“Researchers from the University of London have tested a thesis that may explain why studies of this phenomenon have produced such inconsistent results. In a study just published in the journal Psychology of Music, they conclude that listening to Mozart can indeed spark a certain type of intelligence, but the effect is limited to non-musicians. The reason, it appears, has to do with the different ways musicians and non-musicians process music in the brain.”
Tag: 07.30.09
NYU – The World’s First Global University?
“With his Emirati counterparts, John Sexton is proposing to build an American-style research and liberal arts institution that will attract the world’s most elite students and scholars from day one. Just as grandly, Sexton envisions the Abu Dhabi campus as a kind of network hub that will operate in tandem with NYU in Manhattan to power a new “global university” comprising study sites on five continents.”
Who Really Owns The Images Of Art In Museums?
“Should museums be able to use contracts to create a copyright-like control of public images? Maureen Whalen, lawyer for the J. Paul Getty Trust, has suggested that just because a museum has centuries-old paintings in its physical possession that doesn’t give it a right to decide how the images are used.”
Movie Posters Cash In
“Auction houses are popular stops for aficionados, since they do all the quality control on their behalf – Christie’s averages two movie poster auctions a year in London. Its most recent was in March, where a poster for the 1954 Humphrey Bogart/Audrey Hepburn film Sabrina netted $15,480 (U.S.). Experts had expected it to go for between $4,000 and $7,000.”
America’s Liberries? A Campaign For Literary Ice Cream
A Facebook group called “People for a library-themed Ben & Jerry’s flavor!” has attracted nearly four thousand members, and is bent on petitioning the ice-cream company into submission. The logic behind the cause is unassailable.
Mexico Restores Diego Rivera Murals In National Palace
“Diligent specialists are touching up missing color with watercolor paints, and using a weak alcohol solution to wash away dust and grime that the murals have collected. The restoration is expected to be completed in September.”
Indianapolis Symphony Fires Its Music Director
“The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra announced today that the contract for Mario Venzago, its music director since 2002, will not be renewed.” Says the orchestra’s CEO, “His contract is decided on an annual basis, and we were unable to come to a new agreement. We’ve been discussing this for some time.” Venzago’s assistant says that only one “totally unacceptable” offer was made.
Another Departure From Troubled Ballet BC: Interim Executive Director
“Andrew Wilhelm-Boyles, who was brought on in February to steer the company as interim executive director, has confirmed that he will not be renewing his contract with the organization.” Last month saw the departure of John Alleyne, for 16 years the company’s artistic director.
Baltimore Symphony Players Accept Pay Cut
“Musicians of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra have agreed to take a 12.5 percent reduction in salary as part of contract concessions … Thursday’s announcement of another $900,000 in wage cuts and furloughs follows an agreement in April for the musicians to give back $1 million in raises and other benefits scheduled under their contract for next season.”
More Chinese Films Withdrawn From Melbourne Fest Over Uighur Controversy
As Chinese authorities continue their furious protests over the Aug. 8 appearance of Uighur activist Rebiya Kadeer at the Melbourne International Film Festival (where a documentary on her is being shown), three more Chinese-language films have been removed from the festival program. Two films had been withdrawn already, including one by Venice Film Festival winner Jia Zhangke.