A new survey purports to explain all. “It found that, unless a film fitted a recognisable genre, the odds would be heavily stacked against it – crime stories, prison dramas, sci-fi and bio-pics figure in many all-time great lists of films. Another asset was a conventional boy-meets-girl love story running through the film. And, though it may seem blindingly obvious, strong plots helped, as did a few big name stars. Keeping the title short, preferably one or two words, did not do any harm either. – The Age (Melbourne)
Tag: 08.04.00
CULTURAL ASSET?
Dick Cheney is George Bush’s running mate, but of interest to cultural people is his wife Lynne, who was chairperson of the National Endowment for the Humanities in George Sr’s administration. When she left NEH, though, she attacked it. Cheney appeared on ABC’s ‘This Week’ last Sunday, “and told interviewer Cokie Roberts that she had tried to eliminate the agency because ‘the Endowment, under the Clinton administration, evolved into something outrageous,’ and that ‘it was such a misuse of taxpayer money.'” – Backstage 08/04/00
HOW COMPUTERS CHANGE US
Computers are useful tools, to be sure. But using them is also changing the way we think. “The computer is a new semiotic channel. When it processes information it changes that information. Consider, for example, the hunt-and-browse method of research one does when actually working in library stacks. Compare this to the Boolean search procedures one uses when doing computer assisted research. This change is bound make a difference in the knowledge produced, but as yet we do not know in what way.” – The Idler 08/04/00
INVESTMENT IN CULTURE
Various levels of Australian governments spent a combined $199 per person on cultural activities in 1998-99, says a new report. That was up $9.40 from the previous year. – The Age (Melbourne) 08/04/00
WHO ARE WE?
There are plenty of prominent Aussie actors and directors who have made it big worldwide – Mel Gibson, Cate Blanchette, and Geoffrey Rush, just to name a few. But what version of Australia are they presenting to the world (and to Australians)? “A bloke could be forgiven for starting to wonder exactly who owns this country.” – Feed 08/04/00
POPULAR COOPERATION
“Ever wonder what would happen if several leading entertainment firms decided to work together? Korea is about to find out as five business giants in various entertainment fields signed a cooperative contract Wednesday to start just such a joint venture.” – Korea Herald
HAWKING BLASTS PLAY
Stephen Hawking has attacked a new play called “God And Stephen Hawking. “When I was sent the original version of the play I thought it was ridiculous and rather embarrassing. I found that deeply offensive and an invasion of my privacy. I could probably have got a court order but it might have attracted more attention to a stupid and worthless play.” – The Telegraph (UK)
FAILURE TO PROTECT
British police are “failing to take the theft of fine arts and antiques seriously, undermining a Government initiative to make it harder for criminals to sell stolen property, according to a leading figure in the arts market.” – The Telegraph (UK)
STRIPPING FOR ART
The Guggenheim Museum and the Phillips Collection are making deals to open outposts on the Las Vegas Strip. “The first exhibition of twenty-five pictures including Van Gogh’s ‘Entrance to the Public Gardens in Arles’ and El Greco’s ‘The Repentant St.Peter’ is set to open in September, with more to follow.” – The Art Newspaper
ALLURE OF LONDON
A group of New York artists working in London talk about the differences between the two cities. “They’re impressed by the apparent importance attached to contemporary art in Britain. Stories about artists make the front page of newspapers; television documentaries about art are informative and well made. No matter how crude its terms, Britain, and specifically London, engages in a national debate about art. This does not happen to the same extent in America and New York.” – London Evening Standard