People across the United States gathered on Friday to celebrate Juneteenth. Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed the first visitors to their presidential center during this time. Located in a sprawling area on Chicago’s South Side, the center honors the nation’s first Black president. It aims to inspire individuals to...
In Paris, a modern response emerges to a question once posed by medieval poet François Villon: “Where are the snows of yesteryear?” They arise today on Pont Neuf, Paris’ oldest bridge, where a giant art installation now stands. This trompe l’oeil exhibit, depicting a snow-covered mountain range, captivates the summer scene over the river Seine....
Oscar Diaz and Janelly Mendoza, residents of Laredo, Texas, celebrated their wedding in a unique setting on June 11. The couple exchanged vows on stage at the Public Theater’s Delacorte Theater, following a performance of Romeo and Juliet in New York. The officiant for the ceremony was actor Francis Jue, who also played Friar Lawrence...
David Thomson, a prolific film writer, is grappling with the impact of cinema on society and American culture. He argues that movies, while captivating, often distract us from real life. This reflection lies at the heart of his new book, ‘A Sudden Flicker of Light.’ Thomson is not alone in his concerns. For over 130...
The public will visit former President Barack Obama’s presidential center for the first time as Juneteenth celebrations occur across the U.S. Located on Chicago’s South Side, the center, built for the country’s first Black president, aims to inspire change in communities. This aligns with Juneteenth, which marks the end of slavery in the U.S. Juneteenth...
The Obama Presidential Center opens its doors in Chicago, coinciding with the Juneteenth celebrations. This center is the most recent addition to the institution of presidential libraries in the United States. Presidential libraries usually preserve significant historical documents and events, such as wars and elections. However, they also contain unusual artifacts from different time periods....
During a visit to Maputo, Mozambique, I experienced a unique mode of transportation: a tuk-tuk motorcycle taxi. My colleague, Vincent Acovino, and I were reporting on U.S. funding adjustments for AIDS programs in Africa. What caught our attention were some fascinating concrete apartment blocks and government offices. With some free time, we embarked on an...
In the mid-1990s, Los Angeles was awash with David Hockney posters. One day, I found my first Hockney print by chance, leaning against a humble Volkswagen Rabbit in a West Hollywood carport. The print was damaged and the frame bent. When asked for the price, the garage sale seller urged me to ‘name your price.’...
A federal holiday continues on, yet the tradition hasn’t fully cemented nationwide. Observance of Juneteenth, recognized as a federal holiday, signifies a commitment to remembering the end of slavery in the United States. Despite this, the cultural significance is still spreading. Consider the symbolism of the white oak in my backyard, which stands as a...
The Shockoe Institute in Richmond, Virginia, recently welcomed visitors with a mission to expand understanding of the lasting impact of slavery and foster civic solutions. The initiative was spotlighted by Amna Nawaz as part of the Art in Action series, an exploration of the mutual influence of art and democracy, featured in PBS’s CANVAS coverage....