“[Recently] there have been calls to reclaim the symbol from its Nazi links and restore its origin as an ancient symbol signalling good luck. So can these two views ever be reconciled? Mukti Jain Campion examines the symbol’s long and surprising pre-Nazi history and discovers how the Nazi adoption of it is based on a mistaken interpretation of ancient Indian texts.” (audio)
Tag: 12.07.14
Ten Different Uses Of The Swastika, None Of Them Nazi
Many people know that the now-notorious symbol has been (and is) used in India as a good luck sign for centuries. But the swastika has appeared in numerous other times and places, from ancient Greek pottery to Japanese Buddhist temples to – believe it or not – the U.S. and British militaries during World War One.
What They Protested At La Scala’s Season Opening This Year
There are always protests on opening night: demonstrators see it as an ideal occasion to get their causes in front of TV cameras. This year, Milan was worried enough about violence to bring in 1,000 riot police. And, as it happened, current events had some bearing on what was happening inside the opera house, on the stage.
What’s Wrong With Art School
Jerry Saltz: “A lot of the timid, judgment-averse writing afoot in criticism, as well as the snark adopted by those who were turned cynical in critical programs before they even had a chance to exercise belief, can be traced back to these posh programs. We need to find a way to stop dogmas from being taught and teachers from inculcating students with ideas that were fashionable 30 or 40 years ago, when the instructors were the student’s age.”
“Serial”: The Syed Family Talks About “Five Million Detectives Trying To Work Out If Adnan Is A Psychopath”
“The podcast exploring the case of Adnan Syed, who was convicted of the 1999 murder of his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee, has become a global phenomenon. In an exclusive interview, Adnan’s family talk to Jon Ronson about listening to Serial, toxic Reddit threads and how his imprisonment has destroyed their lives.”
How Much Does It Matter That “In Cold Blood” Wasn’t 100 Percent Accurate?
Laura Miller looks at some recent controversy over Truman Capote’s account of a Kansas murder case and the relationship between crime fiction, true-crime narratives, and how Americans perceive the criminal justice system.
When A Funding Source Abruptly Ends, How Can A Dance Community Move On?
“‘Philadelphia was poised to be a great American dance capital,’ said Welk. ‘Now we’re a little less poised.'”
An American Violinist Attacks The Suzuki Method – And Suzuki Himself
“The kerfuffle exploded in the violin world like an out-of-tune screech in a Haydn quartet. The Suzuki method is vastly popular, selling some half a million books a year, according to its publisher; Mr. O’Connor is a star who has toured with the jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli, worked as a major session musician in Nashville, composed for the concert hall and recorded with top musicians including Yo-Yo Ma.”
Hollywood Now Has A Flood Of Social Media Data, And Analyzers To Sort It All Out
“The system, for instance, looks at the size of the online conversation and how much of it is positive or negative. It also tracks how much activity is organic and how much is the result of specific studio efforts.”
The Kennedy Center Honors Will Soon See A Changing Of The Guard
“As is tradition, the artists sat with the president and first lady and watched the evening unfold. But that and other traditions could change. Producer George Stevens Jr., who has been at the event’s helm since 1978, told the audience that this will be his last event — after Kennedy Center officials told him they wanted to reinvigorate the show.”