“From [his chemistry] studies came an idea that he could translate science into art by using polarized light to bring rainbow colors out of transparent plastic shapes. In the late 1960s he used this process to create kinetic, or moving, sculptures. … Over the next 50 years, Mr. Peiperl’s kinetic art would be displayed at the Hirshhorn, Kreeger and other galleries in Washington and at art spaces in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and in Europe.” – The Washington Post
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Arts Funding Forum: Concern About The Future
Of the more than 500 cultural professionals they surveyed, 78% said they were either “somewhat concerned” or “very concerned” about about philanthropic trends. A similar percentage said that the giving strategies for the next generation differed substantially from those of their predecessors. – The Art Newspaper
Great Britain Has Lost 773 Libraries In Last Decade
“The closure of almost a fifth of the UK’s libraries over the last 10 years comes against a backdrop of a 29.6% decline in spend … since the Conservative government implemented austerity in 2010.” The number of paid librarians and other staffers has fallen by more than one-third in the same period. – The Guardian
Donald Byrd’s ‘Harlem Nutcracker’ Sold Out Theaters, But It Bankrupted His Company. After Almost 20 Years, He’s Reviving It
“It took five years of active persuading, plus nearly two decades of water under the proverbial bridge, before choreographer Donald Byrd finally agreed to resurrect The Harlem Nutcracker. Instantly loved after its 1996 New York premiere, his Nutcracker was financially doomed by 2001 — and left some scars on its way out.” But this year, firmly ensconced at Seattle’s Spectrum Dance Theater, Byrd is at last ready to return to it. – The Seattle Times
San Francisco Opera Names Its First Female Music Director
“Eun Sun Kim, the South Korean conductor who made a powerful San Francisco Opera debut in June leading Dvořák’s Rusalka, has been named the company’s next music director. She will be just the fourth person to occupy the position in the company’s nearly 100-year history, and the only Asian woman to hold an artistic leadership role with a major North American opera company.” – San Francisco Chronicle
‘Radiolab’ Co-Host Robert Krulwich To Retire
The 72-year-old public radio and network television veteran has been alongside creator Jad Abumrad at the center of the popular podcast/radio series for 15 years. “No end date has been announced, with Krulwich hinting to one episode being finalized for ‘next week’ and an eventual super-sized episode about ‘a world population puzzle’ as his remaining Radiolab duties.” – Ars Technica
Tenor Vittorio Grigolo Fired By Both The Met And Covent Garden
“[The 42-year-old] was dismissed Thursday by two of the world’s most prestigious houses: the Royal Opera in London and New York’s Metropolitan Opera. His firing comes after an investigation by the Royal Opera, which determined that he had demonstrated ‘inappropriate and aggressive behavior‘ during an RO tour of Japan in September.” – NPR
For The First Time In Living Memory, The Met Extends An Opera’s Run
“[Porgy and Bess], which opened the season in September, was scheduled to return on Jan. 8 for seven performances, through Feb. 1. On Thursday, the Met announced it would add three more, on Feb. 4, 12 and 15. Big repertory companies, which plan their crowded schedules years in advance, rarely have the flexibility to add performances to even their most successful shows. But the Met had an unexpected hole in its schedule.” – The New York Times
Australia’s Prime Minister Eliminates Arts Ministry
“The Arts, already an addendum to the Department of Communications and the Arts, will be merged along with the rest of the department into a new one with the unwieldy title of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.” What’s more, Prime Minister Scott Morrison did not consult department head Mike Mrdak — and only notified him the afternoon before the announcement. – Limelight (Australia)
Washington’s Freer Sackler Galleries Want To Be Called Something Else
Don’t call it a name change, though. Museum officials say it is a rebranding that clarifies the missions of the joint institutions. And, they say, it has absolutely nothing to do with international protests over the Sackler family’s connection to the opioid crisis. – Washington Post