29.07.2019 22:45 Date: July 30, 2019 Today’s Doodle, illustrated by Bangalore-based guest artist , celebrates the Indian educator, lawmaker, surgeon, and reformer Muthulakshmi Reddi. Constantly breaking down barriers throughout her life, Reddi was a trailblazer who devoted herself to public health and the battle against gender inequality, transforming the lives of countless people—especially young girls. Born on this day in 1883 in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, Reddi became the first female student admitted to prestigious Indian institutions, the first woman to work as a surgeon in a government hospital, and the first female legislator in the history of British India. As a young girl, Reddi resisted her parents’ plan for an early arranged marriage, convincing them she deserved an education. After passing her exams, she attended Maharaja College, formerly an all-boys school. Despite threats of students pulling out from the school, she won a scholarship, graduated with honors, and went on to be the first female student at Madras Medical College. Reddi later gave up her medical practice to join the Madras Legislative Council, where she worked to raise the legal age of marriage and combatted exploitation of girls. In 1914, she married a doctor named Sundara Reddi on the understanding that he treat her as an equal. Working for the upliftment of women and battling gender inequality, she supported Gandhi’s efforts for Indian independence. After losing a sister to cancer, she launched the Adayar Cancer Institute in 1954. One of the most respected oncology centers in the world, it treats some 80,000 patients each year. In recognition of her service to her country, in 1956, Reddi was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India. Guest Artist Q&A with Archana Sreenivasan Today's Doodle was created by Bangalore-based guest artist Archana Sreenivasan. Below she shares her thoughts on the making of the Doodle: Q: Why was this topic meaningful to you personally? A: I live in the southern part of India in Bangalore, which is not too from Madras where Dr. Muthulaksmi lived and worked. And yet, I didn't know about her and her many accomplishments. It was fascinating to learn about her and her family. Q: What were your first thoughts when you were approached about the project? A: I was excited to have the opportunity to create a Google Doodle! When I got the brief for Dr. Muthulakshmi, and read the long list of her accomplishments, I was keen to learn more about her. Q: Did you draw inspiration from anything in particular for this Doodle? A: The main inspiration for this Doodle was Dr. Muthulakshmi herself. I tried to let a sense of her energy, determination, and clarity shape this Doodle. Q: What message do you hope people take away from your Doodle? A: To me, this Doodle is a celebration of the spirit of belief in oneself and in others. Maybe this spirit is something we need now more than ever. Early concepts by guest artist Archana Sreenivasan Location: Tags: , , , , , , , ,
28.07.2019 18:41 Date: July 29, 2019 “There was no other way,” said Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara, who was stationed in Lithuania shortly before the outbreak of World War II. On this day in 1939, Sugihara began issuing transit visas to thousands of Jewish refugees, defying direct orders from his supervisors to help the refugees escape via Japan. “I told the Ministry of Foreign Affairs it was a matter of humanity,” he recalled years later. “I did not care if I lost my job.” Soon after Jewish families began lining up outside his official residence, pleading for documents to allow them safe passage via Japan to the Dutch island of Curacao, he sent three messages to Tokyo requesting permission, all of which was forcefully rejected. “Absolutely not to be issued any traveler not holding firm end visa with guaranteed departure ex Japan,” read the cable from the foreign ministry. “No exceptions.” After much soul-searching, Sugihara threw caution to the winds, writing thousands of visas night and day until “my fingers were calloused and every joint from my wrist to my shoulder ached.” His wife supported his risky decision, massaging his tired hands each night so he could keep going until the last minutes of his train leaving Lithuania, handing out visas to Jews from the windows. Upon returning to Japan, Sugihara paid the price for disobeying orders. His promising foreign service career came to an end, and he struggled to support his family. He received little recognition for his sacrifice until one of the people he saved, now an Israeli diplomat, managed to find him in 1968. A tree was planted in his honor at the Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, and Chiune Sugihara was declared "Righteous Among Nations." Memorials in Lithuania and his hometown of Yaotsu, Japan pay tribute to Sugihara and his heroic endeavors that saved untold thousands of lives. Doodler Up Close Today’s Doodle was created by Doodler . Below, he shares some thoughts on Chiune Sugihara and the inspiration for this Doodle: Q: Chiune Sugihara was both a diplomat and a rebel. What part of his character did you find most inspiring personally? A: His bravery. He