LOCAL Houston | The City Guide April 2017 | Page 36

MUSEUM DISTRICT HIGHLIGHTS MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, HOUSTON Colors of the Oasis: Central Asian Ikats THE HEALTH MUSEUM Body Worlds RX HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum 5601 Main Street | 713.639.7300 | www.mfah.org 1515 Hermann Drive | 713.521.1515 www.thehealthmuseum.org 5555 Hermann Park Drive | 713.639.4629 | www.hmns.org On display through June 4, Colors of the Oasis: Central Asian Ikats showcases nearly 50 ikat robes and panels from the renowned Murad Megalli Collection of the Textile Museum in Washington, D.C. These bold garments were mainstays of cosmopolitan oasis culture in the 19th century, worn by inhabitants of different classes and religions throughout crowded marketplaces, private homes, centers of worship and ceremonial places. The ikat textiles on display—including robes for men and women, dresses, trousers and hangings—feature eye-catching designs in dazzling colors. Body Worlds RX at The Health Museum is a prescription for healthy living. Real human bodies show you details of today‘s common diseases and the inner workings of your anato- my. Be inspired and empowered to take steps toward a healthier life. From organs to muscles to the nervous system and to skeletal structures, Body Worlds RX gives an unprecedented look inside the most sophisticated mechanism in the world, the human body. On display through April 23. Gladiator combat has evolved into one of the defining symbols of ancient Roman culture. Immortalized by films, gladiators locked in mortal combat for the entertainment of the crowds in Rome’s Colosseum are larger-than- life figures in our mind. However, what went on behind the scenes? The exhibit, Gladiators: Heroes of the Colosseum, provides answers in two arenas: that of the gladiators and that of the Colosseum. Featuring original artifacts from the Colosseum never before exhibited outside of Italy, this large international exhibit illustrates the compelling and fascinating world of the gladiators. 36 L O C AL | april 17