“There isn’t even a word for us, really. Quiz players? Trivia fanatics? I prefer quizzers. But when I use that to describe myself to a civilian – to a non-quizzer – the inevitable inquiry follows: ‘What does that mean?’ For that question, ironically, there is no easy answer.” – The Guardian
Tag: 01.28.20
Ratmansky: A Choreographer Intensely Grounded In Music Unhooks From It
“I am discovering the possibility of the choreography coexisting with sound, maybe not being as dependent as I usually am. That opens a field I haven’t really explored. But I don’t have the courage to fully go there; it’s just testing how it feels. In some places the choreography is parallel, not connected, to the music.” – The New York Times
Openings Of Norway’s New Munch And National Museums Are Delayed
The handover of the building from a contractor to the constructor has been delayed due to incomplete delivery of fire and security doors as well insufficient performance and unsatisfactory operation of the building’s climate systems, the newspaper Dagbladet writes. The new Munch museum has already been the subject of criticism over its design. Architecture editor Gaute Brochmann, in comments to Dagbladet, has likened it to a “threatening black shadow, a coal-grey block looming over the Opera”. – The Local No
China Closes Down All Its Movie Theatres In Coronavirus Scare
In the wake of a coronavirus outbreak that has infected thousands and claimed more than 100 lives in China, the movie industry is grappling with the unthinkable: Nearly every cinema in the country, totaling about 70,000 screens, has shut down. – The Hollywood Reporter
Arts Council England’s New Plan Imagines A Different Role For The Arts
The emphasis on participation – on culture as something that more people should actually do – is newer. This is the difference between being in a play or a band and buying tickets to watch them, and for ACE to play a more active role in promoting the former would be beneficial. This begins in childhood, and ACE clearly hopes that the government will think again about policies that have seen music, drama and other arts subjects systematically downgraded in favour of science, technology and maths. – The Guardian
When The Art Trade Helps Make Museum Shows Happen (There Are Conflicts)
There is a direct correlation between museum shows and spikes in interest at auction. “It confirmed in a reasonably analysed way that there is a relationship and, therefore, to support museums is not completely philanthropic—there is a commercial spin off.” – The Art Newspaper
‘How Am I Going to Dance to This?’ Ask New York City Ballet Dancers About Ratmansky’s Latest Music Choice
The plaintive question came from Sara Mearns as she and her colleagues listened to the decidedly avant-garde music choreographer Alexei Ratmansky had selected for his new work, Voices. Ratmansky’s response: “There is no musicality, just your own.” – The New York Times
Why Shouldn’t We Think Of Literary Characters As Real? (It’s A Sin)
The warning against treating characters as if they were real stands as a gatekeeper to the academic discipline of literary criticism. Students who can’t abide by the rule will get bad grades. The professor will sigh and conclude that they just don’t have what it takes to become decent literary critics. Yet the same students may love reading, really get into the novels we assign, and be both confused and depressed to learn that to discuss the problems of Elizabeth Bennet as if she were their friend is to fail in some fundamental way. – The Point
The Environmental Costs Of The Vinyl LP Revival
“If you’re one of the millions of people to re-embrace vinyl records, it’s worth knowing where they come from and how they’re made.” (It ain’t pretty.) – The Guardian
Another Thing We Can Blame On Algorithms: Cancel Culture
“Outrage is the perfect negative emotion to attract attention and engagement – and algorithms are primed to pounce.” Worse, “misleading content on social media tends to lead to even more engagement than verified information.” On the other hand, once you’ve been cancelled, algorithms can help you (to overextend the metaphor) get revived on another network, as in the case of Kevin Hart. – The Conversation