Ernie Smith offers tidbits from the history of those little sheets and their coiled cousin, microfilm – from the invention of the process for making and reading them back in the mid-19th century to when carrier pigeons transported microfilmed documents across enemy lines to the adoption of microfilm and -fiche by libraries to the thing the medium is still well-suited for today.
Author: Matthew Westphal
Even Tap Dance Genius Michelle Dorrance Has Been Reduced To Rehearsing In A Boys’ Bathroom
Space for dance rehearsals in New York City is so scarce (and getting scarcer as real estate prices keep rising) that even a MacArthur “genius” fellow must resort to desperate measures just to prepare her company to perform. (audio)
There’s A Full-Size Replica Of The Sistine Chapel Touring Mexico
“Rising on the Plaza de la República [in Mexico City], the massive structure marks the first time the Vatican has given permission to reproduce the chapel on this scale … Michelangelo’s paintings are photographic reproductions printed on canvas, their religious scenes composed of over 2.6 million images each about an inch large.”
Visual Artists In England Now Have Their Own Union
“Artists’ Union England (AUE) has been formally certified as the first trade union representing visual, applied and socially engaged artists in England. … The founding group of visual artists initially launched the union in May 2014, but obtaining [certification] was a three-year process that began in 2013.”
Philadelphia Shakespeare Theatre Abruptly Suspends Operations
“Rising rent costs, dwindling institutional support, and [company director Carmen Khan’s] personal battle with cancer last winter all contributed to the decision to temporarily cease performances. Until this morning, [the company’s] website was stuffed with programming through December, and when the Inquirer asked about the status of the theater last week, Khan insisted that nothing out of the ordinary was brewing.”
Another Music Critic Has His Job Eliminated: Timothy Mangan At The Orange County Register
“I was on my way to Gustavo Dudamel’s debut at L.A. Opera on Friday when I was laid off. I could have still gone and reviewed it here (for free) but as you will understand I didn’t feel up to it. … I was not fired for cause (as the lawyers say) or for the quality of my work. In fact, I was told the quality of my work had nothing to do with it. Just need to make that clear.”
L.A. Dance Project Lands Three-Year Residency In South Of France
Benjamin Millepied’s company “will spend five nonconsecutive weeks a year in Arles, where the company will be able to work, create and produce, a spokesman for the LUMA Foundation said by email. The foundation is the brainchild of Maja Hoffmann, the cultural philanthropist and heiress of a prominent Swiss pharmaceutical fortune.”
Why Violinist Jennifer Koh Is Sticking With New York Even Though Her Life Would Be Easier In Berlin
“Stateside, she fundraised for eight years to acquire her current violin, while European countries loan instruments to their top artists. Being a self-employed artist in the United States means paying for your own health insurance or going without, not the case in Europe. But at the end of the day, she says, New York wins out on …” (audio)
Bill Murray Wins Mark Twain Prize For American Humor
“‘I’m honored by the award and by its timing,’ Murray said in a statement. ‘I believe Mark Twain has rolled over in his grave so much for so long, that this news won’t disturb his peace.'”
It’s Official: ‘Hamilton’ Is Headed To The West End Next Year
“The musical, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, will run at the Victoria Palace Theatre, which is currently being refurbished after Cameron Mackintosh purchased it. Tickets will go on sale for the show in November.”