“The Guggenheim is not going through an easy time at the moment. Years ago, we chose a strategy geared toward achieving a worldwide presence — in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South America. There is a document to this effect, which everyone enthusiastically agreed to at one point. What I have planned in Abu Dhabi is so much bigger than what I’ve done so far. It’ll be the kind of thing we’ve never seen before. The only expression I can think of to describe it is pharaonic.”
Tag: 03.27.08
Theatre In A Place Of War
Colombia’s biennial International Theatre Festival took place in the capital city, Bogotá, this month. Just days before the festival opened, the Colombian government was very nearly dragged into a war with Venezuela. One cannot doubt, however, that even if hostilities had broken out, the event would have carried on regardless. “The first ever year of the festival we had a bomb. We just keep going.”
Danger, Your Smell Factor Just Went Up!
It turns out emotion plays an even bigger role with the nose, and that your sense of smell actually can sharpen when something bad happens.
CBC Decides To Abolish Its Last Radio Orchestra
“Basically the orchestra was currently doing like eight concerts a year and for the money that we’re spending, we can’t afford to do that to get just eight concerts a year.”
Movie Experiences Worth $35?
The premium movie theatre experience is coming the the US. The theatres include “digital projection, Dolby sound, reclining seats with footrests, seat-side food and beverage service, valet parking and more — to the U.S. this fall. A lounge area will have a full bar and entrees will range from $12 to $25. Each of seven auditoriums will have no more than 40 seats.”
Controversial Dutch Anti-Muslim Film Goes Online
“Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders launched a film on Thursday that accuses the Koran of inciting violence and warns that Muslim immigrants threaten the West, prompting the government to appeal for calm.”
Grand Penn Station Redevelopment Plans Dead
“State officials recently said they were at least $1 billion short of securing the $2.3 billion needed to fund the Moynihan Station plan to remake Pennsylvania Station and move Madison Square Garden to the rear of the neighboring Farley Post Office, which would also house a new train hall.”
Chicago’s Arts Money Man Steps Down
Farrell Frentress spent 40 years raising funds for top Chicago cultural institutions. “He once aspired no higher than to run a YMCA. But he worked with leaders in Chicago opera as he helped to sustain Lyric’s rebound from near-insolvency. He helped reshape the board and culture at the parent of WTTW-Ch. 11 and WFMT-FM 98.7 and finance an ambitious expansion there.”
When The Props Steal The Show
“The experimental show has been called many things – a sculptural installation, a performative composition, a piano piece without pianists, a play without players, a no-man show. Its attention is on the objects that would usually form the background, the props or parts of the set.”
London Theatre Ticket Prices Now Exceed Broadway’s
“The West End is now officially more expensive to see a show than on Broadway. Top price tickets to see the original production of Hairspray in New York are currently $110 (£55), whereas it costs £60 to see the same show at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre. Ditto the Royal Opera House, which is already the most expensive opera house in the world.”