Of those 70,000, 12,000 signed up in the first week alone. “Cardholders at the Brooklyn, New York and Queens public libraries can gain free admission through the program at participating cultural institutions that include museums, performance venues, botanical gardens and historical societies.” – The New York Times
Tag: 08.13.19
How Far Are Institutions Obligated To Protect The Art In Their Possession, And What Can The Public Reasonably Insist Those Institutions Do?
Reflecting on the contretemps over the Life of Washington murals at a San Francisco high school as well as the decision by one small Northern California museum to sell much of its art and another to end an exhibition program, Charles Desmarais considers “what I think of as a kind of cultural duty of care — with the avoidance of negligence or harm to works of art maintained by an organization for the public good.” – San Francisco Chronicle
Los Angeles Opera To Investigate Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Plácido Domingo, Who Has Been Its General Director For 21 Years
The company, which will “retain outside counsel” to look into the accusations, said in a statement that Domingo “has been a dynamic creative force in the life of LA Opera and the artistic culture of Los Angeles for more than three decades. Nevertheless, we are committed to doing everything we can to foster a professional and collaborative environment where all our employees and artists feel equally comfortable, valued and respected.” – Los Angeles Times
San Francisco Opera Cancels Sold-Out Plácido Domingo Gala
Just hours after an AP story featured allegations of sexual harassment against the opera superstar, and shortly after the Philadelphia Orchestra disinvited him from its season-opening gala next month, San Francisco Opera cancelled an Oct. 6 concert headlined by Domingo. (Meanwhile, the Salzburg Festival is standing by him.) – San Francisco Classical Voice
The Berkshires: Big Time Cultural Center
Justin Davidson: “The Berkshires, the bucolic swath of Western Massachusetts where urban refugees can get their weekend dose of gardens, waterfalls, and even the occasional moose sighting, enjoys the cultural life of a major city, spread out over an area half again as vast as Houston.” – New York Magazine
Early Newspapers Were Essentially Letters To The Editor, Messy And Boistrous
“Printed news started out as, essentially, collections of letters to the editor. Newspapers did not routinely employ full-time reporters until the 19th century. At that point, the older meaning of ‘journalist’ – someone who keeps a journal – disappeared, and the word began to refer solely to news-gatherers. Similarly, interviews and in-person reporting did not become common until the 19th century.” – Aeon
Frisco Frescoes: What to Do About Controversial WPA Murals at George Washington High School
My own views on this contretemps are conflicted. By all accounts I’ve seen by art professionals, this is a powerful work, intended by the Russian-American artist to be seen as a critique of the historic cruelty suffered by African-Americans and Native Americans. In cases like this, I give myself what I call the Holocaust Test. – Lee Rosenbaum
Can Theatre Motivate Action On Climate Change?
“It’s all about awareness and action. The artist’s job is to raise consciousness and cut through the complacency. I asked playwrights to meditate on the theme of, ‘Wake up—act now!’ We’re creating awareness, and stimulating action.” – Pacific Standard
Philadelphia Orchestra Cancels Placido Domingo Appearance After Harassment Claims
“The Philadelphia Orchestra Association has withdrawn its invitation to Plácido Domingo to appear as part of its Opening Night concert on September 18, 2019. We are committed to providing a safe, supportive, respectful, and appropriate environment for the Orchestra and staff, for collaborating artists and composers, and for our audiences and communities.” – Philadelphia Inquirer
Nine Women Accuse Plácido Domingo Of Sexual Harassment
“For decades, Placido Domingo, one of the most celebrated and powerful men in opera, has tried to pressure women into sexual relationships by dangling jobs and then sometimes punishing the women professionally when they refused his advances, numerous accusers told The Associated Press.” – Yahoo! (AP)