“For the last 45 years, Alexander has been a controversial figure on the architectural scene, both revered and reviled; yet in [a] period burdened by flocks of architectural theorists, I would guess that he is one of very few whose work will endure. If Alexander often irritates his critics, it is in part because he is so obviously gifted.”
Author: Laura Collins Hughes
Robert Pinsky’s Nominee For Best Kvetcher: Ben Jonson
“Possibly the most noble and eloquent poetry-kvetch in the history of the art in English is Ben Jonson (1572-1637). … In his angry denunciations of the stupid audiences, ignorant critics, dumb fads, inept rivals, and general decay of poetry and taste in his time, Jonson sometimes hurled Classical allusions.”
Thom Mayne’s Cooper Union Building Takes No Prisoners
“[T]he bold new arrival has been widely praised by the architectural community and sharply criticized by those who see it as a contextual affront to the neighborhood.” Count Ada Louise Huxtable among the unoffended. “To this native New Yorker who has watched the city evolve over decades and treasures its unrelenting diversity, Mr. Mayne has got it just right.”
Are E-Readers The Eight-Tracks Of Publishing?
“[B]uyers may be sinking cash into a technology that could become obsolete. … E-reader technology is changing fast, and manufacturers are aiming to address the devices’ drawbacks.”
Newseum Cuts More Jobs; Fund-Raising Said To Be Culprit
“In the latest round of dismissals, which took place late last month, the Newseum eliminated 29 full-time positions, or 13 percent of personnel. It has now reduced its staff by 23 percent overall.” Meanwhile, “the Smithsonian Institution has received 158 responses to the voluntary buyout plan it announced in late September.”
Oleanna To Fold Earlier Than Announced
The decision to close Sunday rather than Jan. 3 “underscores the fact that while big-name tuners and star-vehicle plays can count on an influx of tourist biz to boost sales during holiday frames, many plays (as well as medium-range musicals) can get left out of the cold.” Stars Bill Pullman and Julia Stiles have not “proven a major draw for playgoing auds.”
NYC Ends Weekly Public Viewing Of Film-Shoot Permits
“The permits contained information on filming locations for movies and television shows,” and requests to view them “now have to be made by mail or e-mail through New York State’s Freedom of Information Law.” The paparazzi are not amused.
Now At City Opera: Better Acoustics
“George Steel, who took over as City Opera’s general manager and artistic director in February, when things looked bleak, has rallied the company and made many good calls. Particularly gratifying was his decision to remove the dreaded sound-enhancement system that had been in use for a decade. … Opera at the Koch Theater is again a performing art for natural singing in an unamplified space.”
N.M. Symphony Musicians Ratify Contract; Season To Start
“The NMSO had to postpone several concerts after the master agreement with the musicians expired in August. The symphony said in October it was facing a $1 million deficit and needed to cut $690,000 from its budget.” NMSO trustees are now “launching a major fundraising campaign,” the orchestra says.
Will YouTube Start Streaming TV Shows For A Fee?
“Sources say the site’s negotiations with the networks and studios that own the shows are preliminary. … The biggest stumbling block may be consumers,” because YouTube would be streaming the shows “instead of letting consumers download them to their computers.”