Seriously, where? “Few works have evoked as much intrigue, either in the world of art or among the courts of Persian Gulf royals. First, its authenticity as the product of Leonardo’s own hand was the subject of intense debate. Then, in November 2017, it became the most expensive work ever sold at auction, fetching $450.3 million from an anonymous bidder. … Now, the painting is shrouded in a new mystery: Where in the world is Salvator Mundi?” – The New York Times
Author: ArtsJournal2
The Major Cinema Chains Are Badly Exploiting Their Cleaning Staffs
This is bad: “The major chains — AMC, Regal Entertainment and Cinemark — no longer rely on teenage ushers to keep the floors from getting sticky. Instead, they have turned to a vast immigrant workforce, often hired through layers of subcontractors. That arrangement makes it almost impossible for janitors to make a living wage.” – Variety
LeBron May Not Be Playing Much Basketball, But He Is Starting To Be A Big Player In Hollywood
Possibly the most Company Town thing in this story: “Studios, networks and production companies all over town want to be in the LeBron James business. And not only for his screen presence — even though his performance in Amy Schumer’s Trainwreck was considered a revelation. He and his SpringHill team are very good for business (also, many Hollywood executives are LeBron fans).” – Los Angeles Times
A Newly Discovered Photo Of Harriet Tubman Goes On Display
This is a great discovery because it’s of a young, casually seated Tubman, wearing elegant clothing. Obviously, there’s wrong with a freedom fighter looking older and more pensive when she’s older, but it’s good to have new information about her. – The New York Times
Britain’s National Theatre Changes Structure At The Top
Rufus Norris, who was the National Theatre’s director, and Lisa Burger, who was the theatre’s executive director, will now be sharing power as co-directors. OK, but what does that actually mean? “We have a clear and shared vision for the theatre, which will see it being more national, more representative and more resonant than ever.” (Ahem, so, only male playwrights?) – The Stage (UK)
Eleven Movies That Influenced The Look And Feel Of ‘Us’
You know, The Nutcracker is an obvious one. (And, of course, Dead Again – you probably knew that from the scissors.) – Los Angeles Times
How The Heck Does An Art Detective Find A Stolen Picasso?
Basically, you gain the trust of, to put it politely, some shady folks. “There comes a point, you know, when a stolen artwork that’s circulating in the criminal community – security in a drugs deal here, part-payment in an arms deal there – just becomes a burden. Something to be got rid of. ” – The Guardian (UK)
Why Are We Still Talking (And Making Documentary Art) About This Man, Jailed For Murdering His Ex-Girlfriend?
Yes, if you’ve listened to all (or even most) of NPR’s wildly popular true-crime podcast Serial, you might not be ready for an HBO special on Adnan Syed. But would you be if the story concerned Hae Min Lee, the murdered girl at the center of the case? For director Amy Berg, that’s the point. – The New York Times
How To Pick The Perfect Seat In The Movie Theatre
You’ll know the worst seat – i.e., the front row. “The existence of a worst, then, must suggest its opposite: The ideal seat. The perfect focal point that maximizes your visual and aural experience. Does it exist?” It’s science, y’all. – Popular Science
Poet, Playwright, And Sociologist Eve Ewing Is ‘The True Mayor Of Chicago’
Well, not really, but she does have more than one finger on the pulse of Chicago’s fiery cultural heart, and she writes about it in more than one way. “Part of me is an extremely argumentative person, and I really also enjoy just finding information and seeing how I can piece it together to figure out something that had previously seemed inscrutable. But part of me just likes to play and I think poetry allows for that a little bit more.” – The Cut