The Hidden God

The sense of God has often been touched on in the movies. European directors like Ingmar Bergman, Robert Bresson, Luis Bu"uel, Carl Theodor Dreyer, Krzysztof Kieslowski, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Roberto Rossellini and many others have dealt directly with the theme throughout their careers, and Hollywood too has told stories based on the Bible, the lives of the saints and the martyrdoms of ordinary people. The Hidden God, which accompanies a film series of the same name organized by The Museum of Modern Art and screening in October and November of 2003, explores the ways in which a sense of God may appear in films, whether or not it is understood as such or is visible to the eye. This book contains over 50 essays by a wide range of writers, who find God encoded not only in explicitly religious subjects but in westerns, horror movies, comedies and many other genres, and in films from all over the world. In the times, places and societies these filmmakers explore, God may be lost, found, absent entirely or seen by only a few, whether saint or sinner.

U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program boxer Capt. Michael Benedosso (right) scores with a right hook to the head of India Pvt. Debendo Singh at the 2010 CISM Military World Boxing Championships at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. Benedosso is scheduled to compete in the 2011 U.S. National Boxing Championships June 20-25 in Colorado Springs, Colo., and at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Boxing July 31-Aug. 6 at the Mobile Civic Center in Alabama. U.S. Army photo by Tim Hipps, Installation Management Command Army boxers brace for U.S. Nationals, Olympic Team Trials By Tim Hipps Installation Management Command SAN ANTONIO – Reigning light-heavyweight national champion Spc. Jeffrey Spencer will lead several Soldiers into the 2011 U.S. National Boxing Championships June 20 through 25 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The top four finishers in each weight class will qualify for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Boxing, scheduled for July 31 through Aug. 6 at the Mobile Civic Center in Alabama. Four boxers in the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program already have qualified for the Olympic Trials: Spencer at 178 pounds, Sgt. John Franklin at 114, Capt. Michael Benedosso at 108, and Spc. Samuel Vasquez at 152. Three other Soldiers are qualified for the Olympic Trials as All-Army contenders: heavyweight Spc. Charles Blackwell, super heavyweight Staff Sgt. Andrew Shepherd, and lightweight Sgt. Toribio Ramirez. All seven are scheduled to compete in Colorado Springs. Second Lt. DeRae Crane will attempt to qualify for a berth in the Olympic Trials at Nationals, as will Spc. Carrie Barry, who is vying for the 132-pound spot on Team USA for the Olympic debut of women’s boxing at the 2012 London Games. Spencer recently earned a berth in the 2011 Pan American Games, scheduled for Nov. 12-20 in Guadalajara, Mexico, with a silver-medal performance at the second Pan Am qualifier in Quito, Ecuador, where he lost a 16-8 decision to Felix Valera of the Dominican Republic. Spencer struck gold last October at the 2010 CISM World Boxing Championships on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. “He’s looking good,” U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program boxing coach Basheer Abdullah said. “Spencer is the guy to beat in that weight class, and DeRae is right there also. I’m expecting one of these guys to make this Olympic team.” Should Spencer and Crane happen to meet in the quarterfinals or semifinals at nationals, Abdullah said he would sit Spencer to allow Crane to advance. Third-ranked Franklin, 27, a silver medalist at the 2007 Military World Games in Hyderabad, India, faces a tough battle in the flyweight division that features two-time Olympian Rau’shee Warren, who is attempting to become the first three-time member of the U.S. Olympic Boxing Team. “He’s capable of beating Rau’shee on a good night, when he’s at his best, but that’s going to be his biggest hurdle,” Abdullah said. “But we can’t overlook some of the other guys in his weight class. He definitely has the potential. He’s got to bring his ‘A’ game every night.” Benedosso struck gold in the 2010 CISM Military World Championships at Camp Lejeune and silver at the 2009 Police Athletic League Championships in San Antonio. “This is a very important tournament for him,” Abdullah said. “Not necessarily to win the tournament, but to make a statement that he is a true contender to make the Olympic Team.” Abdullah calls Vasquez “our little secret” in the welterweight division. “He lost to [two-time national champion] Errol Spence at the Nationals, but I think he challenged Errol better than anyone in the tournament,” said Abdullah, a three-time U.S. Olympic boxing coach and technical advisor. “He’s really growing. I think we’ve finally connected. He understands. We’ve made some adjustments to how he approaches bouts and he’s looking really sharp. I think he’s going to be one of the biggest surprises at Nationals this year.” Shepherd won gold at the 2010 CISM Military World Games but has since been released from WCAP and is boxing under less pressure and scrutiny. “Right now, he appears to be very relaxed, mentally,” Abdullah said. “He’s having fun with it because at the end of the day he knows he’s going back on line regardless of what happens.” The U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Men’s Boxing is a double-elimination tournament showcasing eight boxers in each of the 10 men’s Olympic weight classes. The winners will represent the United States in September at the 2011 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, where they will attempt to qualify internationally for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The 2011 USA Boxing National Championships will begin June 20 at Colorado Springs Christian School, with preliminary action continuing through June 22. Semifinals are set for June 23 and consolations June 24. The finals will be June 25 at the Colorado Springs City Auditorium. Olympic Trials qualifying began at the 2010 National Police Athletic League Championships in October

