“Comprising 410,000 multi-coloured aluminium barrels,” – the Mastaba, to be erected at an empty desert site in Abu Dhabi – “would be the largest sculpture in the world, and, unlike many of Christo’s projects, permanent.”
Author: Matthew Westphal
Dozens Of Theatres Lobby The Guardian To Reinstate Its Theatre Blog
“More than 40 UK theatres, including the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company, Sheffield Theatres and the Royal Exchange, have signed a letter to The Guardian calling on it to reinstate Lyn Gardner’s theatre blogs. Gardner is currently contracted to write 150 blogs a year for The Guardian, however these will cease next month to cut costs.”
James Cotton, 81, King Of The Blues Harmonica
Known by his colleagues as “Mr. Superharp” (“mouth harp” is another name for harmonica), Cotton made his instrument integral to the blues, making landmark recordings with Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf before forming his own band, which influenced an entire generation of blues-rock musicians.
Britain’s Leading Theatre Magazine Launches New Awards To Recognize Debuts
“The Stage Debut Awards will recognise actors, writers, directors, designers and composers making their professional theatre debuts in the UK. Nominees will be considered in nine categories, including best director, designer and composer as well as best actress and actor in a play and in a musical. A panel of industry experts will decide the winners in each category. There will also be the opportunity for the public to vote on the award for best West End debut.”
Louise Erdrich, Matthew Desmond Win National Book Critics Circle Awards
“More than 30 years after winning a National Book Critic Circle award for her first novel, Love Medicine, Louise Erdrich has won again. LaRose, the tale of two Ojibwe families linked by tragedy, took the NBCC fiction prize Thursday night in New York.”
New Jersey High School Wins National ‘Courage In Theatre’ Award For Its ‘Ragtime’ (And Raves From New York Pros, Too)
“Musical Theatre International selected [Cherry Hill High School East] ‘for its perseverance and dedication to the arts in the face of adversity,'” for facing down objections to the use of the n-word in Ragtime‘s script. “It was only the third time that the New York-based licensing agency has given the award since it was established in 2007.” There was plenty of praise for the production, too, with several professionals saying it was the best high school production they’d ever seen.
Top Posts From AJBlogs 03.16.17
NEA Funding: Beyond Votes, We Must Grow the Applause
The President’s budget proposal to eliminate the National Endowment for the Arts is merely an “opening argument.” A very long legislative process now begins which will, hopefully, culminate in a budget that reflects moderation … read more
AJBlog: Audience Wanted Published 2017-03-16
It’s A Matter of Taste-And Touch And…
If three, as the old saying goes, makes a trend, the museum world is past that and into institutionalizing the idea of multi-sensory exhibitions. I still would call it a “mini-trend,” though … read more
AJBlog: Real Clear Arts Published 2017-03-16
Phantasmic Freaks and Geeks in ABT’s Scrumptious “Whipped Cream”
No one in their right mind thinks the ballet stage needs any more dancing sweets, yet there was something irresistible about the announcement that American Ballet Theatre Artist-in-Residence Alexei Ratmansky planned to resurrect Richard Strauss’ … read more
AJBlog: Fresh Pencil Published 2017-03-16
The United States Government Wants Its Art Back – And Here’s How It’s Getting It
Of the hundreds of thousands of artworks created under the WPA’s programs during the Depression, a surprising number have gone missing (or at least have been lost track of). Matthew Blitz meets the Special Agent charged with tracking that art down.
The Trick Our Brains Play To Help Us Hear In Noisy Places
Scientists call it “perceptual restoration.” Aylin Woodward explains how it works and what’s just been discovered about it.
Why People Can Become Enthralled By An Arrogant, Obnoxious, Unpredictable Person
Anthropologist Joel Robbins shares a real-life parable from a village in Papua New Guinea.