One thing that is now universally appreciated is Basquiat’s importance as an artist. Institutions were slow to understand his work and he is woefully under-represented in museum collections. In his recent monograph, The Art of Jean-Michel Basquiat (published by Enrico Navarra Gallery, New York), Fred Hoffman writes that in the year following Basquiat’s death, Herbert and Lenore Schorr offered the Museum of Modern Art in New York the opportunity to choose a painting from their collection as a gift. “The museum replied that having a painting by Jean-Michel Basquiat was not even worth the cost of the storage.”
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Ryan Heffington’s Unlikely Injections Of Dance
“The OA” is just one of several unlikely projects from Heffington, who has emerged as one of the most in-demand choreographers in Hollywood. His eclectic resumé includes hit feature films, like this summer’s stylized action flick Baby Driver, elegantly wacky perfume ads and collaborations with numerous musicians, most notably the pop star Sia. His work on her 2014 music video “Chandelier”—one of YouTube’s most-watched videos—propelled him into a realm of visibility few dancemakers reach.
How The Proposed Trump Tax Cut Would Favor Collectors
Eliminating the estate tax—an especially onerous burden where bequeathing art is concerned—would undoubtedly be cause for rejoicing among the wealthiest buyers. “That would be very good for art collectors because art is one of the most difficult assets to plan with for estate-planning purposes. It’s the asset that, in many estates, has appreciated very much in value.”
Want Your Own Fans? Cultivate Someone Else’s
“Opera North is great at delivering obscure fan references, classical music in-jokes and offering a creative approach to backstage insight. In recent years its online and offline communications have captured the spirit of life behind the curtain. When we work in the arts it’s easy to forget how special the view from the wings can be, and its campaigns for Kiss Me Kate, Eight Little Greats (which tours this autumn) and its season guides feature artistic photography opening up what’s usually unseen for its fans. And for those new to opera, exclusive access is a great way to welcome them into the club – it’s almost like you’re one of the team.”
Publisher Announces It Won’t Even Read Submissions Addressed “Dear Sirs”
“We at Tramp experience sexism in lots of ways all the time, being dreaded women. One really annoying way we experience it is when authors send us their manuscripts and do one or both of the following: 1. Addressing us as ‘Dear Sirs’ and 2. Sending us a cover letter in which they declare they do not read books by women.”
Think You’d Like To Hear Beethoven’s 5th As It Was First Played? Think Again!
“Now is a good time for me to rephrase the original question: Do we really want to hear Beethoven’s Fifth as it was heard at its premiere? Do we want to listen to 50 unevenly trained musicians, give or take, playing for four hours on weak instruments that are hard to play, in an unheated concert hall conducted by a deaf man on one rehearsal?”
Inside The Mind And Writing Process Of John McPhee (Who Knows Everyone And Everything)
When reporter Sam Anderson called the New Yorker legend for directions to his Princeton home, McPhee said of Anderson’s tiny hometown, “I’ve been there,” and proceeded to recount the story of his mountaintop picnic there decades ago with (of all people) convicted spy Alger Hiss. McPhee remembered the name of the manufacturer of the little incline railway up the mountain (Otis Elevator) and the slope of the incline (60 degrees).
This Year’s National Book Award Finalists
“One thing you’ll notice: A full 75 percent of this year’s finalists are women – that’s 15 of the 20 final contenders. In fact, in the category for young people’s lit, every single finalist is a woman writer. Winners will be named at a ceremony in New York Nov. 15; it’ll be livestreamed on Facebook.”
Public Radio Moves Into Podcasts For Kids
“The public radio tradition that’s powered the recent podcast boom never invested much in children’s audio. But now that podcasting has allowed for endless shows on demand, audio makers are eager to get their content straight to children’s ears. And the technology that made podcasts possible – the smartphone – has also gifted its producers a golden sales pitch: Podcasts are being pushed as a guilt-free alternative to screen time, a more engaging option than zoned-out YouTube binging or hypnotizing mobile games.”
How San Francisco Lost Its Artists (And What That Means)
“San Francisco is now bohemian in name only. Anger and the anarchist’s persona have given way, under the weight of postmodernism, to politesse and pragmatism. And now more than ever the artist’s world is less in the hands of artists than arts administrators and boards. The new conviction is in negotiation and community building, and seeing everyone, regardless of occupation, on the same continuum of creativity.”