The Korean government proposed levying a tax on art and antiques, but the National Assembly vetoed it. Says a government spokesperson: “The rich have utilized the trading of antiques and paintings to increase their wealth.” – Korea Times
Author: Douglas McLennan
SHOPPING BY DESIGN
The fashion store Prada has chosen three A-list architects to design its new stores: Rem Koolhaas’s OMA, in Rotterdam, Zurich’s Herzog & de Meuron and Tokyo’s SANAA. Between them, these ‘Pradarchitects’ are designing six buildings that are meant to ‘reinvent the concept of shopping’ Gradually, we are witnessing a merging of theatre, worship, fashion, architecture, design and shopping.” – The Guardian
ART CONTRIBUTION
“Colombian artist Fernando Botero has donated a collection of works of art worth an estimated $250 million to two museums in Colombia, one in the capital Bogotá, the other in Medellin, the artist’s native city. The collection includes more than 200 paintings, drawings and sculptures by Botero as well as 100 works by Picasso, Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, Degas, Toulouse Lautrec, Matisse, Chagall, Miró, Klimt, Dali and Henry Moore, from the artist’s own collection.” – The Art Newspaper
ACTOR ARRESTED FOR SLASHING PICTURES
A leading Polish actor is arrested for slashing pictures in a gallery. The exhibition was called “The Nazis” and depicted actors from movies in Nazi uniforms. “I defend the right to say that there are some frontiers of decency which were clearly overstepped in this exhibition, and I reacted violently in the hope that my gesture will highlight my objections.” – The Art Newspaper
A GOOD TIME TO BE AN UNKNOWN
In anticipation of next spring’s actors’ and screenwriters’ strike, and desperate to stockpile films before it hits, Hollywood studios are signing virtually unknown actors to lucrative deals. “Prices for these barely-knowns have skyrocketed, creating a bizarre new millionaire boys’ club.” – New York Magazine
THEATRE TREATY
Delegates from 90 countries expect to agree on an international treaty to protect actors’ rights. “The treaty, which aims to protect performers against the unauthorized use of their work, is being negotiated under the auspices of WIPO, the World Intellectual Property Organization, the United Nations body that oversees copyright and trademark protection.” – Montreal Gazette
CULTIVATING THE NEXT GENERATION, NO DOUBT
A mother calls up a radio program in Sydney to complain about having to pay $27 for a ticket for her in-arms baby when she went to “Annie.” The producer responds: “We are not a charity. The company could have $45 or $50 for the baby.” And the radio station’s switchboard lights up and patrons call the theatre to cancel their tickets. – Sydney Morning Herald
UNIVERSAL MUSIC?
“The celestial jukebox, according to its legions of proponents, will be a vast digital cloud of music that contains every song ever recorded. Rather than having to lug around compact disks and cassettes to stick in stereos or car players, people will be able to log onto the celestial jukebox from computers, televisions, stereos, automobiles, cell phones and even household appliances.” Trouble is, it’ll never work. – Inside.com
GREAT DAY IN NEW YORK
Fifty-four composers, including Elliott Carter, Steve Reich, Joan Tower, Chen Yi, Stephen Sondheim, John Zorn, Wynton Marsalis and Meredith Monk will convene in New York for an unprecedented nine-concert festival. ‘A Great Day in New York.’ The series was partly inspired by the classic 1959 photograph ‘A Great Day in Harlem’ which brought together some of the great jazz players of the day.” – Sonicnet
A HISTORY OF JAZZ?
Ken Burns’s new 20-hour documentary on jazz gives a distorted view. “For example, the last forty years, i.e. forty percent, of jazz history is crammed into one two hour segment. Therefore, the series, while it may contain some illuminating and/or entertaining portions, is unbalanced and cannot be taken too seriously, as it emphasizes material most familiar to most viewers and does not expose them to today’s music.” – Public Arts