings.

  • Automatically scans for broken links.
  • Reports missing images and redirects.
  • Inline editing for quick fixes.

  Best For: Maintaining a healthy website by fixing broken links.

• Schema Pro

  Designed for implementing structured data to enhance rich snippets in search results.

  • Automatically adds schema types like reviews, recipes, and FAQs.
  • Enhances click-through rates.

  Best For: Improving rich snippet visibility.

• Redirection

  Manages 301 redirects and monitors 404 errors for a healthy site structure.

  • Track 404 errors.
  • Inline editing for creating redirects.

  Best For: Managing broken links and redirects efficiently.

• MonsterInsights

  Connects Google Analytics to WordPress for actionable insights.

  • Real-time Google Analytics data in your dashboard.
  • Track user behaviour and conversion rates.

  Best For: Understanding visitor behaviour and optimising based on data.

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Step 1: Visit Fastdot.com

Open your web browser and go to Fastdot.com. Navigate to the Domains section, either from the homepage or from the main navigation bar.

Step 2: Search for Your Desired Domain Name

In the domain search bar, type the domain name you want to purchase. Fastdot supports a wide range of domain extensions (TLDs), such as .com, .net, .org, .com.au, and many others.

Click the Search Domain button. The system will check the availability of your desired domain name.

Step 3: Review Domain Availability and Alternatives

If your domain name is available, you will see an “Add to Cart” option. If it’s not available, Fastdot will provide alternative suggestions or variations, which may include different domain extensions (TLDs) or slight variations in the name.

If your preferred domain is available, click Add to Cart to proceed with the registration. If not, choose one of the alternatives or refine your search with different keywords.

Step 4: Choose the Registration Period and Add-ons

Select the registration period: Fastdot allows you to register domains for 1, 2, 5, or 10 years. Select the registration length that suits your needs. You can also set up auto-renewal to avoid losing your domain when it expires.

Optional Add-ons: Fastdot may offer additional services for your domain, such as:

• Domain privacy protection (WHOIS privacy): Protects your personal information by masking it from public domain lookup tools.
• Email hosting: Create a professional email address with your domain (e.g., yourname@yourdomain.com).
• SSL certificates: Secure your website, especially if you plan to accept payments or process sensitive data.
• Website hosting: Fastdot offers web hosting plans that can be bundled with your domain registration.

Step 5: Review Your Cart

Once you’ve selected the domain name and any add-ons, click Checkout to review your cart.

Ensure the domain name, registration period, and additional services are correct. Pay attention to the total cost and check for any discounts or promotions.

Step 6: Create a Fastdot Account

If you’re a new user, you will need to create an account with Fastdot. Enter your name, email address, phone number, and a secure password. This account will allow you to manage your domains, hosting, and billing in the future.

If you already have a Fastdot account, simply log in with your credentials.

Step 7: Provide Contact Information for Domain Registration

You will be asked to provide contact details for domain registration. This includes your name, address, email address, and phone number.

These details will be submitted to ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers), which manages global domain registration. If you purchased domain privacy protection, Fastdot will mask this information from public WHOIS searches.

Step 8: Complete the Payment

Review your order one last time and proceed to payment.

Fastdot supports various payment options, including credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, and other secure payment methods. Enter your payment information and click Submit Payment.

After successful payment, you will receive a confirmation email with your order details and domain registration information.

Step 9: Verify Your Domain Registration

ICANN requires domain registrants to verify their email address. You will receive a verification email from Fastdot to confirm your contact information.

Click on the verification link in the email to finalise your domain registration. Failing to verify your email could result in the suspension of your domain name.

Step 10: Connect Your Domain to a Website

Once your domain is registered, you need to connect it to a website. There are two main options:

• Use Fastdot’s Hosting Services: If you purchased web hosting from Fastdot, you can manage your domain and hosting from the same account. Fastdot will guide you through setting up your website, whether it’s via a content management system (CMS) like WordPress or a website builder.
• Point Your Domain to an External Host: If you already have a hosting provider, log into your Fastdot account, navigate to the DNS Settings, and update the nameservers to point to your hosting provider’s servers. Your hosting provider will provide you with the nameserver details needed to complete this step.

