Explore and learn more about California’s environment, history, art and people at The Oakland Museum of California free first Sundays.

The museum has permanent Art, History, and Natural Sciences Galleries along with special exhibits. Note that the Natural Sciences Gallery is currently under renovation and will reopen in 2012.

The Art Collection features over 70,000 works from the early 1800s to the present that are by California artists. The collection includes California landscape paintings from the 1850s to the 1880s; Gold Rush era artwork; furniture and decorative arts from the Arts and Crafts period; figurative painting and sculpture; California ceramics and jewelry.

The History Department’s collections are in photography; California native baskets and other material; Gold Rush era artifacts; and material that relates to California technology, agriculture, business and labor, domestic life, and significant events.

Tour the building with members of the Museum’s Council on Architecture at 1:00 pm; take docent-led tours of the Art Gallery at 2:00 pm and the History Gallery at 3:00 pm. May’s Free First Sundays (5/1/2011) offers docent-led tours of the special exhibition Splendors of Faith/Scars of Conquest or the Art Gallery at 2:00 pm.

Michael C. McMillen: Train of Thought spans the 40-year career of the internationally renowned Southern California-based mixed-media artist, the exhibition features large-scale multisensory installations, assemblages, sculptures, paintings, drawings, and films that invite viewers into a made-up world, a skill for which McMillen is best known. The exhibit runs through August 14, 2011.

Arrive early, admission is free; however, tickets are required (first come first served basis). Free First Sundays are open to all Bay Area visitors.

Parking: enter the Museum garage entrance on Oak Street between 10th and 12th streets. Parking fees are $2.50/hour for the public, $1/hour for Museum visitors with validation. Bring your ticket to the Ticketing booth on Level 2 for validation.

The Museum is located one block from the Lake Merritt BART station (between 8th and 9th streets at Oak Street).

Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak Street, 94607
888-625-6873

First Sunday of the month
11:00 am to 5:00 pm

The set of Gunther von Hagens’ works, Body Worlds Vital, has enjoyed an amazing run in San Jose, but there is an end to everything, to good things as well.

This will be the shows final weekend in San Jose.

The museum will remain open until midnight on Saturday, April 23rd.

What people are saying about BODY WORLDS Vital!

Information from The Tech Museum:

BODY WORLDS Vital, which has received high marks in major media outlets and on social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, closes April 24th, marking the success of yet another blockbuster that has attracted thousands of visitors to downtown San Jose and millions of dollars to the Silicon Valley neighborhood’s restaurants, hotels and shops. The exhibition heads next to the Science Center of Iowa.

“BODY WORLDS Vital has definitely provoked thought and inspired action toward living healthier lifestyles,” said Elizabeth Williams, vice president of Marketing, Membership and Sales. “Presented in explicit, vivid depictions, the exhibit leaves little to the imagination – illustrating how not to leave our health to chance.”

Developed specifically for the American audience to educate people on common diseases and preventive care, BODY WORLDS Vital is a specially curated collection made up of real human body plastinates and a large arrangement of individual organs, arterial configurations and translucent slices that give a complete picture of how the human body functions. Using multi-media installations as a backdrop, the exhibit shows the body in disease and distress by comparing healthy bodies to bodies that have succumbed to a host of illnesses and medical conditions.

As an added educational value, representatives with the Diabetes Society of Santa Clara Valley, the American Heart Association and Breathe Lung California will be on hand to answer related questions and provide healthy tips to visitors. The Diabetes Society of Santa Clara is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, April 16. The American Heart Association, 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., and Breathe Lung California, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, April 17.

BODY WORLDS Vital is the latest chapter in the HUMAN SAGA project – a series of curated museum blockbusters that began with exploration of the brain and neuroscience, cardiology and the heart, human development and longevity and aging. BODY WORLDS exhibitions have been hosted by more than 50 museums and venues in North America, Europe, and Asia – and seen by more than 32 million visitors worldwide.

The Tech Museum

Explore and learn more about California’s environment, history, art and people at The Oakland Museum of California free first Sundays.

The museum has permanent Art, History, and Natural Sciences Galleries along with special exhibits. Note that the Natural Sciences is currently under renovation and will reopen in 2012.

The Art Collection features over 70,000 works from the early 1800s to the present that are by California artists. The collection includes California landscape paintings from the 1850s to the 1880s; Gold Rush era artwork; furniture and decorative arts from the Arts and Crafts period; figurative painting and sculpture; California ceramics and jewelry.

The History Department’s collections are in photography; California native baskets and other material; Gold Rush era artifacts; and material that relates to California technology, agriculture, business and labor, domestic life, and significant events.

