“Publishing executives said the word-of-mouth excitement accompanying Fifty Shades of Grey was reminiscent of that accompanying novels like The Da Vinci Code, The Kite Runner and Eat, Pray, Love. Except this book has been credited with something else: introducing women who usually read run-of-the-mill literary or commercial fiction to graphic, heavy-breathing erotica. “
Author: ArtsJournal2
The British Arts Rest In His (Generous, And Ageing) Hands
“The name Jerwood is ubiquitous in the arts, adorning playhouses, dance studios, rehearsal spaces, student bursaries, prizes ranging from drawing to dance, exhibitions and now an art gallery. Jerwood is the great enabler, the crucial partner without which the Royal Court would have closed. And Jerwood is controlled absolutely by a single, 84-year-old retired lawyer, driving it on a path of cultural philanthropy.”
Is It A Problem That Celebrated Artist David Hockney Doesn’t Draw Blossoms Very Well?
“All blossoms share a characteristic and a significance: they’re frail, and they have a transience that, in Potter’s words, reminds us of the ‘nowness of everything.’ In only one or two pictures does Hockney’s blossom suggest that. Mostly, the blossom looked solid enough to stick to its bushes for ever, writhing from branches like a crop of impaled yellow slugs. I never thought that blossom could look so evil.”
Frank Lloyd Wright, Doghouse Architect
“Frank Lloyd Wright designed hundreds of landmark buildings and homes during a prolific career that spanned more than 70 years. But in what is widely considered a first and only for the famed architect, Wright indulged a young boy’s humble request for a doghouse in 1956 and sent him designs.”
Hey, Theatre Bigmouths: Back Off, And Let It All Flourish
“Everyone seems to believe they will (or have) discover(ed) some brand of theatre that will save the art, making it more resonant and vital, returning audiences to the live theatre, crushing film and television and blah blah blah. Often these grievances and corresponding solutions are tied (somehow) to solving the financial crisis we face. I call bullshit.”
Fine, You Can Have Your Fringe Tickets Early – And It’s Not Because Of The Olympics
The program of events isn’t up yet, but “the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has bowed to external pressure and has started selling tickets for this year’s event through its own website.”
Artist Damien Hirst On Himself, Those Spot Paintings, And Much More
On his first spot painting: “I stuck it outside behind a barn. Millicent [Wilner] from Gagosian came down to visit and she was freaking out: ‘Why have you put it there? In the rain! Jesus Christ, Damien!’ It was like gold because it was me, but, really, it’s shit.”
Salman Rushdie Says E-book Antitrust Lawsuit Will Destroy Authors
“Seems that the US Justice Dept wants to destroy the world of books,” he wrote on his Twitter page.
“Anyone who thinks that fair pricing that allows authors to make a living is a cabal or cartel system is deep in the grip of Napsterism.”
Google Plans Yet Another Social Network – With An Evil Moustache, No Less
“Schemer learns what sort of stuff you’re into, and will serve up activities based on your past preferences and locations. And it’s both web and mobile app-based (as evidenced by our devious little Android above), so location can follow your mobile check-ins.” Blah blah check-ins … but wait: It’s integrated with (the also anemic) Google Plus.
Wearing The Costumes And Eating The Food – But Is This History At All Real?
Re-enactors of the War of 1812 create a history for Canada. But “the reality is murkier. Canadians weren’t yet Canadians. The term was still applied mostly to francophones, and when Upper Canada was created in 1791 – a mere eight years after the U.S. War of Independence ended – it was designed more as a bulwark against the American expansionists than a statement of New World identity.”