“What began as a distinctly Japanese style of visual storytelling has gone global. As culture watchers from Tokyo to London point out, anime is far more than Pikachu and PowerPuff girls. The art form has achieved what no other indigenous cultural expression has managed to do: become widespread enough to challenge America’s stranglehold on entertainment.”
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A Plan To Remake Scottish Arts
A long awaited plan for Scottish culture is released: “It contains 124 recommendations for the future of art and culture in Scotland, 29 of which require new legislation. It includes calls for a major funding boost, the abolition of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen, and the establishment of two new national arts bodies: Culture Scotland and the Culture Fund. The former would develop policy and the fund would provide finance. Both bodies, operating as companies, would roughly maintain the “arm’s length” principle – where cultural decisions are made outside government – which most artists and cultural workers in Scotland desired.”
Scottish Culture Report Slammed Even Before It’s Released
Scotland’s official Cultural Commission is to deliver its report on the future of Scottish arts. “But last night the organisation representing Scotland’s local councils made a searing pre-emptive strike, denouncing the body as undemocratic, dull and driven by “managerial gobbledygook”.
The Flesh-And-Blood Stars Of Online Gaming
Online games are big business, and now players are making real money and becoming stars at it. In South Korea, at least a quarter of the population has participating in a game called Kart Rider. “Kart Rider competitions have been broadcast on two cable channels, and Kim Hyun Wook — who has won several of them — has emerged as a pop idol among gamers. A local apparel company, Spris Corp., sponsors Kim and three others as professional Kart Rider players. Some tournaments have been sponsored by the likes of Coca-Cola Co. (KO ) and offer as much as $50,000 in prize money.
On Golden Pond To Close On Broadway
Broadway’s On Golden Pond will close this week because of James Earl Jones’ serious bout of pneumonia. “Jones’ doctors determined on June 23 that “the seriousness of recuperating from pneumonia would prevent his return until sometime in August,” according to a press statement. The show was to have run through Labor Day. Jones is expected to eventually fully recover from his illness.”
CPB named New President
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has a new president. “Patricia S. Harrison, the assistant secretary of state for educational and cultural affairs, was selected after three days of closed meetings by the corporation’s board of directors. She was co-chair of the Republican National Committee from 1997 to 2001.”
Successful Indie Needs Downloads
How to make indie films rich and famous? By emulating the success of indie music, which has used internet downloads with great success. “European cinema currently has a 26.5% penetration inside Europe – and only makes a 3.3% chink in the US market. By digitally delivering film with a new initiative, the 35% market share that independent music enjoys in North America could be achieved with cinema.”
Do We Need Arts Prizes Just For Women?
“Years after feminism was declared history, is there a new trend to single out women for special recognition? Until the 1970’s, in most cultural fields, men created and women consumed. Today, across the West, women are well represented in art, architecture, music and film schools and account for a majority of students attending college literature and creative writing courses. Yet while women no longer regard the creative arts as a male province, when it comes to winning or even making the short list of prizes in fiction, poetry, art, architecture and music, they still fare poorly. Are there fewer women in these fields, are they less talented than men, or are women simply being denied equal opportunity?”
Publishers Worry About Google’s Digital Book Deal
A first look at the contract between Google and universities to digitize their libraries has some publishers concerned. “Some publishers argue that Google doesn’t have the right to make and hold digital copies of their intellectual property. At the same time, they worry that universities will use their digital versions to make books available to students and faculty online, suppressing sales of additional copies.”
Vilar Makes Bail
Esrtwhile philanthropist Alberto Vilar gets out of jail after some help from a friend. “The conductor Valery Gergiev has put up $500,000 in cash to help secure Mr. Vilar’s freedom on bail, in what Mr. Gergiev’s manager called an act of deep friendship.”