Michael Feingold: “I had better try to explain what I mean by greatness. It isn’t simply a matter of choosing a big ponderous theme, and spouting a lot of abstractions that will make academics write learned articles about your work. Nor is it a matter of an old play’s having survived long enough to become a ‘classic,’ a term we use far too loosely.”
Tag: 03.18.16
Hemingway’s Forgotten Spanish Civil War Play
“Although not a great play, [The Fifth Column] is a fascinating one for what it tells us about Hemingway himself.” (Which ain’t pretty.)
Another Brueghel Gets The Virtual Reality Treatment
“The project, which brings to life the Flemish master’s 1562 The Fall of the Rebel Angels, is viewable on YouTube but is best experienced on headsets such as a Google Cardboard mask.”
Can Philosophy Work As Therapy? Or Is It Strictly A Search For Truth?
Nigel Warburton: “I’m skeptical about this, as in my view philosophy is primarily the attempt to understand, and as such is an activity of enquiry.”
Jules Evans: “Personally, I’m not arguing that all philosophy is therapy, but rather that ancient Greeks and Romans viewed philosophy that way, as did many Indian philosophers.”
Should An Indigenous Group Really Be The Sole Arbiter Of Its Cultural Artifacts?
“We need to ask who speaks for the relevant indigenous community, and on what basis. Even who qualifies as indigenous is a vexed question, as is the fact that ‘the indigenous’ rarely speak with one voice. Ethnocentric policies therefore tend to vest authority in anointed chiefs and elders (local equivalents of the privileged white male) … What about those who disagree? And what about those who want to change it, or challenge it from within?”
It Had To Happen: Botched ‘Beast Jesus’ Painting In Spain Gets Its Own Arts Center
“The center [in Borja] will celebrate Beast Jesus’ journey from little-known artwork to viral meme, featuring stories, photographs, and videos related to the restoration and its impact. Canvases will be available for visitors inspired to paint their own Christ-like creatures, and of course, new Beast Jesus merch is hitting the market.”
Once Again, Yuri Temirkanov Puts Foot In Mouth About Female Conductors
“Yes, women can be conductors. I am not against them conducting. But I simply don’t like it. There are women boxing and weightlifting; they can do that. But I don’t like watching. It is only my taste. We all have different tastes. For example, I don’t eat fish.” (includes video)
Carlos Acosta Readies His New Dance Company In Cuba
“Since retiring last year from London’s Royal Ballet where he was principal guest artist, the 42-year-old has gone back to his native Havana to found Acosta Danza. ‘My country made it possible for me to become a ballet dancer and I want to pass that on too,’ Acosta told a news conference.” (includes video)
Baltimore’s New Arts Collective Has A Mission To Make The Arts – And Entire – World Better
“Balti Gurls member Chanel Cruz, 22, a performance artist and senior fiber arts major at the Maryland Institute College of Art, said she knew Balti Gurls was gaining notice when they were recently invited to her school as visiting artists. She was surprised when she was recognized.”
What Made The National Book Critics Circle Awards So Unusual?
Categories, basically: “It’s an odd quirk of the NBCC Awards, a wonkier cousin to the National Book Awards (where Coates won in November), that arbitrarily divided categories — ‘criticism,’ ‘biography,’ ‘nonfiction’ — actually encourage a blurring of boundaries.”