Sure, the Armory Show is a big one, but every fair needs its gimmick. “As fairs proliferate, to about 300 worldwide, their organizers introduce new features, like panel discussions and concerts, meant to add intellectual heft and to cultivate and entertain broader audiences.” (This one isn’t perfect.) – The New York Times
Author: ArtsJournal2
The Oregon Shakepeare Festival’s New Director Is Still Surprised By How Much Audiences Love Her Theatres
Despite the issues of the past ten years – forest fire smoke, some ugly moments in the town between a small business owner and some company members, not to mention that beam collapse in 2011 – the Oregon Shakespeare Festival seems to be thriving. New AD Nataki Garrett says, “‘I’ve never been to a theater where people move to a city to be closer to the theater’ … She’s talking about the passion and dedication of the festival’s nationwide audience, and about inheriting the leadership of a company that can inspire fans to not just buy tickets but rent U-Hauls.” – Oregon Artswatch
The Towns Around Coachella Are Getting Nervous
And not just because thousands of partying music fans are heading their way – or rather, yes, because of that, and the potential for all those possible carriers of COVID-19 to be in one hot, sweaty place, together. – Los Angeles Times
Quibi Is Coming Hard And Fast, Whatever It Actually Is
The short-video media service debuts in April with 50 shows and a lot of Hollywood stars. But seriously: What is it? First of all: Quibi is short (of course) for Quick bites. Cute. – The New York Times
Iranian Directors Are Talking About Censorship And Not Backing Down
As the Iranian government grows more repressive of artists, director Mohammed Rasoulof was banned from leaving the country and jailed for a year. “Punishment like Rasoulof’s is an all-too common story in contemporary Iranian cinema, a thriving, internationally respected scene. Yet despite the government’s repressive measures — its approval is required for shoots and screenings — he and other directors have grown more emboldened to speak out, in formal letters, on awards stages, through social media and on film.” – The New York Times
The Next Stage For Interpretive Dance: The Disney Parade
So of course there are floats and princesses and the requisite Disney Doing Disney Things going on with the Magic Happens parade, but: “The stars of Magic Happens are the dancers, significantly elevated from their traditional role revving up the crowd with upbeat moves between set pieces. The 90-or-so performers are graced with heavily theatrical choreography, which at times borders on interpretive dance. In turn, Magic Happens possesses a keen awareness of dance as a language.” – Los Angeles Times
If TV Ends, What Comes Next?
Snapchat is trying to figure it out, but guess what? Condensing narrative into tiny, smart-phone-attention-span-sized pieces is a challenge. “There’s no time for slow builds on mobile.” – Vulture
The Walkout At The ‘French Oscars’ Shows The Massive Fracture In French Film (And Society)
Unsurprisingly – but not a great look for the men of French cinema – mostly women have supported Adèle Haenel after she walked out when Roman Polanski was awarded for his film about the Dreyfus Affair. But even France’s Minister of Culture doesn’t think the award looks good at a moment when the #MeToo movement is truly starting to explode in France. – Le Monde
The Met’s New Dutchman
What’s new? Well, a new Dutchman (Bryn Terfel got hurt, preventing him from singing at the Met again), a new Senta, and an entirely new production that’s dream-like, “a heady mixture of painted elements, video and dance that continues throughout the intermissionless performance.” – The New York Times
The West End’s 180-Year-Old Costume Shop, Angels, Is Closing Because Of London’s Rent Increases
Its company director said that although the direct reason was a redevelopment scheme by the landlord, the store couldn’t find another place in the West End. She said, “At present, an independent store owner can be paying well over half-a-million pounds per year in rates and rents to take over an empty unit without stairs or fitted toilets. … That’s before you’ve done the flooring, fitted it out, hired staff and taken a single sale.” – The Stage (UK)