“In the midst of a crisis of capitalism, the Western underground is rediscovering communism. Its star is the Slovenian philosopher Slavoj Zizek, who mixes Marxism with pop culture and psychoanalysis. His appearances offer stand-up comedy for a radical leftist avant-garde. … There are Zizek T-shirts and Zizek records, and there is a Zizek club and an international Zizek journal. … One could say that he’s reinvented the profession. Some would say he’s defiled the profession.”
Tag: 07.08.10
A Brief History Of Lesbianism In Literature
“Horrible stereotypes of corrupting older women seducing young innocents and the lesbian as primitive do abound, as does that ever so popular way of dealing with a character with a deviant sense of morality: the tragic death. But it’s a much more lively and open history than you might imagine.”
Dissidents Warn Of Growing Russian Intolerance For Art
“Two prominent intellectuals, facing a verdict of up to three years’ imprisonment over a museum exhibition in 2007, issued dire warnings on Thursday that Russia was starting to resemble Nazi Germany, contemporary Iran and the Soviet Union in the harshness of its growing nationalism, dominance of the Russian Orthodox church and fear of modern art.”
The Whitney Divided (It’s A Good Thing)
“Now, after 25 years of trying to build extensions to its cement fortress on Madison Avenue, the Whitney is going to do something very bold and scary — something that, in the light of these excellent shows, it seems ready to do. The Whitney is going to replicate itself.”
Disney Sells Miramax (And Not To Harvey Weinstein)
“Los Angeles billionaire Ronald Tutor and his partners Morgan Creek, Colony Capital and David Bergstein have reached agreement to buy Miramax from The Walt Disney Company … The sale price is believed to be $675 million.”
Museum Of Glass Art Or Funky Indie-Radio Music Hub? Deciding What To Do With Seattle Center
“In one corner, there was the [Dale] Chihuly paid-entry exhibit, with a glass house and art garden that its proposers, the privately owned Space Needle, say will bring in 400,000 visitors and $1.1 million a year in revenue to the city. In the other corner was KEXP, a non-profit, listener-supported radio station, which proposed bringing its studio and operations to the Center, building green space, and introducing new musicians to the public.”
Patrice Chereau To Make UK Stage Directing Debut
“The Young Vic theatre in London will celebrate its 40th anniversary this winter by luring another middle-aged enfant terrible, the award-garlanded French director Patrice Chéreau, to direct his first stage play in English.”
Alex Ross: Classical Music Is Younger And Hipper Than Late-Night TV
“That’s what I conclude from today’s New York Times story about declining audiences for late-night talk shows such as The Tonight Show and The Late Show.“
Colorado Dance Troupe Tries Last-Ditch Fundraising Drive
“Ballet Nouveau Colorado issued a plea for financial help Thursday to avoid having to suspend operations. The nonprofit contemporary ballet company said in a letter posted on its website that it needs to raise $198,000 by July 31, when its fiscal year ends.”
Composing A Piece For The Eiffel Tower (As Instrument)
In 2007, Joseph Bertolozzi went to a bridge over the Hudson River near Poughkeepsie and “hammered on I-beams and guardrails, whacked thick cables, sent steel pellets down the inside of a bridge tower and recorded the sounds … [and] turned them into a composition, Bridge Music..” He has now asked the city of Paris for permission to do a similar project with the Eiffel Tower for the structure’s 125th anniversary in 2014 – and the city is seriously considering it.