海角大神

The art of war

As you celebrate Memorial Day in the United States, take a look at artwork from one of the nation鈥檚 past conflicts. Art about World War I is on display at the Library of Congress; pieces depicting recruitment efforts, photos of soldiers in combat, and more can be viewed online as well. Check out World War I: American Artists View the Great War at .

Learn a new skill

Looking to learn some basic coding for your job or simply for fun? Theapp takes you through the basics of HTML, Python, and more using a fill-in-the-blank format and quizzes. It can also be used off-line so you can practice anywhere. Lrn is available free of charge for iOS.

Art from the earth

Many artists use unusual materials, but what motivates those who use our environment to create? The documentary explores land art, which was popular in the 1960s and 鈥�70s. The film is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.聽

Illuminating a forgotten tragedy

Somehow, Berlin policeman and private detective Bernie Gunther survived World War II despite hating Nazis and working, in constant defiance, for the likes of Heinrich Himmler and Joseph Goebbels. Now in Philip Kerr鈥檚 novel , he鈥檚 wasting his days as a concierge. The book also involves a forgotten tragedy: the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff by the Soviets in 1945. A blackmail-heavy plot and threads of World War II and cold-war spying history keep the pages turning, but as always, Bernie鈥檚 pitch-black humor carries the day.聽聽

James Blake鈥檚 singular style

No one does bleak and beautiful like James Blake. The British electronic star, a favorite of hitmakers Beyonc茅 and Frank Ocean, plays it slow, sensual, and enigmatic on , his atmospheric new album. Blake鈥檚 careworn tenor voice carries real emotional weight on songs like 鈥淧ut That Away and Talk to Me鈥� and the paean to renewal 鈥淚 Need a Forest Fire,鈥� featuring guest Justin Vernon (Bon Iver). You鈥檒l detect faint echoes of Radiohead and Marvin Gaye in the swirling, whirring sonic landscapes, but Blake paints in a singular style.