At a forum on the future of the arts, Australian artists launch “a withering attack on the government, the arts media, populism and the boards of the performing arts companies. One cited the image of Nicky Webster’s ‘Dream’ at the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics as a metaphor for a bland and hypocritical culture … Continue reading “DEFINING THE ARTS”
New York’s fourth annual International Fringe Festival kicks off this week, and phenomenal growth and diversity in its programming (175 productions from 17 states and 12 countries) reflect a boom in alternative theatre’s popularity. The role of a fringe festival? “To rebuild the infrastructure of off-off Broadway theatre, which has replaced off-Broadway as the center … Continue reading “THE NEW R&D DEPARTMENT”
Amid the current buzz over the Turner Prize shortlist’s inclusion of three artists who aren’t British, a new European arts prize – the Vincent – is being launched by Holland’s Bonnefanten Museum to honor a European artist, regardless of country of origin. “In a world of global culture, individual countries no longer set the standards,” … Continue reading “A NEW ARTS PRIZE”
“If it seems glib, after a few hours’ lurching about in a media ruck, to give a simple thumbs up to an exhibition of such scale and diversity as the Biennale of Sydney 2000, there is nevertheless a point here worth insisting on: if you choose interesting work by terrific artists rather than forcefeeding art … Continue reading “CHECKING OUT THE SYDNEY BIENNALE”
More and more Asian directors, producers and actors are making it big in Hollywood. This new presence has nothing to do with diversity, though. It’s about cashing in at the box office. – Boston Herald 05/28/00
At the Cannes opening ceremony, French Prime Minister Lionel Jospin urged European film companies to fight Hollywood domination by creating European-centered film groups. He promised the French government would do more to promote foreign cinema. “Besides the cultural dimension, cinematographic diversity is also important for democracy. It is not just an image that cinema projects … Continue reading “RAISON D’ETAT!”
London mayor-elect Ken Livingstone’s recent promises have already thrilled the city’s art world. He plans to support the film industry, strengthen independent cinemas, and help make London a user-friendly environment for filming. He also “intends to maintain free entry to museums, and to introduce a “capital arts card” in partnership with business to give students, … Continue reading “DREAM MAYOR?”
London mayor-elect Ken Livingstone’s recent promises have already thrilled the art world. He plans to support the film industry, strengthen independent cinemas, and help make London a user-friendly environment for filming. He also “intends to maintain free entry to museums, and to introduce a “capital arts card” in partnership with business to give students, senior … Continue reading “DREAM MAYOR?”
Pop music used to move in discernible directions that had its mass-market appeal. Not the 1990s, which let a million flowers bloom. “The music world pays a price for diversity. Our new heroes are often only heroes to a few. The sheer volume of titles, more akin to books than to movies, means that many … Continue reading “THE END OF TOP 40”
So what’s the secret of running a successful arts center out in the suburbs? Treat people like they’re in the city. “There is this city mentality that seems to believe that everyone in the suburbs has gone brain dead. A lot of well-educated, sophisticated people come out to raise their children in a nurturing setting. … Continue reading “ART IN THE ‘BURBS”
