Blog

A Digital Update On Performance Art

“These projects take what conceptual artists did in the 1970s — projects such as sitting in a room for a year, or making one painting that depicts the day’s date every day for 40 years — and let computers do much of the work. It is not clear if these projects are meant to honour or mock the original art works, but then the original projects were often done in a spirit of great playfulness themselves, so it hardly matters.”

Australia’s First “Ring” (An Exercise In Excess?)

“State Opera South Australia’s $15.3 million production of Der Ring Des Nibelungen is Australia’s biggest and most ambitious theatrical undertaking, yet only 6000 people will get to see it. This production, Australia’s first, is a global diary note on the calendars of rich European and American Wagnerites wanting to see this watershed Australian foray into high German opera. Then, after 12 nights costing more than $1 million a night, it will be mothballed with no plans to perform it again. It is an exercise in excess.”

Extreme Makeover, Iraqi Style

A new Iraqi “reality” show “Labour And Materials, broadcast on Iraqi satellite channel Al Sharqiya, does not merely redecorate a room, but reconstructs entire properties destroyed in the ongoing conflict in the country. The programme makers select families whose homes have been made uninhabitable either during the war or since, and reconstruct it to the extent of supplying new furniture – and even shiny new kitchen gadgets – for free.”

RSC Back On Track

After several years of struggle, the Royal Shakespeare Company has turned around its fortunes, reducing its debt from £2.8m to £400,000 in the past financial year. “Bosses say box office hits and cost-cutting have improved their outlook. Artistic director Michael Boyd said: “If we’re going to innovate and experiment on stage, we need to balance the books first.”

Is “Dan Flavin” A Health Hazard?

Staff at Washington DC’s National Gallery have been complaining of physical ailments because of a new Dan Flavin exhibition. “Ever since the gallery’s Oct. 3 opening of “Dan Flavin: A Retrospective,” staffers watching over the sprawling display of 44 illuminated works by the fluorescent-tube-obsessed minimalist have complained of headaches, anxiety, and nervousness—all allegedly brought on by excessive wattage. A combined 48,600 watts, to be exact. One staffer is said to have passed out.”

Da Vinci Code Tourism

Thousands of Americans are flocking to places in Europe written about in The Da Vinci Code. “Wherever we walk with this book, we get a lot of looks. In France, there is a lot of resentment that — ‘This is what brought you to France?’ — it’s not enough that (France) contains the most beautiful art and gorgeous gardens and historical monuments, but, a book? A novel?”

Fenice Reopens 8 Years After Fire

Venice’s La Fenice opera house reopened Thursday night with a gala performance. “Every detail of the original 18th Century building has been faithfully reproduced and state-of-the-art sprinkler fire protection and an underground freshwater reservoir have been installed to stave off any future disaster. And on Thursday night a glittering gathering of celebrities and politicians attended the first opera performance in the reconstructed theatre.”

Acropolis Museum To Be Finished By 2006

Greece’s new government says it plans to finish a new museum at the Acropolis by 2006, at a cost of 129 million Euros. “The previous, Socialist government had sworn to have the building ready before the Athens Olympics, at a cost of 94 million euros. But nothing happened.” The Greek government hopes that one day the museum will house the Parthenon Marbles.