The magazine Artnet recently published a rave review of a gallery show of the paintings of Walter Robinson. But Robinson is also Artnet’s editor, with the power to hire and fire the freelance reviewer in question. Geoff Edgers smells a conflict of interest…
Author: sbergman
Should Gov’t Have To Pay For Sex And Violence?
Those who work in the Canadian film and TV industry may be screaming about censorship, but “the government’s attempt to deny tax credits to film and television productions that it deems offensive received rare applause yesterday from groups that argue tax dollars should not support depictions of graphic sex and violence.”
Is Community TV Breathing Its Last In Canada?
“Grassroots local TV has been a source of community information and a training ground for future professionals. But as part of a sweeping review, [Canada’s broadcasting regulatory commission] may rule cable distributors will no longer be required to carry the service.”
Mailer Memorial Packs Carnegie Hall
“You need a big block of time, and space, to say goodbye to Norman Mailer. More than 2,000 mourners filled Carnegie Hall to near capacity Wednesday for a two-hour-plus memorial, concert, literary tribute, family therapy session and Friars Club roast for the Pulitzer Prize-winning creator of The Armies of the Night and The Executioner’s Song.“
D.C. Company Sets Ambitious Pace
Washington, D.C.’s Arena Stage is boosting its season from eight productions to ten next year. “The company is seeking to prepare audiences for the magnitude of work it will generate come 2010. That’s when Arena will return to its Southwest Washington campus, which is undergoing a $125 million renovation.”
History Museum Reopening Pushed Back To Late Fall
“The National Museum of American History, closed for an extensive renovation since September 2006, will reopen in November.” The museum was originally supposed to reopen by this summer, but construction was complicated by the need to remove asbestos and lead paint from the 40-year-old building.
NY Could Move Arts Center Away From Ground Zero
“New York State’s top economic-development official has proposed moving the performing arts center planned for the former World Trade Center site and building it atop a vast subway station planned for downtown at Fulton Street and Broadway.”
HBO Names New Director Of Programming
In the wake of hits like “The Sopranos” and “Six Feet Under,” running HBO is one of the tougher jobs in the TV industry. How to keep the pay-TV network on its pedestal, when the next big Sopranos-like hit has yet to materialize? A new exec will take a stab at the job beginning this week.
Met Opera Hits A Sour Note With Ring Fans
“The Metropolitan Opera has ended its informal policy of giving previous subscribers to “Der Ring des Nibelungen” first crack at tickets for the next round of the four operas, which is scheduled for the spring of 2009. Instead preference will now go only to subscribers to the regular Met season and to patrons, in effect, imposing what the irked “Ring” fans view as a surcharge on the tickets they had a right to buy in the past.”
Online Shows To Find A Home On TV
MYSpace has signed a deal to distribute the TV shows it “airs” online to an array of overseas broadcasters. “The deal covers DVDs and merchandise but MySpace retains all net rights to its programmes.”