“A prolific actress who appeared in plays, television series and more than 80 films, … she was among Japan’s earliest on-screen sex symbols, known for playing elegant and assertive princesses, noblewomen, geishas and prostitutes. Her performances marked a striking departure from traditional roles for Japanese actresses.” – The Washington Post
Blog
Britain’s Equivalent Of ‘Jerry Springer Show’ Cancelled After Guest Found Dead
“Given the gravity of recent events,” said the CEO of the ITV network in a statement, “we have decided to end production of The Jeremy Kyle Show.” The grave recent event was the death of a 63-year-old man a week after he failed an on-camera lie detector test while claiming that he had not cheated on his girlfriend. – The New York Times
After Firing Two Museum Directors, Czech Culture Minister Gets Fired Himself
“A former mayor of Olomouc, [minister Antonín] Staněk made headlines several weeks back when he fired the director of the National Gallery in Prague, Jiří Fajt, and the head of Olomouc’s Museum of Art, Michal Soukup, accusing them of improper management. The domestic arts scene rose up almost in unison against the sackings.” (And then there was a disastrous interview last week.) – Radio Praha
How Theatre In Zimbabwe Has Been Dealing With Two Decades Of Upheaval And Poverty
Journalist and playwright Farai Mabeza gives a survey of the sector and the ways its artists have been opening windows on the society’s social and political problems despite a severe lack of financial resources. – HowlRound
Met Museum Says It Won’t Accept More Sackler Money
“The moves reflect the growing outrage over the role the Sacklers may have played in the opioid crisis, as well as an energized activist movement that is starting to force museums to reckon with where some of their money comes from.” – The New York Times
A Harvard Dean Is Working On Harvey Weinstein’s Defense. Students Protested. Harvard Removes Dean
Conor Friedersdorf writes that Harvard’s actions go against the principle that everyone deserves a defense. “Educational institutions ought to teach young adults this justice-enhancing logic. Harvard is now teaching its undergraduates how to undermine it.” – The Atlantic
“Not Good Enough”: London’s Royal Opera House Announces 19 Male Conductors, One Woman For New Season
The Royal Opera’s director of opera, Oliver Mears, was asked if that was a good ratio. “No it is not an acceptable ratio at all … of course,” he said. “But this is something which is a long-term project. It’s not going to happen instantly and in the following years we have a much better ratio of female conductors and it is something which is is an absolute priority for us.” – The Guardian
Trump Proposed Killing The NEA. House Democrats Propose A Budget Increase
The bill funds the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Both would receive $167.5 million, an increase of $12.5 million from current spending. – The Hill
Polite? Pleasant? Not Words You Ever Thought Would Characterize The Whitney Biennial
Linda Yablonsky: “Considerate” and “pleasant” are not words I ever expected to apply to a show that carries outrage and upset in its historical baggage. With works by 75 participants, this biennial is an airy installation of refined art as free of bombast as it is of new ideas. It doesn’t preen. It doesn’t strut. Strangely, for an exhibition that aligns with the politics of resistance, it doesn’t ruffle many feathers, either.” – The Art Newspaper
Daniel Libeskind Designing Museum Of Humans In Kenya
The project was commissioned by conservationist Richard Leakey, whose fossil discoveries have helped reveal how humankind has evolved. “The museum — titled ‘ngaren’ — will be the first center of its kind to present research, discovery, and exploration of more than two million years of human history and the origins of our universe from evolution, biodiversity, and overpopulation, to war, disease, and climate change.” – DesignBoom