It’s coming into Academy Awards season. But first a lot of work. Choosing candidates and evaluating efforts is a time-consuming process. – San Francisco Chronicle 02/08/00
Author: Douglas McLennan
PACIFICA NETWORK’S SELF-IMMOLATION
The tiny “progressive” radio network is the last non-mainstream American network. “What began as a labor dispute at Pacifica’s Berkeley, Calif., station nearly a year ago has degenerated into a tedious, slow self-immolation that has involved firings, resignations, court intrigue, lost listenership and a protest march of more than 10,000 people in Berkeley.” – Washington Post 02/08/00
AUSTRALIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION —
— is the latest of the big national public broadcasters to find its role changing. After the government cut its budget, ABC went looking for commercial sources of revenue. The latest deal has some worried about the network’s independence. – Sydney Morning Herald 02/08/00
TO CUT OR NOT TO CUT
A historic first-meeting of Shakespeare experts from around the English-speaking world in Stratford sparks raging debates about performance practice for the Bard. – Backstage
“A SCANDAL TO SHAKE THE ART MARKET TO ITS FOUNDATIONS”
Christie’s auction house has turned state’s evidence and told anti-trust investigators from the United States Justice Department about an alleged deal with Sotheby’s to limit competition on sellers’ commissions. Watch for the lawsuits to start flying. – The Telegraph (UK)
- CHRISTIE’S/SOTHEBY’S PRICE FIXING SCANDAL could have big repercussions for art Down Under. – Sydney Morning Herald
- Australian dealers have long suspected collusion. – The Age (Melbourne)
THE PETITION THAT WOULDN’T DIE
It’s that “save the NEA” e-mail that has been endlessly circulated around the internet. Doesn’t matter that it was written in 1995 and that threats to PBS and the National Endowment have receded. – San Francisco Chronicle
INVESTMENT NOUVEAU
Back in the 1970s, the arts’ biggest funding buddies were the tobacco companies. Now tobacco is out and the big American investment banks are funding British arts institutions. The benefits both ways are many. – Financial Times
“A SCANDAL TO SHAKE THE ART MARKET TO ITS FOUNDATIONS”
Christie’s auction house has turned state’s evidence and told anti-trust investigators from the United States Justice Department about an alleged deal with Sotheby’s to limit competition on sellers’ commissions. Watch for the lawsuits to start flying. – The Telegraph (UK)
NEW ERA IN BRITISH ARCHITECTURE
That’s how interesting the new £21 million lottery-funded Art Gallery in Walsall is. “Here, at last, is an alternative to the ever-present high-tech of Richard Rogers and Norman Foster.” – The Times (UK)
PIANIST ANDRAS SCHIFF –
– has refused to play a concert at the Austrian Embassy in Washington DC in protest against the inclusion of the far right party in the Austrian government. – CBC