Metals, Part One | Immaterial | Season 1, Episode 6

Philosophers and scientists have tried for millennia to crack the code of alchemy: the art of turning lead into gold. But alchemy goes much deeper than that-it gives us a framework for turning metal into story. In the first of a two-part episode on the metals of alchemy, we explore iron, bronze, lead, and copper. Our stories go deep into the basement of The Met, and back in time to a waterlogged ancient tomb. You’ll hear about books that dazzle, puppets that weep, and the long lost sound of a 2000-year-old bell.
This podcast episode was first published August 17, 2022.
Immaterial season 2 launches June 4, 2024.
Objects featured in this episode:
European armor (various): www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...
Zhong bells (various): www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...
Puppet Head (Si Gale-gale), late 19th-early 20th century. Indonesia, Sumatra. Toba Batak artist(s): www.metmuseum.org/art/collect...
Shahnama (Book of Kings) of Shah Tahmasp, ca. 1525-30: www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/shn...
Guests:
Edward Hunter, armorer and conservator, Arms and Armor, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Marco Leona, David H. Koch Scientist in Charge, Scientific Research, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Ali Olomi, professor of Middle East, Islamic, and Global Southern history, Penn State Abington
Kannia Rifatulzia, translator, In-depth Creative
Defri Simatupang, archaeologist, North Sumatera Archaeology Center, Indonesia
Zhixin Jason Sun, Brooke Russell Astor Curator of Chinese Art, Asian Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Yana Van Dyke, conservator, Paper Conservation, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
For a transcript of this episode and more information, visit www.metmuseum.org/perspective...
#MetImmaterial
Subscribe to Immaterial wherever you listen to podcasts.
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7v7RLfD...
Amazon Music: music.amazon.com/podcasts/ccc...
Immaterial is produced by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Magnificent Noise and hosted by Camile Dungy. This episode was produced by Adwoa Gyimah-Brempong.
Field production by Tanita Rahmani.
Special thanks to Sheila Blair, Lauren Johnson, and G. Willow Wilson.
Subscribe for new content from The Met: / metmuseum
#TheMet #Art #TheMetropolitanMuseumofArt #Museum #MetImmaterial #podcast
© 2024 The Metropolitan Museum of Art

[@BradleySkaggsNYC]

These podcasts are so great, but I really wish there were videos.