Some of Australia’s most famous writers have withdrawn from consideration for the country’s richest fiction prize. Why? “The novelists have withdrawn their names in protest at Forestry Tasmania practices, specifically the clear-felling of native forests for woodchips, and the use of 1080 poison which is claimed to be killing native and endangered animals in Tasmania’s wilderness.”
Tag: 03.14.03
Web Of Prehistory
A new website will show detailed images of prehistoric rock art in the UK, cataloguing work that is thousands of years old. “The website will include global positioning system readings – highly accurate positions of the artwork compiled using satellites – and digital drawings and photographs.”
Elderfield Appointed MoMA Chief Curator – “Most Significant Curatorial Post In Modern Art”
The Museum of Modern Art has appointed John Elderfield as the museum’s new chief curator of the department of painting and sculpture. Elderfield “succeeds Kirk Varnedoe, who organized “Matisse Picasso” with him, in what is generally recognized as the most significant curatorial post in modern art. It was first held by Alfred H. Barr Jr., the museum’s visionary founding director.”
Royal Liverpool Orchestra Puts Itself On The Endangered List
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra has declared a financial crisis. In a letter to all 76 players, musicians were told that “the gap must be closed by 2005-6 to secure a continued and viable future for the Phil. What we have become is not sustainable because it is not affordable. If the books are to balance, cuts will be inevitable, leading to possible redundancies among players and management. There are also fears that some players of less mainstream instruments may be offered part-time contracts.”
Williamson Wins Second Archibald Prize
For the second year in a row, Sydney artist Jan Williamson has won the Archibald packers’ prize for portraits with a picture of actor/writer Rachel Ward. “Williamson, a full-time painter and mother of nine, took out the packing room prize last year with her painting of singer-songwriter Jenny Morris.”