Arts

It took volunteers 25 hours to move 750,000 plastic balls from the National Building Museum's "Beach" installation to Dupont Underground, a creative arts institution in Washington, D.C.

Doomsday For The Dunes Of Plastic Balls: The End Comes For 'The Beach'

11:17pm September 11, 2015

by Mallory Yu

Dozens of volunteers moved more than 750,000 plastic balls this week from the National Building Museum's Beach installation to Dupont Underground, a creative arts institution in Washington, D.C.

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President Obama presents the 2014 National Humanities Medal to Alice Waters during an East Room ceremony at the White House on Thursday. Alice Waters was honored for celebrating the bond between the ethical and the edible as a chef, author and advocate.

Arts

Alice Waters, Healthy Food Advocate, Receives Humanities Medal

6:49pm September 11, 2015

by NPR Staff

President Obama awarded chef and author Alice Waters with the National Humanities Medal on Thursday. The advocate of sustainable eating explains what it means to have her work recognized this way.

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Ravi Patel and his sister, Geeta, worked together on the documentary Meet the Patels, in which Ravi struggles to find a partner both he and his parents love.

'Meet The Patels': One Man's Quest To Find Love, The Old-School Indian Way

6:43pm September 11, 2015

by Karen Grigsby Bates

Ravi Patel had tried and failed to find "The One." So he reluctantly let his parents arrange for him to meet dozens of prospects. And his sister has filmed the whole thing — for our viewing pleasure.

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Books
Arts

An Afghan Writer Wants To Return Home, But It Could Cost Him His Life

6:43pm September 11, 2015

by Elizabeth Ross

Qais Akbar Omar's memoir has been translated into more than 20 languages. But his outspoken criticism of Afghanistan's government has created problems for him and his family back in Kabul.

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Books
Arts

A Doctor Reflects On Race And Medicine In 'Black Man In A White Coat'

4:25pm September 11, 2015

Black Man in a White Coat is Damon Tweedy's memoir of his experience as a young black doctor. NPR's Linda Wertheimer speaks to him about how the medical field addresses race.

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Books
Arts

'Not Funny' Proves Potent On A Tough Subject

3:10pm September 11, 2015

by Etelka Lehoczky

Leah Hayes' new graphic novel presents, in simple terms and unassuming pinkish illustrations, the story of two women who decide to get abortions, the choices they make and the steps they go through.

This Is Your Life, Harriet Chance! by Jonathan Evison

Books
Arts

With A Touch Of Snark, 'Harriet Chance' Lays Its Protagonist Bare

3:03pm September 11, 2015

by Jason Sheehan

The heroine of Jonathan Evison's new novel is 78 years old, chronically drunk and talks to the ghost of her dead husband. Critic Jason Sheehan says the book portrays "darkness with a forced smile."

After Superstorm Sandy, Saucedo used aid materials from the Red Cross to create Red Cross Blanket (Family Portrait as Water).

Arts

After Sandy, Katrina And Sept. 11, This Sculptor Finds Art In Survival

2:25pm September 11, 2015

by Neda Ulaby

Christopher Saucedo lost a brother in the twin towers, and two of his houses were flooded in the storms. He says he hopes his art shows people what it means to lose and how we manage to survive.

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Arts

Rhiannon Giddens, Black Mountain College Festival, And Piedmont Plein Air Paintout

2:05pm September 11, 2015

by David Ford

Rhiannon Giddens

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Alison Brie and Jason Sudeikis are serial cheaters who meet up years after having a one-night stand in Sleeping with Other People.

Arts

'Sleeping With Other People': A Romantic Comedy That Breaks With Convention

1:25pm September 11, 2015

by David Edelstein

In Leslye Headland's new sex comedy, two serial cheaters meet up years after a one-night stand. Critic David Edelstein says the film mixes emotional weirdness with sexual frankness — in a good way.

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