Category: AJBlogs

In my skeptical post last month about Cree artist Kent Monkman’s plans for the Metropolitan Museum’s Great Hall, I recklessly ventured some premature commentary. This “squeamish critic” has now eyeballed Monkman’s magnum opus is visually intriguing and intellectually thought-provoking. – Lee Rosenbaum

Mrs. T, who is a very private person (that’s why I refer to her as “Mrs. T” in this space) and thus has been reluctant to be entirely frank about her illness in public, decided last night that it is time at last for me to start writing with complete candor about the increasingly desperate state of her health. So … here goes. – Terry Teachout

“America’s forbidden composer” is Arthur Farwell (1872-1952), leader of the “Indianists” movement in music. Politically, he seems hopelessly incorrect today. But his significance is not merely historical. He composed some of the most original and compelling American piano, choral, and chamber music of the early twentieth century. – Joseph Horowitz

A succinct statement and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion is essential to arts organizations for internal and external reasons. This post is a response to the increasing number of such statements I am seeing. – Doug Borwick

Early in my career, I had two contrasting contacts with Donald Marron, the much admired art connoisseur, philanthropist and financial-markets professional, who died on Friday at age 85. Both of those experiences left me impressed with Marron’s energy, empathy and acuity, even though I was on the hot seat during our second encounter. – Lee Rosenbaum

Emily Cass McDonnell, who stars as Hilda in the New York premiere of Lucas Hnath’s The Thin Place, knows that it works because of magic. An important part of the experience happens near the beginning of the play when Hilda engages an audience member. But not in any usual way. – Margy Waller

Talking NY Phil: “I’d wish for less attention and money to be squandered on overhauling the hall and more on improving the mix of musicians (guest soloists and visiting conductors) and on reimagining the programing, to make it more innovative and eclectic.” – Lee Rosenbaum

Richard Kostelanetz has produced many titles in his Archae Editions line of books over the past eight years via Amazon’s print-on-demand publishing service. But a few weeks ago they suddenly disappeared from the Amazon site. … – Jan Herman

The latest piece by choreographer Allison Orr — known for creating dances performed by forklifts, sanitation trucks, and the like — is From the Ground Up, made for Wake Forest University’s Facilities and Campus Services departments. Hundreds of people gathered at the Quad to watch lawnmowers waltz, housekeepers twirl and heavy equipment dance. – Doug Borwick

Any burglarized homeowner knows that a five-minute response time isn’t good enough when you’re dealing with grab-and-go criminals. Art museums should not be lured into false complacency with high-tech gadgetry. They are no substitute for the most basic, essential component of art stewardship — human guards. – Lee Rosenbaum