The Best of NET (video) | NET Television

Art Treasures of Nebraska: Sheila Hicks

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:00:00 CDT

Menhir II hangs in a forest pattern of 23 separate fiber strands to compliment its Old French Breton definition "standing" stone. The long strands are hand-wrapped and spliced linen fibers, with bright colored wool and cotton used as binding elements. Draped from the ceiling, the linens gather and cascade onto the floor. Hicks' linear textile sculpture is an art treasure of Nebraska at the Museum of Nebraska Art. For more information about "Art Treasures of Nebraska," visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/nat/.

Next Exit: A Jewel of a Diner

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:00:00 CDT

Follow the story of Evert and Barb Falkena as they uncover the secrets of love in an All-American diner in Mullen, Nebraska -- Barb's Diner! For more information on "Next Exit," visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/nextexit/.

The War, Nebraska Stories: Freedom

Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:00:00 CDT

In this video Corporal Roger Peters learns the meaning of freedom after meeting a group of freed concentration camp survivors on the road outside of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. An estimated 50,000 prisoners died there, with 35,000 of them dying in the three months before the camp was liberated. For air dates and more information, visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/thewar/.

Art Treasures of Nebraska: Lilian Westcott Hale

Mon, 11 Feb 2008 12:00:00 CDT

A dreamy feeling pervades Lilian Westcott Hale's impressionist masterpiece, "The Convalescent," at Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery. Loose brushwork, warm coloring, and graceful composition direct our attention to the painting's only detail - the alluring face of Rose Zeffler, a friend of the artist, who appears to be relaxing in bed. Her distant, empty gaze suggests she is lost in thought. For more information about "Art Treasures of Nebraska," visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/nat/.

Next Exit: When You Care Enough

Mon, 04 Feb 2008 12:00:00 CDT

The Hallmark Greeting Card company is well known for its tradition of sending the very best. What you might not know is that Hallmark's humble beginnings started right here in Nebraska. For more information on "Next Exit," visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/nextexit/.

Murder House Art Design

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 12:00:00 CDT

This feature looks as the "graphic novel" inspired art design of "Murder House." "Murder House" takes you inside a unique training program for a new generation of crime scene investigators. Nebraska Wesleyan University students earning their Masters Degree in Criminal Forensics are put at the scene of a homicide, fictional but realistic, and are given ten months to collect, process, and analyze the evidence. Passing or failing relies on their ability to convince a mock grand jury that they have identified the correct suspect. For air dates and more information, visit http://www.murderhouse.org.

Art Treasures of Nebraska: Aaron Douglas

Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:00:00 CDT

In 1922, Douglas was the first African-American to earn a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Nebraska. Just two years later, he was taking a leadership role in the cultural awakening of African-Americans in New York's Harlem Renaissance. Creating bold and dignified imagery of people, places and scenes of routine African-American life, Douglas' paintings celebrated black history and culture. For more information about "Art Treasures of Nebraska," visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/nat/.

Next Exit: Mountain Man Meek

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:00:00 CDT

Meet Jack Garrison: white, balding, middle-aged, college professor at the University of Nebraska-Kearney -- AND better known to tourists of the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument as crazy Mountain Man Meek! For more information on "Next Exit," visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/nextexit/.

Murder House

Mon, 15 Oct 2007 12:00:00 CDT

"Murder House" takes you inside a unique training program for a new generation of crime scene investigators. Nebraska Wesleyan University students earning their Masters Degree in Criminal Forensics are put at the scene of a homicide, fictional but realistic, and are given ten months to collect, process, and analyze the evidence. Passing or failing relies on their ability to convince a mock grand jury that they have identified the correct suspect. For air dates and more information, visit http://www.murderhouse.org.

Art Treasures of Nebraska: Edgar Degas

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 12:00:00 CDT

Degas was enamored with the world of ballet, recording all aspects of backstage activities. In selecting novice Marie van Goethem as his model, Degas violated accepted artistic practices of portraying prima ballerinas in performance settings. The candid pose of a common (ordinary) dancer, adorned with a real hair ribbon and fabric tutu created public outrage - some calling her an ape-like affront to society. But Degas was clearly pioneering modern sculpture with his progressive creation. It's an art treasure of Nebraska at Joslyn Art Museum. For more information about "Art Treasures of Nebraska," visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/nat/.

