Stories about Arts & Culture from August, 2014
Three Years After the Arab Spring, Tunisian and Egyptian Musicians Continue to Fight Censorship
Hind started the TeMa Rebelle Festival to bring together young socially conscious musicians from the Arab world with their European counterparts so that they would meet and collaborate.
From a “Gaza Stripper” in Texas to Chinese Migrants in Egypt, Kim Badawi Photographs Intercultural Encounters
In this interview, photographer Kim Badawi discusses his work on cultural encounters, and on the role of social media when mainstream news fails to report stories that matter to communities.
In Defense of the National Gallery of Jamaica's Director
Over the last month, the National Gallery of Jamaica's executive director's leadership was the target of criticism, first via an anonymous letter written to the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper, and then in a blog post written by blogger Annie Paul, which she prefaced by saying: I’ve been closely involved with the...
Kyrgyzstan's Soviet-era Poster Child Gets an iPad
Semyon Chuikov's 1948 painting "Daughter of Soviet Kyrgyzia" was once so popular it became a post stamp. Sixty-six years later Chuikov's muse is getting repainted with an iPad and earphones.
China Blocks Beijing Independent Film Festival
Beijing authorities blocked an annual independent film festival from opening on August 23, 2014. The move is seen as a sign that Beijing is tightening ideological controls. According to indie director Huang Wenhai, the shutdown was “the darkest day in the history of Chinese independent film.” Started in 2006 by independent art critic Li Xianting,...
‘Behind the Wheel': A Look at the Women Tajikistan's Russia-Bound Men Leave Behind
"Behind the Wheel" is a short film about migration and an extraordinary woman named Nigora, who overcame betrayal and local gender stereotypes to set up shop fixing car tires.
Digital Reconstruction of Cambodia's Angkor Wat
The Smithsonian Channel has uploaded a video showing a digital reconstruction of Cambodia's Angkor Wat using 3D image technology. Angkor Wat (Temple City) is a popular tourism destination in Cambodia which used to be the capital of the Khmer Empire in the 12th century. It is also a massive religious...
‘Revolutionary’ Band Laal Speaks Out Against Pakistan's Facebook and YouTube Bans
As Pakistan continues to restrict access to YouTube and Facebook, activist band Laal discusses the silencing effect that these bans have on artists, and discusses the future of free expression.
Watch How Conversations Between Strangers Help Bridge the Divide Between Indians and Pakistanis
The bad blood between India and Pakistan dates back to 1947, and the two countries' relationship remains strained today.
“I Don’t Love You Death, But I’m Not Afraid of You”: Palestinian Resistance Poet Samih Al-Qasim Loses Battle to Cancer
Given his importance, it seems only fitting that upon hearing news of his death, Palestinians immediately took to social media to mourn their “resistance poet.”
Donetsk's Guerrilla Separatists Kidnap the Ukrainian Guerrilla Artist Who Dared to Mock Them
A Ukrainian guerrilla artist who has been stealthily putting up artworks mocking the separatists of the Donetsk People's Republic in the occupied city of Donetsk was captured by the rebels.
Pope Francis’ New Wheels Cause a Stir in South Korea
Pope Francis' inaugural visit to South Korea caused a media frenzy, thanks in part to scenes of the pontiff riding around in a Kia, instead of a bulletproof sedan.
Deadly Diseases, Violent Conflicts and White Saviors: Hollywood's Skewed Portrayal of Africa
The film "Outbreak" about a fictional Ebola-like virus hit theaters nearly 20 years ago. Has Hollywood's perception of Africa evolved since then?
National Gallery of Jamaica Director Faces Accusations of Intimidating and Bullying Employees
Blogger and cultural critic Annie Paul has criticized the management style of the gallery's Executive Director Veerle Poupeye, which she says drove two curators to leave.
Spanish Radio Report Captures History of ‘the Freaks’, Havana's Biggest Metal and Punk Fans
This is the music of an entire generation who pushed aside socialism to play the music that they desired, and to dress as they pleased, regardless of the consequences.
Ancient Epic ‘Mahabharat’ Comes to Life on Indian TV and Social Media
The world's longest epic has made it to TV. But as befits this day and age, social media is a major aspect of its marketing strategy.
My Super Hero Wore Suspenders. Life With Robin Williams.
San Francisco-based Christina Noyes pays tribute to her hero, Oscar-winning comedian Robin Williams, who died in a suspected suicide 20-miles from her home.
This Meat Advertisement Is Now Illegal in Russia
Russian police have banned a meat product commercial for breaking the country's advertising laws, which forbid the depiction of illegal acts, including traffic violations and the endangerment of children.
Religion and Spirituality Get Tech Savvy in India
Indian tech entrepreneurs and start-ups have taken on ventures trying to tap on Indians' passion on religion and spirituality. This raises issues like whether marketing “God’s” products are ethical.
Indigenous Libraries As Social Venues
“One thing is that books satisfy users’ curiosity, and a very different one that is that it might represent the identity of the community them belong to”. Argentinian librarian Daniel Canosa questions the role and function of local libraries. On Infotecarios network he writes: Las bibliotecas indígenas, [deberían] generar conocimiento...
TJournal's Vadim Elistratov Says It's a Political Time to Be Russian
Elistratov explains the creep of politics in Russian daily life, saying the recent barrage of oppressive laws is changing the tone of the country's social discourse.
