If you have questions about life in America, we might be able to answer them on this program. We hope AMERICAN MOSAIC provides a complete and interesting picture of life in the United States. But together, they form a complete picture. Each story is different, like the different pieces of a mosaic. We chose the name " AMERICAN MOSAIC" because the purpose of the show is to create a picture of life in the United States through many small stories. You can see colorful mosaics in art and in designs on buildings. The dictionary says that the word "mosaic" means a picture or design that is made by placing small colored pieces together. Listeners from China and Egypt both suggested the same name: " AMERICAN MOSAIC." Mosaic is spelled m-o-s-a-i-c. We announced a contest for listeners to send in suggestions for better names. It was first broadcast under a very simple and uninteresting name, "The Friday Program." But we could not agree about what to call the program. We wanted to report on American culture, answer questions from listeners and play popular music. We wanted a special show for young people. The Special English staff decided to broadcast a new radio magazine program in nineteen eighty-five. Shen wants to know the meaning of " AMERICAN MOSAIC," the name of this program. Our listener question this week comes from China. They tell stories of war, peace, industry, and politics. The bold images were made to capture the hearts and minds of citizens. The museum's permanent collection contains propaganda posters from the United States and Europe. The look became a sign of scientific progress and modernity. Streamlining soon extended to furniture and other objects for the house and office. In the nineteen thirties, industrial designers began to make cars and other objects with smooth, curving lines. Streamlining developed from scientific studies aimed to reduce the wind and water resistance of ships, trains and cars. The objects in the exhibit tell a story about government expansion during a difficult period in American history.Īnother exhibit is about American "streamlined" design. The images on these posters are meant to express the strength of the government. Other artists made posters to advertise government programs. These paintings show Americans hard at work in different industries. Some artists were hired to create large paintings for the inside of government buildings. There are striking images of poor farmers by photographers including Dorothea Lange. In this exhibit, you can see examples of this public art effort. One federal program employed artists to capture images of American life.
His plan included programs to help the country recover from the failing economy of the nineteen thirties. One exhibit is about American President Franklin D. These ideas are repeated in the museum's current exhibitions. It says visitors should think about the objects around them and ask how they were made and for what social and political reasons. The brochure called itself a form of propaganda designed to persuade, teach and influence visitors to the museum. Visitors to the Wolfsonian Museum last month received a bold red printed brochure filled with propaganda. The museum's exhibits provide a lesson in modern European and American history. Now the museum is part of Florida International University. It was formed in nineteen eighty-six to house the decorative and propaganda collection of Mitchell Wolfson. The Wolfsonian Museum in Miami Beach, Florida is filled with modern design objects that tell a story about political, social and technological change. We listen to music from young singer Jazmine Sullivan…Īnswer a listener question about the word 'mosaic'…Īnd, head to Miami, Florida for a visit to an unusual museum… Welcome to AMERICAN MOSAIC in VOA Special English. Rhythm and Blues Singer Jazmine Sullivan Is Getting Noticed for Her Edgy, Emotional Musicĭownload MP3 (Right-click or option-click the link.)