Category: issues

“Researchers examined the inner walls of ceramic jars they thought were associated with alcohol serving and production in two [ancient] tombs … They derived evidence of mold-based saccharification, a Chinese-bred brewing technique that converts starch in rice to sugar. They also found indications of ingredients including hemp seeds.”

“The demand for democratization isn’t rebellious, but rather, our responsibility as citizens—to push our field to be more representative of the America we live in. The “gatekeeper types” have represented a small and exclusive part of our democracy and we must be challenged, and we don’t have to react defensively. Rather, we might have to feel the precariousness that women and trans people and people of color know so very well.”

The Hellicon Collective releases a new study on funding in the cultural sector: “Despite important efforts by many leading foundations, funding overall has gotten less equitable, not more. This means that cultural philanthropy is not effectively — or equitably — supporting our evolving cultural landscape.”

Megan McArdle: “Republicans apparently kept right on loving their colleges until 2015. After all, many Republicans can thank college for getting them a good job. A team to root for on frosty autumn days. Some lovely, hazy memories of beer pong tournaments. Heck, maybe they even learned something. So why, just in the last couple of years, would conservatives turn against colleges with a vengeance?”

“The cube-shaped building, scheduled to open in 2020, will be the first major UK commission for Rem Koolhaas’s OMA architectural practice. The centre for art, theatre, dance and music events” – known as The Factory – “will form part of the new St John’s neighbourhood, to be built on the site of the former Granada TV studios in the city centre.”

Art, particularly avant-gardist art, has long been the target of conservatives in all countries. Art is part of the great fraud that is being perpetrated on ordinary people: It is an extension of the media and therefore always fake news. The speech is explicit about the role of art in the hoax: “They use their singers and comedy stars and award shows to repeat their narrative over and over again.”

“A Fyre-like calamity is the greatest fear of most festival organizers. The majority already seek to protect themselves by obtaining insurance, but it doesn’t come cheap, or easy. Insurers typically begin working with mega-festival organizers well in advance, determining exactly what kind of coverage they need. In some cases, risk and claim specialists will even tour facilities in advance and during the festival in an effort to mitigate any potential issues.”

“Does an organization elect to present art that more obviously than not seeks to provide either refuge or encourage resistance to its audience?  Does the organization present art that does one or the other, but consciously choose not to emphasize or highlight that aspect?  Some performances and some art will be more provocative and elicit more strident supporters or detractors.  And in a no win situation, the decision not to make that decision is itself subject to criticism in some quarters as a sell-out.”