DC’s Phillips Collection has built an extension behind its traditional facade. “Preserving this facade was a big mistake,” writes Benjamin Forgey. It was “a fruitless exercise in neighborhood nostalgia. After nearly 30 years of experience with our preservation ordinance, we as a city ought to have learned not to fear the architectural future, but to embrace it. And then to apply the law accordingly. Thus, a great opportunity was lost. Instead of getting a new building that speaks honestly about what is behind its facade — and that speaks for the 21st century while respecting its neighbors — we got a timorous fake.”
Tag: 04.16.06
Page: Handicapping The National Symphony’s Leadership Prospects
Who should be Washington’s National Symphony’s next music director? The orchestra ought to have more respect. More stature. Matter more. The orchestra has always been tough to lead, and Leonard Slatkin is only the latest conductor to be told his services were coming to an end. There are brilliant conductors out there, but the National probably doesn’t have the stature to play in the big leagues, writes Tim Page. So who can the orchestra get?
China Imposes New Censorship On TV, Radio
The Chinese government is imposing new censorship rules on the country’s radio and TV stations. “The notice called for greater ‘political and propaganda discipline’ in the news and drama sectors. The move comes following the Communist Party’s crack down on newspapers and magazines in 2005. Last year, the government imposed a freeze on foreign investment in media ventures, from magazines to television stations.”
A Reprieve For Borderline Theatre?
Two prominent Scottish politicians want to reconsider the decision made earlier this year to cut off funding for the Borderline Theatre. “Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson and Des Browne, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, want to reverse the decision to cut the theatre’s £215,000 funding.”