“Many of the paintings I decline are accompanied by ‘certificates of expertise’, signed by certain academics who, unlike myself as a seller, are not financially liable. When I have crossed swords with such figures over the years, they have frequently been amazed that I would quibble with their learned opinions. Perhaps they would like to explain to buyers who have bought paintings with their certificates why these have been rejected for resale and not accepted for any major museum show?”
Blog
Black British Actors Are Having Such Success In America Because They Can’t Get Work In Britain
Daniel Kaluuya, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Idris Elba, David Oyelowo, Naomie Harris, Thandie Newton, and on and on. Why do they have to leave home, where film and television thrive, just to get cast in decent roles? All those period drama, for one thing.
Meet The First, And Greatest, All-Women Afro Drum Band In Brazil
Traditionally, the Afro-Brazilian drum bands of Bahia state were strictly male affairs. Then, in 1993, Neguinho do Samba – considered the father of the current drumming style in Bahia and former head of the standard-bearer of the form, the group Olodum – founded Banda Didá specifically for females. Reporter Shannon Sims goes to Salvador do Bahia to see and hear them. (includes video)
Is It Time To Just Stop Giving The Razzie Awards?
“The annual ceremony, deliberately scheduled near the Oscars, is designed to celebrate the very worst that Hollywood has to offer but for many years now, it’s felt more vendetta-led, focusing on easy targets regardless of their suitability.”
Musical Chairs: Keeping Track Of All The Music Director Changes At American Orchestras
“Chicago is secure [with Riccardo Muti] for the time being, but major orchestras in San Francisco, Atlanta, Dallas and Detroit are all looking for new maestros.” So are the opera companies in San Francisco and D.C. And Seattle, St. Louis, D.C. (again) and New York (opera and orchestra both) have recently acquired new music directors. Michael Cooper presents “your cheat sheet on the comings and goings on some of the nation’s top podiums.”
Most Of Syria’s Best Artists Have Fled The Country – Where Have They Gone?
“Last year, wondering what it means to be a Syrian artist when Syria in many ways no longer exists, I began to map the journeys of a hundred [visual, performing, and literary] artists from the country.” Eliza Griswold shows us some of the maps and profiles seven of the artists.
Turns Out Philly’s ‘LOVE’ Sculpture Has Had The Wrong Color All These Years
“The work by Robert Indiana was first installed [near Philadelphia’s City Hall] on loan for the U.S. bicentennial celebrations in 1976 and was repainted twice using – in addition to its dominant red and green – a blue paint that turned out to be the wrong color.” When it returns from its yearlong renovation in two weeks, the right color will be there. (And that color is?)
London’s Serpentine Gallery To Build Its First Summer Pavilion In Beijing
“Modelled on the annual London showcase, the Serpentine Pavilion Beijing will be designed by Sichuan-based JIAKUN Architects. It will launch in May … and will be on display for six months.”
This Dancer Has Been A Star In His Company For 20 Years – And He Got His Job By Sneaking Into An Audition
The company is Evidence, choreographer Ronald K. Brown’s troupe, and the dancer is Bessie winner Arcell Cabuag, now the company’s associate artistic director. In honor of Cabuag’s 20th anniversary with Evidence, Brown is creating a new duet for the two of them – and Gia Kourlas went to their studio to talk with the two of them about it.
UK’s Costa Book Of The Year Prize Goes To Helen Dunmore, Who Died Last June
“Inside the Wave considers [Dunmore’s] terminal cancer diagnosis and impending death. … [She] is only the second posthumous winner of the book of the year category in the prize’s history, after her fellow poet Ted Hughes won for Birthday Letters in 1998.”