Artists Respond brings together works by many of the most visionary and provocative artists of the period
explores how the moral urgency of the Vietnam War galvanized American artists in unprecedented ways
Updated 03 October 2018
Arab News
Authors: Melissa Ho, Thomas Crow, Mignon Nixon, Erica Levin, and Martha Rosler
By the late 1960s, the US was in a pitched conflict both in Vietnam, against a foreign enemy, and at home — between Americans for and against the war, for and against the status quo. This strikingly illustrated book showcases how American artists responded to the war, spanning the period from Lyndon B. Johnson’s fateful decision to deploy US Marines to South Vietnam in 1965 to the fall of Saigon 10 years later.
Artists Respond brings together works by many of the most visionary and provocative artists of the period, including Asco, Chris Burden, Judy Chicago, Corita Kent, Leon Golub, Philip Jones Griffiths, David Hammons, Yoko Ono, and Nancy Spero. It explores how the moral urgency of the Vietnam War galvanized American artists in unprecedented ways, challenging them to reimagine the purpose and uses of art and compelling them to become politically engaged on other fronts, such as feminism and civil rights. The book presents an era in which artists struggled to synthesize the turbulent times and participated in a process of free and open questioning inherent to American civic life.
Illustrated in color throughout, Artists Respond features a broad range of art, including painting, sculpture, printmaking, performance and body art, installation, documentary cinema and photography, and conceptualism.
Saudi author Samya Al-Harbi discusses new book ‘Not Like Other Women’
The Saudi entrepreneur has compiled the inspirational stories of 12 Arab women
Updated 17 January 2025
Shyama Krishna Kumar
DUBAI: Dubai-based Saudi entrepreneur and author Samya Al-Harbi tells the stories of resilient Arab women, including herself, in her new book “Not Like Other Women.”
“The women around me have inspired me. Friends, colleagues, family, women I met in my work, in my troubles. I believe every woman has a story,” Al-Harbi tells Arab News.
“(My book) talks about women who have struggled in life and faced so many difficulties, and they overcome those struggles and difficulties, and they become wiser. These are women who have really challenged themselves to become stronger.”
“Not Like Other Women” is by Samya Al-Harbi. (Supplied)
“Not Like Other Women” features 12 stories of such women interspersed with Al-Harbi’s own experiences of balancing her personal and professional life. One of the most emotional and challenging chapters to write, she says, was “Munifa.”
“The story was very emotional for me because I always thought Munifa was my friend’s mother and never doubted it. But on the night of her funeral, I found out she wasn’t his real mother; she was actually his mother’s neighbor and best friend. What touched me the most was the strong friendship between the two women and the loyalty they showed to each other. It’s a bond that truly moved me.”
When asked if there was any pushback when it came to telling these personal stories, Al-Harbi is quick to point out that, in fact, the opposite happened.
“There are women who want to tell the world their story. Society doesn’t accept discussion of sensitive issues when it comes to women and their feelings, especially in the Arab world,” she says. “So, they always need women who have the ability to take their stories to an audience and tell them that there are women who face these problems, but fight to overcome them.
Samya Al-Harbi. (Supplied)
“As a woman, as a mother — as a grandmother now — I believe that, with the position I have now, it's my responsibility to talk about these issues.”
While putting the stories together for “Not Like Other Women,” Al-Harbi noticed a common thread. “I have traveled a lot, and I have seen so many women in different cultures and countries,” she says. “I noticed that we share most of these issues. If I'm talking about a lady in China, she has the same problems as a lady in Africa. We have certain problems in common, whether it is finance, respect, passion… These problems remain the same no matter where we are from.”
As an example, Al-Harbi pointed out Indian-American author Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s “The Palace of Illusions,” a retelling of the Indian epic “Mahabharat,” from the point of view of Panchaali, the wife of the legendary Pandava brothers.
“The message I got from her book is that women are facing the same problems they did 3,000 years ago. Still. We are being treated the same way. So, will that change? I don't think so. Yes, it's not like before, and yes, it will take time. But still there are women afraid to come out and express their feelings or talk about their issues. In fact, when I gave these stories to the publisher, there were three that they deleted. They said, ‘No, you cannot publish these stories because they’re very sensitive, and society will not accept this kind of story yet.’”
The Makkah-born businesswoman, who also acts as a mentor to up-and-coming entrepreneurs, said she has one piece of advice for all the young women she speaks to, including her daughters.
“They have to keep on dreaming, but, at the same time, they have to work on their dreams,” she says. “They should not listen to anyone if they believe that what they are doing is right for them and for other people — without crossing the line, especially here in the Arab world.”
What We Are Reading Today: Calculus Reordered by David Bressoud
Updated 16 January 2025
Arab News
“Calculus Reordered” tells the remarkable story of how calculus grew over centuries into the subject we know today. David Bressoud explains why calculus is credited to 17-century figures Isaac Newton and Gottfried Leibniz, how it was shaped by Italian philosophers such as Galileo Galilei, and how its current structure sprang from developments in the 19th century. Bressoud reveals problems with the standard ordering of its curriculum—limits, differentiation, integration, and series—and he argues that a pedagogy informed by the historical evolution of calculus represents a sounder way for students to learn this fascinating area of mathematics.
