In 2012 after the murder of Trayvon Martin my only employee at the time, a Black male, called to tell me that he was scared to leave his home, but didn’t want to let me down by not showing up to work. I told him to please take care of himself and to not worry then hung up. That conversation was a turning point for me. – WESTAF
Tag: 10.27.20
What Carlos Acosta Wants For Birmingham Royal Ballet
Well, besides getting through COVID (and he has things to say on that, too). “I want to challenge the perception that ballet is for white people, this is for old people. … We are in Birmingham, with its own demographic, and we have to keep that in mind when commissioning. I want to highlight how important the city has been to the U.K. Heavy-metal music was born here, Led Zeppelin came from here — we’ll do those ballets! But this art form was born centuries ago, and we have a responsibility to cultivate that side, too.” – The New York Times
The World’s Whitest White Is Here, And It Can Help Fight Climate Change
In the past few years we’ve seen the debuts of the world’s blackest black (several times) and pinkest pink. Now comes a white acrylic paint, developed by engineers at Purdue, that reflects 99.5% of light and stays cooler than the ambient temperature even in the brightest sunshine. Meanwhile, artist Stuart Semple (who created that super-hot pink) has developed his own Whitest White, which (he says) reflects 99.6% of light. – Artnet
Jon Stewart Is Returning To Television
“As part of an expansive, multiyear deal with Apple, the Emmy-drenched former writer, producer and host of The Daily Show is set to front an all-new current affairs series for the streaming service. The show, which will run for multiple seasons, puts Stewart back in the anchor’s chair as he explores a host of topics at the center of both the national conversation and his own advocacy work.” – The Hollywood Reporter
COVID Roars Through The Ranks At La Scala And San Carlo
In Milan, 18 choristers and three woodwind players have come down with the coronavirus, even as La Scala has shut down again. At the Teatro San Carlo in Naples, 12 employees, among them management, chorus singers, orchestral players and ballet dancers, have tested positive for COVID so far. – AP
AAMD’s Failed Oversight: Murky “Clarification” of Its “Financial Flexibility” Resolutions
Better late than never (but not soon enough), the Association of Art Museum Directors is attempting to backpedal from its decision, six months ago, to temporarily loosen its tight strictures against the use of proceeds from art sales for anything other than acquisitions. – Lee Rosenbaum
Five Years After Aneurysm, Joni Mitchell Still Struggling To Walk
In a Q&A with Cameron Crowe about a new disc of unreleased recordings, Mitchell said, “Polio didn’t grab me like that, but the aneurysm took away a lot more, really. Took away my speech and my ability to walk. And, you know, I got my speech back quickly, but the walking I’m still struggling with. But I mean, I’m a fighter. I’ve got Irish blood!” – BBC
New Zealand Makes a Deal to Keep The Hobbit
“The government yesterday maintained its stake in Peter Jackson’s two-part fantasy epic by promising to rewrite the country’s labour laws and offering a $25m tax break to the Hollywood studio Warner Bros. The last-ditch deal brings an end to weeks of protests and uncertainty when it looked as if the production – a prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy – would move elsewhere.”