Perseu - Antonio Canova. Antonio Canova (1 November 1757 – 13 October 1822) was an Italian sculptor who became famous for his marble sculptures that delicately rendered nude flesh. The epitome of the neoclassical style, his work marked a return to classical refinement after the theatrical excesses of Baroque sculpture. Antonio Canova was born in Possagno, a village of the Republic of Venice situated amid the recesses of the hills of Asolo, where these form the last undulations of the Venetian Alps, as they subside into the plains of Treviso. At three years of age Canova was deprived of both parents, his father dying and his mother remarrying. Their loss, however, was compensated by the tender solicitude and care of his paternal grandfather and grandmother, the latter of whom lived to experience in her turn the kindest personal attention from her grandson, who, when he had the means, gave her an asylum in his house at Rome. His father and grandfather followed the occupation of stone-cutters or minor statuaries; and it is said that their family had for several ages supplied Possagno with members of that calling. As soon as Canova's hand could hold a pencil, he was initiated into the principles of drawing by his grandfather Pasino. The latter possessed some knowledge both of drawing and of architecture, designed well, and showed considerable taste in the execution of ornamental works. He was greatly attached to his art; and upon his young charge he looked as one who was to perpetuate, not only the family name, but also the family profession. The early years of Canova were passed in study. The bias of his mind was to sculpture, and the facilities afforded for the gratification of this predilection in the workshop of his grandfather were eagerly improved. In his ninth year he executed two small shrines of Carrara marble, which are still extant. Soon after this period he appears to have been constantly employed under his grandfather. Amongst those who patronized the old man was the patrician family Falier of Venice, and by this means young Canova was first introduced to the senator of that name, who afterwards became his most zealous patron. Between the younger son, Giuseppe Falier, and the artist a friendship commenced which terminated only with life. The senator Falier was induced to receive him under his immediate protection. It has been related by an Italian writer and since repeated by several biographers, that Canova was indebted to a trivial circumstance - the moulding of a lion in butter - for the warm interest which Falier took in his welfare. The anecdote may or may not be true. By his patron Canova was placed under Bernardi, or, as he is generally called by filiation, Giuseppe Torretto, a sculptor of considerable eminence, who had taken up a temporary residence at Pagnano, one of Asolo's boroughs in the vicinity of the senator's mansion. This took place whilst Canova was in his thirteenth year; and with Torretto he continued about two years, making in many respects considerable progress. This master returned to Venice, where he soon afterwards died; but by the high terms in which he spoke of his pupil to Falier, the latter was induced to bring the young artist to Venice, whither he accordingly went, and was placed under a nephew of Torretto. With this instructor he continued about a year, studying with the utmost assiduity. After the termination of this engagement he began to work on his own account, and received from his patron an order for a group, Orpheus and Eurydice. The first figure, which represents Eurydice in flames and smoke, in the act of leaving Hades, was completed towards the close of his sixteenth year. It was highly esteemed by his patron and friends, and the artist was now considered qualified to appear before a public tribunal. The kindness of some monks supplied him with his first workshop, which was the vacant cell of a monastery. Here for nearly four years he labored with the greatest perseverance and industry. He was also regular in his attendance at the academy, where he carried off several prizes. But he relied far more on the study and imitation of nature. A large portion of his time was also devoted to anatomy, which science was regarded by him as the secret of the art. He likewise frequented places of public amusement, where he carefully studied the expressions and attitudes of the performers. He formed a resolution, which was faithfully adhered to for several years, never to close his eyes at night without having produced some design. Whatever was likely to forward his advancement in sculpture he studied with ardour. On archaeological pursuits he bestowed considerable attention. With ancient and modern history he rendered himself well acquainted and he also began to acquire some of the continental languages. Three years had now elapsed without any production coming from his chisel. He began, however, to complete the group for his patron, and the Orpheus which followed evince

Now available in paperback, Tin Cup Dreams is the remarkable odyssey of self-taught golfer Esteban Toledo, a former boxer who overcame poverty and the wrong side of the tracks to make it through Q School and a make-or-break season on the PGA Tour. With uncommon grit and determination, Toledo finally triumphs after a 12 year quest that took him to the depths of despair.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Michael D'Antonio gives a rare behind-the-scenes look at the PGA Tour while keeping readers on the edge of their seats with his chronicle of Toledo's struggles. Traditionally, golf was a dreamer's path to glory. Tin Cup Dreams shows that it still is.