Whereas his reputation once suffered from being so diverse, it is his hop-scotching across disciplines that makes him seem so young again.

WSJ: Avant-Garde Film's Godfather | Hans Richter | Los Angeles County Museum of Art | Richard B. Woodward

It was the second public outing for the normally camera-shy al-Assad family in less than a week, after months out of the limelight: Asma al-Assad was spotted at a "Mother's Rally" at the Damascus Opera House last weekend, scotching rumors she had fled the country for Russia, the UK or Jordan.

CNN: Syria's president makes rare public appearance