“The percentage of colleges that require a course with an international or global focus as part of the general education curriculum fell from 41 percent in 2001 to 37 percent in 2006. Less than one in five had a foreign-language requirement for all undergraduates.”
Tag: 05.22.08
London Refuses Anthony Caro Sculpture
“A gift to London from Sir Anthony Caro, Britain’s leading sculptor, has been declined. Millbank Steps, his largest and most ambitious work, is therefore up for sale for £2.5m. It has just gone on display at the New Art Centre at Roche Court, near Salisbury.”
Where Art Belongs
“In an already controversial new book out later this month, Who Owns Antiquity? Museums and the Battle for Our Ancient Heritage, author — and president and director of the Art Institute of Chicago — James Cuno argues for a return to the idea of ‘partage.’ The term refers to the system that persisted for many years in which foreign-led experts — typically Europeans and Americans — worked with locals to excavate antiquities in countries like Iraq and Egypt.”
Stonehenge Vandalized
“A pair of vandals attacked Stonehenge earlier this month and managed to chisel off a piece of the ancient monument, British authorities announced on Thursday. It is the first such incident of vandalism at the UNESCO World Heritage site in decades, English Heritage officials said.”
Two Top Museums Look For Leadership
“Not for a long time have two such powerful positions at New York museums been open at once, and, particularly now that the spring auctions are over, the art world can talk about little else. Both search committees are working as quietly as possible, but, as always, details trickle out.”
Placing A Bet On The Literary Shortlist
“With the number of literary awards and bookish bonanzas growing every day, the introduction of a little action into the proceedings seems like a good bet for increased publicity. Indeed, when it comes to the promotion of literary awards these days, if William Hill haven’t opened a book on it, the chances are the PR department isn’t doing its job properly.”
Cheek By Jowl’s Ambitious Global Phenomenon
“Seventeen years on, that tiny troupe has given way to a multinational, multi- lingual operation, currently with three productions on the go: a French-language Andromache touring Belgium, a revival of their Russian Boris Godunov preparing to transfer to Salford – and the new Troilus, which comes to London via the Netherlands and Romania before flitting off to Spain.”
A Ratings System Comes To Online Media
“The hitherto lawless world of online entertainment has began to adopt the same ratings system that governs British cinemas.”
In Praise Of Lionel Trilling
“The breadth of Trilling’s renown can hardly be understood today. He was a professor of literature at a major university who was at the same time a ‘figure’ (a term he honored) in the culture at large. And what was he really? An essayist; and it is tempting to say, given the expository clamor of the moment–its short views and skimpy topicality–merely an essayist.”
Glory Of The Printed Page
“In all, Gutenberg’s press is believed to have produced about 180 Bibles, a quarter of them on vellum and the rest on paper. Fewer than 50 copies survive today, and many of these only as fragments. The Morgan is the only institution in the world to possess three copies, and each is in remarkably good condition and boasts unique characteristics.”