Acclaimed filmmaker Errol Morris shares the stories behind the infamous Abu Ghraib photographs. He explains what really happened at the notorious Iraqi prison. Also: how a compulsive liar and criminal conned his way into Princeton University. Then, Nicolas Poussin's great landscape paintings. And how medieval art was used in Christian liturgical practices. Plus, minimalist Steve Reich’s new composition...inspired by the death of Daniel Pearl.
When the infamous photographs taken by soldiers in Abu Ghraib prison were released, people wondered if these photographs constituted evidence of systematic abuse by the American military or the aberrant behavior of a few "bad apples?" In “Standard Operating Procedure," acclaimed documentary filmmaker Errol Morris investigates the context of these photographs to figure out what really happened at the prison. The documentary is currently playing at Lincoln Plaza Cinemas and the Angelika Film Center.
Slideshow of images from "Standard Operating Procedure"
Listen to Leonard's interview with Seymour Hersch about Abu Ghraib from September 2004
Two books by Harper's contributing editor David Samuels include his most compelling magazine writing. Only Love Can Break Your Heart includes subjects that range from Woodstock 1999 to the work of a demolition company. The Runner: A True Account of the Amazing Lies and Fantastical Adventures of the Ivy League Impostor James Hogue profiles the compulsive liar and criminal who created a new identity for himself as Alexi Santana, a 16-year-old cowboy who was admitted to Princeton University without a hitch.
Events: David Samuels will be speaking and signing books
Monday, April 28 at 7 pm
McNally Robinson
52 Prince Street (between Lafayette and Mulberry)
David Samuels will be speaking and signing books
Tuesday, April 29th at 7:00 pm
Book Court
163 Court Street, Brooklyn (between Dean and Pacific Streets)
French master Nicolas Poussin (1594-1665) painted some of the most influential landscapes in Western art. An exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art entitled "Poussin and Nature: Arcadian Visions," organized by Keith Christiansen, is the first one dedicated to Poussin as a student of nature.
Slideshow of images from "Poussin and Nature: Arcadian Visions"
Ena Heller, Executive Director of the Museum of Biblical Art, discusses “Realms of Faith: Medieval Art from the Walters Art Museum.” This exhibition presents a selection of medieval works, from the largest and finest collection in the United States, interpreted in the context of their use in Christian religious practices.
Slideshow of images from "Realms of Faith: Medieval Art from the Walters Art Museum"
Legendary minimalist composer Steve Reich’s new album, “Daniel Variations,” was written in memory of the murdered Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl.
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