“Marcel Duchamp’s iconic urinal has been named the most influential piece of modern art. “The Duchamp came out top in a survey of 500 artists, curators, critics and dealers commissioned by the sponsor of the Turner prize, Gordon’s. Different categories of respondents chose markedly different works, with artists in particular plumping overwhelmingly for Fountain. ‘It feels like there is a new generation out there saying, ‘Cut the crap – Duchamp opened up modern art’.”
Tag: 12.02.04
Armstrong Quits Scottish Opera
Richard Armstrong has resigned as director of the Scottish Opera. “James MacMillan, the country’s leading composer, reacted angrily and accused the Scottish Executive and Arts Council of ‘making Scotland into a laughing stock the world over’. Mr MacMillan said the executive and SAC’s lack of support for the opera company, which is to have 88 jobs cut in a money saving move, was down to “a misguided anti-elitism. They see high arts as not really Scottish – which is an insult to the people who want the highest level of opera, theatre and music provision.”
Tut As Entertainment
The newly announced show of King Tut treasures coming to America is a for-profit affair and being packaged as entertainment. “The Egyptian government intends to clear $10 million in every city visited by a new touring show of Tutankhamun artifacts. Its financial goals have cultural institutions around the United States weighing the crowds his treasures are likely to draw against the prospect of having to charge as much as $30.”