“As the borders closed and new boundaries were established by the government, artists had no choice but to look inward to their imagination, to transform this isolation into an artistic resolution. Consequently, we have seen an outpouring of artistic production in literature, film, theatre, visual arts and music. We find bold attempts by artists who have not only challenged the authority, but have pioneered an authentically Iranian, non-Western aesthetic; which, while remaining mindful of the crippling social, political and religious realities of their country, aims at transcending national boundaries, to become universally significant.”
Tag: 05.06.05
Isaac Stern’s Children Win Estate Case
“The children of the late violinist Isaac Stern have won their case against a man they accused of squandering their father’s legacy. William Moorhead III, who acted as executor to Stern’s estate, was ordered by a judge in the US to pay back more than $500,000.”
Court Blocks FCC-Imposed “Broadcast Flag”
“The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia reversed a Federal Communications Commission order that required makers of consumer-electronics devices capable of receiving broadcast digital TV signals to recognize a “broadcast flag,” which is code that allows content owners to place limits on redistribution of digital content streams. The rule was to apply to devices manufactured on or after July 1, 2005. Specifically, the court admonished the FCC for exceeding what’s known as its “ancillary authority” over some reception devices (consumer-electronics products) by trying to regulate a function not directly related to the actual transmissions themselves.”
Who Should Decide What We Get To Watch On TV?
There’s a growing perception that pressure groups advocating censorship are having a disproportionate impact on what TV broadcasters are willing to program. So a new group, TV Watch, is coming out swinging in opposition to the suppressionists…
Cuban Librarians Convicted Of “Dangerousness”
Sensitive to growing international concern over reports of human rights violations, in late April the government of President Fidel Castro conducted a secret trial of two Cuban librarians, Elio Enrique Chávez and Luis Elio de la Paz, and sentenced them to prison on a charge of “dangerousness.”
Downloading – Where Are The Women?
A new study says women are not downloading music over the internet. “This is the new digital divide, with a huge survey by market information company TNS revealing that the vast majority of downloading is done by men – a staggering 96% of market share. People in the UK buy more music per head of population than in any other country, and we already have the highest ownership rates of iPods and MP3 players in the world. So why aren’t digital downloads bringing music to women’s ears?”
The Hot Band That Refuses To Record
A band called the Bays is getting some serious attention. But the band refuses to record and make CD’s, saying that live performance is an essential element to enjoying their music. “The Bays remind you that music is about experience rather than shopping. Making records may be “an aberration in the history of music”, which has always been about performance.”
The Do-It-Yourself Recording Orchestra
With the Philadelphia Orchestra announcing it will record every performance for possible later release on CD, might other orchestras be far behind? “Every situation is unique, but all of us are operating in a totally changed environment. In the old days, if things didn’t work out with one recording company, there were always a dozen other options. Now there aren’t any, and I think everyone realizes that. To make this happen, management and orchestra will have to be partners, not adversaries.”
Soaps Getting Cleaned In The Ratings
After decades as cash cows for American TV networks, the daytime soaps are losing audience fast. “Nielsen Media Research had found that in the first three months of the season that began in September, CBS, ABC, and NBC network soaps lost 18 percent of their female viewers ages 18 to 34, another blow to broadcasters reeling from the rise of cable and satellite services.”
Bourne Reinvents The Classics
“Over the last decade and a half, Matthew Bourne has virtually reinvented some of the sacred cows of the classical ballet repertoire: “La Sylphide,” “Swan Lake,” and “The Nutcracker” on his own markedly accessible terms. He’s aware, perhaps, that these works were probably never as “sacred” as purists would like to suppose, and he has invested them with a funny, sexy, surprising, mischievous, and even dangerous freshness. He has also discovered in them, and their musical scores, unsuspected and compelling story lines.”