Critic Lauren Oyler: “To a certain extent in Europe, you’re more likely to be around people who have been encouraged to read a lot more serious literature and philosophy, and they aren’t just wealthy or upper-class people. Meanwhile, in the United States you can go through an entire private school–to–Ivy League education and still be stupid. There are many very smart Americans, but they aren’t being served by our publishing industry or media or our ‘literary culture.'” – The End of the World Review
Tag: 11.17.20
The Great American Essays
“We’re going through a particularly rich time for American essays: especially compared to, 20 years ago, when editors wouldn’t even dare put the word “essays” on the cover, but kept trying to package these variegated assortments as single-theme discourses, we’ve seen many collections that have been commercially successful and attracted considerable critical attention.” – LitHub
Why Election Conspiracy Beliefs Are Ripe Right Now
“More and more we view opposing partisans as alien to ourselves, dislike and distrust them, and see them as iniquitous. “Viewing opposing partisans as different, or even as dislikable or immoral, may not be problematic in isolation,” the researchers write. “But when all three converge, political losses can feel like existential threats that must be averted—whatever the cost.” Which of course includes alleging that elections are rigged.” – Nautilus
Defining Creativity (And How To Look For It)
Modern psychology’s approach to creativity was born in 1950, but it was the Sputnik shock of 1957 that turned attention to the role that creativity plays in the real world. Over the following decades, psychologists would come to understand that creativity is not merely a matter of how we think, but also a function of our personalities (some people are inclined to be more open-minded than others) and where we work or learn (some environments are more conducive to creativity than others, for example through encouraging free thinking). – Psyche
Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. Bids To Buy Iconic Simon & Schuster
The powerhouse publisher was put up for sale by its owner, ViacomCBS, in March, and the company has since fielded more than half a dozen inquiries, according to three people familiar with the process who declined to be named because the matter remains confidential. – The New York Times
Ethan Stiefel Named Director Of American Repertory Ballet
“The position has been open since former director Douglas Martin’s departure in 2019. …. Stiefel, a former American Ballet Theatre star with directing, teaching and choreographing experience, [begins next July and] brings major name recognition and international credentials to the New Brunswick, New Jersey–based ARB.” – Pointe Magazine
Poland Freezes Its COVID Arts Bailout After Celebrities Are Caught Receiving Millions In Funding
“The ministry of culture released the names of more than 2,000 beneficiaries of its 400 million złoty ($106 million) support fund [last] Friday. Soon after, critics began scrutinizing the list, which included not only cultural foundations, orchestras, theaters, entertainment venues, and arts schools, but also several successful singers and actors.” A big backlash ensued, with accusations of corruption and cronyism flying. – Artnet
Report: Brexit Will Isolate UK Cultural Institutions For Two Years
Dr Charlotte Faucher, who oversaw the research, said the fear was that a lack of clarity on insurance, visas and travel restrictions, paired with potential complications caused by the global pandemic, would make European collaborations too risky. – The Guardian
Dept. Of Who-Thought-Of-This?: Spike Lee Is Making A Movie Musical About Viagra
The screenplay is by Lee and Kwame Kwei-Armah, artistic director of London’s Young Vic theatre; the songs will be by Heidi Rodewald and Stew, who won a Tony and three Drama Desk Awards for Passing Strange; the project is based on an article in Esquire, “All Rise: The Untold Story of The Guys Who Launched Viagra” by David Kushner. There’s no title yet, but oh, the possibilities … – Deadline
Report: Virtual Art Fairs Have Been A Failure
Given the extraordinary volume of resources dealers poured into online sales platforms, and the attention the web has garnered across the industry, the anemic returns on art e-commerce are all the more distressing. – Artnet