trusted his instincts to fundamentally help people no matter where they’re from or who they are. Q: How did you decide to render his Doodle as a passport? A: It seemed the most logical. Passports are quite beautiful things when you look at them closely—for instance, passport stamps are uniquely graphic and readable. Do we even stamp passports anymore?! Q: Your early draft shows a pencil sketch of Chiune—is that your preferred medium? Did you do anything different on this Doodle from a technical standpoint? A: I use of lot of different mediums, but I somehow forget how subtle and versatile a basic pencil can be! Coincidentally, I was traveling during this project, and having no access to the computer gave me this pencil opportunity. It somehow captures his dignity. Q: At what point in your life did you know that you loved the visual arts? Was there a particular artist or teacher who inspired you to develop your talents? A: I’m just one of the millions of people that drew as a kid. I just stubbornly never gave up. I have too many inspirational artists to mention, but Peter Parr was my art tutor in England and Oscar Grillo, an Argentinian artist living in London, constantly inspires me. Q: What advice or encouragement would you give to fellow artists who may be approaching a project like this, where the challenge is to represent a little-known historical figure with a big story using a single image? A: Great question. I would say always start with small concept sketches on scrap paper. There’s no pressure. Working small eliminates details you don’t need. Try to depict people in as simple lines and shapes as possible. In terms of drawing in general, sketching and studying people in real life loosens you up and heightens your skillset. Q: Why do you think it’s important to bring stories like Chiune Sugihara’s to a wide audience? A: Sugihara spent 18-20 hours a day processing visas in order to save people. Anybody who worked so hard with such sacrifice deserves to be seen by as many people as possible. Early pencil sketch and drafts of the Doodle Location: , , , , , , , , , , , , , Tags:
28.07.2019 07:07 Date: July 28, 2019 Today’s Doodle celebrates Fiestas Patrias, Perú’s week-long observance of national pride in this diverse and vibrant South American nation rich with ancient historic sites and natural wonders, from the Amazon rainforest to the Andes mountains. On this day in 1821, freedom fighter José de San Martín declared the territory of Perú independent from Spain, bringing an end to three centuries of colonial rule. Beginning on the evening of July 27th, Lima’s Plaza de Armas, the site of San Martin’s bold declaration, along with other prominent locations like the Parque de la Muralla, will kick off the festivities. Expect music and dance—ranging from folklóricos and Afro-Peruvian songs to reggaeton—as well as traditional food like seafood ceviche and Creole Cau Cau. A 21-gun salute and flag-raising ceremony will set a patriotic mood on the 28th, capped by a fireworks display at midnight. On the 29th, the holiday wraps up with a grand military parade marching down Avenida Brazil from Magdalena del Mar to Centro de Lima. Fiestas Patrias, celebrated all throughout Peru, starts as early as July 25th in Perú’s former capital Arequipa with the feast of St. James, also known as Santiago. This city in the southern Andes is at the heart of criollo culture, priding itself as the cradle of Perú’s independence movement. ¡Felices Fiestas Patrias! Location: Tags:
28.07.2019 07:07 Date: July 28, 2019 Location: Tags: , , ,
26.07.2019 06:40 Date: July 26, 2019 For the next 17 days, approximately 6,700 of the best athletes across North and South America will come together in Lima, Peru to compete in 61 disciplines, including 22 qualifying contests for the Olympics. Today’s Doodle celebrates one of the world’s biggest sporting events—the Pan American Games. Devised by the International Olympic Committee as a way of encouraging American nations to become more involved in worldwide competition, the Pan Am Games were planned to launch in Buenos Aires in 1942, but were postponed to 1951 because of World War II. Starting that year with 2,513 athletes from 21 participating countries, the Pan Am Games have grown considerably over the past half-century. This year marks the games’ 18th staging and will feature new events such as surfing, which will make its Olympic debut at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. The games will highlight the indigenous culture of Peru, with a torch run starting in the ancient mountain citadel of Machu Picchu. Immediately following the Pan American Games, physically challenged athletes from all over the Americas will compete in 17 different sports for the Parapan Games. Spotted throughout the games will be the official mascot of the Lima 2019 Pan-Am and Parapan Games, “Milco.” A ceramic sculpture character whose winning design was submitted by 24-year-old Andrea Norka Medrano Moy and garnered 19,895 votes, Milco was inspired by indigenous Peruvian pottery known as cuchimilco or huaco, which dates back to the ancient Incan empire. “I made this design because I like what the cuchimilcos represent in the history of our country. With its outstretched arms, Milco is welcoming everyone,” said Medrano. Early concept sketches by artist Shanti Rittgers Location: , , , , , , , , , , Tags: , , , ,
