“Ms. Gatliff developed a new method for facial reconstruction in the late 1960s, then spent nearly five decades refining her technique and teaching it to hundreds of students, including at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va. … Using little more than modeling clay and a set of soft, eraser-like dowels, Ms. Gatliff transformed unknown skulls into eerily lifelike busts. Her work helped identify murder victims, catch killers and give solace to grieving families.” – The Washington Post
Blog
Public Library Systems Are Beginning To Lend Musical Instruments
From some of North America’s largest cities to a roving truck in rural California, instrument-lending programs are proving so popular that the biggest challenge is meeting demand. Reporter Julia Hotz writes about the programs in Brooklyn, Toronto and Philadelphia. – Next City
Is Boris Johnson Going To Disband Or Downsize UK’s Culture And Media Department?
There have been rumors in London’s government and business circles that the Conservative government will make major changes to the Department of Culture, Media, and Sport next month — and the DCMS is refusing to confirm or deny that it will be reduced in scope or made redundant. The rumors range from simply moving digital and telecom matters into another department to downgrading culture to a portfolio under a different cabinet minister. – Arts Professional (UK)
San Antonio Arts Presenter Abruptly Shuts Down
Just after New Year’s, ARTS San Antonio, one of the city’s top presenters of touring music, dance and theater artists, sent a message to donors and subscribers saying that the organization was insolvent and had ceased operations as of Dec. 31. There will be no refunds for tickets purchased for canceled performances. – The Rivard Report (San Antonio)
Jewels Stolen From Dresden’s Green Vault Are Turning Up On The Dark Web
“The thieves who stole priceless jewels from the Dresden Green Vault treasury at the end of last year are allegedly trying to sell some of the loot on the dark web. Investigators from an Israeli security company claim they made contact with the criminals online, but authorities in Germany say it has received no evidence of the ransom demand.” – artnet
Carnegie Library’s Ex-Archivist And His Fence Plead Guilty To Stealing And Selling Rare Books
“Between 1992 and 2017, archivist Greg Priore smuggled some 300 documents worth more than $8 million out of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, where he served as sole manager of the rare books room. … He then delivered the items to bookseller John Schulman, who subsequently re-sold them to unsuspecting clients. On Monday, the two men pleaded guilty … [and] will be sentenced on April 17 of this year.” – Smithsonian Magazine
Gustavo Dudamel Renews With Los Angeles Philharmonic Through 2025-26
“The four-year extension … maintains what has proved a winning formula: the pairing of a conductor whose fame extends beyond the classical music world and is a powerful audience draw with an orchestra that has developed perhaps the strongest reputation in the country for innovative programming and community outreach.” – The New York Times
“Jeopardy” Now Has Its All-Time Champ. But Why Did It Need One?
Elsewhere, we carp, battle and grind one another down for bragging rights and total triumph. Sports culture and champion-making has seeped into nearly every aspect of life. It’s all just a little (or a lot) more elbowy and contentious — primary campaigns, award show nominations, lists of the decade’s best albums. – Washington Post
Dance Theatre Of Harlem Gets Its Biggest-Ever Gift, Will Expand Company
Virginia Johnson, a founding member of Dance Theater of Harlem who was named artistic director in 2009, said the gift would go toward increasing the size of the company from 18 to 20 dancers, supplementing the organization’s lean staff and further encouraging the development of works by women and people of color. – The New York Times
Happiness Index: Why It’s So Difficult To Tell
Over the past two or three decades, the historical study of emotions has developed a rich set of tools with which to chart the ways that emotions have changed over time. Emotions such as anger, disgust, love and happiness might seem commonplace, but they are not so readily understood in the past. These concepts and the experiences associated with them are not historically stable. – Aeon