“The collections are of value to historians, but can self-aggrandizing presentations even be considered drafts of history? They are really ante-historical. Or anti-historical. They resemble the self-tributes that royalty once erected. Former presidents create monuments celebrating their own excellence, and the results are managed in perpetuity by the National Archives.”
Tag: 01.16.17
‘Fun Home’ Book/Lyrics Writer Lisa Kron Wins $100,000 Kleban Prize
Kron, who took home two Tony Awards for Fun Home, received the 2017 Kleban for “most promising musical theater librettist”; the prize for “most promising musical theater lyricist” went to 36-year-old Daniel Zaitchik (Picnic at Hanging Rock).
Top Posts From AJBlogs 01.16.17
Art Is As Art Does
A recent dinner conversation with friends rolled around to the question: “What is art?” A long conversation ensued. Someone offered up Wikipedia’s definition … This group of arts administrators was unsatisfied. … read more
AJBlog: Audience Wanted Published 2017-01-16
Monday Recommendation: John Coltrane
John Coltrane, Live At Birdland (Impulse)
On this observance of Martin Luther King’s birthday, we recommend an album that John Coltrane made at the height of the 1960s civil rights movement … read more
AJBlog: RiffTides Published 2017-01-16
Bankrupt Big Apple Circus For Sale
“The circus said its debts amounted to $8.3 million, against assets of $3.8 million, in its Chapter 11 filing. The Big Apple Circus began in 1977 and at its height staged more than 300 shows per year.”
After 146 Years Ringling Brothers Circus To Fold Its Tents
“Ringling Bros. ticket sales have been declining, but following the transition of the elephants off the road, we saw an even more dramatic drop. This, coupled with high operating costs, made the circus an unsustainable business for the company.”
Toronto Symphony Launches National Project To Make A Case For Canadian Composers
“The list of partners includes virtually every major and many minor orchestras, with commissioned composers including Andrew Balfour, Chan Ka Nin, Kevin Lau, Nicole Lizée and John Rea among others. The orchestras themselves have been invited to choose the composers with whom they would like to work, with the TSO agreeing to perform the full complement of fanfares.”
The Eiffel Tower To Get A €300 Million Refurbishment Over 15 Years
“The landmark, which receives more paying tourists—around seven million a year—than any other monument in the world, was built as the centerpiece of the 1889 Universal Exposition. The planned refurbishment is intended to bolster the French capital’s bids to host another World’s Fair in 2025 and, before that, the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic games, according to a statement from the mayor’s office.”
Six Female Artists At The Top Of The Auction Charts
Auction prices are a terrible way of judging the value of an artist. But they do tell you something about the demand for their work. Male artists command higher prices generally, but these six women are rising in the auction market.
Teaching Science Through Dance
This is the way way partner artists (have to) talk when they’re working in elementary schools: “Dance offers a fun way to learn science. Young students want to move around. Dance will represent what things mean in weather science and complement our core curriculum.”
What – And To Whom – Zaha Hadid Left Behind
The architect, who died suddenly last March, left money to relatives and her architecture firm’s partner, who has stoked controversy by speaking against public housing and art schools and advocating for building in Hyde Park. He’s also one of four partners in charge of the 60-million-pound trust that is her architecture firm.