Hilton Kramer’s had an advance peek at a description of some of the art to be included in the upcoming Whitney Biennial. And he’s not amused. Or maybe that’s exactly what he is… – New York Observer
Blog
FROM DRAB CIVIL SERVANT TO CULTUREHOUSE
Somerset House in the heart of London was an extravagant public gesture built at the end of the 18th Century to house civil servants. Now it is being transformed into a public drawing room of culture. – The Telegraph (UK)
WITNESS TO HISTORY
Madame Chiang Kai-shek was known for her shrewdness, imperious style and the power she wielded in her late husband’s Nationalist Chinese regime. She’s now 103 years old, and was, as it turns out, a pretty good painter in the traditional Chinese style. A show of 20th Century Chinese artists at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum includes a collection of her art. – San Francisco Chronicle
OUTSIDE THE NEW YORKER
Seems like everyone and his dog has an I-Remember-The-New-Yorker book coming out. Now, spoofs from the man who sold MR. SHAWN his nuts, a woman who once worked for Shawn for an afternoon in the typing pool, and the legendary editor’s favorite night watchman. And, oh look…isn’t that Sparky at the word processor? – Slate
HOME MOVIES
These days anyone with a computer, a new relatively cheap digital camera and a bit of creativity can be their own producer and broadcaster. Technically, the quality can rival professional product. – CBC 01/27/00
EYES IN THE BACK OF YOUR HEAD
New TV camera shoots a 360-degree picture and puts the viewer into the action from every angle. – Wired 01/27/00
BETTER MATH THROUGH MUSIC
Researcher (author of the “Mozart Effect” study) predicts a revolution in teaching – why learning music increases other skills he’s not quite sure, but he says he can demonstrate it does with new studies underway in Los Angeles schools. – Orange County Register
FAR FROM PERFECT
It’s official – the redo of Covent Garden is a disaster. Technical failures, cancellations, disgruntled unions and artists. Even the audiences have begun to boo. Much was riding on a smooth reopening, but a growing chorus of discontent threatens to become deafening. – London Telegraph
- And: GET A BETTER SOCIAL MIX: Senior management at the Covent Garden opera house in London have been told to reduce their ticket prices and “get a better social mix, particularly in the stalls, so it doesn’t feel so snooty”. Meanwhile, latest cancellation due to technical difficulties is jeered by audience. – Sydney Morning Herald 01/26/00
- Previously: CALL TO CLOSE COVENT GARDEN: Musicians’ and technicians’ unions call for temporary closure of troubled Covent Garden to deal with technical problems. Rebuilt opera house has been plagued with technical equipment failures since reopening last month. – The Independent 01/24/00
- And: Don’t blame Opera House staff, blame those in charge. – The Observer 01/24/00
RELIC OF A PAST REGIME
South Africa’s National Symphony closes after running out of money. The orchestra had been lavishly supported by the former white government, but had fallen on hard times in recent years. Corporate support just couldn’t make up the budget. South Africa’s other orchestras are also suffering. – South Africa Daily Mail & Guardian
BETWEEN PRODUCT AND CONTENT
Trying to understand the future of the recorded music business in the age of Dotcoms. – New York Times