A distinctive international anthology of art and literature from 21 noted contributors in response to current cultural and political conditions. From the base dissolution or putrefaction of matter-the Nigredo of language, image and gesture-the first stage of a process of transformation occurs. It begins at ground zero where antagonisms and sympathies root and intensify. It ends with a work offered to others. And it does so without hierarchy, on a common playing field, and without using or being used by genre or type to repletion. Nigredo also refers to the historical situation we find ourselves in, where conflict is the norm-whether experienced physically, psychologically, culturally, socially, economically, politically, racially, and by gender-and peace a momentary relief.