Ultra’s attempt at virtuality illustrated what happens when the vehicle of that nihilism, the global economy, grinds to a halt. However grim it might have seemed before, the end result is weirder still. “This,” a user called historicalfigure9 wrote on the subreddit, “is depressing.” – The Daily Beast
Blog
What Survived The Fire At The Museum
When fire, smoke, and water pumped in for more than 20 hours ripped through the archives at the Museum of the Chinese in America in late January, the staff thought all of the more than 85,000 pieces were lost. But “on March 8, about 20 workers wearing hard hats and gas masks passed more than 2,000 boxes filled with the beloved archives from one person to the next, down the building’s fire escape and into a truck.” Now (as soon as it’s safe to do the work) it’s preservation and sorting time. – The New York Times
Julia Miles, Who Founded The Women’s Project To Influence Off-Broadway Theatre, Has Died
Miles founded Women’s Project and eventually the WP Theater, where she and others “produced more than 600 plays written and directed by women over a 42-year history, nurturing artists like Lauren Yee, Sarah Grancher, Laura Enson and Kate Whoriskey in recent years.” – Broadway.com
Perhaps You Can Fill Your New ‘Commute’ Time With These Art Podcasts
Ten picks from the NYT include podcasts from curators, artists, and critics in Los Angeles, London, Australia, Canada, Italy, and more. – The New York Times
Ai Weiwei Says An Artist Must Be An Activist
In addition, as a huge show in London is suspended because of the COVID-19 outbreak, he says, “Cultural institutions are probably the last to be damaged, but the first to show how severely this can affect our understanding about art and culture, which reflect tragic human moments like this. It is very hard to predict the future, but it seems like the situation is not going to be easily resolved and will have a strong impact. All the factors that allowed for this incident still remain the same – this could happen again – and a more thoughtful response in terms of social structure and the philosophical understanding of this situation is required.” – The Guardian (UK)
Small Indie Musicians And Workers In Small Indie Music Spaces Are Living A Nightmare
Says one freelance photographer and bartender, “All my jobs have been canceled at the photo studio, and now my safety job has disappeared too.” One academic who studies the music industry says, “Only 5% of promoters and 30% of artists can continue their careers in this environment, and they weren’t well off to begin with. … In short, they’re screwed.” – Los Angeles Times
Here Are 4,000 Canadian Films To Stream For Free; Please Stop Complaining You’re Bored
Who needs Netflix when you’ve got the Canadian Film Board, right? (Also, if you like Canadian work, Kim’s Convenience is on Netflix.) – CBC
How Did Disney Swallow Up Everything?
Disney is so big it’s even creating metaphors about itself in its many, many, many, many properties. “Disney’s gravitational pull is warping the very space-time continuum of the media landscape. You will have to work harder than ever to escape the Magic Kingdom’s reach. If it doesn’t get you with the Avengers, it will get you with The Simpsons, or National Geographic, or Wes Anderson. If it doesn’t get you with Elsa sticking plasters, it will get you with Baby Yoda memes.” – The Guardian (UK)
Online Arts Festivals Quickly Replace Canceled In-Person Fests [VIDEO]
Founded by a playwright, the Social Distancing Festival has, not surprisingly, already gotten hundreds of submissions, with more coming by the minute. – BBC
Writers Want To Help You, Parents Trying To Deal With Your Kids 24/7, And Here’s How
Mo Willems, Grace Lin, Gene Luen Yang, Amie Kaufman and so many others are offering drawing lessons, read alouds, virtual book tours and so much more online. Oliver Jeffers: “We are all at home, but none of us are alone. … Let’s be bored together.” – The New York Times