Arrive early, admission is free; however, tickets are required (first come first served basis).

Parking: enter the Museum garage entrance on Oak Street between 10th and 12th streets. Parking fees are $2.50/hour for the public, $1/hour for Museum visitors with validation.

The Museum is located one block from the Lake Merritt BART station (between 8th and 9th streets at Oak Street).

Oakland Museum of California
1000 Oak Street, 94607
888-625-6873

First Sunday of the month
11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Now through December 17, donate three food items made up of high-quality, high-need items such as tuna, soups, chili, or canned fruits and vegetables, low-sugar cereals, and fruit juices to receive one free admission to the Body Worlds Vital exhibition.

“The Tech Museum is known throughout the nation as a premier science and technology center, but we are also a vested neighbor in the Silicon Valley community,” Peter Friess, president of The Tech Museum, said. “And being a good neighbor means extending yourself to help others in need. So, we are proud to work with the [Second Harvest] food bank again to address the critical issue of hunger in an innovative way.”

Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties is the single largest nonprofit provider of food to low-income households in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.

The tickets are valid Monday through Friday until December 17, 2010.

Body Worlds Vital
The Tech Museum
408-294-8324

In 2007 The Tech Museum hosted Dr. Gunther von Hagens’ Body Worlds 2 and The Three-Pound Gem. His Science of Plastination* exhibition gave us a comprehensive view of the human body. Where else could one get such a close-up look into the world of bone, muscle, tissue, the heart, blood vessels, tendons, nerves, and the brain?

When I tell people about this exhibit, I am often asked if I find it repulsive. I reply that Body Worlds is, in fact, a beautiful learning experience that invokes a greater appreciation of life.

Anyone contemplating buying a pack of cigarettes needs to see the lung of a smoker placed next to that of a non-smoker.

The next amazing set of Gunther von Hagens’ works, Body Worlds Vital, is now showing at The Tech Museum.

Many cities are considering banning the toy included with high fat fast food meals. Congress, following Mrs. Obamas’ lead, is attempting to legislate what school children will be allowed to consume. From the health concerns of graying baby boomers to the recent emphasis on childhood obesity, Body Worlds Vital could be a valuable starting point helping all ages take control of their own health.

Included with the body specimens are photos from around the world depicting the food consumed by typical families in a week. (I noted that the Indian cuisine looked among the most healthful.)

Body Worlds relies on IfP (the Institute for Plastination), an established body donation program for the authentic human bodies on display. No fees are required for a donation, and the donors will not receive any money. As far as I can tell, the only cost incurred is when the next of kin must pay a transportation fee to have the body sent to the IfP embalming facility.

For a list of rules and conditions for donating your body please contact:
Gail Hamburg at (312) 602-5369 or g.hamburg@plastination.com

*Plastination is where all bodily fluids and soluble fat from donated anatomical specimens are extracted to stop decomposition, and replaced through vacuum-forced impregnation with reactive resins and elastomers, such as silicon rubber and epoxy that harden with gas, light, or heat curing, giving the specimens rigidity and permanence. Some bodies are positioned to recreate a moment in time. Other donations may be used as Plastinated slices for research.

brain - dark area indicating a stroke

Body Worlds Vital – check here for Exhibit Hours and Tickets

The Tech Museum

201 South Market Street
San Jose, CA 95113
(408) 294-8324

The Human Body in the Hackworth IMAX Theater : The Human Body Trailer

Body Worlds flickr set

Twilight movie fans won’t want to miss this red-carpet event tonight at The Tech.

The festivities begin at 10 PM when the museum’s doors open to welcome fans to a reception:

Moviegoers, some donning costumes, T-shirts, and fan buttons of their favorite character can sip on “blood red” punch, and sink their teeth into wolf paw and fang-marked cupcakes.

Fans can take photos alongside “standees” of Edward, Jacob, Alice and Bella

Then at Midnight:
See the only Bay Area IMAX dome to screen The Twilight Saga: Eclipse!

Tuesday, June 29
WHAT: Fans of the all-the-rage vampire/werewolf saga take to the red carpet under beaming searchlights en route to a reception, complete with music, themed refreshments, and special contests leading up to the premiere of “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse”

WHERE: The Tech Museum, 201 S. Market St., San Jose, CA

WHEN: 10 p.m. Reception – Midnight Film Premiere

The Tech on twitter

If tonight is sold out see below for times:

“Eclipse” premieres at the 295-seat The Hackworth IMAX Dome Theater, featuring crystal clear images up to eight stories high and 13,000 watts of wrap-around digital surround sound. June 20 to July 15, 201

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

I hope that everyone has agreed to leave Mr.Constant alone so that he can train just as hard as Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) did in the The Karate Kid. He will need to be in top form when he and the San Jose State University wrestling club go at it with the Bukhs from Mongolia.

