Author: Matthew Westphal

As Australia’s Elections Approach, Here’s Where The Parties Stand On The Arts

Jane Howard: “I frame this as a serious question: what is the use of investment in the arts if climate change is continually ignored? … Or, to put it another way, if politicians won’t even face the looming catastrophe that is global extinction, how low must the arts then rate on their interest scale? But, as an arts journalist, I must consider: what is there in this election for the arts?” – The Guardian (Kill Your Darlings)

First-Ever Biennale Of Australian Art Has Collapsed Into Insolvency

“It seemed like a good idea at the time. Bringing hundreds of Australian artists together in [an inland, non-state-capital] city for a large arts festival could turbo-charge Ballarat’s creative industries, and bring thousands of tourists to the city.” The event did take place, ending in November, but many artists and vendors haven’t been paid, and the organizers owe creditors about ten times the assets on hand. – The Guardian

Australia’s Top Professional Vocal Ensemble Suddenly Declares Bankruptcy

The Song Company, a chamber group that has been performing repertoire from the medieval to the brand-new for 35 years, abruptly announced that it is entering (as it’s called in Australia) Voluntary Administration. While the ensemble’s board hopes to stave off liquidation and reorganize, all scheduled concerts after this weekend are cancelled. – The Sydney Morning Herald

This Ancient Art Form Is Practiced Every Morning In Front Of Houses All Over South India

“A physical form of prayer and symbol of protection, a daily exercise, and a moment of intense concentration and meditation, drawing kolam is an important household ritual that has a lot more to it than may first meet the eye. Two very different women living in Chennai explain their shared passion for kolam, and their involvement in the local kolam competition.” (video) – Yahoo! (BBC)

Sackler/Kanders: My 1978 ARTnews Exposé on Met’s Sackler Enclave (plus: my takes on opioids, tear gas)

The Met’s now-defunct Sackler Enclave — a 600-square-foot office and storage space on the museum’s premises, named for the oldest brother, Arthur (who died before OxyContin was developed), run by his personal curator, and housing prime examples from his private collection of Far Eastern art — was arguably an infraction of museum ethics. – Lee Rosenbaum