“Is there any difference between the modern pantheon of superheroes and the myths of the Greeks or the Vikings? The sheer richness and resonance we find in these fabulous beings – the darkness of Batman, the sensitivity of Spiderman, the purity of Superman – resembles the richness of interpretation and portrayal that has made the Greek myths survive into modern times. You can even draw direct parallels between the comic book heroes and the ancient heroes and gods. Superman is Apollo and, in moments of extreme action, Hercules. Batman is Achilles. Spiderman is Mercury.”
Author: Matthew Westphal
Moving 39 Steps Away From Hitchcock
“The woman behind a new BBC film adaptation of The Thirty-Nine Steps is braced for complaints this Christmas from fans of previous screen portrayals of the classic adventure. Gone from her version is Mr Memory, the music hall performer cruelly shot as he reveals the secret at the core of the story; gone is the gripping scene on the Forth Bridge; gone is the villain’s tell-tale missing finger joint (or rather, it is back); and gone, too, is the hero’s death-defying struggle on the clockface of Big Ben.”
Even At 100, Elliott Carter Still Gives Good Quote (And Lots Of It)
On his music and its reputation for complexity: “I’m not sure it’s complex. Contrapuntal music always has many lines coming together. What you’re hearing you should not analyze in detail – you’re hearing the total effect. This is not very different from classics, like Mozart… It may sound like some random piece of writing, but it isn’t at all.”
And: “To put it bluntly, when my second quartet was played here at Harvard, my old teacher Walter Piston said to me, ‘you know, if I knew what it sounded like, I would have put the four players in separate rooms and shut the doors.'”
Time Out New York For Sale
“The New York edition of Time Out is on the auction block with a cover price of up to $40 million (£26.8 million) after backers of the weekly magazine pressed for a sale in an attempt to generate profit on their 13-year investment. It is more successful than the original London title, with more than double the weekly circulation, but Tony Elliott, Time Out‘s founder, cannot afford to buy out his investment partners in the business.”
Andrés Duany Spanks British Architecture
The apostle of New Urbanism and designer of Seaside, Florida (and, not incidentally, an ally of the famously retro Prince Charles) “flew in from America and yesterday unveiled a 64-point litany of mistakes made by British architects and planners over the last 50 years. He accused architects of being ‘infantile’ in pursuing ego-driven visions and said they were ‘heedless of technical and social dysfunction and widespread lack of popularity’ caused by their designs.”
Virginia Symphony Tries The GM Approach
“The Virginia Symphony Orchestra submitted a request last month for a $1 million loan from the city of Norfolk, Executive Director Carla Johnson said Thursday. If the loan is not granted, the orchestra’s musicians may miss their next paycheck and the symphony could file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.”
Australia Opens A National Portrait Gallery
“Although a national portrait collection was begun 20 years ago, it was housed inadequately at Old Parliament House and has only now found a home built for the job. The 14,000 square metre, $87.8 million[Aus] building, designed by Johnson Pilton Walker, sits on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin, next to the High Court and the National Gallery.”
Royal Ballet Does Fashion Tie-In
“London’s Royal Ballet is looking beyond just ticket sales for revenue by teaming up with Italian dance and fitness clothes maker Freddy. In a partnership that could help the world-famous dance company ride out the recession, which is expected to hit demand for its shows, Freddy has designed a collection of clothes specifically for the dancers and another to go on general sale.”
Yes, Lehman Bros. Collection Will Be Liquidated
“Lehman Brothers has won permission to release, and sell, $8m (£5.4m) worth of art that once adorned office walls at the bankrupt investment bank.”
Dallas Lures Away Broward Center’s CEO
“Mark Nerenhausen, who for the past decade has led the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., will be the president and CEO of the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts, officials announced Thursday.” The $354 million Center, which opens next October, includes the new Winspear Opera House, Wyly Theatre, Annette Strauss Artist Square and City Performance Hall, all designed by marquee architects.