Optional: Set Up Email Hosting

If you want a professional email address like yourname@yourdomain.com, you can set up email hosting through Fastdot or connect it to a third-party service like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365. Fastdot’s control panel will guide you through this setup process, making it easy to start using your domain-branded email.

Conclusion

Purchasing a domain name with Fastdot.com is a straightforward process that can be completed in minutes. Their platform offers a variety of domain extensions, optional privacy protection, and affordable add-ons like email hosting and SSL certificates. By following this guide, you can easily register your domain and begin building your online presence.

Now that you’ve registered your domain, you can focus on creating a website and establishing your brand online.

Art

#architecture #flowers #installation #nature #plants #Rebecca Louise Law

“The Womb” (2019), Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. All images © Rebecca Louise Law, shared with permission. Photograph by Chuck Heiney

For millennia, dried flowers have been prepared for a vast array of uses ranging from decoration and fragrance to pigments and medicine. British artist Rebecca Louise Law taps into our perennial fascination with florals for her monumental, immersive installations. Exploring our relationship with the natural environment and the way blooms and botanicals have influenced cultures throughout history, her reinterpretations of existing architecture encourage the viewer to move around the space in a new way.

In Parma, she draws inspiration from the city’s culinary and medicinal history for “Florilegum,” and in Brittany, France, she was invited to reimagine the Château de la Roche-Jagu’s grand banquet hall. For “The Womb,” visitors walked inside a room delineated by delicate strands of flowers and approached a cocoon-like form in the center, suggesting a space that is simultaneously protective, potent, and fragile. By hand-sewing stems and fronds together and wrapping them carefully in thin wire, she constructs lengthy ribbons of foliage that can be draped from a framework to create long, curtain-like expanses or colorful volumes at various heights.

You can visit “Florilegium” at Chiesa di San Tiburzio in Parma, Italy, and “Awakening” at the Honolulu Museum of Art will be on view through September 10, 2023. Explore more of Law’s work on her website and follow updates on Instagram.

“Banquet” (2019), La Roche Jagu, France. Photograph by Julien Mota

“Florilegium” (2020), Chiesa di San Tiburzio, Parma, Italy

“Florilegium”

“Banquet” (2019), La Roche Jagu, France. Photograph by Julien Mota

“Awakening” (2022), Honolulu Museum of Art

Detail of “Awakening”

Details of “Awakening”

Detail of “Awakening”

Detail of “The Womb.” Photograph by Chuck Heiney

#architecture #flowers #installation #nature #plants #Rebecca Louise Law

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Photography Science

#biology #butterflies #Levon Biss #nature

All images © Levon Biss, shared with permission

A photographer known for using the macro to investigate the micro, Levon Biss (previously) continues his explorations into the vast world of entomology. His recent butterfly pupae series centers on “the diversity of design and form” through illuminating portraits of approximately 30 specimens as they undergo metamorphosis and complete the final, most vulnerable stage of the transition from adolescence to adulthood.

Otherworldly and bordering on the bizarre, many of the chrysalises have evolved to be deceptive in appearance, acting as necessary camouflage from potential predators by impersonating nearby plants and surroundings: some mimic the natural, like those that imitate a rotting plantain or mossy hunk of bark, while others are more artful, like those spotted with Kusama-esque dots or cloaked in a mirrored gold coating. The photographs are “intended to be both entertaining and educational,” Biss shares, “allowing the viewer to appreciate the diversity in the subject whilst appreciating the intricate details that evolution has created.”

Pick up a print of the unearthly images, and find more from the collection on Biss’s site and Instagram. If you’re in New York, you can also see his Extinct and Endangered series at the American Museum of Natural History.

