Mick Gold

Dada came out of the madness of World War One. "The birth of Dada was not the beginning of art but of disgust." Surrealism tried to systematize Dada's anarchy into an artistic blend of Freudian psychoanalysis and Marxist provocation. In the interests of conquering the irrational, Salvador Dali opened exhibitions dressed in a diving suit, Marcel Duchamp turned himself into woman, Benjamin Peret assaulted priests, and Yves Tanguy ate spiders. Andre Breton, nicknamed "the Pope of Surrealism", led an inspired gang of artists, lunatics and writers. By the 1950s they were denouncing each other for betraying the movement, but their ideas had infected every art form.

Tom Robinson is a curious fellow. From suffering a nervous breakdown as a young man he became an articulate banner waving rock star. After becoming a prominent gay spokesman he ended up falling in love with and marrying a woman. From the New Wave of Tom Robinson Band he's ended up as a respected, award winning radio presenter at the BBC. In 1978 Granada Television afforded him a generous 45 minute documentary "Too Good To Be True", which has remained largely unseen since its original broadcast in 1979 until it's release last week as part of an Anthology set which includes the group's two albums. Director Mick Gold manages to get under the skin of both the man and his band in a way few such enterprises manage.

Created as "disposable art" circa 1830, the woodblock print of "The Great Wave" by 70-year-old Katsushika Hokusai has earned acclaim and a place of honor in the art world. Scholars and critics discuss the work's creation and wide influence.

The secret history of the negotiations that led to Mandela's release from prison, the ANC becoming the government of South Africa, and the end of apartheid.

Dada came out of the madness of World War One. "The birth of Dada was not the beginning of art but of disgust." Surrealism tried to systematize Dada's anarchy into an artistic blend of Freudian psychoanalysis and Marxist provocation. In the interests of conquering the irrational, Salvador Dali opened exhibitions dressed in a diving suit, Marcel Duchamp turned himself into woman, Benjamin Peret assaulted priests, and Yves Tanguy ate spiders. Andre Breton, nicknamed "the Pope of Surrealism", led an inspired gang of artists, lunatics and writers. By the 1950s they were denouncing each other for betraying the movement, but their ideas had infected every art form.

Tom Robinson is a curious fellow. From suffering a nervous breakdown as a young man he became an articulate banner waving rock star. After becoming a prominent gay spokesman he ended up falling in love with and marrying a woman. From the New Wave of Tom Robinson Band he's ended up as a respected, award winning radio presenter at the BBC. In 1978 Granada Television afforded him a generous 45 minute documentary "Too Good To Be True", which has remained largely unseen since its original broadcast in 1979 until it's release last week as part of an Anthology set which includes the group's two albums. Director Mick Gold manages to get under the skin of both the man and his band in a way few such enterprises manage.

Created as "disposable art" circa 1830, the woodblock print of "The Great Wave" by 70-year-old Katsushika Hokusai has earned acclaim and a place of honor in the art world. Scholars and critics discuss the work's creation and wide influence.

The secret history of the negotiations that led to Mandela's release from prison, the ANC becoming the government of South Africa, and the end of apartheid.