Surpassing modernity ambivalence in art politics and society

The German government has reached an agreement with Nigeria on the return of around 1,100 Benin Bronzes . The collection of metal plaques and sculptures that decorated the royal palace of the Kingdom of Benin, in what is now southwestern Nigeria, were looted during colonial times. The bronzes that have found their way into 20 museums across Germany were mostly taken by British forces when they conquered, burned, and looted the city of Benin in 1897. The invaluable Benin Bronzes will be restituted to Nigeria after German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and Commissioner for Culture and the Media Claudia Roth sign a memorandum of understanding with their Nigerian counterparts in Berlin on Friday that clears the way for the transfer of ownership rights. Over 1,100 Berlin Bronzes in 20 German museums will be repatriated to Nigeria "The return of the Benin Bronzes underpins our commitment to coming to terms with our colonial history. It should be the beginning of a new, a … [Read more...] about Germany to return looted artifacts to Africa

By Ian Youngs Published 16 minutes ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing The changing face of teenage life in Britain is being traced in a new exhibition of photos that capture everything from big nights out to sitting in your bedroom. The exhibition, titled Grown Up in Britain: 100 Years of Teenage Kicks, includes pictures like Tristan O'Neill's shot of clubbers at a jungle night at Bagley's nightclub in London in 1996 (above). "I love the crowd energy of everyone together and the excitement," says Lisa der Weduwe from the Museum of Youth Culture. "It's got all the style elements as well." The Museum of Youth Culture has chosen photos for the exhibition at the Herbert Art Gallery in Coventry, and der Weduwe says they show that while some things teenagers go through today are different from previous generations, many are not. "I think the thing they tell us is that, … [Read more...] about Grown Up in Britain exhibition looks at the changing face of teenage kicks

Ukraine: Russian troops forced out of key areas in Donbas Sign up for our news briefing, including a daily special Russia-Ukraine edition SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky praised his forces for "holding the line and demonstrating truly superhuman strength" to push back the enemy. He said his troops made battle gains by pushing troops out of four villages. It comes as Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko warned of Russian troops returning to the capital Kyiv, adding it is still Russia's "main target". Mr Klitschko added: "Every corner of Ukraine, every city and town, is under threat as Russia continues its barbaric war against our country." Ukraine LIVE: Putin humiliated as … [Read more...] about Ukraine: Putin humiliated as Russian troops ‘pushed away’ from major city

THE ATLANTIC Race and the Schools:A Crisis North and South BY AGNES E. MEYER THE greatest single reward I have had as a result of my long and continuous efforts on behalf of our Negro fellow citizens is that we tell one another the truth — a rare achievement between the two races. Just after World War II, I was dining with seven members of the faculty at one of our Negro universities. In the course of conversation a young instructor said to me: “Mrs. Meyer, after Pearl Harbor I couldn’t help feeling a secret exultation that a colored race had clobbered the white man.” “My friend,” I replied, “never forget that despite failures and injustices, Americans have done more for the Negro than any other nation on the face of the globe. We fought a civil war to establish his freedom. Since then thousands of whites in high and low positions have exhibited an interest in the Negro’s welfare and development never before, shown by a dominant race. On the whole the treatment of the Negro in … [Read more...] about Race and the Schools: A Crisis North and South

LLOYD V. BERKNER THE shadow of the Russian satellite is surprisingly large and persistent for so small an object.” So commented Henry Smythe at the meeting of the American Nuclear Society last October. The truth is that the Soviet satellites have shocked Americans into an awareness of the phenomenal rise of Soviet science during the last thirty years. We are chagrined to have lost the lead that American science, we believe, should have maintained. Western science unquestionably still holds a dominant position in most areas, but the rate of Soviet scientific growth assures its inevitable rise to pre-eminence in the next few years unless the defects of our present policy are recognized and corrected. Already Soviet scientists have achieved or are projecting an imposing list of “firsts” among the tools of science: the largest proton accelerator, the most intense neutron source, the largest optical and radio telescopes, imposing programs of meteorological and oceanographic research, as … [Read more...] about Wanted: A National Science Policy