“In London, it is possible to stage a state-of-the-nation play while remaining vague about the nation you mean. Not so elsewhere.” Just ask the folks at the national theatres of Scotland, Wales, and Ireland — the latter two of which are currently caught up in arguments that go right to the heart of their “national” status. — The Guardian
Tag: 01.15.19
Consider The Lowly Pushbutton – A Challenge To Our Humanity?
And yet, that’s what some thought when push buttons first appeared on machines: “Do you not think that this prodigious diffusion of mechanism is likely to render the world terribly monotonous and fastidious? To deal no longer with men, but to be dependent on things!” Pushing buttons made life too easy, too simplistic, or too rote, when a single finger-action could conjure one’s desires. – Aeon
Russian Filmmaker, Facing Censors And Vigilantes, Puts Comedy On YouTube Instead Of Cinema Screens
When word got around that Aleksey Krasovskiy’s Holiday was a comedy about the Siege of Leningrad, the outrage came thick and fast. So did the threats, all from people who hadn’t seen the movie. So he gave up on distribution and put the film online — where viewers understood just what he was up to. — The New York Times
Carlos Acosta Named Director Of Birmingham Royal Ballet
The 45-year-old Cuban was one of the (London) Royal Ballet’s most popular stars in his 17 years with the company, from which he retired about three years ago. He says he hopes to “look for choreographers that the Royal Ballet isn’t looking at, people and ballets that might not be obvious.” — The New York Times
Vandal Attack At Denver Art Museum: Damage Estimate Reduced From $1.93 Million To Less Than $100,000
Last month, an 18-year-old allegedly ran through the museum’s “Stampede: Animals in Art” exhibit, knocking over a display case and smashing centuries-old sculptures and objects from China and the Mayan Empire. Fortunately, the museum has announced that almost everything he broke can be repaired and the financial hit taken by the museum will be much lower than feared. — Denver Post
Academy Of American Poets Gets $2.2 Million Gift From Mellon Foundation
The funds are divided into two grants. The first will help start a new fellowship program to support poets laureate of states, cities, United States territories or tribal nations across the country. … The second grant will go toward the Poetry Coalition, a national alliance of more than 20 poetry organizations.” — The New York Times
Author Francine du Plessix Gray Dead At 88
“[Her] novels and biographies often examined the lives of women as creative forces and as muses, and [she] published an acclaimed memoir that explored her complicated personal history … [with] what she later recognized as the monstrous egos of mother and her stepfather.” — The Washington Post
As Senegal Opens New Museum Of Black Civilizations, It Wants France To Return Objects Taken During Colonial Period
“The scale of artifacts in question is staggering. Up to 95 percent of Africa’s cultural heritage is held outside Africa by major museums. France alone holds 90,000 sub-Saharan African objects in its museums.” — The New York Times
Top Carnegie Hall Exec To Lead Berkeley’s Cal Performances
Jeremy Geffen, who has been Carnegie’s top artistic administrator for 12 years, succeeds Matias Tarnopolsky, now CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra. “New York is wonderful,” said Geffen, “but it can be difficult to get people’s attention … whereas in Berkeley, I was struck by the degree to which people are aware of, and open to, great attractions.” — San Francisco Chronicle
As Drag Queen Story Hour Spreads, Christianists Stage Protests (And Scream At Children)
“Drag queen storytime began popping up in 2015 in San Francisco and have spread across the country to libraries, community centers, and increasingly, bookstores. … Protests are commonplace at the readings and some communities have even seen lawsuits attempting ban such readings, though these efforts have largely been thwarted by the courts.” — Publishers Weekly