I can’t wait to tell people what I will be doing for my lunch hour tomorrow!

Mongolian Wrestling ~ Dance ~ Rituals

Free and Open to the Public

Noon – Tuesday, June 22

The Tech Museum
201 S. Market St, San Jose

Surprise dad for Father’s Day with a trip to The Tech Museum to see the Genghis Khan Exhibit.
Dads are admitted free to the blockbuster exhibition in celebration of Father’s Day on June 20.
Family members can purchase their tickets here.

The Tech Museum – 201 South Market Street
San Jose, CA 95113-2008
(408) 294-8324

Special Exhibit Hours:
Monday – Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Tickets:
Children ages 3 to 17 ~ $15
Adults ~ $25
Special prices for seniors and college students.
Admission includes access to all the regular museum galleries.

Carina Nebula

After nearly 30 years of service, the Space Shuttle will be retired.

The Tech is giving us a chance to say our goodbyes during Space Week: May 3 – 9, 2010

Explore displays, including two Space Shuttle tires. (hands-on activities) Now – May 9th

Meet NASA Scientists:
Monday – Friday
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Now Playing – IMAX
See “Hubble” and experience the wonder of the universe we live in.

“Hubble” – Trailer

“I first thought about becoming an astronaut in my 20s after seeing the IMAX movie ‘The Dream is Alive’.”
– Susan Helms NASA Astronaut

IMAX “Hubble” Calendar

"Genghis Khan the Exhibition" Contortionist

Peter Friess (The Tech Museum) and Daniel N. Fenton (Team San Jose) announced that “Genghis Khan” will be the next blockbuster exhibition coming to San Jose.

“Genghis Khan’s brutality is well known, but less visible is the man whose natural leadership formed the first united Mongol nation – no small feat,” said Peter Friess, president of The Tech Museum. “Inasmuch as we carry the dark images of Genghis Khan the warlord, there is also the man who brought us passports, the pony express, printed money, hamburgers* and even pants.”

Much can be discovered about Genghis Khan (1167-1227) the ’emperor of all emperors’ who united nomadic tribes of northeast Asia and founded the Mongol Empire and Mongolia with a visit to The Tech Museum.

More than 200 13th century artifacts from Genghis’ reign will be on display including:

Live Cultural Performers: Mongolian singers, contortionists and musicians.

Live weaponry demonstrations are featured in the exhibition.

Paiza – passports.
Large Siege Weaponry – Large crossbow and tools to conquer walled cities and castles.
Ancient Mongolian Artifacts.
Ger – A traditional nomadic dwelling – Note: One-third of the people in modern Mongolia live in a Ger.
Shaman’s Robe – Ritual dress used to channel spirits. Genghis Khan practiced shamanism and believed in supernatural powers.
Jewelry – Treasures from the ancient Mongolian capital of Karakorum.
Mongolian Noble Woman Mummy – Mummy and coffin treasures including silk and leather robes, jewelry, comb and bowl.
Mongol Weapons – Swords, leather and metal armor, mace-heads, bows and arrows, and an early firearm.
Buddhist Relics – books, statue, and artwork. Note: The Mongolian capital of Karakorum was religiously diverse.
Clothing and Adornments – Silk garments and jewelry from Karakorum and Kublai Khan’s palace.
Musical Instruments – Strings made of horse hair.

“Genghis Khan The Exhibition” – Opens May 22 (Limited Engagement)

The Tech Museum – 201 South Market Street
San Jose, CA 95113-2008
(408) 294-8324

Special Exhibit Hours:
Monday – Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Tickets:
Children ages 3 to 17 ~ $15
Adults ~ $25
Special prices for seniors and college students.
Admission includes access to all the regular museum galleries.

*It is amusing that hamburgers, the name coming from the German port of Hamburg, originated in the time of Khan. The fierce Mongol horsemen (the Golden Horde) were so busy conquering the world that having to stop to light fires and eat got in their way. Raw lamb or mutton was formed into flat patties and then placed under their saddles. The horsemen could easily grab some ‘hamburger’ at any time.

Modern day Mongolia (see U.S. Department of State) lies in central Asia between Siberia on the north and China on the south and is slightly larger than Alaska.

Ger/Yurt –  The burning of soft coal by some of the individual homes or “Ger” (yurt in Russian) adds to the polluted air.

Micky Rourke will star in a film about the Mongol ruler. He says: Genghis Khan Biopic ‘Not Your Stereotypical Blood and Swords’

Genghis Khan: at The Tech flickr set.

TeamSanJose on twitter