Contemporary magician Criss Angel and his millions of viewers are examples of the resurgence of magical performances—both on television and in public spaces. Angel’s revelatory DVD and the unveiling of magic secrets by other illusionists re-inflame the question of how … Lire / Read
New Temple Weighs Heavy in Transnational Digital Age
The immigrant diaspora is the backbone of the North American success story and its growth pushes the boundaries of both nationalist identity and the urban landscape. Recently, a Hindu temple/heritage museum was erected in Toronto by the local Indo-Canadian community … Lire / Read
MERCOSUR: Potential Dwarfed by Politics
In the 1980’s, an era of rapid globalization, South American countries joined together to form the “Mercado Comun del Sur” (MERCOSUR), the “Common South Market”, in an attempt to strengthen their position in international trade (1). However, political disruptions … Lire / Read
Constitutional Reform in the European Union: Two steps forward, one step back?
The constitutional project for the European Union, shelved since the failed ratifications of 2005, is currently witnessing a revival. Under the guise of a new “Reform Treaty” most of the original Constitution’s content has been preserved, but is now being … Lire / Read
Slowing Down Alzheimer’s Disease
Technological and medical advancements have led to a steady increase in the life expectancy and in the size of the older adult population. Consequently, the number of age-related ailments, such as Alzheimer’s disease, is on the rise. In addition to … Lire / Read
Give a Hug, Save an Infant: Touch and Development
Touch is now recognized as a stand alone contributor to a young child’s healthy development. Aside from providing comfort and security, touch has also proven to be fundamental to the social and physical development of the infant. Such findings have … Lire / Read
Who Owns a Name? Funding Publics in Prison and in the Humanities
Ray Hsu reflects on his experience teaching incarcerated writers in a Wisconsin prison and on how his work foregrounds the politics of funding in education. As a poet and student, he explores how authorship amounts to a form of privilege … Lire / Read
The Price of Luxury: The Controversial Aestheticism of Damien Hirst and Tobias Wong
Artists Damien Hirst and Tobias Wong recently unveiled controversial pieces that, in contrast with the anti-commercial work of their contemporaries, celebrate the luxury object. Do these artists represent a conservative strain in contemporary art that makes art complicit with commodity … Lire / Read
Archives Without Borders
Since the 1980s we have seen the rise of forensic-based human rights organizations working to scientifically document crimes against humanity on an international scale. It is perhaps too early to tell what effect the conjunction of scientific data and eyewitness … Lire / Read
A Technological Fix for the Environment: The Virgin Earth Challenge
Last February Al Gore and British billionaire Richard Branson presented the Virgin Earth Challenge. It operates on the assumption that there is a technological solution to the climate change crisis. Technology materializes a particular relationship to the world. Does modifying … Lire / Read