“In early September, ‘occupy’ signaled on-going military incursions. Now it signifies progressive political protest. It’s no longer primarily about force of military power; instead it signifies standing up to injustice, inequality and abuse of power. It’s no longer about simply occupying a space; it’s about transforming that space.”
Author: Matthew Westphal
John Chamberlain, 84, Pioneering Scrap-Metal Sculptor
“[He] almost singlehandedly gave automotive metal a place in the history of sculpture, smashing and twisting together a poetic fusion of Abstract Expressionism and Pop from fenders, fins, bumpers and hoods.”
Civilians Invited Onto Olivier Award Juries
“Members of the public are being invited to apply for the chance to be on one of four judging panels for the 2013 Olivier Awards. The Society of London Theatre is looking for people to be judges on either the theatre, affiliate (which covers smaller theatres and non-West End venues), opera or dance panels.”
Indy Bookstore Fights Amazon With Browser App
“Amazon, Huh? is a new extension for Google’s Chrome browser that ‘warns’ you when you’re about to shop at Amazon. The pop-up challenges you each time you open Amazon.com: ‘When’s the last time Amazon brought one of your favorite writers in to read from her work – for free?”
The Tsars’ Music: Compositions By The Romanovs Rediscovered And Revived
“The Romanovs adored composing romances or short classical music opuses as presents for their loved one,” says Bella Abaeva, who led a 15-year research project to find and assemble pieces written by members of the imperial family.
Cat Videos Are So Over – The Hot New Internet Animal Is?
“Baby sloths are the new Internet darling, thanks to a sloth sanctuary recently featured on Animal Planet. A video of its occupants went viral, and now online denizens can’t get enough of the Central and South American mammal.”
Pigeons Are Even Smarter Than We Thought: They Understand Basic Numerical Concepts
“They learned to rank groups of one, two and three items in various sizes and shapes. When tested, they were able to do the task even when unfamiliar numbers of things were introduced. In other words, having learned that two was more than one and three more than two, they could also figure out that five was more than two, or eight more than six.”
Spanish Author Puts Down Pen To Protest Piracy
“‘Given that I have today discovered that more illegal copies of my book have been downloaded than I have sold, I am announcing officially that I will not publish another book for a long time,’ Lucía Etxebarria announced on her Facebook page.”
Gene Summers, 83, Modernist Architect Who Helped Save Downtown L.A.
“[A] former associate of modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, [he] bought and renovated the rundown Biltmore Hotel with a business partner, reviving interest in downtown L.A. and helping spark its revitalization.”
Dance Theater Of Harlem To Be Revived
DTH officials have “announced the start of auditions to create a new stripped down troupe of 18 dancers, which will begin rehearsing in August and touring in October and aims to return to a New York stage by April 2013.” The company shut down in 2004.