Category: people

“The identity of the lover to whom Federico García Lorca wrote passionate verse in his final year has been a mystery ever since the poet’s assassination during the Spanish civil war. But now, more than 70 years later, his name has finally emerged.

“On the menu: 1,500 to 3,000 euros for TV packages, 750 to 2,000 euros for group chats (called round tables) and that precious one-on-one time with the big names at 1,000 to 2,500 euros. Well, technically, not quite one-on-ones; time with Pitt comes with a side order of some other less marketable talent.”

“Artist Thomas Kinkade’s death last month was from an accidental overdose of alcohol and Valium, according to the Santa Clara County, California, medical examiner.”

“His death was as remarkable as his life. He made his debut as a soloist with the Warsaw Philharmonic at age 11, performed his last concert when he was in his mid-90s, and was still teaching, literally, on his deathbed.”

“Before he began writing his own tales, he illustrated children’s book written by others. When he began illustrating his own stories, he created a world unlike any other. ‘Children’s books were always very pretty,’ [said curator] Barbara Gilbert. … ‘But Sendak wanted them to be honest.'”

“[He] wasn’t afraid of writing very dark and disturbing children’s books. In fact, he understood that what children really want is to be disturbed, ruffled, terrified. He wasn’t interested in writing sweet or charming books for children like Angelina Ballerina, or Olivia. ‘I refuse to lie to children,’ he said. ‘I refuse to cater to the bullshit of innocence.'”

“You have to study deeply and express your wishes. The notes are just signs. You have to go behind them and see what your fantasy tells you. But how do you express that through sound? If you think of the technical aspects of conducting as being on the ground floor of a big building, then 20 floors up you are beginning perhaps to get the sound you want.”

“‘I say to them, I would like to make a levitation room, I would like to have a digital temple,’ Ms. Abramovic said of her conversations with the architects. ‘There will be a room for drinking water and drinking water in slow motion.'”

“Happiness is a treadmill of a goal for people who are not happy by nature. Being an unhappy person does not mean you must be sad or dark. You can be interested, instead of happy. You can be fascinated instead of happy.”

“When Mr. Pearl founded the Perseus Books Group in 1996, publishers were ‘bailing out of serious fiction and nonfiction, saying they can’t make the mid-list pay,’ New York magazine said in a profile of Mr. Pearl. Mr. Pearl, who had long held a deep interest in books, decided to create a company of his own.”