“Traditionally museums have been loath to allow the sponsors of an exhibition a significant role in curatorial decision making — particularly when the sponsor is a corporation, given the potential taint of commercialization and artistic compromise. And most major museums still draw the line there. Given the economic downturn, which has forced the cancellation, postponement or prolonging of exhibitions across the country, more small and midsize art institutions may be increasingly open to ready-made shows.”
Tag: 08.23.09
European Publishers Perseverate Over Google Book Deal
Some publishers are for Google’s agreement on digitization of books; others not. “Even if it goes forward, the deal has fueled talk of possible alternatives in Europe.”
What Has Happened To British Design?
“Why have so many British design treasures been so badly neglected? There are some boringly obvious logistical reasons.”
Does Theatre Giant Ashland Need An Overhaul?
“No one could argue that this three-stage theatrical behemoth with an annual operating budget of more than $24 million isn’t gleaming with renewed purpose. But a two-day splurge of theater… exposed an area of weakness that OSF will need to address to advance its place in the hierarchy of major nonprofit theaters — a midlevel acting company that could use a substantial overhaul.”
Movie Studios Battle DVD Service “At Their Peril”
“There’s no way of getting around that the studios that are trying to put the muscle on Redbox are making the same mistakes the music business made nearly a decade ago when it attempted — and failed, quite spectacularly — to squash unauthorized downloading of music by destroying the dreaded Napster Web file-sharing service.”
Paris’ Picasso Museum Closing For 2.5 Years
“On Monday, the museum was to close its doors for extensive renovations and expansion. Its collection of 5,000 original works by Pablo Picasso will be stored in high-security government warehouses, and lending of works to other venues will be curtailed until the museum reopens.”
Where The Money Is: Music Publishing
“Trying to decide whether an album will be a huge hit or a major miss is expensive and risky for record companies. Music publishing, on the other hand, is reliable, tethered to the constellation of tunes that envelop us — on radio and television, and in movies, malls, elevators and greeting cards.”
Soprano Falls Into Orchestra Pit During Glyndebourne Performance
Ana María Martínez’s feet “became entangled in some of the stage props and she struggled to stay upright before falling backwards into the orchestra’s string section. Two medics came forward to help her after Glyndebourne’s management put out a call for any doctors in the theatre.”
Annie Leibovitz Close To Financial Ruin
“In what now appears as a disastrous decision to raise funds, Leibovitz took a 24-million-dollar loan from Art Capital Group (ACG) — in effect a high-end pawn broker — in December 2008 using her own photographs as collateral. That debt is due September 8 and if she can’t pay up, she could lose her life’s work.”