ARTERIAL NETWORK: CULTURE AND DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA

There are 53 countries in Africa of which 17 celebrate 50 years of independence this year, 2010. Of the 50 countries ranked at the bottom of the Human Development Index that measures literacy, education, life expectancy and quality of life, 39 are on the African continent. The situation is worse if one considers that Zimbabwe and Somalia are not included in this list because of a lack of data.

So what has 50 years of independence, 50 years of development, 50 years of “the cultural dimension of development” meant for Africa?

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China's First Lady of Opera

SHANGHAI — Pavarotti started the ball rolling. On the occasion of a concert he gave in 1986 to a packed crowd of 10,000 Chinese at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, the tenor expressed a single regret, that “the capital of the world’s most populous nation should be without a suitable opera theater.”

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Shanghai World Expo 2010

World Expo 2010 Shanghai China is the occasion for China to bring the world at home, and for the world to feel at home in China. By dedicating a 5.28-square-kilometer area at the core of the city to exhibitions, events and forums on the Expo theme, "Better City, Better Life," Shanghai hopes to build a powerful and lasting pilot example of sustainable and harmonious urban living.

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Arabic arts..When art has the Edge, it goes global

Edge of Arabia has been making waves in the international art scene since its inception in 2008.

A groundbreaking Saudi cultural initiative, Edge of Arabia is not only promoting and empowering contemporary artists from the Kingdom, but is also filling a gap in the art world that has been left void for far too long.

After its first exhibition in October 2008 at London’s SOAS Brunei Gallery, Edge of Arabia made headlines as it broke the attendance record at the University of London’s largest gallery, with over 12,000 people visiting throughout its two-month display.

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UK must learn from Iraq War failure to protect cultural heritage, leading culture organisations urge

Shortcomings in the UK’s planning and implementation of the 2003 Iraq invasion and occupation led to a fundamental failure to protect Iraq’s cultural property, according to evidence submitted to the Chilcot Inquiry by thirteen major heritage and culture organisations today, including the UK National Commission.

The evidence highlights five main failures in the planning and implementation of the Coalition Forces’ invasion and subsequent occupation, including the relative secrecy of pre-invasion planning and how proceeds from illicit trade in looted antiquities helped fund the insurgency.

Read more and download the full evidence submitted to the Iraq enquiry...

Black History Month Celebrated Through the Arts

NEW YORK— Debate if you like the relevance of Black History Month: yes, it’s assigned the shortest, bleakest month of the year; yes, African American history is such an integral part of the American story it should be integrated year-round, not relegated to a single, month-long spasm of obligation; yes, it sure is difficult to attract media attention the other eleven months of the year. But while we wait for Black History Month to be rendered obsolete, let’s continue to pause and commemorate African American beauty and brilliance. Let us count 12 ways.

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Electronic Arts crumbles

The leading maker of computer games is struggling as people turn to cheaper, online alternatives

John Riccitiello saw the crisis coming. In August 2007, soon after becoming CEO of video game maker Electronic Arts (ERTS), he gathered 160 lieutenants in New York and warned them that the $20 billion industry was headed for trouble. The major players were clinging to the model of selling shrink-wrapped games for $60 a pop, while users were turning to far cheaper online games. Only by "jumping into the abyss," he said, and radically changing itself could EA survive the looming shakeout.

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