Author: ArtsJournal2

London Is Getting More Theatres, But Why?

Well, here’s why – it’s a numbers thing. “The authoritative Theatres Trust reckons there are currently 263 theatres in London. It’s about the same number as Tokyo, whereas Paris has around 350. New York tops the list with well over 400. Producers believe more tickets could be sold in London. But first they need more places to originate shows in and to transfer existing shows to.” – BBC

Remaking – And Getting Rid Of – The Top Ten List

Emily Nussbaum, TV critic for The New Yorker, is over the “false hierarchy” of TV shows, especially when they center men behaving badly. “It’s not about creating a new hierarchy. It’s about exploding the false status anxiety and, to a certain extent, the gender bias that’s basically kept all of those [female-centered] shows categorized as ‘optional’ shows that girls and teenagers watch. It’s like: topple the top 10 list, the anxious hierarchy. Look across the universe at different kinds of creativity.” – The Millions

The Architect Who Believes In Beautiful Scaffolding

Well, let’s be real: Susanna Sirefman wanted a better design for the “sidewalk shed” portion of scaffolding – that is, the part that people (say, New Yorkers) generally walk through. “The winning design had to be safe or safer, provide better storefront access, create a 180-degree different experience for pedestrians, use state-of-the-art building technologies, be easily installed, and complement a mix of streetscapes. And be beautiful.” – The New York Times

Growing Up Bauhaus

What did it mean to be the daughter of two people who profoundly shaped the look of the 20th century – and today? “My father stepped into my beige-carpeted room and said, ‘These old places sure do have a lot of molding.’ I commented, ‘It’s kind of sweet, isn’t it?’ He turned pale. ‘If you like molding, you are a fool and a failure.‘ The profound disappointment in his voice made the charge sting even more.” – Los Angeles Times

The Comic Play About Vaccinations (And Anti-Vaccine Parents)

Wait, what? “In the first act, the principal presides over a ‘Community Activated Conversation’ with parents (also known as a Facebook Live chat) to talk about an outbreak of mumps. The conversation does not go well. ‘We’re all threatened by your ANTI-SCIENCE DEATH CULT,’ one parent offers. ‘Do what you want,”’comes the reply, ‘just keep your POISON off my kids.'” – The New York Times

The Turner Prize-Winning Artist Who Cut A Car In Two To Match A Divided Painting

Simon Starling, a Scottish artist who lives and works in Copenhagen: “I have occasionally made shows where I try to connect to two venues in a single exhibition, and I guess, because of what’s happening in Britain with Brexit, it seemed like an irresistible moment to make an exhibition about a divided painting.” (And car.) – The Observer (UK)

Skewering The Ultra-Rich While Getting The Details Of Their Mansions Right Is Next-Level Scouting

Not to mention the demands on the set dresser. No, really, this is how Succession works: “They decided it would be impractical to haul equipment and a crew to shoot in a hunting lodge near [Lake Placid], reversed course, and settled on shooting in the Otto Kahn mansion, nicknamed Oheka Castle, in Long Island. Carter drove out to take a look at Oheka in the dead of winter, and inspiration struck: ‘We’re like, This feels like Hungary, why don’t we pitch that it’s in Hungary?‘” – Vulture

Issa Lopez Bursts Onto The Horror Scene

López, a Mexican director and writer, defied convention and expectations to create a new horror film that addresses the real-life horrors of drug cartels (with a side dose of fantasy along with the horror). Why unexpected? Well: “Penning rom-coms for sale, or ‘wrong-coms’ as López humorously dubs them, gained her access to the big screen just as major U.S. studios started producing movies in Mexico.” – Los Angeles Times