In New York, the epicenter of Black drag ball culture, dance and performance has always been a protest and a claim, say founders and members. Jack Mizrahi Gucci of the House of Gucci: “Doing it on the street, doing it in front of a cop car – it’s letting you know, ‘I’m here. I matter.'” – The New York Times
Author: ArtsJournal2
Are Sex Scenes Over Now?
At least, until we get a vaccine? – The Atlantic
The Artist Making Seattle’s Boarded-Up Sites His Canvas
Malcom Procter, street artist and clothing designer, as he paints the plywood covering Nordstrom’s in downtown Seattle: “Never did I think I’d get a canvas like this. … This is a dream spot for sure. I’m going to bring my grandma out.” – Los Angeles Times
Federal Judge Rules The Trump Administration May Not Block John Bolton’s Book
Bolton’s lawyer; “The full story of these events has yet to be told—but it will be.” – Slate
What The Horrifyingly Endless Videos Of Black Pain Mean
Writer Elizabeth Alexander: “Seeing is important, and helps you understand. But I think the repetition of that image without thought to who’s watching it and how it affects them is something that we could work on a little bit.” – The New York Times
Why Werner Herzog Loves So-Called Trash TV
The director in lockdown says he reads and watches everything: “WrestleMania. The Kardashians. I’m fascinated by it. So I don’t say read Tolstoy and nothing else. Read everything. See everything. The poet must not avert his eyes.” – The Guardian (UK)
Why The National Trust Changed Its Stance On Confederate Statues
After the murders in Charleston and in Charlottesville, the National Trust for Historic Preservation encouraged contextualization of monuments to the Confederacy. But now, “we thought long and hard about that and decided that it was really important for us to go ahead and make a firmer statement that when they’re used for the purpose of which they were intended — to glorify, promote and reinforce white supremacy overtly or implicitly, we support their removal.” – Los Angeles Times
The Uncounted Lives That ‘Rocky Horror’ Has Saved
Sorry, Cats!, “It’s the ultimate cult movie. The first. The biggest. The one cult movie to rule them all.” And despite the Covid-19 shutdowns, Rocky Horror Picture Show devotees have found ways to be with their found families across the globe. – BBC
Serious Questions For Arts Organizations Entering The Political Arena
Here’s the issue with the issues, at least around race: “Such efforts to meaningfully contribute to the conversation are especially sensitive because many of the institutions are led by white executives who answer to boards largely made up of wealthy white trustees. That composition has long fueled suspicion that arts organizations are inherently resistant to — or incapable of — real change.” – The New York Times
The Sistine Chapel Reopens, To Much Smaller Crowds
If you’re not worried about Covid-19, now may be the time to visit Rome and the Vatican, where the museums have a limited number of people allowed per hour and many other coronavirus precautions. One Italian reporter in the Vatican Museums: “I decided to come because there are no Americans or other tourists. I hope the pandemic never happens again, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” – NPR