The British government sets up a £22 million investment fund to help revive Britain’s film industry. – BBC 05/02/00
Month: May 2000
ARTFUL BUYBACK
Failing to convince Christie’s auction house not to sell what they consider to be looted cultural treasures, Beijingers bid on the items in Hong Kong auctions to keep the artwork in China. “We spent half an hour calling our group leaders in Europe to report the feelings of Hong Kong’s people, the attitude of Christie’s and the statement of the State Bureau of Cultural Relics. Our leaders’ decision was that if Christie’s insisted on going ahead to sell the looted treasures, we would grab them . . . and the only way was to join the bidding.” – South China Morning Post (Hong Kong)
PUTTING ON AIRS
A government report released today by UK Arts Minster Alan Howarth concludes that “snobbery and discrimination” by museum staffs may prevent the poor and socially disenfranchised from visiting. The report urges cultural institutions to combat social exclusion by urging staff to be less intimidating and by taking steps, like putting catalogs on the internet to reach broader, more diverse audiences. – The Independent (UK)
FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE
An impressive number of Japanese homeowners have hired avant-garde architects to design inventive homes with no exterior walls or made entirely from glass. “These houses are not the work of oddball individualists, but creative attempts by cutting-edge architects to redefine the management of space, light, privacy and nature in the Japanese home.” – Smithsonian Magazine
THE POLITICS OF ARTIFACTS
Honolulu’s Bishop Museum used to have an excellent reputation for the study of Polynesian culture. But times have changed. Recently, the museum allowed 83 ancient Hawaiian artifacts worth millions of dollars to be turned over to a Native Hawaiian organization as provided for by the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. But a dispute has erupted over whether the artifacts will be cared for properly and if the group that now has possession is actually entitled to the work. – Archaeology Magazine
DESIGNER DISCARDS
Designer Karl Lagerfeld’s astonishing collection of 18th century furniture and art objects fetched $21.7 million at Christie’s – the second-biggest sale ever for the Christie’s Monaco auction house. – Times of India
ODE TO AN UNKNOWN POET
Poets are largely an unsung lot. Seven established poets and critics cite their favorite under-appreciated poets. – Lingua Franca
E-LENDING
- A Canadian library adds four electronic books to its circulating collection. – CBC
CONTROL YOUR BRATS!
New York Magazine theater critic John Simon loses it at a performance of “Music Man” and screams at the parent of noisy kids to shut them up. “Simon said he ‘smelled trouble’ as soon as he saw several young children – between the ages of 4 and 8 – sitting in front of him.” – New York Post
ANTONIO BUERO VALLEJO DIES AT 83
Spanish playwright, widely revered in Spain, was known for his opposition to the country’s former fascist dictatorship. – CBC