“Moscow’s unique and diverse architectural heritage is under ‘full-scale attack’ and in serious danger of disappearing altogether, a group of British and Russian experts warned yesterday. Russia’s sprawling capital is being transformed into a series of ‘super-gentrified ghettos,’ an ‘ersatz city’ fit only for ‘Gucci-bagged oligarchs’ wives’.”
Tag: 05.15.07
America’s Disappearing Book Reviews
“In America there is an industry wide scaling back of book reviews and book sections, from the San Francisco Chronicle to the Orlando Sentinel. As Stephen Colbert joked on the satirical show, The Colbert Report, ‘You will read what Oprah tells you to, and you will like it’!”
The New Subtitles – Now At Cannes
“The subtitles that will allow non-native viewers to follow the stories are crucial because no matter how flashy or impressive a movie may be, it’s the subtitles that can stifle or showcase its quality. Although many audiences around the world, most of whom see foreign films dubbed, consider them the cinematic equivalent of Brussels sprouts, subtitles remain an unsung yet essential tool of moviegoing. And with technology improvements, more people speaking foreign languages and the modern habit of multi-tasking, the traditional aversion to watching a film while reading it just might be on the wane.”
Dana Gioia On Supporting America’s Arts
“Gioia does not agree that public funding for the arts in America lags behind Europe. In fact, he said, he thinks ours is a superior model. ‘In Europe, arts funding comes from the government. In America, it’s a partnership between private and public sources. That leads to greater diversity in arts and a healthy focus on local communities’.”
Could Audio Maps Help Us Navigate?
Most of us look at maps to find our way around. But maybe we could also locate where we are with our ears. A new interactive computer program tries it. “It paints a picture of a city, not with images, but with sounds. Not only could the technology aide the visually impaired by giving them a sense of place before they explore the unknown, it could also offer sighted people audio cues when in ‘blind’ situations.”
Oboist Sues Orchestra For Discrimination
Oboist J. Bud Roach has filed a claim against the Buffalo Philharmonic for job discrimination. Formerly the orchestra’s second oboist, he was fired in February 2004, and he claims that his firing was due to homophobia in the orchestra.
David Gordon Steps Down As Milwaukee Museum Head
“Gordon, 65, is arguably leaving on a high note: For the first time since he arrived, the museum is unencumbered by debt left from the expansion project. Gordon arrived in 2002, just after Milwaukee had landed itself an icon. The building was capturing worldwide attention, serving as backdrop for slick magazine ads and high-concept TV commercials.”
Corporate Giving Up Six Percent In 2006
“U.S. companies donated $4.2 billion through corporate foundations in 2006, an increase of about 6 percent for the second consecutive year, according to a new report by the Foundation Center. Colleges, universities and other education-related organizations received 25 percent of the giving in 2006, followed by community development or public affairs (22 percent), human services (19 percent), health (12 percent) and arts and culture (11 percent).”
Police Officer Caught For Plagiarizing Plays
“An Ohio police officer who dabbles in amateur theatre has been suspended from work for plagiarizing a Canadian play and staging it as his own. Edmonton playwright David Belke learned one of his plays had been plagiarized after a fan alerted him to a production in Los Angeles that resembled one of his plays.”
“Spring Awakening” Leads Pack In Tony Noms
“In a season rich with contenders, ‘Spring Awakening,’ a dark rock musical based on a 19th century German play about sexually anguished teenagers, led the field of Tony Award nominations this morning with 11, including chances at awards for best musical, director and best actor for two of its cast.” “Grey Gardens” and “The Coast of Utopia” followed with 10 nominations apiece.