“People who complain about conceptual art always do so on the grounds of craft. Anything that has no painterly or sculptural skill is not art, because anyone could do it. But when people object to individual pieces, it’s almost always because of the subject matter. This has been true since the start of the readymade tradition…”
Tag: 10.18.05
Unions Want In On Video iPod Cash
Five Hollywood unions representing actors, writers and directors have called for negotiations with producers to make sure their members get a cut of revenue generated by the sale of TV shows on Apple’s iTunes software.
PBS Sprouting Ads Over Critics’ Objections
“Some critics have howled that, with Sprout, PBS has crossed a line, giving up any claim to being a safe, noncommercial haven. But PBS supporters say the public TV system has to face reality in a time of uncertain federal funding and unprecedented competition. ‘Unfortunately, PBS has a really hard path to forge. They used to be the only game in town if you were looking for a channel that was safe for your kids. But commercial offerings are now so vast, that in order to have a level playing field, they have to end up doing some of the same things’.”
150 Countries Sign New Culture Agreement (US Refuses)
One hunbdred and fifty countries have signed a new agreement on cultural diversity. “The international agreement — formally the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions — reaffirms the right of sovereign states to ‘maintain, adopt and implement’ policies that protect and promote cultural expression, and exempt certain cultural products from free-trade agreements.”
Kennedy Center Swears Off Virtual Orchestra
Washington DC’s Kennedy Center has signed a new contract with its musicians that says the Center will not use a virtual orchestra for any of its shows. “The debate over virtual orchestras was part of a four-day strike in 2003 by Broadway musicians. Theatrical producers had proposed reducing the number of players, to save money, and bring in a virtual orchestra. That attempt failed but has been tried elsewhere.”
New Orleans Museum Fires Staff
The New Orleans Museum of Art, which survived Hurricane Katrina intact, has laid off 70 of its 86 staff. “The city-financed museum, which has been shut since the day before Katrina hit in late August, was instructed by the municipal government to keep only a minimal staff needed to administer the institution in its current closed state.”
Introducing The August Wilson Theatre
Broadway’s Virginia Theatre was renamed the August Wilson Theatre. In a ceremony, Wilson’s daughter read the late playwright’s words on hearing the theatre was to be named for him: “I have a robust imagination and I have imagined for myself many things,” wrote Wilson, author of such plays as “Fences,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “The Piano Lesson.” I have imagined a wife and two beautiful daughters, and I have imagined a sustained career for myself in the theater. But not in my wildest imagination could I have ever imagined this.”
Rough Seas For Wikipedia?
The Wikipedia has enjoyed charmed press and its supporters’ claims of a new collaborative world are impressive. But an increasing number of critics are complaining about Wiki’s quality problems. “In theory, Wikipedia is a beautiful thing – it has to be a beautiful thing if the Web is leading us to a higher consciousness. Only it isn’t. An encyclopedia can’t just have a small percentage of good entries and be considered a success. I would argue, in fact, that the overall quality of an encyclopedia is best judged by its weakest entries rather than its best. What’s the worth of an unreliable reference work?”
Canada’s Governor General Awards Finalists
Finalists for this year’s Governor General’s Literary Awards have been announced. “The fiction nominees include David Gilmour’s A Perfect Night to Go to China, Charlotte Gill’s Ladykiller, Joseph Boyden’s Three Day Road, Kathy Page’s Alphabet and Golda Fried’s Nellcott Is My Darling. In addition to the $15,000 cash prize in each category, each laureate will receive a specially crafted copy of his or her winning book. The winning publishers receive $3,000. Non-winning finalists receive $1,000 each.”
Montreal Symphony Ends Strike
Montreal Symphony musicians have approved a new contract, ending their strike, begun last May. “On Monday, the musicians voted 96 per cent in favour of a tentative agreement reached this weekend. They had been without a contract since Aug. 31, 2003. The new seven-year deal is retroactive and will give the players an 18.23 per cent salary increase over the next seven years, as well as improved premiums and pension benefits. It expires in 2010.”