Statues have symbolic power. “The statues in public squares, the names on street signs, the generals honored with military bases — these are the ways in which we, as a society, tell each other what we value, and build the common heritage around which we construct a nation.”
Author: ArtsJournal2
Latin American Galleries Launch A Cooperative In Los Angeles
Here’s a model that could prove sustainable in the middle of the crazed art fair cycle: “At a modest cost of $2,500—the rent divided between the five galleries—each space effectively gets a four-month presence in Los Angeles, as opposed to four days at an art fair.”
Fairy Tales Are Useful, Often As Warnings Or Behavioral Guides
The stories we tell matter: “We are born into a certain world, and how we navigate that world is part spunk and part, frankly, wariness and warning.”
The Berkshire Museum Defends Its Planned But Controversial Art Sale
Facing massive blowback, including from Norman Rockwell’s sons, “Berkshire Museum officials held their ground, citing decades of financial losses that, in recent years, amounted to million-dollar annual budget shortfalls on a yearly budget of $2.4 million. The institution had struggled with deficits for 30 years, they said, and needed to fundamentally reinvent itself — or face closure within eight years.”
Some Musicians In Santa Monica Are Not Pleased With A Right-Wing Radio Host Guest Conductor
Dennis Prager will conduct Haydn’s Symphony No. 51 this week at a Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra fundraiser. “Prager’s day job, however, has members of the orchestra up in arms — and laying down their instruments. He is a conservative talk show host who often targets multiculturalism, Muslims and LGBTQ people.”
Netflix Poaches Grey’s Anatomy & Scandal’s Shonda Rhimes From ABC
Why is this news? Because Rhimes is one of the biggest TV talents around – and also, Netflix locking her down to develop shows for the streaming service “is the latest twist in a battle between Disney and Netflix for entertainment-industry supremacy.”
Here’s How Theatres Can Welcome And Work With Professional Artists With Disabilities
This is practical info. First of all, silence around accessibility is not going to help. Second, plan ahead. “If you want to produce a play that has three Deaf characters, start allocating money for professional ASL interpreters several months in advance. If you want to stage an inclusive musical in a ‘historical’ venue that is inaccessible to performers who use wheelchairs, start researching retro-fits and accessible ramps, and make friends with an architect or designer who can help.”
How Watching Movies Outside In A Cemetery Became A Los Angeles Summer Thing
The whole thing started with a film club in 2002. But then, “Cinespia has sold out each of its screenings, with thousands of attendees per its 25 screenings a season over the last several years. ‘The experience of watching a classic film with 4,000 people heightens the experience, it’s something you cannot get in front of your computer at home alone.'”
Top AJBlog Posts From The Weekend Of 08.13.17
Frank Sinatra Sings Brahms
The Importance of the Familiar You know how it feels when you unexpectedly hear a familiar piece of music—any kind of music? You get that jolt and you say, oh I love that song/piece. Or … read more
AJBlog: The Bright RidePublished 2017-08-13
And Finally, From Ystad
The Ystad Sweden Jazz Festival ran six days and was packed with so much music that there was no chance of hearing it all. Here are brief impressions of a few more … read more
AJBlog: RiffTidesPublished 2017-08-13
The Carsten Dahl Experience, Deborah Brown & Lundgren Twice
At the Ystads Konstmuseum, the Carsten Dahl Experience was, indeed, an experience. After launching his career as a drummer, Dahl taught himself piano in the early 1980s and quickly developed formidable technique … read more
AJBlog: RiffTidesPublished 2017-08-11
Save the Forsaken 40! Protest March Tomorrow by Opponents of Berkshire Museum’s Art Sales
Opponents of the Berkshire Museum’s planned sale of 40 artworks from its collection plan to stage a protest march tomorrow (Saturday), 9 a.m.-noon, on the sidewalk in front of the Berkshire Museum, South Street, Pittsfield, MA. … read more
AJBlog: CultureGrrlPublished 2017-08-11
The Tanzania Albinism Collective Say Music Has Saved Their Lives
The group toured Britain after experiencing a songwriting workshop and immediately recording an album. “The album swings wildly – from moments of beauty to blasts of anger, from big group numbers with people grabbing whatever is to hand for percussion (one features a rainwater barrel being hit by a sledgehammer) to dance songs where someone has clearly found the keyboard’s demo button and simply sung over the top. There is often a stark contrast between the song titles – Stop the Murders, Stigma Everywhere – and the fun of the music.”