“Ever since Bram Stoker penned Dracula in 1897, the vampire’s image has been a work in progress. In the 43 sequels, remakes and adaptations of Stoker’s novel, Transylvania’s most famous son rarely appears the same way twice. He has evolved with the society around him.”
Author: Matthew Westphal
A Moving Rubik’s Cube Skyscraper
Architect David Fisher is designing a tower in which each floor rotates independently, giving the building different profiles throughout the day. Groundbreaking is set for a first version of the skyscraper in Dubai (of course); Fisher is working on a similar structure for Moscow and hopes to build one in Manhattan as well.
Forbes Names The Top-Earning Dead Celebrities
In a Halloween package with articles such as “Death, Career Move” and “Ghoulish Gold: Celebrity Body Parts Market,” the Capitalist Tool™ gives its list of the top moneymakers in the Great Beyond. Not surprisingly, Elvis Presley tops the list (John Lennon is only seventh); Albert Einstein is no. 4; newcomers to the list include Heath Ledger (no. 3) and Paul Newman (no. 11).
Peering Into The Future Of The NY Phil
At a press luncheon this week, incoming Philharmonic Music Director Alan Gilbert revealed some of his plans for the orchestra in the coming seasons, including: Magnus Lindberg as composer-in-residence, a new-music ensemble of up to 50 musicians from the Phil’s ranks, and an opening-night gala with Renée Fleming singing Messiaen.
Lepage’s Latest Epic To Headline Luminato
Lipsynch, the most recent of Canadian director Robert Lepage’s signature nine-hour stage works, will be one of the major events at next June’s Luminato festival in Toronto. The piece was first seen in an abbreviated version in Newcastle, England in 2007; the full-length Lipsynch premiered in London in September.
Having Vanquished Religion, Richard Dawkins Turns On To Harry Potter And The Tooth Fairy
The atheist firebrand and author of The God Delusion “will write a book aimed at youngsters where he will discuss whether stories like the successful JK Rowling series have a ‘pernicious’ effect on children… [Dawkins] says he intends to look at the effects of ‘bringing children up to believe in spells and wizards’.”
The Economic Meltdown, Made Tangible
“On Wednesday, two artists installed a 1,500-pound ice sculpture carved to spell the word ‘Economy’ in Manhattan’s financial district. The ‘Main Street Meltdown’ will remain in Foley Square until it melts – about 24 hours.”
In Rome, A Museum About Madness
“Overturning preconceptions about mental illness is the leitmotif of the eight-year-old Mind’s Museum (museodellamente.it), which reopened this month after a high-tech overhaul by Studio Azzurro, a Milan-based art collective that works mostly with interactive and video environments.”
Bayreuth Festival Makes Rare Overseas Trip – To Abu Dhabi
Last weekend Christian Thielemann conducted Bayreuth’s orchestra and soloists in Act I of Die Walküre in a very rare appearance by the company outside Europe. The concert was a milestone in Abu Dhabi’s efforts to make itself into the cultural capital of the Persian Gulf.
BBC Shock-Jock Quits Over Crank Call Scandal
“The BBC suspended one of its biggest stars yesterday and saw another resign after its Director-General finally responded to an audience revolt over obscene phone calls aired on the nation’s most popular radio station.”