- Australians wants to encourage cross-cultural exchange, just like the rest of us, but can’t help but wondering if they’re winning our losing by bringing widely popular international acts into the country – and exporting some of their prize performers to the outside world. Showing excitement over Cirque du Soleil is just fine…as long you are equally thrilled about Australia’s Circus Oz. – The Age (Melbourne)
Tag: 06.23.00
POOH ON YOU
Disney has lost a round in its fight to hold on to royalties for the Winnie the Pooh characters. A Los Angeles superior court judge has ruled that Disney willfully destroyed documents to prevent them from being admitted as evidence in court. – CBC
KEEPING ART AT HOME
Australian curators are seeking a ban of exports of aboriginal art from the country. Next week there’s an important auction of about 1000 aboriginal works of art. “Alarmed by the number of early Aboriginal paintings being sold to overseas collectors, the curators and other critics were successful last year in having changes made to the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act. Now, an export permit must be obtained for Aboriginal art works more than 20 years old and valued at $10,000 or more.” – Sydney Morning Herald
I AM CRITIC, I AM MAYOR
Frank Gehry’s proposed design for a new bridge in Chicago has run head-on into the city’s most prominent architecture critic – Mayor Daley. “I’ve designed 10 new ones since I heard he doesn’t like it,” Gehry says. “The bridge flap is the latest example of Daley’s involvement in aesthetic issues that other mayors typically delegate to aides. Daley personally reviews major building projects, and his passion for beautification has resulted in a string of initiatives – fountains, flowers, trees and median planter boxes – that make both the city and the mayor look good.” – Chicago Tribune
SEATTLE’S ROCK PILE OPENS TODAY
“Paul Allen, 47, is the third or fourth richest man on the planet, having earned something close to $30 billion by co-founding Microsoft Corp., and his zeal for greenbacks is matched only by his affection for the artifacts and totems of pop history. So when he decides to give the public a peek at his stash, he’s not going to build a shed.” So we get the Experience Music Project. – Washington Post