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Book: Museum As Launderer

Paul Werner has a particularly harsh take on the role of American museums. “The role of the American art museum is to launder the money of its trustees and sponsors, not, as you may think, by turning one asset (‘cocaine,’ for instance) into another asset (say, ‘Rembrandts’), but by turning artworks into objects of authority and trust – objects that mediate and are mediated by the worth of money. The American art museum turns art into buzz the way its owners turn pork bellies into pork-belly futures.”

Failing, Hollywood Style

In Hollywood, success comes with the most public of accolades, and the richest of financial rewards. So it stands to reason that failure on the Tinseltown stage would be an equally dramatic event. “Hollywood is so enamored by success that few people can cope with the flop sweat of failure… After a fall, some people flee the city, seeking refuge. Others stay inside, the doors closed and lights dim. After all, who wants to work the room when your friends, not to mention your enemies, can barely disguise their glee at seeing you fall on your face?”

Chicago Lyric In The Black Yet Again

“Lyric Opera of Chicago posted a surplus for its third consecutive season and for the 18th time in the last 19 campaigns. According to preliminary results announced at its annual meeting Monday, Lyric had a surplus of $140,000 on a budget of $49.2 million last season… Lyric officials also reported that more than 277,000 tickets were sold — or 95 percent of Civic Opera House capacity — in the 83-performance season of 2005-06, bringing in $27.2 million at the box office.”

Turner Shortlist Announced

The shortlist for the always-controversial Turner Prize has been announced in the UK. Sculptor Rebecca Warren (known for using twigs and bits of fluff in her work,) photographer Phil Collins, mixed-media artist Mark Titchner, and painter Tomma Abts will vie for the £40,000 prize, which will be announced in December, following public viewings of the work of all four finalists.

Tiptoeing Into The Brave New World

The world of bloggers, on-demand media, and participatory journalism has required a lot of adjustment from the traditional press, and those at the helm of America’s public broadcasters have been struggling to decide which elements of the global online world they can afford to embrace, and which ones they can’t afford not to.

Take Your Author To Work Day

“With authors fiercely battling for attention in a media-saturated world, an increasing number of writers — from first-time novelists like Ms. Dean to celebrities like Madeleine K. Albright, the former Secretary of State — are visiting people where they spend much of their time: at work… A growing roster of corporations, including Microsoft, Boeing, Google and Altria, the owner of brands like Philip Morris and Kraft Foods, have played host to writers in their offices. Even the United States Treasury Department has invited nearly 40 authors to speak over the last two years. Executives see the author readings as akin to other perks like in-house gyms, subsidized cafeterias and financial advice.”