Scott McLemee thinks so: The term “canon” rests on an analogy between an established set of cultural masterpieces, on the one hand, and the authoritative body of scriptures, on the other hand. And the problem with this comparison is that, deep down, it is almost impossible to take seriously. “Canon” is not so much a concept as a dead metaphor — or rather, perhaps, a stillborn one.
Tag: 12.21.05
Scottish Theatre’s Busy Year
Scottish theatre has had a busy year. “There’s a curious sense, this year, of a theatre culture moving towards the extremes: either towards small, intimate and often site-specific micro-events like The Devil’s Larder, or back towards the luxurious Rolls Royce of a theatre experience, towards mainstream productions.”
What The Kimmel Needs
Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center has a debt of $30 million that is plaguing its finances. Peter Dobrin suggests looking at the things that could be right with Kimmel. “I’m not so much advocating a government or philanthropic bailout as I am making the case that the Kimmel today is unfinished – as surely incomplete as it would be if the glass dome were never fully glazed. Without proper endowment and a financial structure that allows the contents of the building – the art itself – to flourish, we will never know whether our huge civic effort was worth the work. Let’s finish the Kimmel. The building is done. Now it’s time to finish building the institution.”
Broadway Moves Despite Transit Strike
Broadway went on despite New York’s transit strike. In fact, there were more tickets available than usual for those who could make it to the theatre district…
Getty Trust Put On Probation
“The Council on Foundations, the main industry group for the nation’s nonprofits, said Tuesday that it has placed the J. Paul Getty Trust on probation for 60 days after the trust failed to turn over all the information requested for an investigation into its financial practices.”
In Rats, At Least, Brain Goes Nuts For Sugar
Scientists have pinpointed a spot in the brain that associates pleasure with sweet tatses. “Sweetness by itself is merely a sensation, they note. Its pleasure arises within the brain, where neural systems actively paint pleasure onto the sensation to generate a ‘liking’ reaction. The study pinpointed a pleasure spot within a larger part of the brain responsible for appetite in the nucleus accumbens, the lower front of the brain. There’s a ‘liking’ cube tucked within a larger ‘wanting’ cube.”
Children’s Museum Joins Boston’s Museum Boom
Boston’s Children’s Museum is about to begin construction of a $45 million expansion. “With the announcement, the Children’s Museum joins an unprecedented cultural building boom in Boston. Other projects include the Museum of Fine Arts, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Museum of Science, and a pair of museums slated for the Rose Kennedy Greenway. The closest in proximity to the Children’s Museum is the Institute of Contemporary Art, set to open on nearby Fan Pier in September.”
Zukerman’s Curious Working “Vacation”
Pinchas Zukerman’s abrupt decision to skip out on the second half of the sesaon with his National Arts Center Orchestra is puzzling. “During the 5½ months he won’t be performing with the NACO, Zukerman is booked for dozens of guest appearances with 14 orchestras on three continents. In sum, Zukerman is skipping out of his salaried gig, but keeping all the freelance work.” Doesn’t sound like a man “taking a sabbatical”…
Digital Conversion – CD Sales Fall, Downloads Rise
“According to Nielsen SoundScan, the information system that tracks sales of music and music video products throughout the United States and Canada, sales of music CDs in the States are down almost 7 percent from last year. Album sales in 2004 totaled 480.6 million; sales through late October of this year reached 446.9 million. Meanwhile, legal digital downloading shows no signs of slowing down. Nielsen reported digital sales in 2004 of 101 million. Spurred by the iPod revolution, that number grew to 264.4 million this year. There are more than 230 online sites where consumers can buy music legally, up from 50 a year ago.”
A Guide For Everything, Anytime
“In the digital age, everyone’s a tour guide. Professionals and amateurs alike want to show you around neighborhoods, museums and historic sites around the world. Whether you download them to your Nano, connect via cell phone or load a CD into your Discman, the experience is the same: Hit Play or the Call button at a designated spot, go where you’re told and allow a local expert to turn your walk into a narrated tour.”