“While Susan Sontag has argued that tuberculosis preoccupied the 19th century and cancer, then AIDS, dominated the 20th, there are signs that Alzheimer’s is becoming an important cultural metaphor for our new century.Consider the number of recent novels, stories and memoirs in which characters with Alzheimer’s figures prominently.” – The Globe and Mail (Canada) 08/30/00
Author: Douglas McLennan
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE ART OF BEING BORED?
New study suggests that today’s kids are so programmed that they are losing the time for imagination. “Playtime has morphed into what Klauber calls a “digital wonderland” – a fast-moving, goal-oriented zone that affords little time for aimless fun. Many kids today are focused on competition, efficiency and results. One consequence of this development is that their imaginations are beginning to atrophy: Play is all about the destination rather than the journey.” – The Star Tribune (Minneapolis) 08/30/00
THE IMPORTANCE OF BACKUP
A weekend fire at Moscow’s central TV broadcasting tower has shut down broadcasts of all of Russia’s national television networks ever since. – Variety
WHAT DOES “SOCIAL REALISM” MEAN TODAY?
The question took center stage at the Edinburgh Film Festival last week when the UK’s Film Council executive director announced that the council would no longer fund any “social realist art films” – a surprising decree given that many of the hits at this year’s festival fit squarely within the definition.” – The Guardian
DISSENTING OPINION
Although the BBC’s recently announced plans to enhance its arts programming have met with popular approval, one critic at least sees only flaws: “BBC4, the new outlet for eggheads and art-lovers, is foredoomed to failure. Among arts leaders, the BBC is viewed with suspicion verging on contempt. Its credibility vanished years ago, along with all its best producers.” – The Telegraph (UK)
FILMING FRIDA KAHLO
“No Mexican cultural figure has ever been as sought after by Hollywood. For years, filmmakers here have tried to make a movie based on Kahlo’s gripping and tragic life story, but they have found their projects derailed by bickering parties, mediocre scripts, lack of financing and controversy about casting decisions.The latest chapter in the making-of-the-Frida-Kahlo-movie saga is the fierce competition between three bio-pics rushing to be the first in production. They involve some of the biggest Latino names in filmmaking.” – Los Angeles Times
RAISING MONEY FOR POLITICS
Seventy American artists including Chuck Close, Robert Rauschenberg and Roy Lichtenstein have donated artwork to raise money for the Democratic National Committee. Some 1,500 works will be put up for sale on a web art auction. – CNN
TANKS AND BOMBS AND PLANES, OH MY
“Britain’s art world is shaking its head over an unknown British artist who spent a decade chronicling the Gulf War. The artist is about to sell his entire output to a Saudi Arabian prince for £17million.” – The Herald (Scotland)
DECLARING YOUR SYMPATHIES
Under pressure, Austrian state governor Jorg Haider is having Nazi artwork removed from the state parliament buildings. But instead of painting over the fresco, he’s having a new museum built for it so it can be restored to its former glory. – Ananova
PAYING FOR MUSEUM ART
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s new Eames show has raised charges of conflict-of-interest. The show is sponsored by makers of some of the Eames furniture in the show. LACMA’s gift shop also sells copies of some of the furniture in the show. “If the museum has a problem funding the Eames exhibition without the sponsorship of the company that makes the furniture, they oughtn’t to do the show. The conflict of interest is too blatant.” – Los Angeles Times