New research suggests that there may have been some 20 prehistoric human types that may have existed. But now only Homo sapiens remain. Did we off the other humans? Were we just stronger? What exactly did we do to all the others? New Canadian TV show explores the mystery. – The Globe and Mail (Canada) 03/15/00
Tag: 03.15.00
GREAT MINDS, GREAT NAME
Judge rules that a History Channel series “Great Minds” of history, business and science is too similar to a Teaching Company series called “Great Minds of the Western Intellectual Tradition” and will have to change its name. Both series feature intellectuals talking about their areas of expertise and are marketed in the New York Times Book Review. – Washington Post 03/15/00
TO BE HELD AGAINST HER?
“For two years, Nina Kotova was a hired clothes horse, pictured in Cosmopolitan and Glamour. A musician by training and vocation, she strutted the fashion shoots until she had enough money to buy a decent cello. Then she returned to the serenity of music where, by the perverse logic of modern times, she is being marketed as the gorgeous ex-model who plays the cello.” She’s good – but will the real critics listen beyond the hype? – The Telegraph (UK)
MAD MONK RETURNS
Eighty years after it disappeared, a 500-page dossier on Rasputin comes to light. It would seem to confirm that the semi-literate peasant prophet did have an affair with the Czarina Alexandra. The papers have cast new light on the myths, sexual conquests and power of the legendary figure in the Romanov court. – National Post (Canada)
CLOSED CAPTION THEATER
London’s Royal Shakespeare Company will begin simultaneous captioning of its productions for deaf audience-members. – The Guardian
THEY’RE BACK…
The culture wars of the 1980s and early ’90s centered around public funding for the arts. After quieting down for awhile, art controversies are back – but this time museums are on the front lines. – New York Times
COMPUTER-AGE CARNEGIE
High-tech billionaire Michael Saylor, worth $13 billion at the ripe old age of 35, plans to give $100 million to launch a free online university. – Washington Post
HOW TO GET RICH ON ART?
Ask Steve Wynn. Casino mogul owns half the art in Vegas’ Bellagio Hotel, which he leases to the hotel for $5 million a year. As Wynn made a deal to sell the hotel, he retained first right of refusal to buy any of the rest of the $400 million worth of art in the hotel. – Las Vegas Sun
ART BY ANY OTHER MEDIUM
Okay, so the new Whitney Biennial includes some internet art. SFMOMA has its $50,000 prize for net art. And the emerging genre certainly has buzz. But does all this validation make it any easier to buy, sell or even define art on the web? – Salon
NEW CANADIAN REPORT —
— calls for more support for artists. Study says that twice as many people are entering the cultural workforce in British Columbia than any other industry. – CBC