Tag: 03.01.00

ARTLISTING

Publication of a list of 350 artworks in Britain with questionable provenance during Nazi years, had British museum organization on the defensive Tuesday. “in Britain some museum directors after the war had not been ‘fastidious’ about checking whether paintings they bought or were given might have had a Nazi connection. But the organization believes many of the gaps in history are innocent but cannot yet be explained because papers have been lost, owners have died or dealers and auction houses are unwilling to release documents.” – The Telegraph (UK)

ME TOO

Three weeks after rival Christie’s lowers its sales commissions, Sotheby’s follows suit. Did you talk to each other about the new fees, guys?  Nah…. “We did this in light of the competitive environment we’re in,” said William F. Ruprecht, Sotheby’s new president and chief executive. – New York Times

THE ART OF POLITICS

Artists’ reaction to Austrian politics is problematic. “It is generally accepted in Western societies that the arts are a democratic safety valve, articulating ideals around which public sentiment can refocus. Artistic freedom has become as sacrosanct, in principle, as freedom of the press. All agree that it is abhorrent for politicians to interfere with the arts. At what point, however, does it become unacceptable for the arts to meddle in politics?” – The Telegraph (UK)

THE FUTURE OF THE PAST

Exhibitions of ancient art are sexy – a few beautiful objects organized around a theme and artfully displayed. “It is one thing to make the perfectly accurate point that all we have are a few remarkable artifacts coming out of what is largely a historical void. It is another to begin to fill in that void with a story which sounds so familiar, and hence so beguiling, to modern ears. There is no challenge to the imagination here, just a confirmation of things which we feel we must already know.” – Al-Ahram Weekly (Egypt)

ARTLISTING

Publication of a list of 350 artworks in Britain with questionable provenance during Nazi years, had British museum organization on the defensive Tuesday. “in Britain some museum directors after the war had not been ‘fastidious’ about checking whether paintings they bought or were given might have had a Nazi connection. But the organization believes many of the gaps in history are innocent but cannot yet be explained because papers have been lost, owners have died or dealers and auction houses are unwilling to release documents.” – The Telegraph (UK)

ME TOO

Three weeks after rival Christie’s lowers its sales commissions, Sotheby’s follows suit. Did you talk to each other about the new fees, guys?  Nah…. “We did this in light of the competitive environment we’re in,” said William F. Ruprecht, Sotheby’s new president and chief executive. – New York Times

GIANT STEPS

Clear Channel Communications, the broadcasting heavyweight, buys SFX Entertainment, the giant live-performance presenter. SFX owns or operates 120 theaters nationwide. San Antonio-based Clear Channel will soon operate 867 U.S. radio and 19 television stations, as well as 550,000 billboards. – Boston Herald 03/01/00

  • Radio and concert synergy makes some nervous. – Boston Herald 03/01/00

  • The company’s theater plans? – Boston Herald 03/01/00