Kit Yan, whose shows have been selling out American Repertory Theatre and winning awards, says it’s a challenge. “Director Jessi Hill and I have had a lot of conversations about what is slam poetry and what is theatre. The rules of slam poetry include a microphone, a time limit, no props … all these things you can’t do. Putting slam poetry into a theatre and just taking some of those rules out frees up the story in so many ways.”
Blog
The U.S. Art Establishment Dealt Badly With Post-War German Art, But Some Artists Now Shine
Though 21st century art history majors might not realize it, the entire second half of the 20th century was covered by the shadow of WWII. “The war, Nazi crimes, and their legacy inevitably prejudiced Americans against German art and prompted curators and museum directors to reject proposals for exhibitions. In 1950, the director of the Art Institute of Chicago suggested that were his museum to show an exhibition of contemporary German work, it ‘would run against great objections.'”
An Orchestra Made Entirely Of DJs With Turntables
OK: “The piece is performed on Technics turntables, recreating the first ever pressed LP, Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor by Nathan Milstein. Utilising groove screeching turntablist techniques, the group create a truly unique piece of music.”
Allegations Of ‘Inappropriate Comments,’ And A Sudden Retirement, For MassArts Photographer
Nicholas Nixon, known for his series “The Brown Sisters” – portraits documenting the same siblings over the course of 40 years- “abruptly retired from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design midsemester following allegations of inappropriate behavior, the college announced this month.”
Buell Neidlinger, A Bassist Who Helped Establish Free Jazz And Also Played With John Cage, Has Died At 82
Among many, many other accomplishments, Neidlinger helped Barbara Streisand write songs, served as the principal bassist for the LA Chamber Orchestra, and was the principal bassist for the Warner Bros. Studio Orchestra.
Can Anyone Actually Teach Creative Writing?
Maybe, but not this way: “Increasingly, English departments are assigning intro Creative Writing courses to grad students, who receive minimal training and may be required to use a standard syllabus. The standard syllabi are designed to be simple, so that anybody can be plugged in to the class at the last minute and run it smoothly. They’re designed by a well-intentioned person in the department who needs to endure several rounds of approvals from higher-ranking faculty, at least some of whom don’t believe Creative Writing is a serious academic pursuit. A system like this is bound to produce stale, myopic syllabi that offer as limited a view of what it means to be a writer as possible.”
The Secret General Motors ‘Design Mecca’ Where Visitors Call Months Or Years In Advance For A Short Visit
It’s real, but it’s also stringently limited. “‘Holy smokes. I’ve never seen anything like this,’ said Robert Wall, 89, a Detroit native who has attended every Motor City auto show since 1937. ‘I had no idea this existed. I couldn’t have imagined this in my wildest dreams. I could stay forever.'” (He got 90 minutes.)
El Sistema Founder José Antonio Abreu, 79
Well into his 30s in 1975, he formed a small orchestra of a dozen young musicians that would become the seed for El Sistema, or the System. Four decades later, the government-financed program claims to currently put 1 million Venezuelan children in contact with classical music through a network of hundreds of youth choirs, orchestras and music centers spread across the country.
Louisa May Alcott’s Mom Helped Make Her Daughter A Writer
Wow: “In her mother, Louisa saw a powerful figure, capable of acting independently of a man, indeed standing in a man’s position by way of supporting the household, and, at critical points when Louisa’s voice might have been silenced by cultural mores and values, … Abba gave Louisa the unwavering encouragement to follow her inclinations and talent.”
Top AJBlogs From The Weekend Of 03.25.18
Replay: Pierre Boulez conducts Debussy’s Jeux
Pierre Boulez and the New Philharmonia Orchestra perform Claude Debussy’s Jeux on the BBC in 1966: (This is the latest in a series of arts-related videos that appear in this space each Monday, Wednesday, … read more
AJBlog: About Last NightPublished 2018-03-23
Almanac: Winston Churchill on how to live
“Nature is merciful and does not try her children, man or beast, beyond their compass. It is only where the cruelty of man intervenes that hellish torments appear. For the rest—live dangerously; take things as … read more
AJBlog: About Last NightPublished 2018-03-23
Catching Up (Well…Giving It A Good Try)
The John Coltrane project described in this post is completed and awaiting release by Concord Jazz. However—I am happy to report—other free lance assignments have developed. Rifftides progress slows a bit while … read more
AJBlog: RiffTidesPublished 2018-03-22
Paul Taylor and His Cohort
Paul Taylor American Modern Dance at Lincoln Center through March 25th. The Paul Taylor Dance Company in Doug Varone’s Half Life. Photo: Paul B. Goode I think I finally got it straight: Paul Taylor American … read more
AJBlog: DancebeatPublished 2018-03-22
Why Did the Attorney General Cave in Berkshire Museum Case? My Q&A with the Rockwells’ Lawyer
Those, like me, who were caught off-guard by the astonishing deal (now awaiting court validation) cut last month by the Berkshire Museum and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey feel justifiably blindsided by the AG’s about-face. … read more
AJBlog: CultureGrrlPublished 2018-03-21