Published in 2020, “Fifty Words for Rain” by Asha Lemmie is an invitation to explore identity, belonging, and the complexity of family dynamics in 1940s Japan.
The story takes the reader to Kyoto in Japan almost 100 years ago, following the Second World War, where Nori, a biracial girl born to a Japanese mother and an American father, struggles to find her place in a society that avoids her existence.
When Nori meets her half-brother, Akira, she forms a strong bond with him and makes him an ally despite her grandparents’ opposition to their friendship as they believe it irrevocably changes the lives they were always meant to lead.
One of the story’s strong points is its exploration of the intersection of race and gender, with Nori embodying the struggles faced by those on the margins of society.
Her journey is filled with challenges, including abuse and social rejection, yet it also shows her resilience as she hopes for a brighter future.
The author highlights the impact of the Second World War on the lives of the Japanese, creating a narrative that, while strongly rooted in a specific place and time, is universally relatable.
The story has received backlash from Japanese audiences as some consider it disrespectful to Japanese culture and history, especially where it describes Japan during the 1940s.
Overall, “Fifty Words for Rain” invites readers to reflect on themes of family relations, loss, and identity and serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring strength of the human spirit.
What We Are Reading Today: ‘Statistical and Thermal Physics’
Updated 15 January 2025
Arab News
Authors: Harvey Gould and Jan Tobochnik
This revised and expanded edition of “Statistical and Thermal Physics” introduces students to the essential ideas and techniques used in many areas of contemporary physics.
Ready-to-run programs help make the many abstract concepts concrete.
The text requires only a background in introductory mechanics and some basic ideas of quantum theory, discussing material typically found in undergraduate texts as well as topics such as fluids, critical phenomena, and computational techniques, which serve as a natural bridge to graduate study.
REVIEW: ‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle’ puts you in the dusty boots of the famous archeologist
Updated 15 January 2025
James Denselow
LONDON: “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” is a bold attempt at blending classic adventure tropes with modern gaming sensibilities, although its bland title hardly does justice to the grand scope of its ambition.
This globe-trotting 1930s adventure is steeped in intrigue, setting players on a path to uncover a secret order of giants hidden beneath the Vatican, with the ever-looming menace of Nazi antagonists turning the stakes even higher.
Fans of the “Tomb Raider” series will find themselves on familiar terrain here, although the game also sprinkles in elements reminiscent of “Metal Gear Solid.” However, instead of espionage-heavy stealth, “The Great Circle” leans into satisfying puzzles and visceral hand-to-hand combat. The result is a game that feels rooted in the past — both in its narrative themes and its retro gameplay touches.
The game’s combat is refreshingly physical, emphasizing fistfights over gunplay. The punches land with gratifying impact, accompanied by retro sound effects that evoke arcade classics. It’s an unusual focus in a genre often dominated by firearms, and it works surprisingly well — although the simplicity of enemy AI detracts from the experience. Combat can sometimes feel clunky, with enemies behaving erratically, and often hilariously, as doors inexplicably lock or bodies pile up in awkward positions.
Puzzles are another highlight, designed to strike a balance between challenge and accessibility. They won’t leave players stumped for hours but provide enough complexity to feel rewarding. The puzzles’ old-fashioned mechanics, like physically turning keys or deciphering simple codes, give a nostalgic charm that ties into the game’s 1930s setting.
An upgrade tree powered by collectible “adventure points” adds a sense of progression, allowing players to enhance abilities as they go. The system is straightforward but effective, offering enough variety to make exploration worthwhile without overwhelming casual players.
“The Great Circle” thrives on its pulp-inspired storytelling. The global backdrop feels suitably grand, with locales such as nighttime Rome brought to life in stunning detail. The plot blends historical mysteries with fantastical elements, and while it may tread familiar ground for seasoned fans of the genre, the banter and dialogue keep things fresh as Indy looks to thwart the Nazis’ evil plans.
The protagonist channels Indiana Jones-style sass with ease, while a determined and witty female companion ensures the dynamic never grows stale. The interplay between the two characters is sharp and effective, adding much-needed levity to a story that could otherwise veer into melodrama.
However, the game’s identikit fascist enemies lack nuance, serving as little more than cannon fodder. For a story with such an ambitious concept, it’s disappointing that the antagonists don’t feel more distinctive.
Where “The Great Circle” truly shines is in its environments. From the cobbled streets of Rome to the Pyramids of Giza, the attention to detail is remarkable. The game also makes clever use of its camera, offering subtle hints during exploration and rewarding players with fascinating historical tidbits.
The Great Circle is a film fan’s dream, packed with nods to adventure classics and brimming with nostalgic charm. For newcomers to the genre, it may feel less engaging due to its dated mechanics and occasional lack of polish. Still, it’s a satisfying romp for those willing to embrace its retro roots and cinematic flair.
