Smithsonian anthropologist Jane Walsh is working on a database to help identify fakes. There are many more in museum collections than anyone is willing to admit. “Any museum–I don’t care what museum it is–has fakes, because fakes are ubiquitous. I have a friend who works at the Holocaust Museum as a conservator, and even they have forgeries–Star of David badges and prison uniforms that were made for Hollywood films and later sold by dealers as authentic artifacts.
Blog
WaPo Buys Slate
The Washington Post is buying one of the internet’s first digital magazines. “In announcing a deal to acquire Slate from Microsoft Corp. for an undisclosed sum, said to be in the millions of dollars, Post executives said they would keep Jacob Weisberg as editor and most of the 30-person staff.”
The Man To Save The Royal Academy
Why does Nicholas Grimshaw have a chance at turning around the fortunes of London’s Royal Academy? “He brings more than enthusiasm. As a respected architect, best known here for designing the Eurostar terminal at Waterloo Station, Mr. Grimshaw is already more of a public figure than his three predecessors. Further, unlike the artists who make up most of the academy, he knows how to run a business, in his case a 100-member firm with offices in London, New York and Melbourne, Australia. There is also a vacuum waiting to be filled.”
Whole Lotta Bull For Sale
Fifteen years ago a 7000-pound bronze charging bull mysteriously appeared on Wall Street outside the New York Stock Exchange. Now the artist who made it wants to sell, and bidding begins at $5 million. The sculpture is much beloved on the street and the artist insists “that any deal would require the buyer to donate the landmark sculpture to New York City, with the new owner’s name inscribed on a plaque to be placed next to it. The buyer would be allowed a tax deduction.”
Melbourne Opera Unites
For years, two Melbourne opera companies have been competitors. Now they’re joining forces. “The two local companies, once bitter rivals – Melbourne Opera and Melbourne City Opera – are merging under the name, VicOpera. They also declared that they want to co-operate with the Sydney-based national company, Opera Australia. This simplifies the situation, but leaves several issues unresolved.”
Wicked Breaks The Profit Barrier
After 14 months, the Broadway show Wicked has earned back its $14 million capitalization and is now officially profitable. “Wicked was greatly helped by factors including an effective, broadbased marketing campaign, a bigger theater and a pair of splashy performances by its two original female leads.”
Birmingham Theatre Cancels Play After Violence Threats
A Birmingham theatre company canceled the remaining performances of a play depicting rape and murder in a Sikh temple after violent protests were threatened. “This is thought to be the first time a play in Britain has been halted during its run by violent religious protests and raises the question of freedom of speech.”
Playwright Goes Into Hiding After Threats
Playwright Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti went into hiding after threats of violence over her play caused a UK theatre to cancel. She said she had “fled her home and warned “mob rule” was endangering freedom of expression.Protesters say that her play Behzti – Dishonour – demeans Sikhism by showing rape and murder within a gurdwara, or temple. But the row took a new twist as a second Birmingham theatre company offered to stage the play, just hours after officials at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre scrapped it over public safety fears.”
Digital Dreams – UK Promotes Theatres’ Digital Conversion
The UK Film Council wants to help promote digital conversion in movie theatres. “The program will disburse an estimated $25 million to install approximately 250 digital projectors in theaters throughout the United Kingdom. (By comparison, there are currently about 120 digital projectors in U.S. movie houses.)”
Danger, Warning! (The Study Says)
Two studies indicate how we pick up danger signals from others. “One, in Science, found seeing the whites of the eyes triggered a danger message in the brain. A second, in Neuron, showed that, even if an image of a scared face is shown too briefly to be consciously recognised, the brain registers it.”