- World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies and the Axis powers. Nearly all the world’s countries—including all the great powers—participated, with many investing all available economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities in pursuit of total war, blurring the distinction between military and civilian resources. Tanks and aircraft played major roles, with the latter enabling the strategic bombing of population centres and delivery of the only two nuclear weapons ever used in war. World War II was the deadliest conflict in history, resulting in 70 to 85 million fatalities, more than half of which were civilians. Millions died in genocides, including the Holocaust of European Jews, and by massacres, starvation, and disease. Following the Allied powers’ victory, Germany, Austria, Japan, and Korea were occupied, and war crimes tribunals were conducted against German and Japanese leaders.
- Murals by the Sea (hakaimagazine.com)
From New York to London, Tokyo to Vancouver, coastal communities are swept by endless waves of commerce and culture. This gives rise to art. When governments and market forces in these communities fail to confront challenges such as climate change and overfishing, street artists and muralists offer critiques by projecting new meaning onto artificial landscapes. Art may have the power to influence, or even renew, our relationship with our coasts, but can murals do more than “write” large the anxieties and hopes of their creators?