Judith Mackrell: “In dance, however, there’s no real equivalent, no institutional version of an outside eye to spot a weak narrative, a slack structure or an idea that’s not quite working. … Nor is it even clear who that figure might be. … [Even so,] I think the art form is suffering needlessly from this lack of systematic editorial input.”
Author: Matthew Westphal
Spotify’s Revenue Is Soaring, But It’s Still Losing Millions
The streaming-music service’s revenue last year was more than $1 billion, up 74% from a year before, but it posted an $80 million net loss. (At least that was 30% smaller than the loss in 2012.)
The Theatre Installation That’s Horrifying All Europe
South African playwright Brett Bailey’s Exhibit B mimics the “human zoo” exhibits of colonial “natives” seen in Europe in the 19th and early 20th centuries. After four years of touring without much controversy, this year Exhibit B has seen “loud debates and furious demonstrations in Europe about the boundaries between artistic freedom and exploitation, censorship and political incorrectness.”
Chris Ofili’s “Holy Virgin Mary” Doesn’t Seem So Shocking Anymore – Why?
You may remember that when the Nigerian-British artist’s rendition of the Madonna was exhibited at the Brooklyn Museum in 1999, following uneventful showings in Europe, all hell broke loose (as it were). Now the piece is back in New York, attracting no particular controversy. Alastair Sooke considers what’s changed over the past 15 years.
Equity Tries Campaign To Warn Audiences Away From Non-Union Touring Shows
“The 50,000-member Equity has spent a low five-figure sum on the campaign, chiefly to buy online ads that encourage people to ask ticket sellers and others if productions are Equity tours.”
Teetering Ulster Orchestra Gets A Lifeline (A Short One)
“Belfast City Council has agreed to give £100,000 to the Ulster Orchestra, to help it out of its financial problems. However, the offer is conditional on other funders also contributing to the orchestra’s £500,000 shortfall.”
Happy People Aren’t Always Great At Empathy
“Recent research … suggests that people who are generally cheerful are not so great at reading other people’s negative emotions, though what’s especially interesting is that they think they’re very good at it.”
Jian Ghomeshi Drops Wrongful Termination Lawsuit Against CBC
After a month of allegation after allegation of the popular radio host’s aggressive or violent behavior toward women – not to mention leaks from within the CBC about its decision to fire Ghomeshi and the difficult working environment for his staff – he has given up his $55 million suit and agreed to pay the CBC’s legal bills.
Barnes Foundation Thriving In Philadelphia, Despite Empty Leadership Posts
“As 2014 winds down, the Barnes has no permanent director. There’s no permanent chief curator. The spotlight is hot and unblinking. So how’s it going after 2½ years?” Rather well, it seems – for several reasons.
“Books Aren’t Just Commodities” – Ursula K. LeGuin’s Speech At The National Book Awards
“Right now, we need writers who know the difference between production of a market commodity and the practice of an art. … Yet I see sales departments given control over editorial. … And I see a lot of us, the producers, who write the books and make the books, accepting this – letting commodity profiteers sell us like deodorant, and tell us what to publish, what to write.”