A mathematical process known as “stylometry” is being developed in an effort to change the way art experts authenticate paintings. Teams of engineers, working with art experts and students, are attempting to quantify a “visual signature” for Vincent Van Gogh. The techniques in play are similar to those used “to determine the authorship of letters, literary texts, and even musical compositions.”
Author: sbergman
Making Dance More Than Just A Set of Steps
Intensive dance instruction for those looking to make a career in the field is nice and all, but what about elementary-level dance education for the general schoolkids of the world that actually seems relevant to their everyday life? “About seven years ago, Alvin Ailey educators broadened their school visits to include more than just dance technique… The lessons tap into the life of the famed African-American dancer to bring to light history and social issues.”
Free Stuff Coming To Baltimore (Again)
The city of Baltimore is hoping to repeat the success it had last fall when dozens of arts organizations scrapped admission charges to select shows, concerts, lectures, etc. The city council is on the verge of approving a $500,000 grant to underwrite another edition of Free Fall Baltimore, as the admission-free fest is called.
Should Harvard Professors Know How To Teach?
“Harvard is where academic superstars are continually expected to revolutionize their fields of knowledge. Cutting-edge research is emphasized, and recognized with tangible rewards: tenure, money, prestige, prizes, fame.” But should these expert researchers be expected to be great teachers as well? A new internal report calls for “sweeping institutional change, including continuing evaluation and assessment of teaching and learning, and a proposal that teaching be weighed equally with contributions to research in annual salary adjustments.”
Mr. Mamet Goes To Washington
David Mamet is turning to politics for his next play, slated to open on Broadway this fall. Mamet’s last overtly political work was the screenplay for the popular 1997 movie Wag the Dog. The new play “is a contemporary comedy about a president named Charles Smith and is set a few days before the election, in which he is running as an incumbent. The action unfolds over one day and involves, according to a synopsis provided by the producers, ‘civil marriage, gambling casinos, lesbians, American Indians, presidential libraries, questionable pardons and campaign contributions.'”
Arts Funding Zeroed Out In Palm Beach
Arts funding for small and midsize groups in Palm Beach County, Florida, is being wiped out to pay for a property tax cut. “The [cultural development] fund has not increased since 2003 and represented only 0.00018 percent of last year’s $4.4 billion county budget,” but county officials decided to remove it from the 2008 budget.
Pops Rage In Boston
A fight broke out this week at a Boston Pops concert. No, seriously. “The fight, caught on camera by several local television stations, showed what appeared to be several females surrounding a man who was wildly swinging. One man’s shirt was ripped off of him.”
Smithsonian Looks For Preservation Partner
“The Smithsonian Institution has accelerated its search for a public or private partner to redevelop its landmark Arts and Industries Building, which has been closed to the public for three years since pieces of the roof began collapsing.”
Classical Radio Flying High In LA
“Two months after its main rival switched dial positions, [Los Angeles] classical radio station KUSC-FM (91.5) has attracted the most donors in its history, reflecting a substantial jump in listeners… New members came from 34 states besides California, thanks to the station’s Internet transmissions. KUSC, based at USC, is the nation’s largest nonprofit classical music station.”
Making An Epic Fit The Stage
The stage version of Lord of the Rings, which had a fairly short and unsuccessful run in Toronto last summer, is headed to London, and producers are hoping that a number of changes will put the hugely expensive show on the right track. “Gone are the long speeches, some minor characters and one intermission. It has been trimmed, crucially, to three hours, a length designed to test neither patience nor posteriors.”