“[The city government] will give grants to Off Broadway and other small theaters to install software that allows patrons to follow along with low-light smartphones and tablets. … The software, using voice recognition, can provide closed captioning of the spoken word, or audio description of stage action, on users’ mobile devices.”
Author: Matthew Westphal
YouTube’s Latest ‘Vlogging’ Stars Aren’t Even Real People
Kizuna Ai, an anime-style cartoon character with two million followers, “is part of an emerging trend where 3D avatars – rather than humans – are becoming celebrities on YouTube, with dedicated fan bases and corporate deals. It’s becoming so popular that one company is investing tens of millions in ‘virtual talent’ and talent agencies are being established to manage these avatars.”
Titian Painting Rips As It Falls Off A Wall
“The lower part of the painting, which depicts the Crucifixion (around 1555), was torn after the piece loosened due to weak wall fastenings [in a monastery at El Escorial in Spain]. Crucially, the figure of Christ was undamaged. ‘Detaching from the wall caused a considerable horizontal tear [across the canvas support],’ says an official statement.”
This One Neat Trick Helps Russia Suppress Box Office For Foreign Films
“[A new study] suggests that the Russian government has been indirectly restricting Hollywood and foreign films for the last four years by assigning them tight age restrictions. … As families and teenagers constitute a large proportion of moviegoers in Russia, industry sources say tighter age restrictions could cost foreign releases a significant share of potential box office gross, which could reach 15 percent-20 percent.”
Four Young Choreographers In London Who Are Making Dance Political
“They come from different backgrounds and take in a wide range of influences – from ballet, contemporary dance, physical theatre, Stanislavski and method acting, krumping and popping, contact improvisation. But they all lean towards political engagement, which gives a hint of what might be to come.”
This Business Exec/Art Detective Is Helping India Recover Looted Antiques
“S. Vijay Kumar, a shipping company executive based in Singapore, was instrumental in the return of a 12th-century Buddha stolen in India 57 years ago … [and] has dabbled in helping India recover its stolen antiques since 2007 … He speaks to The Art Newspaper about his investigations, which have led to the recovery of 28 such objects, with many more in the pipeline.”
When A Show Changes The Theatre It Plays In
“How often is it the case that a show made and performed in a theatre genuinely has an impact on the building and the way it operates?” Lyn Gardner remembers one very notable case, when the Battersea Arts Centre hosted Punchdrunk’s The Masque of the Red Death a decade ago. “If this happened more often, would the culture of the building change? … It’s a question that is particularly pertinent when considering work made by, and with, the community.”
Needs of the Field
Last time I shared some thoughts about the status of community engagement in the nonprofit arts industry. Today I want to offer a few observations about the needs of our field with respect to community engagement.
Banksy’s Hanky-Panky at Sotheby’s: Letting the Hot Air Out of Punctured “Balloon” — Part I
Banksy’s elaborately orchestrated send-up of the auction market — contriving to have his $1.4-million Girl with Balloon self-mutilate at the fall of the hammer on Friday at Sotheby’s London — is the subversive gift that keeps on giving.
Jonas Kaufmann vs. the Orchestra of St. Luke’s
It was a weird evening at Carnegie Hall. Rarely have I listened to an orchestra with such discomfort. Never have I responded to a tenor with such gratitude.