Apocalypse Now – Artists Imaginations On ‘Judgment Day’

PERSPECTIVE

Forecast of ‘Judgment Day’ and end of humanity by an 89 year-old California evangelical broadcaster is indeed a flop; still followers are trying to explain about his failed pronouncement. But what about people who spent their almost all saving for spreading the message? For example, retired transportation agency worker Robert Fitzpatrick spent over $140,000 of his savings to spread the messaging, distributing posters and outdoor advertisements warning of the May 21 ‘Judgment Day.’

Judgment Day has had been a common imaginary claptrap from centuries and even a source of inspiration for artists throughout history. Many fantastic artistic marvels have depicted humanity’s last moments. Whether in the golden sunshine of Lorenzo Ghiberti's "Gates of Paradise" or in the snarls of damned wrestlers of William-Adolphe Bouguereau's "Dante and Virgil in Hell," imaginations of artists have etched in your mind.

Here we present 11 renowned paintings based on the theme of apocalypse.

Michelangelo's "The Last Judgment" 

 

 

English painter Thomas Cole's series on "The Course of Empire" 

 

Damien Hirst's "For the Love of God"

Spanish painter Francisco Goya's landmark portrayal

"The Dragon with Seven Heads"German painter Albrecht Dürer

"The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse," by Albrecht Dürer

Lorenzo Ghiberti's "Gates of Paradise,"

French engraver Gustave Doré's illustrated bible, "The Flood"

"Soft Construction with Boiled Beansby Spanish Surrealist, Salvador Dalí.

Collective Suicide by David Alfaro Siqueiros.

"Dante and Virgil in Hell," by William-Adolphe Bouguereau

Who Gains Who Loses After Laden's Death

PERSPECTIVE
TUESDAY, May 10, 2011

US President Barack Obama - THUMBS UP

The US President has seen his dismal approvals surge by as much as 15 percent points. More usefully, killing Obama bin Laden has killed off Republicans claims he was a security wimp. But it isn't all politics. Obama has been just as determined as George W. Bush on destroying Al Qaeda.

Indian PM Manmohan Singh - SMALL UP

India gains because Pakistan is down. Sort of. India has been busy pointing out that the Pakistani military is in ca boots with every possible terrorist you can name. But Singh is too focussed on his peace drive to make much of what's happening in Afghanistan. Perhaps Kayani will be more realistic about his country's future - in which case the talks may actually be fruitful.

General Ashfaq Kayani of Pakistan Army - BIG DOWN

There is strong speculation the Pakistani army chief will be told to retire. Otherwise, Kayani was looking good. He had Hamid Karzai over a barrel, Manmohan Singh in a corner. The US was pumping in billions. He could still win Afghanistan but for many Pakistanis he will just bet the soldier who let the country's guard down.

Al Qaeda - BIG DOWN

Given that so many of its affiliates and members had sworn oath of fealty to Bin Laden himself the groups main problem will be keeping everything together. Al Qaeda needs some spectacular evil otherwise it may find itself overtaken by other, younger terror groups. We know one thing: Ayman al Zawahiri, the bookish number two, won't hack it when it comes to street cred.

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai - SMALL UP

After the Abbottabad incident, Karzai crowed how it had once again been shown that terrorism wasn't an Afghan phenomenon, it was a Pakistani one. But he still has too few options. He's being forced to seek talks with the Taliban and toe the Pakistani line. Bin Laden's death may help, but his problems are Af and Pak, not Arab.

Taliban - POTENTIAL UP

The Taliban are a cluster of Afghan militant groups. Their friendship with the Arab-dominated Al Qaeda made them the targets of the US military machine. They now have the chance to become bigger than everyone. If they play their cards right they could get the US to begin leaving Afghanistan. If they play them better they could end up ruling Kabul again.

Hijabi Girls Practice Chinese Wushu In India

PERSPECTIVE
May 10, 2011

The incredible acrobatic skills, tenacity, and awareness in hijab clad small teenage girls surprise any martial art aficionado. A considerably reputed school in Hyderabad, school girls practices Chinese ancient martial art Wushu, touching the feats of Shaolin warriors. St. Maaz high school in Hyderabad is not only reputed for its strict discipline and academic excellence but also surprised people for its singular stance for sports where Muslim schoolgirls practice Vietnam Vovinam martial arts. A bunch of girls clad in traditional hijab ages 10 to 16 participate in weekly session of traditional Wushu martial art.

Let us see some of the extraordinary snaps captured during their practice session.