Thirty-seven Philadelphia art institutions are collaborating on a massive project focusing on… well, nothing. From paintings that are nothing more than white canvas to tours of empty houses to philosphical explorations of ‘cosmological black holes,’ the collaboration, which has been dubbed “The Big Nothing,” will examine the idea of art as a reflection of space. “So much of the universe – so much of us, for that matter – is empty space. The [project] examines in depth the ramifications of that idea.”
Tag: 04.28.04
Bochco Ready To Kill Blue Over FCC Crackdown
When the gritty cop drama NYPD Blue debuted on ABC a decade ago, it was viewed as a major taboo-buster, airing coarse language and occasional nudity on a major network for the first time, but backing up the vulgarity with top-quality writing and award-winning acting. Over the years, Blue has come to be a mere blip on the radar screen of America’s self-appointed decency squads, largely because it was seen as an unhittable target due to its popularity and critical success. But with the new FCC crackdown on broadcasters, the show’s creator, Steven Bochco, says he’s been forced to cut multiple scenes from upcoming episodes, and is ready to give up on the show if the censorship continues.
Scrambling For Relevance
“Online services account for just a small fraction of overall music sales, but they’re growing rapidly. And the new choices they give consumers threaten to remix the recording industry’s traditional revenue streams, pumping up the volume of singles and subscriptions and turning down album sales… The shift to online shopping could be lucrative for the music industry if the flexibility and convenience lead people to spend more on tunes than they do today. But some industry executives and analysts fear the opposite result, with music lovers buying a few 99-cent singles instead of $15 CDs.”
All That Money For A Ring, And You Don’t Even Get Engaged!
Looking forward to attending the Canadian Opera Company’s forthcoming Ring cycle? You might want to see about a home equity loan: the COC announced its ticketing policy for the cycle this week, and patrons learned that they can expect to pay CAN$1700 for prime seats, and as much as CAN$2200 for certain VIP tickets. The cheapest ticket is CAN$300 for the full cycle. And having the money is no guarantee of getting in the door, since the company is giving ticket priority to its donors. The COC cycle commences in the fall of 2006.
Robertson & St. Louis: A Perfect Match?
The task of matching a conductor to an orchestra is far more complex than merely identifying a high level of skill in each. Orchestras, as well as conductors, often have distinct personalities, and a conductor who goes over fabulously in, say, Cleveland, may not get such a warm reception in Boston or Chicago. So when the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra announced David Robertson as its next music director, the real question wasn’t whether either party had the necessary skills for top-notch performances, but whether this would be a match of musical personalities. The SLSO played New York with its music director-designate this week, and Bernard Holland found the new marriage promising.
Oakland Ballet Gets A Boost
“The financially strapped Oakland Ballet is breathing a little easier this week after the receipt of a major grant that, if matched, could put the company close to the $500,000 make-or-break goal it set for itself earlier this month. The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation has approved a $200,000 matching grant to help the company meet its goal by May 31. Because of declining ticket sales and $200,000 in debts, the company suspended its fall 2004 season and announced that if it couldn’t raise $500,000, it would go out of business.”
Officials to Investigate Faltering Arts Center
When Pennsylvania’s Mountain Laurel Performing Arts Center closed its doors only five months after opening, arts supporters and state officials were aghast at what appeared to be a classic case of mismanagement and overreach. Now, the state Auditor General’s office is getting involved at the request of Pennsylvania legislators, investigating the decisions and deals that led to the construction of the $35 million venue. Mountain Laurel, located in the Pocono Mountains in the northeastern part of the state, was to have been the summer home of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and planned to host summer concerts by the Philadelphia Orchestra as well.
Strad Cello Stolen in L.A.
A Stradivarius cello known as the “General Kyd” has been stolen from a private home in the Los Angeles area. The instrument, which is owned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and played by its principal cellist, Peter Stumpf, dates from 1684 and is valued at $3.5 million. Police are being cagey about the circumstances surrounding the theft, refusing to identify the specific house from which the cello was taken, but stating that there was no immediate sign of a break-in at the residence.
Comcast Backs Away From The Mouse
Cable giant Comcast has withdrawn its hostile takeover bid for the Walt Disney Corporation after Disney’s board showed no interest in accepting the deal. A Disney-Comcast merger would have created the biggest media company in the world, but despite Disney’s recent well-documented boardroom chaos, the company spurned Comcast’s $66 billion offer immediately after it was announced in February. There is no guarantee that federal regulators would have approved the deal in any case.
Hubert Selby Jr, 75
“Hubert Selby Jr, the acclaimed author of Last Exit to Brooklyn and Requiem for a Dream, has died at his home in Los Angeles at the age of 75. The author, who had been in and out of hospital in recent weeks, died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.”