17.06.2019 03:07 Date: June 17, 2019 After more than 400 years as a Danish colony, Iceland saw an independence movement take hold during the 19th century. This was thanks in large part to the efforts of Jón Sigurðsson, a philologist, historian, and statesman whose birthday has become Iceland’s National Day. Today’s Doodle celebrates this North Atlantic island nation— known for its glaciers, geysers, and volcanoes—where festivities will take place in every town and village, particularly in the capital city of Reykjavík. Cotton candy, balloons, face paint, and accordion music are the order of the day as flag bearers and scouts make their way from Austurvöllur Square to Hólavallagarður, where a wreath is laid on Sigurðsson’s grave. Official ceremonies include speeches, a rendition of Iceland’s national anthem, "Lofsöngur,” and a poem read by Fjallkonan, "the lady of the mountain," a symbol of Iceland dressed in the national costume known as Skautbúningur. Iceland has a long tradition of strong feminine role models and was the first country to elect a female head of state in 1980. Gleðilegan þjóðhátíðardag, Ísland! Location: Tags: , ,
17.06.2019 00:08 Date: June 17, 2019 “Can science and art meet in one place?” asked Turkish artist İlhan Koman, born in Edirne on this day in 1921. “I'm trying to realize this meeting in sculpture… I'm trying to create new forms.” Today’s Doodle celebrates the multidisciplinary sculptor whose wide-ranging interests and endless experimentation with various media and techniques, as well as mathematical concepts, led some to call him the “Leonardo Da Vinci of Turkey.” As a child, Koman enjoyed playing with bolts and screws, and spent hours at a local blacksmith’s shop, watching the craftsman work with metal. When visiting relatives in the seaside city of Istanbul, he made models of ferry boats in the harbor and planned to become a shipbuilder before deciding to go to art school. Upon graduating from Istanbul’s Art Academy, he moved to Paris, where he studied during the 1940s, opened a workshop, exhibited his own abstract sculpture, and spent hours in the Louvre admiring the ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian art and the work of modern masters such as Rodin, Brancusi, and Giacometti. While representing Turkey in the 1958 Brussels World's Fair, he met the architect Ralph Erskine, who invited him to work in Sweden. It was there that Koman would also teach at Stockholm’s Konstfack School of Applied Art. In the 1960s, he bought a two-masted wooden sailboat called the Hulda, which he adapted into a studio and living space. During his time in Sweden, Koman began what he called his ‘Iron Age,’ exploring the malleability of metal. He created many public works, the best known of which is the monumental sculpture Akdeniz in Istanbul. The 4.5 ton figure of a woman with outstretched arms was fashioned from 112 strips of metal. Doğum günün kutlu olsun, İlhan! Location: Tags: , , ,
16.06.2019 19:09 Date: June 17, 2019 The 2019 Women’s World Cup is underway! Over the next month, players from the national teams of will compete, with the final match in the biggest Women’s World Cup yet taking place on July 7th in Lyon, France. We’re celebrating the eighth edition of the tournament with a series of Doodles by guest artists representing each of the competing countries to capture the local excitement of the competition, as well as what the event means to them personally Stay tuned for more from the artists, and best of luck to all the players! Today's Featured Artist Q&A with early sketches and behind-the-scenes photos of the artists Q: What was it like to work on a Google Doodle? China – A: Very smooth. I was happy to collaborate with the Google Doodle team. France – A: Working on a Google Doodle is probably every illustrator's goal and I still can't believe I got this chance. The whole process was very smooth and the team behind it super nice and open to my ideas — a great experience! Germany – A: It is very exciting to be part of this project, which has been very inspiring for me to see in my browser almost every day. I enjoyed my interaction with the people and felt I was given great creative freedom. Nigeria – A: It was empowering! Having the opportunity to express the beauty of my country and the excitement of our female national team in the World Cup on a global scale is the most empowering platform for an artist. This was definitely a bucket list experience. Norway – A: I absolutely loved it! The process was very natural and professional, and it is a big honor to be given the task to draw something that represents my country. South Africa – A: Simply amazing! I learned so much and it was great working with an amazing team. South Korea – A: I thought it was amazing to be part of a project like this. This was not an easy task to take on, because we had to show the traditional feeling so that the people of our country would be convinced, and the world would see it as persuasive. But it was a great time to think about Korea and the World Cup. Spain – A: I've had a nice experience and all the comments and feedback from the team have been really useful. Location: , , , , , , , , , , Tags:
