A year ago, the Israeli novelist Dorit Rabinyan was at the centre of an unexpected storm. Her third book, All the Rivers – about a relationship between a Palestinian artist, Hilmi, and an Israeli woman, Liat – had been selected for the national [school] curriculum. Then, abruptly, it was withdrawn by the education ministry because of its subject matter.”
Tag: 04.08.17
Our Culture is Bored. Boring? Art Has A Role To Play
Right now, boredom is a fundamental problem of western culture. There used to be a natural coupling: “Safe and boring.” We used it about jobs, about people, about societies. It implied a trade-off: dullness being compensated by security. But “safe and boring” doesn’t really make sense any more. Boredom is a source of deep insecurity.
Art Market Leaders Gather To Talk About The State Of A Troubled Business
“This is an industry that is troubled — at least in the West — by a sense of uncertainty. Britain, one of the world’s largest art markets, is leaving the European Union; auction sales were down in 2016; and established contemporary galleries such as Andrea Rosen in New York and Vilma Gold and IBID in London are closing, as is a Christie’s salesroom in the British capital.”
Traditional TV Networks Will Die And FANG Is Taking Over
“People often reminisce about the ‘good ole days’ when there were four major networks: ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox. We are transitioning to a world where there will still be four networks, just not the four networks you’re used to. FANG (Facebook, Amazon, Netflix and Google) is delivering actionable data to advertisers in ways that traditional broadcasters simply can’t.”
Contentious Expansion Of Minnesota Orchestra’s Concert Hall Has Become A Big Hit
“The atrium is the highest-profile new toy to come out of the remodeling project. Chamber groups perform there, and soloists with the orchestra do pre- and post-concert work. For Sommerfest, the atrium provides the orchestra three distinct venues (including Peavey Plaza) for programming. It also serves as something of a town hall — political and corporate groups routinely hold meetings there. Weddings and other private social events generate income, too.”
The Rebels Fighting New York’s 90-Year-Old Anti-Dancing Laws
Yes, that’s right: New Yorkers just want to have fun. “Members of the newly created Dance Liberation Network are battling, Footloose-style, for their right to cut loose — by rescinding the city law that bans busting a move in an establishment that doesn’t have a cabaret license.”
Classic British Cathedrals Are Under Increasing Threat From Time And Loss Of Funds
Can the Anglican Church save them? Staff have been laid off, assets sold and some cathedrals have fallen into disrepair. The chairman of a group designed to fix this: “The buildings themselves are a huge problem. It is possible to see a cathedral as an albatross, but they are also our best assets.”
Striptease Has Long Been The Province Of Women, But ‘Magic Mike’ Sparked A Revolution In Men Performing For Cash As Well
Thanks not only to the two “Magic Mike” movies starring Channing Tatum but also to “Fifty Shades of Grey” and its sequels, business is booming for the several dance teams who also sometimes sing and always strip. The movies and books “have prompted women in more conservative areas … to more openly enjoy watching guys gyrate onstage.”
No, Marvel, Your Numbers Aren’t Dropping Because Of Men And Women Who ‘Hate Political Correctness’
The rumor got started, and it was a convenient story for people living in a U.S. where Trump is president. “It didn’t much matter that only two of the retailers who attended the summit expressed misgivings about books featuring women and people of color, while the rest maintained that those books were selling well in their shops. The damage was done.”