“An American librarian, an imprisoned Saudi Arabian writer, a Turkish book publisher and a Gambian newspaper editor who was fatally shot last year were honored at the 2005 PEN Montblanc Literary Gala.”
Tag: 04.18.05
Candidate Turns Down Baltic Center
The Baltic Center for contemporary arts has had a rough few years, with two directors quitting in quick succession. This weekend the Baltic thought it had hired a new director, but then he turned down the job…
Congress Protects Those Who Alter Movies
The US Congress has passed a bill that would allow companies to strip out scenes from movies they find objectionable. “The Family Entertainment and Copyright Act would assure manufacturers of DVD players and other devices using such technology they would not be violating copyrights of the Hollywood producers of movies. The House passed it Tuesday on a voice vote. The Senate passed it in February.”
TV Turnoff Week
It’s time to turn off the TV. “That’s the idea behind TV-Turnoff Week, which for the 11th year is inviting everyone to “Turn off TV, turn on life.” From Monday (April 25) through May 1, you can join as many as eight million other viewers in pulling the plug on TV, the Internet and video games.”
The Great Wall From Space (After All)
“China’s schoolchildren have long been taught that the ancient fortification is one of the only man-made structures that can be picked out from orbit. However, last year, China’s first man in space disappointed the nation when he said he had failed to spot it.” Now a new photograph from space confirms the Wall is visible.
An Artist Pension Fund Plan Made Of Art
A pension scheme for artists was unveiled in London Monday. Money for the fund would be generated by artists contributing artworks. “The UK trust would aim to cover 250 working artists, vetted by experts before they join the scheme. They would contribute 20 artworks over 20 years, to be sold when prices are judged to be right.”
Bryn Terfel Leads Nominations For Classical Brits
Terfel’s album Silent Noon – with Malcolm Martineau – has received nods in the album of the year and Ensemble/ Orchestral album of the year groups. He is also nominated for Male Artist of the Year, where he faces competition from Sir Colin Davis and Aled Jones.”
How Michael Eisner Made Disney A Star Performer
In 20 years, Michael Eisner took disney from a faltering company to one of the richest in America. He didn’t do it with Disney cartoons. So “how did Eisner succeed in adding $65 billion in enterprise value to Disney at a time when his rivals were faltering? Having come from television, Eisner saw that Disney’s future would be in home entertainment—not in movie theaters.”
Tivo Talks To Search Companies About Partnership
Tivo is talking with major search engine companies about partnering on finding digital entertainment. “One scenario that’s been discussed would see TiVo partner with Google or Yahoo on a new service that would let consumers search for videos on the Web and then watch them on their television sets.”
When Cell Phones Become Your Entertainment Hub
Motorola is planning to sell a new phone that will act as your personal entertainment center. “The company plans to launch a service, dubbed iRadio, that allows the new phones to download songs and radio programming from an Internet- connected computer each day, then beam them to car stereos or home entertainment centers. The iRadio initiative reflects the intense interest that phone manufacturers, music companies and mobile network operators have in new music services for cellphones. Their appetites whetted by the multibillion-dollar global market for ring tones, they are eager to sink their teeth into song downloads, online jukeboxes and music videos — even though it’s not clear what, if anything, customers will buy.”