16.06.2019 18:06 Date: June 17, 2019 Today marks the 117th birthday of Jeong Ji-yong, a writer, translator, and teacher whose work experienced a resurgence in the late 1980s and who is now widely considered a pioneer of modern Korean poetry. The Doodle was created by Seoul-based guest artist, . Born in the village of Hagye-ri in Okcheon county, Chungcheong Province on this day in 1902, Jeong Ji-yong grew up during the Japanese occupation of Korea. He published his first poem in 1919 and then traveled to Japan to study English at Doshisha University, writing his thesis on the British artist and poet William Blake. As a Korean living in a different country, his poetry from this period expressed a sense of longing for home. Among his best-loved poems is 향수, or “Nostalgia,” published in 1923. Adapted into a song, it has become popular on Korean radio, evoking memories of life in a country village, punctuated with the haunting refrain: “Could it ever be forgotten, even in one's dreams?” Renowned for his powerful imagery and simple yet evocative verse, Jeong Ji-yong continued publishing poetry and teaching high school English at his alma mater—and later at Ewha Women's University—until his unexplained disappearance around 1950. The Jeong Jiyong Literature Prize was established in 1989 to recognize emerging writers and keep his legacy alive. Guest Artist Q&A with Mikyung Lee Today's Doodle was created by Seoul-based guest artist . Below she shares her thoughts behind making the Doodle: Q: Why was this topic meaningful to you personally? A: I've loved Jung Ji-Yong's poems ever since I was in high school. His lyrics and beautiful words have given me a lot of emotions, which are evoked in my daily life. I cherish the fact that his poems have brought about a monumental development of Korean poetry. Q: What were your first thoughts when you were approached about the project? A: At first, I could not believe that the topic of this project was about Jung Ji-Yong. It was a great honor to draw him and his beautiful lyrics within my illustration style. As I worked I began to study his life story and use it as inspiration. Q: Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? A: I couldn’t help but draw inspiration from his great poems. I was inspired by the poem “향수 ” and his tradition-oriented natural poems. “Nostalgia” is popular to many Korean people. I imagined how much he missed his Korean home while he was studying abroad in Japan. I wanted to draw the moment when he was writing this poem while missing his home at the time. Q: What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle? A: I would like Korean people to remember Jung Ji-Yong and his beautiful poems when they see this Doodle. Also, I hope people will be inspired by his poems and by this Doodle. Early concepts by guest artist Mikyung Lee Location: Tags: , , , , , , , ,
16.06.2019 09:06 Date: June 16, 2019 Location: Tags:
15.06.2019 20:05 Date: June 16, 2019 The 2019 Women’s World Cup is underway! Over the next month, players from the national teams of will compete, with the final match in the biggest Women’s World Cup yet taking place on July 7th in Lyon, France. We’re celebrating the eighth edition of the tournament with a series of Doodles by guest artists representing each of the competing countries to capture the local excitement of the competition, as well as what the event means to them personally. Stay tuned for more from the artists, and best of luck to all the players! Today's Featured Artist Q&A with early sketches and photos of the artists Q: What inspired the visual concept for your drawing? Is there anything specific you’d like to call out from your work? Chile – A: Women standing together, supporting each other in their individuality but also creating a unified energy from that collectiveness. Chile is an elongated country, so I depicted cultural elements to express our support of the team from north to south! Sweden – A: I drew inspiration from flat-packed furniture and the idea of cooperation and handiness, the latter being something I think a lot of Swedes take pride in. I also wanted to emphasize the Nordic climate and the midnight sun that the northernmost parts of the country are blessed with during the summer months. Some might notice that some of the characters are wearing flower wreaths. This is a nod to the midsummer festivities, a non-religious holiday that is all about getting together and celebrating nature. Thailand – A: Football in Thailand has its own tradition: people love to go cheer for their favorite team with friends. Teenagers will meet and hang out to watch football together. Sometimes if any public place has a TV, people in that area can come together and cheer without knowing each other. This idea inspired me to create my work. I also added some Thai elements in the background to remind people around the world how unique Thailand is. USA – A: As an illustrator, I’ve always been deeply inspired by the historically female representations of Liberty in art and illustration throughout the ages. Though noble, she is often elevated to the point of objectification. So for my Google Doodle, I sought to reclaim Liberty as a feminist symbol by recasting her as a strong and dynamic football player and a source of pride for her country. To me, there are few things more evocative of liberty and American values than women excelling in a traditionally male space! Location: , Tags:
