BALL Events Archive
| Title | Description | Date |
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Reflections in the Hall Of Mirrors: American Movies and the Politics Of Idealism Read more |
American movies have come to echo the secret aspirations and dashed expectations of the country’s deeply divisive elements. This series examines how key American movies from the last sixty years reflect the political and cultural ideals of their time. The series starts by considering movies made in the early sixties when John Kennedy, newly elected President, announced a New Frontier. The series concludes with a look at movies made after Barack Obama was elected in 2008, amidst a new wave of idealism. To view the list of film clips presented during these lectures, visit Reflections in the Hall of Mirrors Filmography. |
Sep 14 2017 to Oct 19 2017 |
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Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven Read more |
The Group of Seven, also known as the Algonquin School, was a group of Canadian painters formed in 1920. Believing that a distinct Canadian art could be developed through direct contact with nature the Group of Seven is best known for paintings inspired by the Canadian landscape. They initiated the first major Canadian artistic movement.
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Mar 2 2017 to Apr 6 2017 |
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Beauty and Belief: Art and Philosophy in Eastern Cultures Read more |
Beauty and Belief is an exploration of the connections between art and spirituality in South and East Asis, mainly within Hindu and Buddhist traditions. It investigates the creation and symbolisim of religious art and its use in community and private practice. Along the way, the series explores a variety of art forms including ritual objects, paintings, sacred space, poety and other media, uncovering the intriguing links between art, ritual, philosophy and spirituality. |
Jan 12 2017 to Feb 16 2017 |
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The Poet and the Astronomer Seek Meaning in an Expanding Universe Read more |
“The world is large- It contains multitudes. I look with all embracing eyes And tell you what I see. Do I contradict myself ? Very well, I contradict myself. If you are not bedazzled yet Look differently, and marvel !” “Leaves of Grass” Walt Whitman
Modern scientific discoveries have shed considerable light on the questions of how did it begin and how did we get here? However, it is only when science, concerned with “knowing” and poetry, concerned with “feeling”, converge, do we come closer to a complete picture of ourselves and our place in the Universe. These components of our human experience are not mutually exclusive but complementary. No wonder the night sky is the hunting ground for scientists, theologians, philosophers and poets. |
Oct 20 2016 to Nov 24 2016 |
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Peace: Its Meaning and Achievement Read more |
Project Ploughshares is an unwavering beacon for peace in the world. Several of the outstanding “voices” associated with this organization, share their expertise regarding the complex and ever-changing realities that are part of the challenges that constantly confront the pursuit of peace in the world. |
Sep 8 2016 to Oct 13 2016 |
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Our Beautiful Baffling Brains Read more |
The human brain is the source of our thoughts, perceptions, actions, and memories. It confers on us the abilities that make us human, while simultaneously making each of us unique. In this golden age of brain science neuroscientists are making significant leaps in understanding the brain. Advances in neuroscience over the last decade allow us to envision a comprehensive understanding of the brain in action, spanning molecules, cells, circuits, systems, behaviour, and even thought. Note: No Lecture April 7, 2016 |
Mar 3 2016 to Apr 14 2016 |
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Let There Be Light Read more |
In celebration of the International Year of Light (2015), this series celebrates the science and scientists who over the centuries have unlocked the secrets of light. A key messenger informing our understanding of both the universe and subatomic world, light is also the basis of our most important sense - vision. Little wonder, then, that our world is a rich visual environment and that so many current technologies are optically based. John guides us through the history and nature of this remarkable phenomenon using demonstrations, and explores the many ways light affects our lives. *Note: All lectures incorporate demonstrations to illustrate the principles presented. Lasers are a part of these demonstrations. |
Jan 7 2016 to Feb 11 2016 |
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The Wonders of Italian Renaissance Art in Florence, Venice & Rome, 1350-1550 Read more |
This series represents the glorious art of the Renaissance in Italy and the three Italian cities that supported the rebirth. Art reflects the society in which it is produced, and this is certainly true of the Italian Renaissance. Follow the path of new ideas and ways of seeing from Florence to Rome and finally to Venice, each of which in turn was the centre of artistic activity. The series examines the role of each city and the philosophy that "man is the measure of all things". |
Oct 29 2015 to Dec 3 2015 |
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War: Its Meaning and Consequences Read more |
Is war necessary and inevitable? This six lecture series explores the whats, whys and hows of war, especially its many consequences and considers alternatives. |
Sep 10 2015 to Oct 15 2015 |
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Tomorrow's World - 2015 Read more |
“The trouble with our times is that the future is not what it used to be.” Paul Valery (1871-1945) This series confronts the thought that progress, predicated on ever expanding growth, cannot be sustained. The lectures will provide examples of how, in the past, we viewed the world and its future and how we need to re-evaluate our assumptions and change direction. |
Feb 26 2015 to Apr 2 2015 |