“A 2008 law requires Brazilian teenagers to study philosophy because it is ‘necessary for the exercise of citizenship’.” Carlos Fraenkel pays a visit to a class in Salvador.
Tag: 01.25.12
Why Doesn’t Oscar Like Comedies?
“After all, only one comedy has won Best Picture in the last 30 years. And Shakespeare in Love was a laugh riot, wasn’t it?”
Vladimir Putin Suggests Canon Of Russian Literature
In a lengthy essay in Nezavisimaya Gazeta, the Russian leader writes that “the Russian people and Russian culture are the linchpin, the glue that binds together this unique civilization … this kind of civilizational identity is based on preserving the dominance of Russian culture.” He then argues that a list of 100 great Russian books be compiled and assigned to every student.
Why Do Artists Decline Royal Honors?
“From Lucian Freud to Roald Dahl, creative talents have long been rejecting honours from the Queen. But why? Maybe they just don’t want to be part of an elite gang of Fred Goodwins.”
Arts On Demand – A New Hibrow Arts Service
“Hibrow is the brainchild of film-maker Don Boyd, and allows members of the public to watch entire productions and performances from a variety of arts organisations – including the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh – whose productions have been captured by a specially assembled production team.”
Uffizi Renovations Stagger On
“The Nuovi Uffizi renovations are expected to more than double its exhibition space from 5,400 sq. m to 12,000 sq. m, allowing visitor numbers to also double, from 4,000 to 8,000 a day. The Nuovi Uffizi project was initially due for completion in 2006 and then delayed to 2009. It has now been scheduled for completion in 2014, but €30m is still needed to stay on track.”
Sydney Opera Chief Resigns
“After four years, four state premiers and four different arts ministers, Sydney Opera House chief executive Richard Evans has called curtains and accepted a job on the other side of Sydney Harbour running Paul Cave’s BridgeClimb.”
Engagement With Art Versus Arts Institutions
“The theory has long been that more exposure to art created more people interested in art. If that’s true, than we’re in a budding Golden Age. But if more and more activity is happening outside of our institutions (arts, education etc), then what does that mean for the institutions?” Join This week’s ArtsJournal discussion Lead or Follow.
Philadelphia Orchestra To Return To Major-Label Recording
During Yannick Nézet-Séguin’s announcement of the orchestra’s 2012-13 season, his first as music director, he revealed that he would be making recordings with the Philadelphians (among other orchestras) as part of his contract with Deutsche Grammophon.
Actor Nicol Williamson, 75
“[He] was considered ‘the greatest since Marlon Brando’ by John Osborne and reckoned by Samuel Beckett to be ‘touched by genius’; but his prickly temperament helped derail what might have been one of the great theatrical careers.”