Two-Sided Coloring

Hi I have to problems that they might be related and/or similar: 1. I am drawing a simple 3D shape which is actually a set of rectangles and then color them individually (per user''s choice). So far so good! But, when I start rotating them (for which I am using gluLookAt), they turn colorless when I go to the back!?!?! 2. On the same drawing, in order to show the Rotation-Axis, I have a little XYZ-Axis with "X", "Y" and "Z" written (i.e. drawn) at the end of their corresponding axis. Again, they are all visible when I am looking at them from "0,0,1". But, they disappear when rotated to say "0,-1,0". I this, my best preference is to have the "X", "Y" and "Z" characters always visible, at the end of their axis and upright (i.e. not rotated in any direction). Can you please help me? My highest appreciation is attached, as always. Daryoush