“A Chinese court has made an unusual decision to hear a lawsuit by dissident artist Ai Weiwei who accuses the government of violating the law by imposing a 15 million yuan ($2.4 million) tax evasion penalty on the company that markets his work.”
Tag: 05.08.12
The Guardian‘s New Rules Of Audience Behaviour
In response to the contretemps between Bianca Jagger (blithely taking flash photos during a performance) and critic Mark Shelton (who chewed Jagger out, in person and then in print), The Guardian‘s arts writers conferred and came up with some sorely needed up-to-date guidelines. (Will the people who need them pay attention?)
Spanish Leftists Accuse Santiago Calatrava Of ‘Bleeding Valencia Dry’
Opponents of the region’s conservative-led government have launched a website – called “calatravatelaclava (“Calatrava bleeds you dry”) – on which they criticize what they see as the starchitect’s exorbitant design fees for Valencia’s futuristic City of Arts and Sciences.
Chicago Symphony To Make Debuts In Korea, Taiwan, Mexico
“Continuing the emphasis on international touring that has been an early hallmark of the Riccardo Muti era, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra will make its debut in Mexico next season as well as visit Taiwan and Korea for the first time as part of an extensive Far East tour.”
How France’s New President Wants To Boost Culture
“During his campaign, Hollande emphasized the importance of culture, suggesting several initiatives on topics as varied as arts education and illegal downloads.”
Violinist And Teacher Roman Totenberg, 101
“His death was as remarkable as his life. He made his debut as a soloist with the Warsaw Philharmonic at age 11, performed his last concert when he was in his mid-90s, and was still teaching, literally, on his deathbed.”
Composer Michael Nyman Lashes Out At Royal Opera House
“Composer Michael Nyman, who wrote the music for Jane Campion’s 1993 film The Piano and is a long-term collaborator with Peter Greenaway, is furious that the Royal Opera House has rebuffed his approaches to stage a work in Covent Garden — and he has threatened to withdraw his tax in protest.”
Choreographing The ‘Undanceable’ – James Kudelka On Adapting The House Of Mirth
“Ballet loves a good erotic duet or two; there was no place for that in this. … No promise of sexual awakening. Just choices, good and bad choices. And these choices all have to do with money and power. … Facing the challenge of making a theatrical work based on The House Of Mirth meant finding a way, beyond props and scenery, to get across the idea of wealth and its close relative, debt.”
Opera In Cinemas Doesn’t Attract New Audiences, Says ENO Chief
“English National Opera artistic director John Berry has claimed the current trend for arts organisations to screen their work live to cinemas in a bid to extend their brand was a distraction from ensuring a company delivers the best live performances possible.”
Yo-Yo Ma, Paul Simon Win 2012 Polar Music Prize
“American singer-songwriter Paul Simon and Chinese-American cellist Yo-Yo Ma were named winners of Sweden’s Polar Music Prize,” worth one million kronor (roughly $146,000).