Presidential Libraries As Political Monuments

“The collections are of value to historians, but can self-aggrandizing presentations even be considered drafts of history? They are really ante-historical. Or anti-historical. They resemble the self-tributes that royalty once erected. Former presidents create monuments celebrating their own excellence, and the results are managed in perpetuity by the National Archives.”

Top Posts From AJBlogs 01.16.17

Art Is As Art Does
A recent dinner conversation with friends rolled around to the question:  “What is art?” A long conversation ensued.  Someone offered up Wikipedia’s definition … This group of arts administrators was unsatisfied. … read more
AJBlog: Audience Wanted Published 2017-01-16

Monday Recommendation: John Coltrane
John Coltrane, Live At Birdland (Impulse)
On this observance of Martin Luther King’s birthday, we recommend an album that John Coltrane made at the height of the 1960s civil rights movement … read more
AJBlog: RiffTides Published 2017-01-16

 

Toronto Symphony Launches National Project To Make A Case For Canadian Composers

“The list of partners includes virtually every major and many minor orchestras, with commissioned composers including Andrew Balfour, Chan Ka Nin, Kevin Lau, Nicole Lizée and John Rea among others. The orchestras themselves have been invited to choose the composers with whom they would like to work, with the TSO agreeing to perform the full complement of fanfares.”

The Eiffel Tower To Get A €300 Million Refurbishment Over 15 Years

“The landmark, which receives more paying tourists—around seven million a year—than any other monument in the world, was built as the centerpiece of the 1889 Universal Exposition. The planned refurbishment is intended to bolster the French capital’s bids to host another World’s Fair in 2025 and, before that, the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic games, according to a statement from the mayor’s office.”

What – And To Whom – Zaha Hadid Left Behind

The architect, who died suddenly last March, left money to relatives and her architecture firm’s partner, who has stoked controversy by speaking against public housing and art schools and advocating for building in Hyde Park. He’s also one of four partners in charge of the 60-million-pound trust that is her architecture firm.