“In the unregulated hothouse which is the Internet, new literary life forms appear and change at the speed at which fruit flies mutate. Among the fastest growing – and changing – of web-spawned literary species is ‘slash fiction’.”
Tag: 02.14.06
Design Debate: Engineering Or Art?
There’s a debate going on about the mainstream of design. “The key point at issue is whether design should retain its traditional industrial focus and concentrate on assisting in the creation of new devices that work better and more efficiently than old ones, or whether it should move with the times, align itself with the so-called ‘knowledge economy’ and offer a primarily aesthetic experience.
‘Ol Blue Eyes Back In London
A new show about the life of Frank Sinatra is ready to hit London’s West End. “The show has the blessing of the Sinatra family; it is described in publicity leaflets as ‘bona fide, 100 per cent Frank’, which sounds a little like a junk food chain trying to convince a recalcitrant public of the purity of its burgers. It is a beefy story, all right; but there is also a slightly cheesy whiff to the proceedings. Ersatz tribute shows such as this have their place, but it is surely not proper theatre?”
What Led To Munitz’s Downfall At The Getty
Last month then-Getty president Barry Munitz rewarded his assistant with a huge severance award. “Munitz promised Jill Murphy severance worth twice her annual salary at a time when he was under investigation by both the state attorney general and the Getty board, and despite a clear warning from the board that he should seek prior approval for any controversial moves, several trustees said. By acting ‘unilaterally’ to benefit a staff member who had come to symbolize his divisive administration, Munitz turned trustee sentiment against him as they were weighing his future at the Getty.”
Canada’s Cultural Capital? How About Baffin Island
Okay, maybe not quite. But a new study says the desolate arctic island has more artists per capita than anywhere else in Canada. “Using data from the 2001 census, Hill Strategies Research Inc. discovered that of a total working population of 485 individuals in Cape Dorset, 110, or 22.7 per cent, were working as artists. That’s almost 30 times the national average of 0.8 per cent and more than double the country’s second-most-artistic municipality, British Columbia’s Squamish-Lillooet, between Vancouver and Whistler.”
San Jose Rep Struggles To Recover
Last year was tough for San Jose Repertory Theatre – a huge deficit, declining ticket sales, and an artictic lineup that was overly ambitious. The company has cut back, reducing its budget and laying off staff. And while it’s now running in the black, lessons have been learned…
Cautionary Tale: Star Building Buzz Fades Fast
Three years ago, Cincinnati’s Contemporary Arts Center opened a new building designed by star Zaha Hadid. There were crowds and there was lots of attention. But now the crowds have gone and the attention has faded. “This would-be icon stands as a cautionary tale: In an age when celebrity architects are courted by cities and institutions desperate to make a splash, brand-name buzz can fade quicker than a fresh coat of paint.”
CBC Show Cancelations Could Have Big Consequences
Canada’s CBC television has announced it is canceling three critically-acclaimed series. “Cancellation of three CBC series without naming replacements is a short-sighted decision that will cost hundreds of jobs and imperil Canadian English-language TV drama, the union representing Canadian actors said yesterday.”
Pictures Of The Prophet Everywhere
Are depictions of Muhammad strictly prohibited? “Art’s history disputes this. True, that strict taboo today is honored now by almost all Muslims, but old paintings of the prophet — finely brushed expensive ones, made carefully and piously by Muslims and for them — are well known to most curators of Islamic art.”
Met Opera Slashes Ticket Prices
The Metroploitan Opera is cutting the price of its cheapest tickets to $15. “The Met faces a box office shortfall of approximately $4 million this season as opera finds its harder to compete with other forms of entertainment. The Met’s new general manager, Peter Gelb, unveiled his strategy on Monday, and promised to maintain the venerable institution’s reputation for quality while broadening opera’s appeal.”