Everyone talks about the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as if it was a group of people in a room somewhere making these big decisions. Just what – and who – is the Academy? – Chicago Tribune 03/26/00
Author: Douglas McLennan
THEATRE GLUT?
It’s not like business is terrible – there are still hits aplenty in London’s West End theaters. It’s just that many of the theaters are having a hard time making a go of it. Are there too many theaters to go around? – The Observer (UK)
GIVE ME A (TAX) BREAK
If wealthy collectors can claim tax breaks when they donate art to museums, why shouldn’t artists get the same deal? The director of the Whitney takes on the cause. – Los Angeles Times
REDEFINING BRITAIN’S ART
The new Tate Britain has opened with some new ideas about what art means to be British. – The Observer (UK)
- The Tate Modern is set to open later this spring. Here’s a preview of the doings inside.– The Sunday Telegraph (UK)
LET THE LAWSUIT COMMENCE
After it was discovered the Seattle Art Museum was in possession of a Matisse stolen by the Nazis during WWII, they were ordered to return it to its original heir. Then SAM tried to sue the New York art gallery who sold them the piece, but the judge threw out the case. In light of new evidence, however, the judge has decided to let the trial go ahead. – Seattle Times
THE POLITICS OF CONTROVERSY
It hasn’t been lost on anyone that New York mayor Rudy Giuliani is in the middle of a hot campaign for election to the US Senate. Artist Hans Haacke’s artwork for the Whitney Biennial makes fun of the mayor, but does it achieve anything? – Washington Post
THE PROBLEM LIST
After months of delay, Boston’s Museum of Fine Art has decided to share with the world information about artwork it has that may be suspected of being stolen. The MFA will post information about these works on the internet. – Boston Globe
- MFA to accelerate information process. – Boston Herald
- Twelve to 15 artworks may have problems. – New York Times (AP)
ONLY THE BRAVE NEED APPLY
“Now we have a school which would make 90 percent of European ballet schools envious,” says the director of the Bolshoi Ballet’s first school outside Russia – in Joinville, Brazil, of all places. Needless to say, the new school will abide the by the old Bolshoi’s legendary standards of rigorous training. “It’s not about putting on a tutu and pointe shoes and learning some classical positions. Only those who will be true to the cause will remain. We will be happy if we produce two top-level dancers – it will make the school worth existing.” – The Times of India (AP)
BOMB SCARE
Seiji Ozawa’s performance with the Vienna Philharmonic in Paris Friday night was delayed because of a bomb threat delivered in protest against current Austrian politics. – Boston Globe
TAKING IT IN STRIDE
The little-known symphonic compositions of jazz pianist James P. Johnson (who perfected “stride” piano, “so-called for its distinctive, striding, left-hand patterns, and imitated by thousands of keyboard players”) have been unearthed by American conductor Marin Alsop. She has secured the first modern performances of much of it with her own Concordia Orchestra. – The Herald (Glasgow)