“No, that’s not a person – it’s the name of a computer program written by University of California, Santa Cruz professor David Cope that, after nearly three decades of work, is about to release, uh, ‘her’ first CD through Centaur Records.”
Tag: 09.29.09
The Original Revolving Restaurant: Emperor Nero’s Dining Room Discovered
“Archaeologists unveiled Tuesday what they think are the remains of Nero’s extravagant banquet hall, a circular space that rotated day and night to imitate the Earth’s movement and impress his guests.”
In Orlando, The Battle Rages Again: Is Public Art A Civic Good Or A Frivolous Waste?
A matter-of-fact commission of ceramic art for a new public building in Orlando has been jeopardized in the course of an upcoming political campaign, as local commissioners/candidates jockey to “save the taxpayers’ money.” The cost of the artwork: $55,000.
Philly’s Kimmel Center To Manage Merriam Theater
“For the Kimmel, the capture of the Merriam resolves an issue that simmered long before the new arts center opened in 2001: what size its halls should be.” (Verizon Hall holds about 2,500; Perelman Hall, 650.) “The Merriam’s 1,870 seats give the Kimmel the medium-size venue important to its business model.”
Arts Center Approved For Old Bethlehem Steel Plant
“The unanimous approval [by the Bethlehem, Pa. city planning council] of the land development plans sets the stage for construction to begin this fall on the $25 million, four-story performing arts center that will sit just south of the old blast furnaces.”
Five Starchitects, One Big New Art Complex, And The South Of France
The new art center, opening next year, is at the Chateau La Coste winery in Aix-en-Provence and features a music pavilion designed by [Frank] Gehry, a wine cellar by [Jean] Nouvel, and other structures by [Renzo] Piano and Norman Foster.” Presiding is Tadao Ando, who “drafted the art center’s master plan and designed its 3,000-square-meter (32,000-square-feet) main gallery.”
John Dowland Was Not Enough: Sting Turns To Schumann
“Sting is hoping to attract new fans to opera with his latest release, a film in which he and wife Trudie Styler tell the story of composer Robert Schumann. … Backed by musicians and opera singers, their performance, Twin Spirits, was filmed at the Royal Opera House. “
Henry T. Hopkins, 81, Godfather Of UCLA Art Scene
“Hopkins achieved national prominence as director of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art from 1974 to 1986, but he got his professional start at UCLA and returned there in later years. … He chaired the [UCLA] art department from 1991 to 1994 and ran the Wight Art Gallery, and later became the first director of the Hammer Museum.”
Disney Targets Kids With Online Storybooks
“In what it bills as an industry-defining moment — though rivals are sure to be skeptical about that — Disney Publishing plans to introduce a new subscription-based Web site. For $79.95 a year, families can access electronic replicas of hundreds of Disney books, from ‘Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too’ to ‘Hannah Montana: Crush-tastic!'”
Donmar’s Starry Strategy Pays Off With 98% Capacity
“London’s Donmar Warehouse has revealed that its West End season at the Wyndham’s Theatre recorded average attendances of 98%, including 13.5% of first-time theatre bookers. … According to Donmar artistic director Michael Grandage, the season needed to play to 85% capacity to break even.”