Actress Emma Thompson and director Mike Nichols have signed on to make the film version of Margaret Edson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Wit” – the story of a Donne poetry professor battling ovarian cancer. – Times of India (Reuters) 04/07/00
Tag: 04.07.00
MISSING OSCARS STILL MISSING —
— after lawyer lures reporters to office with stunt. – Variety 04/07/00
CULT OF MEDIOCRITY
The Royal Ballet has lost its special appeal and cutting-edge choreography, according to former dancer Lynn Seymour who called the company a “cult of mediocrity.” “Simply wallpapering over the cracks with fashionable outside choreographers will not solve the malaise at the heart of the company. Urgent reform is needed.”- The Daily Telegraph
WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?
A few weeks ago Christie’s proposed to auction a stolen 10th-Century Chinese wall panel. Then American customs agents stepped in to block the sale. “At best, the auction house’s willingness to cooperate can be described as an exercise in damage limitation in a case that raises serious questions about Christie’s thoroughness in examining the provenance of the works of art it offers for sale.” – The Art Newspaper
CONSPIRACY THEORY
Prosecutors in the federal antitrust investigation of Sotheby’s and Christie’s have evidence that the chairmen of both auction houses personally set in motion a price-fixing scheme to limit competition. Both men deny the accusations, but “the allegation that a conspiracy was devised at the very top of the venerable auction houses raises the stakes in the investigation, which has already roiled the world of art collectors.” – New York Times
SILVER FOR SALE
Christie’s will auction German diamond baron Sir Julius Wernher’s extravagant collection of antique silver and Old Master paintings. “We haven’t had a sale of this quality since World War II,” said Harry Williams-Bulkeley, head of Christie’s silver department. – The Times of India (AP)
MAYBE IT’S AN AUCTION THING
Christie’s and Sotheby’s legal woes are well known. But on-line auctioneer E-Bay is also getting tangled up in legal challenges. According to court documents, E-bay is currently involved in three US government investigations. – The Art Newspaper
IS THERE A DIGITAL DIVIDE?
Lord David Puttnam – director of “Chariots of Fire” and “Midnight Express” and cultural advisor to Prime Minister Tony Blair – urges educators and digital technology developers to work hand in hand. “Computers should not be viewed as simply tools…and arts subjects should not be viewed as lightweight pleasurable diversions.” – The Age (Melbourne)
DESIGN RENAISSANCE
Birmingham, England – once the butt of European jokes, a “city gripped by a concrete stranglehold” – is undergoing a design renaissance. Many observers credit Conductor Simon Rattle, formerly music director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, for boosting civic morale and prompting the arts-led transformation. Rattle introduced the city council to the “idea that bribing key players in the arts to decamp to Birmingham would change its image. And it did.” – The Times (UK)
WAITING GAME
Australia’s debt-laden performing arts organizations will have to wait longer than expected for details on their nation’s agenda to increase arts funding. A recent study found that 31 of the country’s arts organizations were short on funds and “unable to keep pace with global competition,” but cultural ministers expected to announce their remedy unexpectedly cancelled today’s meeting. – Sydney Morning Herald