“U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) today seized a Pompeii wall panel fresco from a Manhattan auction house that was reported stolen in Italy 12 years ago. … The panel, rectangular with a white background depicting a female minister, white wash on plaster with a modern wooden frame, was previously located at the excavation office in Pompeii.”
Tag: 06.02.09
MOCA Lets Go Its Director Of Collections
“While building toward a major fall exhibition of its collection that it hopes will be a milestone in its recovery from recent financial and organizational turmoil, the Museum of Contemporary Art has let go the head of the department that’s most hands-on in minding the collection.”
New York Legislature Okays Scalping For Another Year
“The New York State Legislature passed a bill on Monday that would allow the continued sale of tickets for entertainment and sports events at any price. The bill, which must be signed by Gov. David A. Paterson, would extend by 50 weeks a two-year suspension of New York’s scalping restrictions.”
U.K. Aims To Team With U.S. To Combat Illegal Downloads
“The U.K. government wants to cooperate with the U.S. to curb illegal downloads of music, films and TV shows. In a press confab with media scribes, Media Minister Andy Burnham said, ‘It’s my aim that we develop an international consensus on illegal downloading.’ … But the media minister ruled out criminal sanctions for people who download content for free.”
Downed Air France Flight Takes Toll On Brazil’s Arts World
Among the passengers presumed lost on AF 447 were Silvio Barbato, former chief conductor of the opera houses in Brasília and Rio de Janeiro; vocalist Juliana Ferreira Braga de Aquino; and German architect Moritz Kock, who had been meeting with colleagues from the firm of Oscar Niemeyer.
Dancers Who Beat Susan Boyle Get Film Gig
“Dance troupe Diversity, winners of TV’s Britain’s Got Talent, are to appear in a new British film to be shot in 3D. … The film, Street Dance, follows a dance crew in training for the Street Dance Championships who are forced to work alongside ballet dancers.”
Fixing Broken Instruments In A Broken Territory
“[A]fter absorbing lessons from visiting volunteer luthiers and a three-month apprenticeship in Italy, Mr. Shelaldeh, 18, has his own instrument repair shop. It is in a former garage around the corner from the [Ramallah] music center, Al Kamandjati (‘the Violinist’). He has learned to fix instruments and replace the hair on bows. He has already made two violins, one with a tiny Palestinian flag on the tailpiece, which anchors the strings.”
In Philadelphia – A Need To Grow Funders
The region has suddenly lost two of its three largest arts funders. “The lack of leadership, and deep-pocketed, committed donors, is of growing concern to cultural leaders. There’s an obvious need to cultivate a new generation, the next Lenfest, the new Lee Annenberg, as the economy continues to lash endowments and resources.”
Better No Shakespeare Than Shakespeare Poorly Done
“Classical theater requires study and training from its actors. Competency at performing contemporary theater does not automatically translate into an ability to make Shakespeare clear and accessible to audiences. … That brings us around to the question of whether a community is better off without Shakespeare if the alternative is poorly executed productions of his work. I believe you do it well or you don’t do it.”
Another Look At the Chicago Art Institute’s New Wing
“There is much to admire about the new Modern Wing: its sleek blond oak floors… But it leaves much to be desired in terms of audience-friendly, art-enhancing design.”