Jane Howard: “I frame this as a serious question: what is the use of investment in the arts if climate change is continually ignored? … Or, to put it another way, if politicians won’t even face the looming catastrophe that is global extinction, how low must the arts then rate on their interest scale? But, as an arts journalist, I must consider: what is there in this election for the arts?” – The Guardian (Kill Your Darlings)
Blog
Grumpy Cat, Empress Of Internet Memes, Dead At 7
When an early photo of this animal’s perpetual scowl appeared online and promptly went viral, her human, a Phoenix-area waitress named Tabatha Bundesen, was soon able to quit her job. Grumpy Cat — real name Tardar Sauce and reportedly very sweet and cuddly — became a meme-and-merchandise mini-industry. – The Washington Post
First-Ever Biennale Of Australian Art Has Collapsed Into Insolvency
“It seemed like a good idea at the time. Bringing hundreds of Australian artists together in [an inland, non-state-capital] city for a large arts festival could turbo-charge Ballarat’s creative industries, and bring thousands of tourists to the city.” The event did take place, ending in November, but many artists and vendors haven’t been paid, and the organizers owe creditors about ten times the assets on hand. – The Guardian
Australia’s Top Professional Vocal Ensemble Suddenly Declares Bankruptcy
The Song Company, a chamber group that has been performing repertoire from the medieval to the brand-new for 35 years, abruptly announced that it is entering (as it’s called in Australia) Voluntary Administration. While the ensemble’s board hopes to stave off liquidation and reorganize, all scheduled concerts after this weekend are cancelled. – The Sydney Morning Herald
Architect I. M. Pei, 102
M r. Pei was probably best known for designing the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington and the glass pyramid that serves as an entry for the Louvre in Paris. – The New York Times
From YouTube To Hollywood: Short Is The New Thing
“Once the purview of DIY YouTubers and aspiring creatives looking for a big break, short-form now commands a deep well of resources – the backing of major studios, streaming-service budgets and top talent. And as the slate of original content continues to expand, scripted short-form TV may become the most contested battleground for heavyweight tech and content companies, as everyone from Snap to YouTube to Sundance TV compete for a quarter-hour snippet of attention.” – The Guardian
Noise-Canceling The World: What Happens When You Always Wear Headphones
“To those who lived before headphones, it might seem as though I want to exist in the world without actually being part of it. And to some extent, that’s true. Urban Millennials like me don’t inhabit a world that allows for much privacy. We’ve been squeezed into closely packed offices, closely packed subway cars, and closely packed apartments. Everyone else’s noises are constantly everywhere, so your head is the only personal space you can get. Granted, I share it with Brian Eno and Twin Shadow, but at least the choice is mine.” – The Atlantic
Study: Want More Civil Online Discourse? Post The Rules
A recent study finds that simply posting “community rules,” and making sure they remain prominently displayed, increases compliance with those guidelines, as well as participation by newcomers. – Pacific Standard
Does A City’s Beauty Translate Into A “Better” City? This Study Takes Up The Question
The study by Gerald A. Carlino of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and Albert Saiz of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, examines the connection between a city’s beauty and key growth indicators. A raft of previous studies have found a connection between economic and population growth and urban amenities (a broad category ranging from parks to restaurants, art galleries, and museums). But this study takes a much closer look at the effects of beauty itself. – CityLab
The Internet Is Fragmenting And Information Is Being Balkanized. Here’s How
A separate internet for some, Facebook-mediated sovereignty for others: whether the information borders are drawn up by individual countries, coalitions, or global internet platforms, one thing is clear – the open internet that its early creators dreamed of is already gone. – BBC