#biology #butterflies #Levon Biss #nature

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Art

#afrofuturism #Ekow Nimako #Lego #narrative #sculpture

All images © Ekow Nimako, shared with permission

Through vast environments constructed with hundreds of thousands of black LEGO, Ghanaian-Canadian artist Ekow Nimako envisions an Afrofuturistic landscape brimming with strength, power, and liberation. Sprawling metropolises nest small buildings, regal towers, and fantastical details like the unhinged jaw of an enormous snake in their midst, structuring the architectural realms around legacies of myth and optimism.

Nimako’s current project, Building Black Civilizations: Journey of 2000 Ships, encapsulates this Afrofuturistic vision and invokes the mysterious story of Mansa Abu Bakr II, Mali’s ruler who’s said to have sailed from the coast of Africa in the 14th Century and never returned. The Atlantic voyage is one possible example of pre-Columbian contact and the founding narrative behind the artist’s latest sculptures.

Part of the ongoing Building Black series, this new collection comprises upwards of 500,000 sleek, black LEGO built into speculative cityscapes and figures. Nimako, who is currently based in Toronto, collaborated with studio assistants Janeesa Lewis-Nimako, Karen Osagie, and Keisha Agyemang to construct the utopian works, which are on view now at Dunlop Art Gallery, a community center in North East Scarborough.

Requiring more than 600 hours of build time, each topography contains an Adinkra, a symbol that traditionally represents an aphoristic concept. Nimako shares that the emblems “are meant to connect the successive medieval empires of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai across the centuries to the present, while providing a proverbial and moral centre for each sculptural narrative.”

Visit Dunlop Art Gallery before January 10, 2023, to see the incredible detail of Journey of 2000 Ships up close, and find more from Nimako on Instagram.

#afrofuturism #Ekow Nimako #Lego #narrative #sculpture

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The benefits of teaching art history on a consistent basis include:

• Global Thinking
  Students see similarities and differences between people and cultures across the globe.
• Exposure
  Share distinct artists and iconic artwork to reveal a variety of cultures and geographic locations.
• Range of Perspectives
  Art often shares an artist’s thoughts and opinions. Introduce students to a broad range of thinking.
• Informed Artmaking
  Students can observe the possibilities of new mediums, processes, and styles before approaching an assignment.

Inserting art history into your classroom on a regular basis sets the norm. If you are looking to gain more confidence in your art history repertoire, enroll in the Integrating Art History graduate course to strengthen your knowledge. Learn strategies to appeal to student interests and foster an appreciation for art while maintaining the integrity and richness of art history. Connect with an admission counselor for more information.

Here are ten ways to add art history to your curriculum.

1. Choose one artist to showcase per unit.

Do your research to find the artist that will have the best alignment with your unit. Connections can be through the medium, subject matter, technique, or process.

Here are three artists and how you can apply them to a unit:

• Jen Stark: Drippy Lines
  Jen Stark is a great contemporary artist to study line and color. Stark uses a variety of line widths and directions. She also uses color palettes of black and white, cool colors, warm colors, and the rainbow gradient.
• Keith Haring: Action Figures
  Practicing drawing the human form can be complicated, especially for lower grades. Veering away from stick figures can be a tough challenge! Keith Haring simplifies the human form in cookie-cutter-like shapes with bold lines and color. Drawing in Haring’s style allows students to study the human form in a variety of uncomplicated action poses.
• Giuseppe Arcimboldo: Fruit Faces
  Think outside the box by combining portraiture with Surrealism. Giuseppe Arcimboldo was an Italian painter who created portrait heads made entirely of produce and vegetation. The combination of learning facial proportions with imaginative new uses for produce will lend itself to an innovative lesson plan. Students may be shocked to see a 500-year-old portrait with fruit and vegetables for a face, but this invites them to focus on the foundational shapes and forms of produce.

2. Use books!

Aligning an artist to a unit gives students a cross-curricular lesson with a natural tie-in to history. Make a literacy connection by reading books about the artists. The World’s Greatest Artist is a collection of over forty books. They are great introductions for elementary students. For middle school and higher, Secret Lives of Great Artists has more risque stories and more thorough information on a handful of artists. Review all resources and preview all artists before sharing with your students.