26.07.2019 02:31 Date: July 26, 2019 Location: , Tags:
25.07.2019 01:02 Date: July 7, 2019 Early sketches and drafts of the illustrations below. USA – Netherlands – Location: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Tags:
23.07.2019 01:43 Date: July 23, 2019 Today’s Doodle celebrates The Land of Crimson Clouds, a novel by Russian authors Boris and Arkady Strugatsky, published on this day in 1959. Perhaps the most influential science fiction writers in Russian history, the pair was inspired to collaborate on their first book together through a friendly bet. Arkady wagered his wife Yelena that he and his brother, who studied astronomy in Leningrad, could write a better science fiction novel than those being published in Russia at the time. Censorship guidelines had restricted some of their predecessors, but in the 1950s a “thaw” was taking place, allowing writers greater freedom of expression. Completed in 1957, the same year as Russia’s historic Sputnik mission, Strana bagrovykh tuch is the story of a voyage to the planet Venus, set in the late 20th century. Presenting an optimistic view of the future, the Strugatsky brothers foresaw a world where technology and social progress went hand in hand, with photon-drive rockets carrying explorers to Venus in search of uranium to help generate nuclear power. Although they lived hundreds of miles from each other, the Strugatskys went on to collaborate on over 25 novels. Their follow-up, Noon: 22nd Century, introduced the “Noon Universe,” interpreted by some as an allegory for the ideals of the Soviet Union, a world filled with intelligent, hard-working people happily engaged in interesting work. By the late 1960s, the brothers increasingly used their writing to offer subtle critiques of authoritarian government, setting the action in faraway universes. Although some of their later works were censored for political reasons, their family has since made all their work available online as the writers originally intended. Early concept sketches by artist Alyssa Winans Winans created this Doodle illustration with a 4-color layered printing technique, layering yellow, pink, blue, and black inks to create a full-fleshed out print. Location: , , Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
22.07.2019 21:41 Date: July 23, 2019 Location: Tags: , , , ,
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21.07.2019 03:03 Date: July 21, 2019 “I work toward the liberation of women. My books are about survival, just like my own life,” said the Nigerian novelist Buchi Emecheta, whose life and work are celebrated in today’s Doodle. Born to Ibo parents in the Lagos suburb of Yaba on this day in 1944, Florence Onyebuchi Emecheta grew up listening to her grandmother’s tales and went on to become a prolific author. Although she resisted labeling herself a “feminist” author, much of Emecheta’s writing addressed issues of gender and race. Married at age 16, Emecheta moved to London with her husband in 1962. She supported her five children by working at a library, pursued her sociology degree, all while writing tirelessly on novels—usually at the kitchen table as her children played. Emecheta published 16 novels, including In The Ditch, Second-Class Citizen, and Slave Girl, as well as her 1986 autobiography, Head Above Water. She also wrote several plays for stage, TV, and radio. During the 1970s and ’80s, Emecheta worked as a lecturer and founded the Ogwugwu Afor Publishing Company with her son. She was named an Officer of the British Empire in 2005, a remarkable accomplishment for someone who faced such adversity. "Just keep trying and trying,” Emecheta once said. “If you have the determination and commitment, you will succeed." Special thanks to the family of Buchi Emecheta, for their partnership on this project. Below, her son Sylvester Onwordi shares his thoughts on his mother’s legacy. Photo courtesy of Valerie Wilmer "My mother was a born storyteller. She was a descendant of Praise Singers—storytellers to the ancient Kings of Ibusa—the small Igbo-speaking town in Eastern Nigeria where her parents and my grandparents were born. As an immigrant single mother battling poverty in the slums of 1960s London, she would draw her five small children around her, light candles, and delight us with what she called her ‘Moonlight tales’—stories she had learned at twilight by the light of a hurricane lamp from her aunts in the village, or imbibed at her father’s knee during her family’s internal exile in Lagos. For the young Nigerian girl who dreamed even then of being a writer, these tales were like umbilical threads connecting the lonely orphan she became with the lost world of mythical ancestors and her beloved home town of Ibusa. Later, from the fabric of her personal experience as a reluctant exile in a foreign land, experiences of motherhood and racism, she began to weave stories of her own and to write them down. My mother famously compared writing novels to having children, which means that aside from my four blood brothers and sisters I have an extended family of at least 20 siblings roaming at large in the world, most of whom were conceived on the old typewriter on our kitchen table. My mother’s passing inspired many feelings in me. One was the desire to ensure that her unique storytelling voice continue to be heard by future generations; another, that her name and legacy be associated with social works which reflected the values she lived by. A publishing company now exists to ensure that her novels remain in print and are available to a global readership. In addition, we, her surviving family, are in the process of working to establish a ." Photo courtesy of Valerie Wilmer Location: , Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
