America’s magazines are generally color-deficient, reports the New York Observer. The mastheads for major magazines are notably lacking in diversity. “The magazine industry is probably the least diverse of any of the media. They’ve taken a real pass.”
Blog
Frey Admits Making Up Details In His Bestseller
“James Frey, the author of ‘A Million Little Pieces,’ which has been the best-selling book in the country since Oprah Winfrey selected it last fall for her television book club, said on ‘Larry King Live’ on CNN last night that he never expected his memoir to come under such close scrutiny. But he maintained that what he believes is the essence of the book is true: that he was an alcoholic and drug addict who overcame his addiction.”
Publisher Offers Refunds On Frey Book
After charges of fakery, James Frey’s publisher began offering refunds. “Readers calling Random House’s customer service line to complain Wednesday were told that if the book was bought directly from the publisher it could be returned for a full refund. Those who bought the book at a bookstore were told to try and return it to the store where it was bought.”
Kimmel Center Vs. Vinoly (Damn, It’s Tough To Make A Great Building)
Architect Rafael Viñoly and managers of Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center are fighting over design deficiencies. “The managers of the Kimmel Center, the home of the Philadelphia Orchestra, blame Mr. Viñoly’s firm for going $23 million over budget in the center’s construction. The case sheds light on an issue that has dogged architecture firms that attempt massive and politically difficult urban projects, while at the same time attempting to deliver state-of-the-art design.”
Bloggers Gang Up On Frey
James Frey is being attacked online over charges that his best-selling memoir is full of fraud. “On the message boards at Oprah.com (where the book is highly publicized and promoted as the most recent pick of the talk show queen’s popular book club), sentiments were largely of anger, betrayal and confusion. While some who joined the fray supported Frey claiming, as one did, that “true or untrue, [the book] is a great read.” Others called the author a “fraud” and a “liar” who presented fiction as fact for personal and financial gain.”
McManus: Musical ‘Oversupply’ No Excuse For Exploitation
Are U.S. and European orchestras facing an oversupply of qualified young musicians? AJ blogger Drew McManus doesn’t think so, since more musicians competing for fewer jobs can also mean a fresh supply of musically knowledgable individuals who might move into other areas of the industry. But “instead of seeing greater numbers of musicians as a benefit to the business, too many people may consider this as an ‘oversupply problem’ and attempt to force established musicians into accepting lower wages or, even worse, begin to establish new ensembles bent on taking advantage of inexperienced, yet highly trained, labor for personal or organizational gain.”
Canada’s Arts Scene May Take An Election-Year Hit
Canada is in the final stages of a tough national election campaign, and arts leaders are not pleased with what they’re hearing, or rather, what they’re not hearing. “Extra cultural funding through the Canada Council that was announced in November by Liza Frulla, the heritage minister in the Paul Martin government, could vanish if politicians refuse to provide campaign assurances they’re committed to it.” So far, none of the leaders of the four major political parties have offered such assurances – in fact, as nearly as anyone can tell, they haven’t uttered the word “arts” at all.
Philly Museum Branches Out Into Korean Art
“Responding to growing involvement from the local Korean-American community and an increasing awareness nationally of Korean art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art has hired its first curator of Korean art. Hyunsoo Woo, 36, formerly of the Japan Society in New York and the Brooklyn Museum, started work Monday as the museum’s associate curator of Korean art – making the museum one of just a few in the United States to have a full-time staffer devoted to Korean art.”
Is The iPod Generation Destroying Music, or Saving It?
A recent British study declared that the era of downloadable music and portable MP3 players is creating “producing a generation that doesn’t seriously appreciate songs or musical performance.” But hasn’t the real impact of music-on-demand been the newfound ability of consumers to bypass an increasingly marketing-driven music industry which insists on promoting style over substance? “Today, discerning music listeners aren’t at the mercy of a few label bosses, marketing gurus and program directors. If they’re willing to invest even a small amount of effort, they can go online, confer with other fans and have at their fingertips every imaginable artist in every imaginable genre. The result is that, more so than generations past, the current one really is appreciating musical performance.”
Did Phantom Make Broadway, Or Vice Versa?
The record-setting run of Phantom of the Opera is getting plenty of press, but the show’s success is about more than just the popularity of Andrew Lloyd Webber and a masked antihero. “Although the price of tickets [on Broadway] has skyrocketed — the top regular price seat is $110, and up to $360 for ‘premium seating’ — Berlind says a booming economy has meant that people are willing to dig deep into their wallets if shows warrant it. And so far, people have been showing up. In the last week of 2005, 20 shows were at more than 90% capacity, with Wicked bringing in an unprecedented $1.61 million.” In other words, Phantom is where it is because of a Broadway theatre scene that has never been more robust, and that shows no signs of slowing down.