Justin Davidson: “I don’t believe that this imperfect opera denigrates Jews, incites hatred, endorses libels, or casts collective blame. It doesn’t glorify terrorists or justify their crimes. What it does do is embed a spasm of thuggish violence in a broad historical context, a job that Adams, librettist Alice Goodman, and the original production’s director and all-around inspiration man, Peter Sellars, have fumbled badly.”
Tag: 09.21.14
Can Graffiti Be Copyrighted?
This summer, Miami street artist David Anasagasti “hired a lawyer and filed a copyright-infringement lawsuit, accusing American Eagle of stealing his work and seeking monetary damages. … Lawyers who work in this area say it’s not clear anyone has ever tried this in court. Copyright law, as its name suggests, lays out the rules for when it’s okay to copy something. But does it extend to art that’s on public walls?”
How The Met Opera Is Cutting $11 Million
“We’re looking at every possible area, from vendors to scenery to rehearsal time,” Mr. Gelb said, adding that “nothing we’re planning will be noticeable, except to the people who work on the productions.”
Puzzlement: How Did A Hardcore Economics Book Become A Bestseller?
“Somehow, ‘Capital in the Twenty-First Century’ by Thomas Piketty has become a conversation piece among well-read people. Its graphic red-and-ivory cover is inescapable. Early in its launch, it hit No 1 on Amazon’s bestseller list and the paper version – a doorstop in punishing, heavy hardcover – sold out in major bookstores.”
Fed-Up Riccardo Muti Quits Rome Opera
In a letter to the director of the chaotic, strike-plagued, financially unstable house, the conductor wrote, “There are no conditions [there] to ensure the serenity necessary to my leading successful productions.”
Scottish Referendum: What Are The Ramifications For The Arts?
“With culture already devolved, there was little focus on the potential impact of independence on the country’s artistic scene, with many artists simply focused on the wider picture. The fate of BBC Scotland was one of the few genuine talking points. … I suspect many artists will simply return to creative work and trying to make a living. The campaign is likely to have been a major distraction and an energy-sapping experience. Others will realise they have divided their audience by speaking out.”
The Cost Of Exposing The Illegal Antiquities Trade In Utah
“The task force wanted to send a message: The decades of impunity were over. Agents called the operation Cerberus Action — after the three-headed dog in Greek mythology that guarded the gates to the underworld.”
Hate This Restaurant? Do It Publicly, On Yelp, And Get A Reward
“Does Yelp’s right to run its reviews site in the way it sees fit — never removing Yelp entries — trump the rights of someone who feels bullied by such a site and would prefer to have nothing to do with Yelp at all?”
Sheldon Patinkin Was A Giant Of Chicago Comedy And Stage
Patinkin, who died Sunday at age 79, was “a crucial figure in the development of improvisational comedy in Chicago and a mentor to generations of American and Canadian comedians, as well as aspiring theatrical directors and other theater artists.”
Top AJBlogs For 09.21.14
On the Future of the Metropolitan Opera (continued)
AJBlog: Unanswered Question | Published 2014-09-22
DIA Can Play Hardball Too
AJBlog: Real Clear Arts | Published 2014-09-21
More Triumphs And Woes For Frank Gehry
AJBlog: Real Clear Arts | Published 2014-09-19
AJBlog: CultureCrash | Published 2014-09-19
Night at the museum
AJBlog: For What it’s Worth | Published 2014-09-19 Was Adorno Right?
AJBlog: CultureCrash | Published 2014-09-19
AJBlog: CultureCrash | Published 2014-09-19
AJBlog: We The Audience | Published 2014-09-21
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