15.06.2019 15:06 Date: June 16, 2019 Location: Tags: , , ,
15.06.2019 06:05 Date: June 15, 2019 Dancers move in unison and a sound fills the air, like raindrops falling on a tin roof. Today’s Doodle by Ojibwe guest artist celebrates the Jingle Dress Dance, which originated during the 1920s amongst the Ojibwe tribe somewhere between Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ontario. The dance lives on today, notably in events such as the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Grand Celebration Pow Wow this weekend in Hinckley, Minnesota. According to stories passed throughout generations, the origin of the jingle dress dates back to when an Ojibwe girl fell sick, and the idea for the dress and dance came to her worried father through a vision. Hundreds of metal cones, known as ziibaaska’iganan, were fashioned and sewed onto her dress so that the dance movements would create a jingling sound. The girl’s father taught his daughter the sacred dance, instructing her to always keep one foot on the ground—and eventually, her illness was cured. After the girl recovered, she taught her friends to make the dresses. Together, they created the first Jingle Dress Dance Society. Over time, the choreography and dress style of the jingle dress has evolved, with increasingly intricate footwork learned through years of practice for the competitive pow wow circuit, as well as garments now ranging from aprons to full-length designs. Many dancers make their own dresses, as taught by parents or tribal elders. Some wear eagle feathers in their hair, or carry a feather fan. Despite some changes over the years, what remains constant is the dance’s jingling sound. Today, the dance also serves to affirm the power of Native American women. Guest Artist Q&A with Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley Today's Doodle was created by guest artist , who divides his time between Wasauksing First Nation and Vancouver. Below he shares his thoughts behind making the Doodle: Q: Why was this topic meaningful to you personally? A: Some of my cousins and friends are jingle dress dancers. I drum at pow wow with my uncle and cousins. Q: What were your first thoughts when you were approached about the project? A: I was excited to hear from Google. When I heard the Doodle was about the Jingle Dress Dance, I was eager to get started. Watching the dancers at pow wow is one of my favorite things to do. Q: Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? A: Pow wow, family, Norval Morrisseau, and nature. Q: What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle? A: That Anishinaabe culture is beautiful. That indigenous women are strong and resilient, and the voice of our future. Early sketches and behind-the-scenes photos Location: , Tags: , , , , ,
14.06.2019 15:06 Date: June 15, 2019 The 2019 Women’s World Cup is underway! Over the next month, players from the national teams of will compete, with the final match in the biggest Women’s World Cup yet taking place on July 7th in Lyon, France. We’re celebrating the eighth edition of the tournament with a series of Doodles by guest artists representing each of the competing countries to capture the local excitement of the competition, as well as what the event means to them personally. Stay tuned for more from the artists, and best of luck to all the players! Today's Featured Artist Q&A with early sketches and photos of the artists Q: What inspired the visual concept for your drawing? Is there anything specific you’d like to call out from your work? Cameroon – A: In Cameroon, we celebrate our victories by dancing. That's why you'll often see traditional dancers cheering for the players in the stadium. I wanted to show this beauty, and also to represent Cameroonians from all around the country—our joy after a victory, our support in case of loss, and foremost our pride for our flag which we love to wear. I do this for our indomitable Lionesses and for all other Cameroonians that represent us locally and internationally. Canada – A: I was inspired by the natural landscapes I've experienced in my country all throughout my life. From cottaging to camping out in the forests, or walking along a hiking trail in one of our national parks, these are the fond memories I reflect upon when thinking about my homeland. I also looked toward the Group of Seven and Canadian indigenous art for visual inspiration. Netherlands – A: The Dutch team seems to sparkle with positive energy among each other. It’s the joyfulness that I wanted to show. New Zealand – A: This piece took inspiration from New Zealand’s unique wildlife, cultural diversity, and exuberant fan base. A Kākāpō drums on a chilly bin, a Tūī has brought oranges for half-time, and a Pīwakawaka waves its home-made football baton. It is a lively parade from the bush to the game, to cheer for the Football Ferns. Location: , , , , , , , , , Tags: , , , , ,