3. Incorporate FLEX Artist Bios.

FLEX Curriculum is an adaptable curriculum aligned to all 50 states’ visual art standards, including NCAS. FLEX includes student-facing resources such as artist biographies. Each Artist Bio is written at an eighth-grade reading level but can be modified for lower and upper grades. They include a brief history, notable artworks, achievements, quotes, and more. Use them to help students connect to diverse historical, contemporary, and living artists. For more information on how to get these Artist Bios in your classroom, fill out this short contact form.

4. Watch a PRO Pack.

For more strategies on how to teach art history and how to get your students to interact in meaningful ways, watch a PRO Pack for self-paced professional development. These teacher-facing videos are where you can learn from facilitators who are art teachers just like you. The good news is many districts will provide this for you! To learn more, check out this article and fill out this form.

Here are two PRO Packs worth checking out:

5. Connect with your students’ diverse interests.

Our students have vast and diverse interests. Good thing art is also vast and diverse! There is an artist connection out there for each one of your students to fall in love with. Let’s take a look at some common artists and topics that intrigue students of all ages. And, as always, be sure to preview all artists before sharing with your students.

Here is a short list of artists and their stories your students may find fascinating:

• Students With an Injury
  Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits depict her many injuries. From a bus accident to being restricted to a bed, and finally dressing up as a man to be taken seriously, Kahlo paints us her biography. Students with broken bones in the art room can feel stuck, especially if their dominant hand or arm is in a cast. Share Frida’s self-portraits to inspire and encourage students to create art while physically challenged.
• Students Who Are Passionate About Social Issues
  As students get older and start forming their own hobbies, interests, thoughts, and opinions, they may gravitate toward social issues. Encourage this development with 5 Activist Artists You Might Know and 10 You Might Not Know… Yet!
• Students From Ghana and Nigeria
  If your school has a large population of students from Ghana or Nigeria, your students may find common ground with the sculptural artist El  Anatsui. He is a sculptor from Ghana who currently lives and works in Nigeria. He takes materials from the streets and ground and turns them into large-scale installations. His body of work is comprised of sculptural wall mosaics made out of liquor seals sewn together.
• Students Who Love Video Games
  Students who are into video games will be inspired by Invader’s artwork. This contemporary artist uses ceramic tiles with video-game-inspired characters such as Space Invaders, Pac-Man, and Super Mario Brothers. This artist “invades” urban areas by installing tile mosaics over cities. If you are lucky enough to live in a city that has been “invaded,” have your students go on a scavenger hunt. Alternatively, brainstorm how you can install artwork throughout your classroom or school.

6. Try Art History Remix.

Give your students a chance to rework a famous artwork. Project a piece like Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. For younger students, show a simple line drawing of the painting. Sometimes a more simplified version can help students draw what they see. Students reinvent the portrait with a modern twist by changing or adding elements. This can include a new hairstyle, modern clothes, different backgrounds, or updated accessories. Ensure the main composition and a few traditional elements remain intact so the figure is still clearly recognizable. This is a substitute lesson favorite and can be adapted for any work of art. Include a FLEX Artist Bio (see above) to read along with this activity!

7. Study other cultures.

Art history is broad and stretches from the beginning of time to now. Teaching about entire cultures and time periods is another way to enhance your lessons with art history. Architecture units are excellent avenues to discuss different civilizations such as Greek, Roman, prehistoric, Egyptian, and beyond. Pair your lesson with diverse mythology stories from each culture to create higher student engagement.

8. Compare and contrast past and living artists.

Just like history, art history can have a sneaky and fun way of reappearing. Try comparing and contrasting historical masters with contemporary, living artists. This helps to make artwork and meaning relevant to students.

