The idea of viewing literature through the lens of one “-ism” or another has been a pervasive part of academia for decades. But increasingly, scholars are beginning to question the value of pigeonholing individual works of fiction, and trying to bend them to fit within the confines of a previously defined set of values. No one is arguing against the value of context, but “some academics say that postmodern theory is on the way out altogether and that the heady ideas that once changed the way literature is taught and read will soon be as extinct as the dodo and the buggy whip.”
Tag: 01.27.04
The Uncertain Future of Flamenco
Flamenco is many different things to different people. ‘Classic’ flamenco, “created by marginalised gypsies in rural Andalusia two or more centuries ago, and still sung in southern Spain by old-timers,” is only peripherally related to the jazzy, pop-influenced dance craze which is even now enjoying a comeback all across Europe. Most of the youngsters dancing the night away to the latter are probably completely unaware of the former, and some purists are concerned that the gypsy history of the original flamenco may soon be lost.
The Crumbling Wall Of China
Thanks to centuries of erosion, decades of tourism, and countless incidents of vandalism, the Great Wall of China is barely a third of its original impressive self. “It is the clearest indication yet that booming China is failing to use its new wealth to conserve what ought to be a source of national pride. Renovations that have been carried out have ended with clumsy exploitation, such as at Badaling, where tourists can ride toboggans and cable cars, eat at a KFC outlet and have their picture taken with camels and life-size cutouts of Mao Zedong.” The Badaling section of the wall alone attracts more than 10 million visitors per year.
Would Carrot Top Qualify As Ironic?
The long-standing lament of the British expatriate living in America is that Americans simply do not understand or appreciate irony in their humor. But with the decidedly ironic Britcom, The Office, having just walked away with two Golden Globe awards, is America finally starting to get the joke? The truth, says Jonathan Duffy, is that American comedy is full of irony, and has been for some time. What has taken Americans so long to catch on to British humor is not the ironic content, but the lack of traditional setups and punch lines.
Manhattan, You Can Stop That Snickering Anytime Now
“In an effort to revitalize Staten Island and make it a cultural destination for all New Yorkers, the city has invested $8 million to develop and expand Staten Island’s Snug Harbor Cultural Center (SHCC), an 83-acre complex that mixes art, music, and theatre… The infusion of cash — half of the money has already been spent to restore the venerable, 750-seat Music Hall — marks a major shift in the center’s mission, vision, and purpose.”
Looking For History In A Single Photo
“A horrific photograph of an execution in eastern Europe during the second world war can be seen in Holocaust archives and museums around the world. But who are the killers, who are the victims, who took it – and why?” The date and location given for the photo are misleading, for there were supposedly no Jews left in the identified town at the time, and in fact, no historian has been able to positively identify the victims as Jews, or their tormentors as Nazis. One researcher has devoted years to finding the answers, and all she has discovered is that the Holocaust remains simultaneously one of the most well-documented and murkiest events in human history.
What Good Is Music If You Can’t Mount It On Your Wall?
“At 11 a.m. today, in a midtown Manhattan music studio, a handful of record industry veterans will huddle around a reel of tape they say is an original master from the historic 1954 recording debut of Elvis Presley. Then, after a brief introduction, the tape will be chopped to pieces.” Why would anyone do such a thing to an undeniable piece of American musical history? For the merchandising money, of course. The bits of tape will be mounted on handsome plaques and sold for $495 apiece to the type of memorabilia-obsessed cretins who honestly believe that a mangled piece of magnetic tape is more valuable than the music which used to be on it.
Recovery In Sight?
“After a painfully slow year in the book trade, Canadian publishers are facing 2004 with cautious optimism. And, perhaps surprisingly, Indigo Books & Music is the reason. The powerful chain appears to have had a strong Christmas season, which has publishers excited. And the company, long criticized for its haphazard inventory control, is poised to introduce a new computer system that will likely solve many of the ordering and tracking problems that have plagued it in the past. Results for the crucial third quarter of Indigo’s fiscal year won’t be announced to shareholders till early February but publishers say Indigo… is sending out gratifyingly large payments.”
Cutbacks In Philly
Opera Company of Philadelphia announced its new season with something less than the usual fanfare this week. Citing financial constraints, OCP is cutting one of its five annual productions, and has adjusted its planned repertoire to add more crowd-pleasers and eliminate an expensive Tchaikovsky production. The company, which has historically operated in the black, ran a small deficit last season, and could lose as much as $200,000 this year. “Subscribers have declined from 11,568 last season to 9,233 this season, with a drop in total ticket revenue from $4.46 million to a projected $3.9 million.” Donations have been flat as well.
Oscar Nominees Announced
“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, the final chapter in Peter Jackson’s majestic fantasy trilogy, led the Academy Awards race Tuesday with 11 nominations, including best picture and director. The Napoleonic era naval adventure Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World was right behind with 10 nominations, among them best picture and director. Bill Murray, Diane Keaton, Sean Penn and Charlize Theron were among the leading acting nominees. Other best-picture nominees for the 76th annual Oscars included Lost in Translation, about two lonely Americans in Tokyo; the brooding murder thriller Mystic River; and the horse-racing drama Seabiscuit.“