13.06.2019 18:05 Date: June 14, 2019 The 2019 Women’s World Cup is underway! Over the next month, players from the national teams of will compete, with the final match in the biggest Women’s World Cup yet taking place on July 7th in Lyon, France. We’re celebrating the eighth edition of the tournament with a series of Doodles by guest artists representing each of the competing countries to capture the local excitement of the competition, as well as what the event means to them personally. Stay tuned for more from the artists, and best of luck to all the players! Today's Featured Artist Q&A with early sketches and photos of the artists Q: What inspired the visual concept for your drawing? Is there anything specific you’d like to call out from your work? Argentina – A: What inspired me the most was the people, the fanatics, how "crazy" and exaggerated we can be as fans. We may disagree in a lot of stuff but when it’s time to watch football, we’re all a family, hugging each other, playing music, and going out in the streets to celebrate. England – A: It's always great seeing a surge of enthusiasts and amateurs alike playing football in parks, gardens, and streets during international football tournaments. I tried to reflect this joy and enthusiasm in my design with the players almost dancing across the street. The composition is also a subtle nod to the famous album cover, . Italy – A: My work speaks of childhood, of different cultures that come together. The freedom to play on the street on a summer afternoon. It also talks about Trieste, the city where I live, which is the hometown of the captain of the Italian women's football team. Jamaica – A: I tried to capture the Jamaican vibe. We love a celebration. In Jamaica, people pour into the streets with music and dancing, and I wanted to include both male and female fans of all ages to express the support on the island for the first female Caribbean football team to qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup. Location: , , , , , , , , , , , Tags: , , , , ,
12.06.2019 17:06 Date: June 13, 2019 The 2019 Women’s World Cup is underway! Over the next month, players from the national teams of will compete, with the final match in the biggest Women’s World Cup yet taking place on July 7th in Lyon, France. We’re celebrating the eighth edition of the tournament with a series of Doodles by guest artists representing each of the competing countries to capture the local excitement of the competition, as well as what the event means to them personally. Stay tuned for more from the artists, and best of luck to all the players! Today's Featured Artist Q&A with early sketches and photos of the artists Q: What inspired the visual concept for your drawing? Is there anything specific you’d like to call out from your work? Australia – A: I tried to evoke the community spirit that football awakens in Australia, which is such a large and diverse country. Little kids in regional Australia find hope through football and find role models in their favorite players. Friends come together to watch matches, beers are poured, cheers are made, and a sense of unification and national pride permeates all of that. Brazil – A: Soccer exerting a gravitational pull — a unifying force! China – A: The Chinese Women’s football team needs more exposure and attention, as they play much better than the male group, but earn way less. I want to show the energy of this team, from the past to the future, hard-working yet cheerful — red roses shining underneath the stars. South Africa – A: The beauty of Johannesburg and South Africa. Location: , , , Tags: , , , , ,
12.06.2019 05:07 Date: June 12, 2019 Love is in the air all over Brazil today as the largest country in Latin America celebrates Dia dos Namorados, which means “the day of the enamored.” Today’s Doodle celebrates Brazil’s most romantic holiday. While February 14th is the day when much of the world celebrates loving couples on Valentine’s Day, the date conflicts with Brazil’s Carnival season. June 12th, on the other hand, is the eve before the feast of St. Anthony, one of Brazil’s patron saints, who is sometimes referred to as the “holy matchmaker.” Known for blessing couples with prosperous marriages, the Portuguese friar was said to have reconciled many couples. Thoughtful gestures are always appropriate on this special day, from love poems to chocolates , or a bouquet of flowers—white lilies are St. Anthony’s favorite, but you can’t go wrong with red roses. And there’s no shortage of romantic settings for an intimate getaway, from the beaches of Fernando de Noronha to the waterfalls of Foz do Iguaçu. No matter what the gift or where the location may be, Dia dos Namorados is really about spending quality time together, cherishing one another, and finding a million ways to say Te amo. Feliz Dia dos Namorados! Location: Tags: , , , ,
