— to close in Taipei. A sensation when it opened in 1995, the crowds have melted away since then. – China Times (Taiwan)
Author: Douglas McLennan
OWNERSHIP PROBLEM
As Britain’s museums and galleries try to apply new consciousness about buying and owning art possibly stolen by Nazis in WWII, auction houses refuse to give guarantees about the provenance of the art they sell. – The Independent (UK)
CONTEMPORARY IN THE HOUSE OF TRADITION
LA’s Getty Museum collects the old and established. But a new show invites in a group of contemporary L.A. artists to create work inspired by whatever part of the Getty holdings might interest them. The project invites artists and audience to consider the Getty’s traditional holdings in new ways. – Los Angeles Times
CAN YOU BE SPECIFIC?
Canadian inquiry into mega-store bookseller practices hears plenty of complaints from publishers but few specifics. – CBC
IGNORED?
Why do authors on book tours skip going to Philadelphia? – Philadelphia Inquirer
A MATTER OF IDENTITY
This year’s Asian American Film Festival explores questions of who we are. – San Francisco Chronicle 03/05/00
WELCOME TO THE MIDDLE CLASS
In Los Angeles a new theater middle class rises. There are a hundred theaters out there. But, like the city itself, LA’s “theater district” is spread out hither and yon. “People from out of town look at a map of L.A., see all the theaters and can’t believe it – they’re all over the place.” – Los Angeles Times
FROM SHAKESPEARE TO AMERICA
Ashland, Oregon’s Oregon Shakespeare Festival is a behemoth among regional theaters with its $15.48 million budget. Last year it sold a record 374,246 tickets, filling its three theaters to 93 percent capacity. But as this year’s season opens you might want to think about renaming the festival the Oregon American Play Festival. – Seattle Times
A FLEA IN THE SOUP
Tiny Tribeca theater in Manhattan tries out as a home to the smallest dance projects. The Flea Theater operates seven days a week, often layering two paying shows, ranging in price from $12 to $35, in one evening. – New York Times
PROP UP
Only about four of Australia’s major performing arts groups can be described as financially secure. Now the government is considering a plan to spend $40 million over the next four years to help stabilize the rest of them. – Australian Financial Review