21.07.2019 01:30 Date: July 21, 2019 On this day in 1831, King Leopold I took the oath as the first king of the Belgians at the Royal Palace in Brussels, signaling Belgium’s emergence as a sovereign state as distinct from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. Today’s Doodle celebrates Belgium’s National Day, a commemoration of that historic event. The Belgian flag, with its tricolor stripes representing the red lion of Hainaut, Limburg, and Luxembourg, the yellow lion of Brabant, and the black lion of Flanders and Namur, will be displayed. Cooked in wine or beer broth, North Sea mussels served with fries are well-loved amongst many Belgians, who use an empty shell to pick out the tasty mollusks. Festivities begin a day early with a concert by the National Orchestra of Belgium at BOZAR, the Center for Fine Arts in Brussels. That same evening, a National Ball takes place in the capital city’s historic Marolles district. The Belgian Royal Family starts National Day by attending a special service at the Cathedral of Saint Michael and Saint Gudula. At prominent public buildings like the Palace of Justice and European Parliament, there are cultural events and family-friendly activities, as well as a parade featuring military and emergency services followed by a night-time fireworks spectacular. Location: Tags:
20.07.2019 18:17 Date: July 21, 2019 Location: Tags: , , ,
20.07.2019 09:14 Date: July 20, 2019 Today’s Doodle celebrates Colombia’s Independence Day, when the South American republic named after Christopher Columbus officially asserted its autonomy and began moving away from Spanish rule. On this day in 1810, an uprising sparked by a broken flower pot led to demands for a new local council to decide the future of Santa Fe, the city now known as Bogotá. At the time, independence movements were already gaining support across the Spanish Viceroyalty, then known as New Granada, which included modern-day Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Panama. Local patriots in Santa Fe visited prominent Spanish merchant José González Llorente and asked to borrow a vase, which he refused to do. In the ensuing disagreement, the vase was broken, bringing tempers to a boiling point, which led to an open town meeting that empowered the new council. The struggle for independence continued on until 1819, when Simón Bolívar entered Bogotá in 1819 after the Battle of Boyocá. Día de la Independencia is an occasion for feasts, parties, and parades in most major cities. The tricolor flag, adopted in 1861, flies proudly, and the national anthem, “Himno Nacional de la República de Colombia” is played. Traditional music and dance forms can also be heard, including cumbia, currulao, porro, vallenato, joropo, and indigenous Andean sounds like bambuco. Today is also timely to visit Llorente's house in Bogota, the site of the flower pot episode, open to the public as the Museo de la Independencia. ¡Feliz Día de Independencia! Location: Tags: , , ,
19.07.2019 05:38 Date: July 19, 2019 Today’s Doodle celebrates Lucha Reyes, a Peruvian singer whose powerful and poignant voice was known to move people deeply. Born in Lima’s Rímac district into a poor family with 15 brothers on this day in 1936, Reyes went on to become one of her country’s most beloved singers. Supporting herself by selling newspapers, washing clothes, and working long hours in restaurant kitchens, Reyes’ vocal talents were discovered while working at El sentir de los barrios, a Creole club whose name means “the feeling of the neighborhoods.” Soon she was performing at venues like the Pizarro Theater and singing on “Peña Ferrando,” Augusto Ferrando’s popular show on Victoria radio. In 1970, she released her first album entitled La morena de oro del Perú , which included songs that came to be well-known amongst Peru, such as Regresa. This Vals Criollo adapted the European musical form with South American sabor, using two guitars and a box-shaped drum called a cajón. Lucha Reyes’ heartrending rendition of lyrics like "Come back, even if it's to say goodbye” made it one of her biggest hits. During her career, Reyes helped popularize música criolla, a unique style of Creole music blending Afro-Peruvian and Andean musical traditions and expressing the feelings of everyday people. The last day of her life, October 31st, happened to coincide with Día de la Canción Criolla , keeping her legacy and música criolla alive for generations to come. Early concept sketches by artist Sophie Diao Location: , , Tags: , , , , ,
