“Adding a star packs the house, allowing producers to command top dollar for tickets, but here’s the rub: Most stars can agree only to limited engagements because of film and TV commitments. And when a star departs, attendance generally dips.”
Author: ArtsJournal2
Is Modern Architecture A Disaster For Japan? (And How Can Architects Fix That?)
Glass, steel and concrete – building materials born out of other disasters – didn’t serve Japan well during the earthquake and tsunami. Architect Kengo Kuma has some other ideas about how to build for a country plagued by natural disasters.
That Time Magazine Breastfeeding Cover Has Some Art Historical Origins (Really)
“Though the cover may make some readers squeamish, its imagery has a precedent deep in art history, where the image of a woman breast-feeding — and even breast-feeding someone older than a child — is less controversial.”
As Arts Center Closure Looms, Rwandan Artists Hold Conference About Cultural Preservation
“Ishyo was granted an extension until 30 September. However, the impending closure of the arts centre demonstrates the lack of infrastructure to support the conservation of Rwandan culture. ‘We are an oral society,’ said Ruzibiza. ‘We are losing many people. The elders are dying and are taking all this knowledge with them. We have to take the opportunity right now to document everything.'”
Joyce Redman, Exuberant Tom Jones Eating Scene Actress, 96
“For better and worse, Ms. Redman’s fieriness as an actress was most memorably on display in her portrayal in Tom Jones of the promiscuous Mrs. Waters, with whom Tom locks eyes in lusty communion as they devour one course after another in a crescendo of sexual anticipation. Haskel Frankel described it in The Times in 1981 as ‘one of the funniest, most sensual scenes ever put on film without removing one stitch of clothing.'”
London Theatre Names Its First Woman Artistic Director
“The Royal Court theatre in London has named Vicky Featherstone, head of the National Theatre of Scotland, as its first female artistic director. Featherstone, who kicked off her career as an unpaid assistant director at the Royal Court, will succeed Dominic Cooke when he steps down in April 2013.”
Revived Arts Festival In Iraq Leaves Out Song And Dance
A spring arts festival returns to Babylon, Iraq, near the infamous “Triangle of Death” – but without its previous singing and dancing. Is that to counter memories of Saddam Hussein’s festivals or to cater to religious hardliners?
What The F*&%, Hollywood? Back Off The F-Bombs
“Despite what anyone claims about the modern acceptance of and appetite for language of the roughest, rawest, most graphic sort, the truth is that a huge contingent of the paying crowd objects to it still.”
The Arts And Political Protest In Chicago
As Chicago activists turn up the heat for NATO protests, many of them are making art. It’s a messy business with uncertain results – like democracy, they say. “There really has been a resurgence in the visual culture of protest. … It is all about branding the message effectively. Whether you’re selling a product or promoting an idea, a picture really can be worth a thousand words.”
Trove Of Ira Gershwin Letters Cleared For Sale
“The typed and handwritten letters are a treasure trove of insight into Ira Gershwin’s thoughts about his family’s music and musicians of his generation in the musical theater scene.”