Is conceptual art really art at all? The debate never seems to end. “Conceptual art refuses to be judged in conventional artistic terms, in terms of the material art object. But nor can it be judged as a pure idea, either. The result is that it occupies a kind of no-man’s land, where it is difficult to judge or hold it to account.”
Tag: 11.20.03
The End Of History? Hah!
“Francis Fukuyama proclaimed ‘the end of history’ in 1989. The triumph of the western idea of markets and democracy would bring about a boring kind of bliss for all. Somewhat in parallel grew the concept of globalisation. Economic interdependence and the internet were creating a single world community. Some looked forward to a new law – or rule-based international society. Common to all three was the thought that we had entered a historically unprecedented era in which peace, prosperity and justice might be sustained without the old power relations, which as often as not had brought war and impoverishment.” But it hasn’t quite worked out that way…
A Mechanical Performance That “Sings”
The assignment: write theatre for machines that interact with audiences in new ways. “The project is called the Technology Plays, a theater experiment that is trying to take the old man-versus-machine theme to new extremes. The writers, led by Mr. Dresser and Mr. Kennedy, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “Ironweed,” have fashioned an unsettling exhibition challenging conventional notions of what theater can be and how it can be delivered.”
The Trouble With Aussie Film
“The perception is that the standard of Australian feature films, and television drama is, in general, slipping. Where are the films with international appeal? Where’s the meaningful TV? The drama isn’t dramatic, some industry insiders point out, and the comedy isn’t funny. Feature film and TV drama production is falling, and local expenditure is down. The TV networks are obsessed with cheap and faddish reality and renovation TV.”
Journalism as Relevant Art
When AP photographer Anja Niedringhaus snapped a photo of an Italian soldier standing in front of his bombed-out military barracks last week in Iraq, she created an image which would wind up on the front pages of more than 50 newspapers around the world. That unanimity of editorial taste proves once and for all that news photography can rise to the level of art, says Alan Artner, and Niedringhaus’ photo is a perfect example of the undervalued genre of war photography. “Some war photographs record destruction; others present human reaction. Niedringhaus’ combines the two. Or does it?”
Another Journalist Felled By The P-Word
When longtime Denver Post music writer G. Brown resigned his position last week after being accused of plagiarism in a review, he chalked the copied portions of the review up to sloppiness and the pressures of the daily deadline. But now, it appears that an even larger chunk of the review that cost Brown his job may have been pilfered from a New York Daily News story, and the whole incident has caused the Post to rewrite its internal ethics policy, to the dismay of some staffers.
Why Visionaries and Budget Sheets Don’t Mix
In 2002, architect Jean Nouvel was hired by Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Science Center to design a $90 million addition to its building. But “Carnegie Museums terminated Nouvel’s contract in May for failing to produce a scheme that could be built for that amount,” and withheld a chunk of the money it had promised the architect. A legal battle ensued, but now it appears that a settlement is near.
Kesey’s Prankster Legacy
The ’60s may be long gone, but don’t tell that to the Ken Kesey-inspired Merry Pranksters, who continue to traverse Northern California in a psychedelic bus, spreading beat wisdom and leftist radicalism wheresoever they find it lacking. Sure, the Pranksters may be a bit more, um, self-promotional than they once were, but Kesey, who died two years ago, still exerts a clear and powerful influence over the writers and poets who hung on his every word in life.
Controversial Collector McMichael Dies
“Some people just can’t take yes for an answer. Robert McMichael was one of them. The photographer/salesman-turned-art collector founded one of Ontario’s most popular cultural attractions, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection in Kleinburg… But Mr. McMichael never could accept the consequences of his own generosity or the success of the gallery he created. Rather than celebrate the independence of the institution, he fought its evolution at every step.” McMichael died Tuesday, aged 82.
A Legacy of Passion and Folly
“[Canada’s] affection for the McMichael Canadian Collection, I suspect, will survive long after the founder’s follies have been forgotten. The latter were, unfortunately, many and famous. For much of the last 25 years of his life, you could never be quite sure what he would do next.”