Next Exit: Open House

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 12:00:00 CDT

When you talk about Lincoln's Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery's works of art, don't forget to mention the museum's magnificient architectural design -- which is considered a work of art in itself. For more information on "Next Exit," visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/nextexit/.

The War, Nebraska Stories: Forgiveness

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 12:00:00 CDT

By the fall of 1945, the war was over. Yet around the globe, hundreds of thousands of soldiers and refugees were yet to go home. In this video, Corporal Roger Peters tells us how he learned about forgiveness from German soldiers. For air dates and more information, visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/thewar/.

Art Treasures of Nebraska: Enrique Chagoya

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 12:00:00 CDT

In this visually stunning painting, Chagoya cannibalizes imagery from Aztec, American, European, and Asian art to challenge our views about global politics and the exploitation of indigenous people. The result is a thought-provoking experience about multiculturalism. For more information about "Art Treasures of Nebraska," visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/nat/.

Next Exit: Los Vaqueros

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 12:00:00 CDT

The Spanish influence on American culture goes far beyond what many might think. The vaqueros or "Spanish cowboys," as the gringos may call them, have possessed some of the most remarkable skills in roping, branding, and rounding up cattle. For more information on "Next Exit," visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/nextexit/.

On the Frontline: Nebraskans at War in Iraq

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 12:00:00 CDT

Nebraska Army National Guard soldiers spent a year fighting in the "Sunni Triangle" city of Ramadi. They ran hundreds of missions on "Route Michigan," a dangerous stretch of highway called "The Gauntlet." These are their videos and their stories in their own words. For air dates and more information, visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/onthefrontline/.

Art Treasures of Nebraska: Karl Bodmer

Mon, 27 Aug 2007 12:00:00 CDT

With "Mato-Tope (Four Bears) Mandan Chief (1834)," Karl Bodmer captured the character and pride of native people (and their leaders) in a series of watercolor portraits that became models for the prints that illustrated Maximilian zu Wied's book, "Travels in the Interior of North America." Bodmer's pioneering watercolors are art treasures of Nebraska at the Joslyn Art Museum. For more information about "Art Treasures of Nebraska," visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/nat/.

Next Exit: Missle Love

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 12:00:00 CDT

What does your dream house look like? How about an Atlas-E nuclear missile silo? This Nebraska couple has transformed a relic of the Cold War into their 15,000 square foot dream house. We'll take a look inside at the renovations, but we'll have to knock hard. The front door weighs forty-seven tons. For more information on "Next Exit," visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/nextexit/.

Art Treasures of Nebraska: Claes Oldenburg

Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:00:00 CDT

"Torn Notebook" is the pop art masterpiece of sculptors Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen at Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery's sculpture garden. The monumental sculpture celebrates lifelong learning, and it appears to interact with nature, its ripped pages blowing in the wind. For more information about "Art Treasures of Nebraska," visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/nat/.

Next Exit: Bone Hunter

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:00:00 CDT

Are ghosts always human? Loren Eiseley didn't think so. Eiseley is one of the greatest nature writers of the 20th century. He was born in Lincoln and the years he spent as a bone hunter in Western Nebraska and South Dakota inspired many of his most unforgettable essays. In this segment from "Reflections of a Bonehunter" we explore a landscape haunted by strange mammals that roamed Nebraska long before the first humans arrived. For more information on "Next Exit," visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/nextexit/.

Crane Song

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 12:00:00 CDT

Every year some 80 percent of the world's Sandhill cranes make their way through a 75-mile stretch of Nebraska's central Platte River Valley on their spring migration. "Crane Song" weaves together striking visuals and majestic sounds of the birds' journey with the stories and insights of the individuals who observe these creatures, as well as landowners endeavoring to ensure a habitat that is welcoming to the cranes. Production of "Crane Song" made possible by the Elizabeth Rubendall Foundation, the Theodore G. Baldwin Foundation, Sandhills Publishing, Chief Industries, Inc. and the Platte River Whooping Crane Maintenance Trust, Inc. For air dates and more information, visit http://www.netnebraska.org/television/promopops/cranes.htm.

Art Treasures of Nebraska: Robert Henri

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 12:00:00 CDT

At first glance, the life-sized painting seems an elegant tribute to a radiant bride. Dix's attire is majestic -- a dazzling white wedding dress dominates the painting. But Henri -- called the Monet of Manhattan -- believed that portraits should reveal character rather than glorifying vanity. For more information about "Art Treasures of Nebraska," visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/nat/.

