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Art & Design NPR explores the visual arts including design, photography, sculpture, and architecture. Interviews, commentary, and audio. Subscribe to the RSS feed.

Art & Design

Monday

Katrina & Beyond

Katrina Alters the View for New Orleans Artists

Some artists from New Orleans say Hurricane Katrina will mark a turning point in their careers, and not only because it ruined some of their work. They say the altered visual and cultural landscape of the city will affect the art they have yet to make. Joel Rose of member station WHYY reports.

Katrina Alters the View for New Orleans Artists

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Monday

The Hand of America's First Black Female Poet

Phyllis Wheatley was America's first published black poet -- a native of Senegal, sold into slavery in Boston in 1761 and taught to read and write. Now a newly discovered letter by her is expected to fetch top dollar at auction.

The Hand of America's First Black Female Poet

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Sunday

Loving the Imperfections of Toy Cameras

Photographer Theresa Manzanares describes why she loves her toy cameras, even though the cheap plastic housing often allows light to leak in and partially expose the film inside. Fans of the cameras say the leaks make for oddly intriguing photos that add mystery to the process of creating art.

Loving the Imperfections of Toy Cameras

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National

Western Architects Push the Envelope in Beijing

China's urbanization is perhaps the most extensive the world has ever seen. In Beijing and elsewhere, the job of designing prominent urban buildings is going more often than not to Western architects -- and the rush to remake the capital of China is crowding the ancient city with out-of-character designs.

Western Architects Push the Envelope in Beijing

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National

Sleuthing for Rock Art in New Mexico

Southwestern New Mexico is littered with rock art and artifacts from long-gone ancient cultures. Doug Fine goes on a trek through the desert back country with a local man who sleuths out hidden "rock art" sites.

Sleuthing for Rock Art in New Mexico

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Saturday

Spy Cameras, Portraits Offered in Collector's Sale

Over the course of 50 years, Jack Naylor has amassed the world's largest private collection of cameras and photographs. It includes spy cameras, a 157-year-old photo of circus performer Tom Thumb and an underwater camera used by Jacques Cousteau. And Naylor is looking for a buyer.

Spy Cameras, Portraits Offered in Collector's Sale

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Friday

Books

Spiffy: 'The Complete Calvin and Hobbes'

On Nov. 18, 1985, a new comic strip made its newspaper debut: Calvin and Hobbes. For 10 years the duo captured the imaginations of adults and children alike. Now every published panel of the strip has been collected in The Complete Calvin and Hobbes.

Spiffy: 'The Complete Calvin and Hobbes'

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Monday

Obituaries

Harlem Renaissance Painter Ernest Crichlow

Harlem Renaissance painter Ernest Crichlow died in New York at the age of 91. His work depicted the shifting experiences of African-Americans through much of the 20th century. Allison Keyes has a remembrance.

Harlem Renaissance Painter Ernest Crichlow

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Thursday

Books

'Still Looking' Collects John Updike Essays On Art

Author John Updike's new book,Still Looking, collects many of his essays on American art. Susan Stamberg recently talked to Updike about the book and his relationship with art.

'Still Looking' Collects John Updike Essays On Art

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The Childhood of Harvey Pekar, 'The Quitter'

Fresh Air

Graphic novelist Harvey Pekar emerged from obscurity in the surprise film hit American Splendor. His new graphic novel, The Quitter, offers details of Pekar's upbringing in 1950s Cleveland.

The Childhood of Harvey Pekar, 'The Quitter'

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Monday

News

Mexican Wrestling as Art

In Spanish, lucha libre is translated literally to mean "free fighting" -- and to many Latinos, it's professional wrestling, vaudeville, a venerable cinema genre and the Bushido code of the Japanese Samurai all wrapped up in one campy and crowd-pleasing spectacle.

Mexican Wrestling as Art

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Saturday

Friday

'Sudan: The Land and the People'

Tim Carney, the last American ambassador to Sudan before the United States downgraded relations in 1997, wants to promote a broader view of the country through a new collection of photographs. NPR foreign correspondent Michele Kelemen reviews Carney's book, Sudan: The Land and the People.

'Sudan: The Land and the People'

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Wednesday

Books

'Elements of Style' Goes Beyond Words

The Elements of Style, E.B. White and William Strunk's classic manual on writing and usage, can now be seen and heard. A new edition features illustrations by Maira Kalman, while composer Nico Muhly offers a musical adaptation.

'Elements of Style' Goes Beyond Words

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Monday

Music News

The Measure of Sam Cooke's 'Triumph'

Fresh Air

Biographer Peter Guralnick's new book is Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke. Guralnick follows the life of rhythm and blues legend Sam Cooke from his roots in gospel music through his legendary career as a singer and songwriter whose hits include "You Send Me," "Only Sixteen" and many others.

The Measure of Sam Cooke's 'Triumph'

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