“A luxury residential sky-scraper designed by acclaimed Anglo-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid in the heart of Warsaw has been put on ice due to the global financial crisis,” according to a report in the Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza. The 250-meter, 600-apartment, €400 million tower, shaped like a scalloped fleur-de-lys, had been expected to open in 2012.
Tag: 01.19.09
A Treasure Trove Of Ancient Egyptian Painting
Art from the tomb-chapel of Nebamun (ca. 1350 BC) has just gone on permanent display at the British Museum. “One explanation for their appeal, I think, is that, unlike a lot of Egyptian art, they were intended to be seen by the living, not the dead… [who would have admired} the confident draughtsmanship, the wonderful sense of colour, the intensity of the observation, the ability to convey human foibles and, not least, the sense of fun.”
Weapons Expert’s Suicide Is The Subject Of A Short Opera
“[A]lthough grand opera frequently deals with death, it’s unusual to deal with as recent a death as that of Dr David Kelly. The government scientist died in 2003 amid a furore that the government had exaggerated the weapons threat from Iraq. … A play, at London’s Tricyle Theatre, later re-enacted the Hutton inquiry but this is the first time the story has been the subject of an opera.”
Stephen Sondheim Lets Fly
He had plenty to say to Frank Rich the other night in a 90-minute chat at Avery Fisher Hall. On Ethel Merman: “We found out later that she could act.” On Spanish in West Side Story: “The Sharks now sound more authentic than the Jets.” On critics: “Musicals are the only art form reviewed by ignoramuses.” And the man hates South Pacific: “It’s the happiest war I’ve ever seen.” (By the way, he says Bobby in Company is definitely not gay.)
Live From The Lincoln Memorial, Minus The Gay Bishop
“One person who spoke to the hundreds of thousands at the Lincoln Memorial on Sunday was the Rev. Gene Robinson, the openly gay Episcopal bishop whose ordination created a rift in his church. However, you would never have known that from watching TV, as it was not included as part of HBO’s televised coverage.” The Presidential Inaugural Committee says it regrets the error.
Canadian Book Sales: Through The Looking-Glass
“The number of books sold in Canada rose six per cent in the last quarter of 2008 compared to the same period last year, while revenues rose two per cent, according to figures released Monday. … Last year, Canadian publishers were pressured to lower book prices to more closely match the U.S. sticker price when the Canadian dollar was trading at parity with the U.S. dollar. Sales are considered to have increased as a result of those lower prices.”
Posters Seized By Nazis Are Target Of American’s Suit
“When Peter Sachs was only a year old in 1938, the Nazis seized his father’s collection of 12,500 rare posters on the orders of Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels. … Today, some 4,000 of the posters, worth at least euro4.5 million ($5.9 million), are in the possession of the German Historical Museum in Berlin, largely in storage. Peter Sachs goes to court Tuesday to try to get them back.”
Magic Theatre Surpasses Fundraising Target, Trims Season
“The Magic Theatre’s emergency fundraising drive was a success, raising $455,000 – counting a $100,000 matching grant that put the company well over its $350,000 goal…. That means not only that the next show, Oni Faida Lampley’s ‘Tough Titty,’ will begin previews as scheduled Saturday, as previously reported, but also that the Magic will be able to complete its season. The season will be one show shorter than originally planned, however.”
All The World’s A Stage, And All The … Line!
“‘How do you remember your words?’ is one of the most commonly asked questions of actors, and it’s one that we’re generally reluctant to answer. The truth is, we don’t really know. It’s an act of faith, and if it’s all the same to you, we’d rather not think about it.”
Poetry At The Inauguration: What Will It Say To Us?
“Poetry is the least flashy of art forms, and rarely gets to sit centre stage. However, tomorrow … Elizabeth Alexander, a professor of African-American studies at Yale, will take to the stage and recite a poem after President Obama gives his inaugural speech. At that point in the proceedings, people may be desperate for a break, but I suggest we all pay attention.”