Smart News Arts & Culture

The four sides of a dice, as well as the front and back sides of several other game pieces found in western Norway

Cool Finds

Ancient Roman Board Game Found in Norwegian Burial Mound

Researchers unearthed a four-sided dice and 18 circular tokens

A marble statue of Christopher Columbus was beheaded in Boston.

Christopher Columbus Statues Beheaded, Pulled Down Across America

Protesters in three U.S. cities targeted sculptures of the Italian explorer and colonizer

A view of the modified seating arrangement at the Berliner Ensemble

Covid-19

How a Berlin Theater Will Enforce Social Distancing

The venue removed more than half of its seats to keep audience members safely separated

This wall painting features musicians in European clothing on the left and a dancer in a traditional feathered cape on the right.

Cool Finds

Renovations Reveal Rare Maya Murals Hidden in Guatemalan Home

The wall paintings may chart the decline of Spanish colonial influence and resurgence of indigenous culture

Researchers recently identified the unnamed sitter in this portrait as Mary Boleyn, older sister of Anne Boleyn.

After Hundreds of Years, Unknown Woman in Tudor Portrait Identified as Mary Boleyn

New evidence suggests the painting depicts Anne Boleyn's older sister, the one-time mistress of Henry VIII

Excavations of the Red Lion, thought to be the oldest theater in London, also uncovered two nearby beer cellars.

Cool Finds

Archaeologists Unearth Traces of What May Be London's Oldest Theater

Experts identified the Red Lion's location using details from two 16th-century lawsuits

Works by German artist Paul Klee are projected on June 3, 2020, at the Bassins de Lumières digital art center in Bordeaux.

Former Nazi Submarine Base Transformed Into Digital Art Gallery

The concrete bunker once housed Axis U-boats. Now, it features floor-to-ceiling projections of works by Gustav Klimt, Paul Klee

This 1484 copy of Tuhfat al-Ahrar was produced during the lifetime of Jāmī, considered Iran's last great mystical poet.

The National Library of Israel Will Digitize 2,500 Rare Islamic Manuscripts

The cultural institution estimates that the process will take three years to complete

A poem providing clues to the location of a treasure chest filled with gold and jewels inspired thousands to search the Rocky Mountains.

Cool Finds

Decade-Long Search for Rocky Mountain Treasure Yields Trove Worth $2 Million

Nine clues embedded in a 24-line poem led to art dealer Forrest Fenn's hidden chest of gold, gems and rare artifacts

Governor Ralph Northam has ordered the removal of Richmond's statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee.

Confederate Monuments Are Coming Down Across the Country

As protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd continue, statues commemorating controversial historical figures are being removed from U.S. cities

The prayer book is written in Latin and French and features 40 miniature illustrations.

A Prayer Book Owned by Mary, Queen of Scots, Is Up for Sale

The ill-fated monarch inscribed the gift from her great-aunt with an affectionate inscription

Michael B. Jordan (left) and Jamie Foxx (right) star in Just Mercy as civil rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson and falsely accused death row inmate Walter McMillian, respectively.

'Just Mercy' Is Streaming for Free This Month to Educate Viewers on Systemic Racism

The 2019 film, which chronicles criminal justice reform in Alabama, stars Michael B. Jordan as lawyer Bryan Stevenson

The colorized photograph shows 47-year-old Dickens in a blue, green and yellow waistcoat; a navy blue jacket; and tan trousers.

See a Newly Colorized Photograph of Charles Dickens

The image, set to go on view once London museums are allowed to reopen, shows off the prolific author's playful fashion sense

A makeshift memorial and mural outside Cup Foods, where George Floyd was killed by a Minneapolis police officer on Sunday, May 31

How Artists Are Responding to the Killing of George Floyd

Murals and portraits memorializing the 46-year-old black man and calling for societal change have appeared across the world

On May 6, South Korea returned somewhat to normal, with businesses, museums and libraries reopening with social distancing measures in place. However, with a spike for more than 70 new cases in Seoul, museums have closed until June 14.

Covid-19

Seoul Closes Public Institutions After South Korea Sees 79 New COVID-19 Cases

Museums, churches, and art galleries are shut down until June 14 in Seoul, home to half of the country’s population

This photo shows part of the display at the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, a memorial to honor thousands of African-Americans killed in lynchings.

Legislation Declaring Lynching a Federal Crime Hits New Roadblock

Sen. Rand Paul has stalled a measure passed by the House in February

The plaintiffs argue that the online library’s offerings are theft.

Covid-19

Publishers Sue Internet Archive for Copyright Infringement

The online library loosened restrictions on its collection of scanned books at the end of March in response to the pandemic

Researchers inspired by kirigami, the Japanese art of cutting and folding paper, create a friction-boosting material that could give shoes a stronger grip on ice and other slippery surfaces.

New Research

New No-Slip Sole Takes Inspiration From the Japanese Art of Kirigami

Compared to regular shoes, the grippy shoe bottom dramatically enhanced friction on ice

Christo and Jeanne-Claude, pictured in 2005 near their installation The Gates in New York's Central Park. Christo and Jeanne-Claude

Trending Today

Christo, Artist Who Wrapped Landmarks and Coastlines in Fabric, Dies at 84

With collaborator and wife Jeanne-Claude, he created enormous, ephemeral art installations

The author is quick to point out that The Ickabog is separate from the Harry Potter series.

Education During Coronavirus

Read J.K. Rowling's New Children's Book Online for Free

The "Harry Potter" author is also asking young readers to submit illustrations of "The Ickabog"

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