Guernica: June 1st, 2009

Illustration by Dewey Saunders

Here are the highlights from the June 1st issue of Guernica:

Wasteland: This stunning multimedia video by Bombay Flying Club brings you into the burning Jharia coal fields and chronicles the lives of those who struggle to make a living there.

In 10 paintings, John Westmark considers the function of myth and folklore in an age of rapid technological advancement.

A Lousy Deal: On the 20th anniversary of Tiananmen Square, Wuer Kaixi, the student leader made famous for scolding the premier in his hospital gown, discusses exile, guilt over student deaths, and how his movement was a mere first step toward greater political freedom in China.

Hurt to Read: Back in the Mississippi Delta for the first time in four years, a teacher comes face to face with what he left behind.

Khaled Mattawa’s translation of Amjad Nasser’s The Bleating of Copper captures the intensity and insight of the Jordanian poet’s work.

Erik Raschke’s story, A Rare Sighting, explores the true nature of the legendary Bigfoo