Who Sees What

“Contemporary art and art history is full of misunderstanding between creators and viewers about the meaning that work itself communicates. Both sides can be responsible for speaking past one another. True, many academics or critics exploit art’s “messages” for self-interested methodological or political ends. But many excellent artists leave themselves defenseless against such hijacking because they cannot articulate persuasively why they do what they do.”

A Few More Indie Bookstores (Yay!)

“In 2005 the ABA registered 90 new stores. Last year there were 97, spanning the country from tiny, two-store towns to bursting metropolises. It’s a recent shift, and one that should be heartening for famished bookworms. But it leaves one wondering, even worrying, about these novice booksellers, so new to a business where 2 percent is often considered a good margin of profit. Are they blinded by their love of books, harboring romantic dreams of earning a living? Is there even room in the cultural landscape for the independent bookstore? Is it worth the risk?”

Low-Tech Glass

Philip Glass’ opera Waiting for the Barbarians had “its September 2005 world premiere at Theater Erfurt in Germany, one of the world’s newest and most technically advanced opera houses. When that same production was transferred to the much older Bass Concert Hall in central Texas for its American debut last week, the producers were faced with a technological puzzle. They knew Erfurt’s state-of-the-art, computer-controlled system would need to be replaced with something a little less precise: a bunch of guys perched on beams above the stage.”

“Reality” TV – All About Cultural Dominance

“Reality television, which was originally created as a thumb-nosing alternative for the young (“The Real World”), has been co-opted by the baby boomers, who never miss a chance to assert their hegemony on popular culture. It’s not so much that they watch the shows, though many do. It’s that reality television aims for younger viewers, 18 to 34, while subliminally underscoring and cementing their fealty to the relaxed-fit generation.”