The plant-based aromatics are known to most people through the story of the Three Magi and the Christ Child, and frankincense is known to some through the incense used in some churches, but both substances have histories that go back to pre-Christian antiquity. In fact, over the centuries, even Christianity’s relationship with the pair has been ambivalent. — Aeon
Author: Matthew Westphal
The Art And Science Of Hollywood Prosthetics (Or, How Christian Bale Was Metamorphosed Into Dick Cheney)
“Bale’s startling transformation is just the latest step forward in Hollywood for a booming prosthetics industry. For years, prosthetics were deep in the uncanny valley, making actors who wore them look not quite human, but recent advances in materials and expertise have allowed artists to create remarkable likenesses.” — The New York Times
A Symphony Orchestra In Kinshasa Changes Congolese Lives
A reporter travels to the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to meet the conductor and musicians of the Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra and its choir as they rehearse Mendelssohn. (video) — Deutsche Welle
When Lin-Manuel Miranda Brought ‘Hamilton’ To Puerto Rico (And Things Got A Bit Complicated)
As rare as it is for touring Broadway shows to visit the island, there was little doubt that Miranda would take his hit to the place where his parents were born and raised and where he visited grandparents every summer. Yet, as Michael Paulson reports, things haven’t gone entirely as expected. — The New York Times
In Search Of The Real Individuals Shown In Historic European Paintings Of Black People
When Denise Murrell noticed that art historians’ discussions of Édouard Manet’s painting Olympia always mentioned the model for the naked white courtesan and never mentioned the model for the black servant, she set out on what would become a career-long mission. — The New York Times
Could Banksy’s Painting-Shredding Stunt Lead To Revealing His Identity?
Sure, the purchaser of Girl with Balloon Love Is in the Bin claims to be happy with the unexpectedly altered work for which they paid $1.4 million. But, as certain observers point out, the shredding was arguably a crime, and if he were prosecuted, he would have to be publicly identified. — The New York Observer
Cleveland Orchestra Is Making Digitized Archives Accessible In Two Ways
First, the orchestra is gradually making all its historic scrapbooks (with concert flyers, program booklets, newspaper articles, etc.) available online. Second, a new touch-screen terminal called the “Magic Box” will make background materials on current concert programs available to audience members at Severance Hall. — The Plain Dealer (Cleveland)
Sono Osato, Star Of Ballets Russes And Broadway, Dead At 99
“[She] toured the world with the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo, performed with the Ballet Theater in New York and then gained acclaim on Broadway in the World War II-era musicals One Touch of Venus and On the Town,” in which she played “all-American girl” Ivy Smith. — The New York Times
‘Building A More Inclusive American Theater’: The New Director Of The Long Wharf In New Haven
Jacob Padrón: “When I’m thinking about what plays to put on stages I ask: one, does the story reflect the community I am in and, two, is the story in conversation with the world? Those are the two big questions that will guide a lot of my thinking at Long Wharf.” — Connecticut Magazine
San Marco In Venice Accuses Italian Government Of Failing To Protect It From Floods
“On 29 October, for only the fifth time in the church’s thousand-year history — but the second since 2000 — water penetrated its main body, covering the inlaid marble floor in front of the altar of the Madonna Nicopeia” as the city was flooded. San Marco’s chief administrator said that the historic building “aged 20 years in one day.” — The Art Newspaper