Politics of Culture

Politics of Culture
Sometimes a panel discussion about current controversies in the cultural world, other times an in-depth interview with an author or leading figures in media, the arts, entertainment or politics, The Politics of Culture examines the intersection where the world of politics and culture meet and sometimes collide.
RECENT SHOWS
Labor's Love - Lost?
How did the labor movement in America sink so low in the public's opinion, as recent polls have indicated? Does labor still stand as the savior of the little guy or is it seen as job security and guaranteed benefits for government workers at taxpayers' expense?
Meet Jennifer Ferro, KCRW's New General Manager
Now that Assistant General Manager Jennifer Ferro has been tapped to step into the role of General Manager of public radio station KCRW, we hear her talk about the station, its present, and its future. KCRW’s Matt Holzman interviews her.
iBooks, eBooks and the Future of Books on the Web
The iPad may be a game changer for books on the Internet. Author and intellectual property rights attorney Jonathan Kirsch talks Kindle, eBooks and iBooks with New York Times media columnist Motoko Rich, Wall Street Journal’s All Things Digital blogger Peter Kafka and eBook reader/fan and an author herself, Dora Levy Mossanen.
'Petrushka' with a Twist
Basil Twist’s production of Petrouchka spins new magic around the music of Stravinsky and the legendary Ballets Russes production, originally commissioned for Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Sarah Spitz speaks with KCRW theatre critic James Taylor and master puppeteer Basil Twist.
International Medical Corps
Among the many organizations helping the Haitians recover from the earthquake is one based right here in Santa Monica, the International Medical Corps. Its mission is to provide healthcare training, relief and development programs to help build local capacity. KCRW General Manager Ruth Seymour speaks to the organization's president and vice president.
The Changing Culture of War
How do we wage war in the 21st century, when remote drone operators shoot missiles at targets across the globe while suicide bombers blow themselves up in crowds of innocents or behind fortress walls? Can ethics be applied to war, and how will the soldiers of tomorrow be trained? KCRW General Manager Ruth Seymour explores these and other questions.
The Los Angeles Lakers: 50 Amazing Years in the City of Angels
Love 'em or hate 'em, the Lakers are a significant part of Los Angeles' history over the past half century. Join LA Observed's Kevin Roderick for a discussion about the new book, The Los Angeles Lakers: 50 Amazing Years in The City of Angels.
The 'Emancipation' of Europe's Jews
When we use the word "emancipation" we think of slavery in America. But for centuries in Europe, Jews lived in ghettos with restricted rights. Jonathan Kirsch talks to author and former NPR London Bureau Chief Michael Goldfarb about his book Emancipation: How Liberating Europe's Jews from the Ghetto Led to Revolution and Renaissance.
Good without God
What is a humanist? Do we need religion to give us moral guidance? These are questions addressed in Greg Epstein’s new book, Good Without God. Jonathan Kirsch discusses these concepts and more with him.
Sport: Annenberg Space for Photography
Images by two of the world's pre-eminent sports photographers are on exhibit at the Annenberg Space for Photography in Century City. KCRW's Diana Nyad speaks with Neil Leifer, who discusses his iconic images, sports photography as art, and how to capture that one perfect moment.
Shakespeare's Globe: Love's Labour's Lost
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London was the dream of an American actor. Now we can share the dream, as they bring their celebrated production of the comedy romp Love's Labour's Lost to the Broad Stage in Santa Monica. Prepare yourself for a lively conversation about the play, the company and Shakespeare
Ramparts Magazine: A Bomb in Every Issue
Ramparts magazine turned the 60's on its head with a high-octane combination of avant-garde satire and gumshoe investigative reporting. KCRW's own Robert Scheer served as its editor, and contributors included the likes of Noam Chomsky, Seymour Hersh, Cesar Chavez, Angela Davis and Susan Sontag. Peter Richardson has written about the largely untold story of this hugely influential magazine in his book A Bomb in Every Issue and he talks with KCRW's Will Lewis about it.
The Wende Museum's Berlin Wall Project
Twenty years ago, the Berlin Wall was torn down. Now, original segments of the wall are on display in front of 5900 Wilshire, across the street from LACMA. While it stood, the wall served as a public art canvas for graffiti and protests. While in Los Angeles, artist Shepard Fairey and muralist Kent Twitchell will paint on these segments. Historian Steven Ross discusses the project with the founder of the Wende Museum, muralist Twitchel and others.
Central Avenue and Beyond
The 20th century's Harlem Renaissance has come to define the first great explosion of African American culture in the US. But Los Angeles had a hub of its own where black culture also flourished: Central Avenue. KCRW's Michael Barnes hosts this conversation about the Huntington Library's upcoming exhibition, "Central Avenue and Beyond: The Harlem Renaissance in Los Angeles."
R Crumb's 'Illustrated Book of Genesis'
From Keep on Truckin’ to Fritz the Cat, R. Crumb was pushing the boundaries of comics long before the graphic novels became so popular. Now he’s taken on the Bible.
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A CD copy of Politics of Culture is available by calling 1.888.600.5279.
Transcripts are not available.