Category: issues

“Where does talent come from? Talent is kissed by God, who remains perversely democratic about it. He bestows talent without moral judgment on both the good and the bad. Poor old Salieri! That upright patron saint of the mediocre could never accept the capricious injustice of it all. Why not him? Why did God choose an idiot savant named Mozart? On the other hand, talent needs luck, the helping hand of Fate.”

“More than 100 leading figures of literature, film and academia in India rallied this weekend against a ‘colonial-era’ law making homosexuality a criminal offence.”

With all the digital manipulation of photos now possible, it’s a wonder anyone trusts what they see. But viewers also can distort the meaning of a photo. Take the misinterpretation of a photo taken on 9/11 and how what seems to be happening in the imag isn’t the real story…

Detroit’s Music Hall Theatre has been in a defensive position, running large deficits in the past few years. But the institution is abandoning its conservative ways this year, expanding to offer its most ambitious season ever. “In the upcoming season, 135 nights are already booked and officials say they expect the total to reach at least 170. Seventy percent of the nights now represent Music Hall’s own bookings. Last season’s operating budget of $6 million will swell to between $8 and $10 million this season.”

“This week, the 45th exhibition of prison art opens in west London. There will be nearly 1,000 exhibits and prize money of £32,500, parcelled in small amounts to encourage the maximum number of artists. For many, a Koestler award is their first pat on the back; for a few, Koestler recognition is the gateway to a fresh start.”

The European Dream Festival offers off-the-radar work by artists from 24 countries in 22 venues. It’s a real hodgepodge of art and artforms, designed to showcase the diversity of creativity in Europe.

“Cincinnati has the nation’s fifth oldest symphony orchestra, the second oldest opera company, a Tony Award-winning Playhouse in the Park, the Aronoff Center for Broadway shows, a Shakespeare company, ballet, galleries, museums, a Contemporary Arts Center designed by signature architect Zaha Hadid, two impressive sports stadiums, the Freedom Center and the Banks on the way. Last year, arts, culture and entertainment activities brought more than 10 million people to the city center, according to a study by Downtown Cincinnati Inc. Yet, Cincinnati is struggling to determine what its identity should be.”

Cincinnati is losing population at an alarming rate. What to do to counter it? “Most importantly, participants said, the city needs a connector – a way to connect the dots, so Cincinnati is no longer a one-stop city, where people go to the ballgame or a show – then go straight home.”

“Madrid’s fashion week has turned away underweight models after protests that girls and young women were trying to copy their rail-thin looks and developing eating disorders. Organisers say they want to project an image of beauty and health, rather than a waif-like, or heroin chic look.”

British culture minister Tessa Jowell weighs in on Spain’s skinny model ban. “The other concern must be for the harm it has done to the starving girls who believe emaciation is their route to fame and fortune. Let’s see healthy girls of sizes 8, 10 and 12 with the confidence that comes with really believing you look great. We shouldn’t for one moment underestimate the power of fashion in shaping the attitude of young girls and their feelings about themselves.”