Diana Eck, Harvard University professor of comparative religions and Indian studies and director of the Pluralist Project, describes the Art Institute's role as the site for the 1893 gathering called the Parliament of Religions. This podcast is brought to you by the Ancient Art Podcast. Explore more at ancientartpodcast.org.

Artist Rhonda Wheatley looks at the inspiration taken from paintings and sculpture by Cy Twombly, whose recent works will inaugurate the Modern Wing in May 2009. This podcast is brought to you by the Ancient Art Podcast. Explore more at ancientartpodcast.org.

The elaborately decorated mummy case of an ancient Egyptian woman named Wenuhotep was only recently returned to the Art Institute after being on loan for many years. Internationally recognized scholar Emily Teeter, Oriental Institute, reveals new information about this fascinating work of art. This podcast is brought to you by the Ancient Art Podcast. Explore more at ancientartpodcast.org.

Adam Zagajewski, a leading poet of the Polish New Wave of 1968 and winner of numerous international awards, read selections from his various books. This podcast is brought to you by the Ancient Art Podcast. Explore more at ancientartpodcast.org.

Jorg Merz from the University of Munster speaks on the draughtman's transformation of nature into art. Part of a one-day symposium presented in conjunction with Drawn to Drawings: The Goldman Collection. This podcast is brought to you by the Ancient Art Podcast. Explore more at ancientartpodcast.org.

Art Institute Conservator of Paintings Faye Wrubel offers a brief overview of some favorite projects and discusses the complex and interesting treatment of Henri Toulouse-Lautrec's Ballet Dancers, including a description of the removal of the painting from the original plaster wall and scientific analysis of the materials used. This podcast is brought to you by the Ancient Art Podcast. Explore more at ancientartpodcast.org.

Pulitzer Prize-winning poet C. K. Williams, Princeton University, comments on the Art Institute's 360 degrees: Art beyond Borders theme and reads some of his most recent poems. Williams has authored 10 books of poetry including The Singing which won the 2003 National Book Award. This podcast is brought to you by the Ancient Art Podcast. Explore more at ancientartpodcast.org.

Richard Longworth, Senior Fellow, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs Fellow and award-winning Chicago Tribune foreign correspondent, cites research and analysis from his recent book. This podcast is brought to you by the Ancient Art Podcast. Explore more at ancientartpodcast.org.

James Cuno, president and director of the Art Institute of Chicago, launches the season 360 Degrees: Art beyond Borders with a broad and careful definition of the role of encyclopedic art museums in the world today, providing the history and current challenges of these few essential institutions. This podcast is brought to you by the Ancient Art Podcast. Explore more at ancientartpodcast.org.

Adepeju Layiwola, professor at University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria, expands on her entry in the landmark exhibition catalogue Benin Kings and Rituals: Court Arts from Nigeria. In her lecture she brings clear and accurate reportage of the history of the disturbances and survival of Benin court collections over the past century. This podcast is brought to you by the Ancient Art Podcast. Explore more at ancientartpodcast.org.