The Smithsonian has opened a new exhibit detailing the story of a crystal skull of supposedly Aztec origin, sent anonymously to a nonexistent museum in 1992, then eventually determined to be a fake. The Smithsonian isn’t exactly invoking the name “Indiana Jones” as part of the publicity, but hey – capitalizing on a movie to sell museum admissions is nothing new, right?
Tag: 07.10.08
Are Boomers “Drunk On Disappointment”?
According to a new survey, baby boomers are just about the whiniest, most dissatisfied generation in American history. And furthermore, past studies seem to indicate that they’ve been this way all along. “People born in times of cultural renewal tend to take an overt attitude of pessimism… They see their pessimism as a tonic that will wake up the world, then they just end up drunk on disappointment.”
Knitting Factory Going National, But Cutting Back In NY
It may not have the national reputation of some of New York’s better-known music venues, but the Knitting Factory has been one of the major centers of the city’s so-called “downtown music” scene for two decades. Still, times have been tougher recently, and the venue is simultaneously pulling out of Manhattan (in favor of Brooklyn) and expanding operations to Boise, Idaho and Spokane, Washington.
Hals & Turner Paintings Bring Millions
“Artist Frans Hals’ painting, Portrait of Willem van Heythuysen, has exceeded its estimated price and sold for £7m ($13.8m) at a Sotheby’s auction in London… JMW Turner’s Pope on the Thames at Twickenham sold for £5.4m ($10.7)- the fourth highest price for a work by the artist ever achieved at auction.”
Brits Pick Rushdie As Best of the Booker
“Sir Salman Rushdie’s novel Midnight’s Children has won the Best of the Booker prize, as voted for by the public. The 1981 book beat five other former Booker winners shortlisted from the prize’s 40-year history.”
NY Billionaire To Fund State Theater Renovation
“David Koch, recently called the wealthiest resident of New York City, has agreed to contribute $100 million toward the renovation of the New York State Theater, which is home to the two companies. His gift will be the largest private capital donation in Lincoln Center’s history and a triumph in a period of growing economic uncertainty.”
Famed Museum Director Dies At 90
“Sherman Lee, who led the Cleveland Museum of Art from 1958 to 1983 and was hailed widely as one of the greatest art-museum directors of his time, died Wednesday in Chapel Hill, N.C… Lee did for the Cleveland Museum of Art what George Szell, the renowned conductor and music director, did for the Cleveland Orchestra: He cemented its reputation as an internationally famous institution.”
The Instruments You’ve Never Heard Of
We think of musical instruments as being relatively static – times, styles, and genres may change, but it’s rare for an entirely new musical instrument to be invented and become widely played. But a century after the theremin mad its debut, “electronic whizzes are creating other clever electronic instruments.”
Pittsburgh Receives $1m In Art, Cultural Programs
“The city received a major birthday gift yesterday that includes a 20-foot steel and fiberglass sculpture named “Arch,” a new symphonic work, artist-mentored programs for city teens and a print portfolio designed to appeal to collectors. Together they make up Pittsburgh’s 250th Anniversary Arts Project, which was funded through a $1 million grant from The Heinz Endowments.”
Aussie Book Industry Warns About Cultural Cost Of Cheap Imported Books
“Publishers and authors are joining forces to campaign against the proposed lifting of restrictions on booksellers importing books that are also published in Australia.The Australian Publishers Association and the Australian Society of Authors are organising a grassroots campaign to educate the public that cheap books will come at a cost to the local industry.”