Culture and Arts

Plato writes: "It is a confusing path, hard to follow without a thread, but, provided [you are] not devoured at the midpoint, it leads surely, despite twists and turns, back to the beginning." Mazes and labyrinths can be found on artifacts from the ancient world; from the Bronze Age in Spain, to Ireland and India; from North Africa to the American Southwest. In these cultures — and many others — the labyrinth conveyed ideas about a meandering, perhaps obstacle-filled, journey toward enlightenment.         more »

"But you are not only a writer, you are also a human being living among your fellow human beings in your society, in your country. You're enclosed by the laws of that country. You're enclosed by the morals and attitudes of the people around you. You have to be in relation to that as well, take your responsibility of being a human being in a human society." Interview: Nadine Gordimer Nobel Prize in Literature November 11, 2009 Johannesburg, South Africa Back to Nadine Gordimer Interview Your novel Burger's Daughter portrays a family deeply involved in the liberation st… more »

Just after 10:18 p.m. on July 17, 1944, UC Berkeley seismographs measured what looked like a 3.4-magnitude earthquake. Far from a routine temblor, though, this was a seismic event of a different kind: a ferocious explosion at the Port Chicago naval base, the worst stateside disaster of World War II. The explosion led to the six-week trial — and dismayingly swift conviction — of 50 black sailors, whose refusal to return to loading ammunition was judged by the Navy to be mutiny. more »

With a career encompassing the birth of modern art in Paris, to revitalizing the arts scene in Glasgow after the outbreak of World War II, Fergusson is the most international and diverse of the Scottish Colourists. The only Colourist to make sculpture, he was also involved with the performing arts through his partner, the dance pioneer Margaret Morris. He is best known for his depictions of women. more »