“Scientists have discovered a way to convert the DNA patterns that code for proteins into rhythmic piano notes that sound pleasant to a musician’s ear. The conversion method could not only make the otherwise daunting field of genomic coding more approachable to the general public and even children but could also provide scientists — including those who are vision-impaired — an entirely new way for analyzing proteins.”
Tag: 05.24.07
Death Of A Recording Classic
“At tea-time on Monday, the world’s oldest record company declared losses of £264 million and no hope of recovery. A sale was announced to Terra Firma, an equity firm which will strip the ship for early resale, probably to Hollywood rival, Warner. A century of record history and the heart of British music was tossed onto the auction block with no regard for public sentiment or the devastating cultural consequences that attend the destruction of tradition.”
Will Venice Biennale Start Selling Art?
The Venice Biennale used to sell art but discontinued the practice in 1968 over concerns the Biennale was not “tainted with commerce”. But now the idea is raised again. “A new art fair, Cornice, which takes place in Venice from 7 to 10 June to coincide with the opening of the biennale will include 60 dealers–80% of them international names. It has raised the whole question of sales again.”
National Portrait Gallery Plans Pop-Art Show
“The National Portrait Gallery in London is planning to stage its first exhibition devoted entirely to pop art. The display will feature works by Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Ray Johnson, Sir Peter Blake and David Hockney.” Portraits of Marilyn Monroe will get their own room. Yes, really.
Art En Route To Dresden Stopped By Moscow Customs
“In a sign of Russian paranoia about satirising public figures, customs officials turned away six works of art, two featuring the president. Natalia Milovzorova, a spokeswoman for the Marat Guelman gallery, which was sending the work by a Siberian art collective, Blue Noses, said the decision was ‘absurd’ but had been overcome by sending a digital copy. She added: ‘It’s as if we returned to dissident times.'”
An Author On The Weirdness Of Completing A Book
“A few minutes before starting this blog I emailed my agent with the completed manuscript for my latest contribution to bathroom literature: Annus Horribilis. It’s all done. I’ve finished another book, and now – I feel quite weird. … The dominating feature of the last six months of my life has disappeared. My time is my own again, but I’m not certain whether this means freedom, or just emptiness…”
Why Doesn’t Philip Roth Have A Nobel Prize?
“Forget LA Confidential losing the Best Picture Oscar to Titanic, and Englebert Humperdinck stopping Penny Lane from getting to number one: the worst cultural snub in living memory is that Philip Roth hasn’t won the Nobel prize for literature. It’s not like he’s an unrecognised talent…. But it’s time for his genius to get the global platform – and prize – he so richly deserves.”
British Booksellers To Market To Minority Readers
“Seven bookshop groups are to launch their first pilot marketing campaign to black and ethnic minority readerships. Starting on Saturday, 70 of their stores will give prominent displays to books by more than 200 authors in these categories.” The companies “are working with the Arts Council of England’s diversity initiative, decibel.”
Invisible Discus, Anyone? Artists Protest Funding Cuts
“The recent cut of 35% in Grants for the Arts – down from £83m to £54m for the year 2007-08 – has been no laughing matter. But a group of artists are getting together on Saturday May 26 on Hackney Marshes to draw attention to the ways artists will be affected at a grass-roots level by the redirection of lottery money to fund the 2012 Olympics. … Grunts for the Arts brings together live artists, theatre-makers, designers, fine artists and sculptors for what is being described as an artists’ sports day that will include events such as handbag hurling, durational knitting, the invisible discus and the high-heel 100m sprint.”
Crappy Book For Jukebox Musical Is Not Required
Here’s a question that ought to have been raised earlier, potentially saving untold thousands from misery: “Why do back catalogue-based musicals have such stupid plots?”