Most Honorable Son

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 12:00:00 CDT

After the Pearl Harbor attack, a Nebraska farmer named Ben Kuroki volunteered for the U.S. Army Air Corps. He would become the first Japanese-American war hero, surviving 58 missions as an aerial gunner over Europe, North Africa and Japan. Between his tours of duty he would find himself at the center of controversy - a lone spokesman against the racism faced by the thousands of Japanese-Americans sent to internment camps. Through interviews and rare, never-before-seen film, "Most Honorable Son" tells of one man's remarkable journey through World War Two, while providing context to two seemingly disparate histories - the US air war and the Japanese-American experience. Coming in September to PBS. For air dates and more information, visit http://www.netnebraska.org/television/.

Next Exit: Delco Farm Lighting

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 12:00:00 CDT

In Silver Creek, Nebraska, Delco Lighting Distributor William Lowman privately financed a film showing the wonders of electricity in 1918 rural Nebraska. The completed film, printed on tinted stock to give everything a warm "electric" glow, was only shown twice publicly - once locally and once at the national Delco Lighting convention. This unique footage shows real life town and farm living in 1918, all focused around the glory of electricity. The film is from the collection of The Nebraska State Historical Society (http://www.nebraskahistory.org/). For more information on "Next Exit," visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/nextexit/.

At Close Range with National Geographic

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 12:00:00 CDT

"National Geographic Magazine" photographer Joel Sartore shoots in some of the most exotic locales on earth, but often in wretched conditions for weeks on end, and always under pressure to produce pictures worthy of publication in a legendary magazine. He often wonders if it's the best job in the world, or the worst. "At Close Range with National Geographic" provides a rare glimpse of the havoc a tough, dangerous job can create for one's personal life, especially for someone like Joel Sartore. For air dates and more information, visit http://www.pbs.org/atcloserange/.

Art Treasures of Nebraska: Thomas Hart Benton

Mon, 25 Jun 2007 12:00:00 CDT

Benton grew up in Missouri and traveled the Great Plains region, inspired by its people, places and history. And nothing fascinated Benton like the figures of the historic West - Native Americans, trappers, and pioneers. Considered a visual historian for his ability to paint rural scenes with a storyteller's flair, Benton transformed dramatic accounts from author Francis Parkman's 1847 book, "The Oregon Trail," into vibrant watercolors. For more information about "Art Treasures of Nebraska," visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/nat/.

Next Exit: Building Bombs on the Plains

Mon, 18 Jun 2007 12:00:00 CDT

In 1942, the US Navy built a 45 million dollar ammo depot in Hastings, Nebraska - a facility that would make 40% of all ammunition used in the Pacific during WWII. The 2000 African-American sailors working there, commanded by African-American "acting" officers, faced "deep south" style discrimination. Official Navy history omits much of the story of the Hastings depot, but Yeoman and "acting" Lieutenant Willie Tripp tells of "The Negro Ordinance Battalion." For more information about the Battalion visit Nebraskastudies.org. For more information on "Next Exit," visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/nextexit/.

The Price of Water

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 12:00:00 CDT

"The Price of Water" explores how Nebraskans are connected to this resource that supports our lives, examines where our water comes from, who uses it and for what purposes, and what people are doing to sustain Nebraska's water for the future. Segments include the formation of the Ogallala Aquifer and the connection between ground and surface water; the development of the Platte River; the effect of ancient drought in the Sand Hills; how water supports farmers, city folks and nature; and what is being done to protect this vital, limited resource. For air dates and more information, visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/priceofwater/.

Art Treasures of Nebraska: Dave Stewart

Mon, 11 Jun 2007 12:00:00 CDT

Whimsical assemblages are the hallmark of artist Dave Stewart at the Museum of Nebraska Art. His assemblage art is full of memories... a dose of humor and, often, social commentary. For more information about "Art Treasures of Nebraska," visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/nat/.

Next Exit: Nebraska's First Western

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 12:00:00 CDT

In 1915, the Black Hills Feature Film Company of Chadron, Nebraska made Nebraska's first western movie. Titled, "Wild Bill and Calamity Jane in the Days of '75 and '76," it told of the love triangle between Jane, Wild Bill, and Jack McCall. Shot using local talent, the real star of the film was the unspoiled panorama of the Nebraska prairie and bluffs. For more information on "Next Exit," visit http://www.netnebraska.org/extras/nextexit/.