12.06.2019 00:09 Date: June 12, 2019 "This strength and support that is found in the African family is the most important part of our culture and should be preserved and nurtured at all costs.” —Margaret Ogola Born on this day in 1958, Kenyan author, pediatrician, and human rights advocate Margaret Ogola graduated from the University of Nairobi, oversaw over 400 health centers in Kenya, worked with HIV-positive orphans, and also wrote the award-winning novel, The River and The Source. Her literary debut focuses on the lives of several generations of Kenyan women, starting in a rural 19th-century village and tracing the descendants of a matriarch named Akoko all the way to modern-day Nairobi. Along the way, the novel addresses political and cultural changes as well as the AIDS crisis, always highlighting the role of women in African society. After being rejected by various publishers, Ogola’s novel went on to win the 1995 Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature and the 1995 Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best First Book. “The inspiration for this book came from my mother,” said Dr. Ogola, “who handed down to me the wisdom and lives of her own mother and grandmother.” Highlighting the courage of African women in their everyday lives, Dr. Ogola’s book became required reading for many Kenyan secondary school students. In addition to writing two other novels, a biography, and a book on parenting, Dr. Ogola practiced at Kenyatta National Hospital and served as Medical Director of Cottolengo Hospice for HIV and Aids orphans. She was also the country coordinator of the Hope for Africa Children Initiative, a partnership of NGOs including World Vision, CARE, Society for Women and AIDS, and Save the Children. In 1999, Dr. Ogola was honored with the Familias Award for Humanitarian Service of the World Congress of Families in Geneva, Switzerland. Location: Tags: , , ,
12.06.2019 00:09 Date: June 12, 2019 Today’s Doodle by St. Petersburg-based guest artists salutes Russia Day, celebrating the world’s largest country and the accomplishments of its people all around the world. June 12th marks the 1990 declaration that signaled the birth of the independent Russian Federation, as well as the dissolution of the Soviet Union on the same day a year later. Declared an official national holiday in 1994, the “Day of Signing the Declaration of State Sovereignty” commemorates the birth of a new nation, the creation of the post of President, the adoption of the red, white, and blue national flag, and the new national anthem. The holiday was renamed Russia Day in 2002. Russia Day is observed all across the country—from major metropolitan centers such as St. Petersburg to smaller cities like Kemerovo, Perm, Veliky Novgorod, Krasnoyarsk, and Tambov—with concerts and other cultural activities by day and fireworks at night. This Doodle also highlights the beauty of Russia’s natural landscapes, featuring some of its most iconic sights, such as Mount Elbrus in the Caucasus; the Klyuchevskaya volcano; and Siberia’s Lake Baikal, the oldest and deepest lake in the world, with its distinctive Shamanka Rock. “We love to travel around Russia. We have visited many places and we want every person to feel a responsibility for maintaining nature’s purity and beauty. With this Doodle, we want to encourage people to appreciate and preserve nature,” say the Kendel sisters. С днем России! ! Early illustrations by guest artists Anya and Varya Kendel Location: Tags: , ,
11.06.2019 19:10 Date: June 12, 2019 On this day in 1898, the Philippines, an archipelago of more than 7,000 islands in the western Pacific Ocean named after Spanish King Philip II, declared independence from Spain after more than 300 years of colonial rule. Today’s Doodle salutes Philippines Independence Day, celebrated across the islands and in Filipino communities all over the world. A commemorative ceremony takes place each year in Kawit, in the province of Cavite, where the Declaration of Independence was first read by Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista at the home of General Emilio Aguinaldo, now known as the Aguinaldo Shrine. Besides the public reading of this historic document—in the original Spanish as well as in Tagalog—the first flag raising is reenacted. The flag itself is a powerful symbol of the independence movement: blue representing truth and justice, red symbolizing patriotism, and white standing for equality. The stars at the flag’s corners represent Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, the three main regions of the Philippines. The eight rays surrounding the sun stand for the first eight provinces that battled against Spain. Independence Day is marked by festive parades nationwide, including a police and military parade in the capital city of Manila that culminates with a speech by the president, followed by a 21-gun salute. Families and friends take advantage of this day off from work and school to enjoy quality time together, this year to celebrate this country’s 121 years of independence. Maligayang Araw ng Kasarinlan! Location: Tags: , , ,