Here are two artist pairs your students can compare and contrast:

• Kehinde Wiley and Gerard ter Borch
  Kehinde Wiley is a contemporary artist who primarily depicts black people in photorealistic paintings inspired by the old masters. Jacob de Graeff by Wiley shows an artist asked to pose from the streets. It is modeled after a 17th-century Dutch portrait by Gerard ter Borch of Jacob de Graeff. Both paintings have great similarities yet stark differences.
• Claes Oldenburg and Tamara Kostianovsky
  Soft sculpture artists Claes Oldenburg (who passed away in July of 2022) and contemporary artist Tamara Kostianovsky have similar, yet diverse, three-dimensional forms. Oldenburg’s popular  cheeseburger sculpture can be discussed alongside Kostianovsky’s floral hanging meat sculptures.

9. Compose a poem or rap.

Write a poem or rap about a famous work of art. This is a great way to tie in ELA standards while observing artwork. As an extension activity, students can perform their poems and raps for the class. Don’t Miss This One-Day Lesson That Connects Poetry and Art Analysis. It also makes a great substitute plan!

10. Integrate music.

Add another of the five senses to the art classroom to help students retain information: listening to music. Play the most popular song from the year the artwork was created. Students compare and contrast the characteristics of the music with the artwork. This also helps them orient a historical timeline better than just seeing the artwork. Listen to all songs and preview all lyrics before sharing them with your students to ensure they are appropriate. (Now, if only we knew what the artists were eating while they were creating their pieces!)

For example, I Want To Hold Your Hand by the Beatles was one of the most popular songs when Rene Magritte’s The Son Of Man was painted. Before sharing the origin date of the painting, students form a hypothesis about when the Beatles were popular and when Magritte’s painting was created.

Integrating art history into your curriculum can spark student interest and help you make strong cross-curricular connections. Bring more of the senses into the art room with music to help reinforce the characteristics of the artwork and set the context. Poll your students to find out what their interests are and find artists who share the same hobbies. Grab your scope and sequence, do your research, and figure out what artist, time period, or culture would best align with the units you are teaching.

Make art history come to life this year by bringing in pieces of the past, one powerful step at a time.

What is your favorite art history lesson or activity?

What other benefits can art history bring to your students?

Art

#books #Cara Barer #paper #sculpture

All images © Cara Barer, shared with permission

Artist Cara Barer curls and rolls the pages of books into sculptures that add colorful dimension to bound tomes. She dyes, shreds, and submerges vintage encyclopedias or instruction manuals in water to distort the typically compact publications. With cracked spins and crinkled pages, the manipulated objects reference the relationship between the natural and human-made as they evoke flowers at peak bloom. For more of Barer’s contorted works, visit her site and Instagram.

#books #Cara Barer #paper #sculpture

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Photography

#black and white #contests #landscapes #nature #United Kingdom

“The Sacred Garden,” Gray Eaton. All images @ the artists, courtesy of the Landscape Photographer of the Year, shared with permission

From hazy lochs and grand mountainous vistas to water-side pedestrian paths, the 2022 Landscape Photographer of the Year contest highlights the vast splendor of Britain’s environments. Winners of this year’s competition encompass both the natural and human-made, showcasing a steam-engulfed train roaring across the Fellowman Crosses Ribblehead viaduct or a glimmering celestial sky above the limestone arch of Durdle Door.

The contest joins Network Rail for a traveling exhibition that will migrate across the U.K., starting with Paddington Station on October 31. Peruse the winning images on the competition’s site and by picking up a copy of this year’s book.

“The Fellsman Crosses Ribblehead Viaduct,” Matthew James Turner

“Durdle Door Night Lights,” Callum White

“Brecon in Winter,” Will Davies, overall winner

“Rough and Tumble,” Lloyd Lane

“Dirgelwch Penmon / Myster,” Llion Griffiths

“Regency Wharf,” Damien Walmsley

“Wild Elgol,” Fiona Campbell

“Ascension,” Demi Oral

“Gannets Overhead,” Thomas Easterbrook

#black and white #contests #landscapes #nature #United Kingdom

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