Tag: 10.13.00

WHO IS GAO XINGJIAN?

Gao is considered the leading contemporary Chinese dramatist. His plays, which combine Zen philosophy and a modern worldview, have been performed all over the world, from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and Australia to the Ivory Coast, the United States, France, Germany and other European countries. – China Times (Taiwan)

A TRUE EXILE WRITER: Those familiar with Gao’s work say he rankles the pro-democracy movement as well as China’s communist government. – Washington Post

WHO, AGAIN? “Xingjian is apparently the creator of Chinese oral theatre as well the author of a classic novel, ‘Soul Mountain’. I have never heard of him and neither – shameful to relate – had anyone else whose opinion I canvassed in the half-hour or so following the announcement, but then neither had many westerners heard of the Egyptian novelist Naguib Mahfouz before his triumph in 1988 or Polish poet Wislawa Szymborska in 1996.” – The Guardian

LONELY AT THE TOP

The knives are out for London’s National Theatre boss Trevor Nunn. He’s being accused of not delegating, of not developing new talent, and producing work that ought to be better. But hold on, writes one critic. “Not only has he toiled at least as hard in office and rehearsal room as his workaholic predecessors, Eyre and Peter Hall, paradoxically getting himself attacked for not sharing or delegating power, but he has brought us some of the finest productions and performances I’ve seen.” – The Times (UK)

SEATTLE ART MUSEUM SETTLES CLAIMS

The Seattle Art Museum has settled with New York’s Knoedler Gallery over a Matisse stolen by the Nazis, and sold by Knoedler to collectors who later donated it to the museum (follow all that?). The Seattle Museum sued Knoedler after returning the painting to heirs of the original owner. “We can’t specify a dollar amount but we are being reimbursed for our legal fees, research and travel costs as well as the loss of the painting.” That will include the museum choosing a piece of artwork from Knoedler’s collection. – Seattle Post-Intelligencer

TOUGH AS A LINEBACKER

New study says that the punishment ballet dancers inflict on their bodies is comparable to professional football players or wrestlers. “Ballet is physically grueling and the fact that other dancers are competing with them adds to the physical stress. They often perform hurt and are afraid someone will take their place. Many dancers have eating disorders and they lead very, very stressful lives. The level of precision required is comparable to that of an Olympic gymnast.” – Chicago Tribune

AUSTRALIAN BALLET TURMOIL

There’s been an exodus of dancers from the Australian Ballet. Is it just a seasonal thing as contracts come up for renewal or is there something more worrisome? “Right now, many dancers of the Australian Ballet are unhappy. And while it’s easy to say dancers are always fearful, their state of mind matters because they are the assets of the company. And if the assets are unhappy, word gets out.” – Sydney Morning Herald

WHO IS GAO XINGJIAN?

Gao is considered the leading contemporary Chinese dramatist. His plays, which combine Zen philosophy and a modern worldview, have been performed all over the world, from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and Australia to the Ivory Coast, the United States, France, Germany and other European countries. – China Times (Taiwan)

  • A TRUE EXILE WRITER: Those familiar with Gao’s work say he rankles the pro-democracy movement as well as China’s communist government. – Washington Post

  • WHO, AGAIN? “Xingjian is apparently the creator of Chinese oral theatre as well the author of a classic novel, ‘Soul Mountain’. I have never heard of him and neither – shameful to relate – had anyone else whose opinion I canvassed in the half-hour or so following the announcement, but then neither had many westerners heard of the Egyptian novelist Naguib Mahfouz before his triumph in 1988 or Polish poet Wislawa Symborska in 1996.” – The Guardian