For decades the Soviet hometown of Marc Chagall acted as if the artist had never existed. Now, finally, the “Belarussian city has now embraced the artist, with two museums honoring his life and his work.” – Chicago Tribune
Tag: 11.19.00
A NEW POMPEII
Last summer an international team of archaeologists raced to save Turkish treasures from rapidly rising flood waters. “Some experts are now calling Zeugma, a 2,000-year-old Roman garrison on the banks of the Euphrates, a “second Pompeii.” The floor mosaics that have been salvaged are among the most exquisite in existence, rivaling the collection at the Bardo in Tunis, considered the finest in the world.” – Chicago Tribune
WHEN DESIGN ENTERS THE MUSEUM
“Leading curators all over are bringing design into their art galleries, in an effort to expand the scope of their programming, and of their audience.” But, as in the Guggenheim’s Armani show, why do it if all you end up doing is making an expensive commercial for a designer? – The Globe and Mail (Canada)
DEBATING ART PRIZES
Is the Turner Prize good for art? Is it valuable because it “gets people talking about creativity and ideas” or is is bad because it steers art in the directions championed by a select elite few?” – The Observer (UK)
THE ACROPOLIS SUBWAY STRATEGY
In their latest attempt to get Britain to return the Elgin marbles to Greece, the Greeks have come up with a new tactic – a subway station at the base of the Acropolis. “The Greeks have chosen this subway station to send a message to thousands of people every day: The marble sculptures that once adorned the Parthenon should come home from London. To make the point, the inside of Akropoli station has been decorated with replicas of the Parthenon Marbles.” – Washington Post
DRIVING EDWARD VILLELLA
In the 15 years since he founded it, Edward Villella has turned Miami City Ballet into a respectable, successful company. “But Villella, though exhausted by years of overwork and in failing health – he has a bleeding ulcer and underwent his third major hip operation last May – keeps pushing toward new peaks. It’s almost as if the closer he gets to the mountaintop, the harder he drives himself – and the more frustrated he becomes at not reaching it.” – Miami Herald
MAINTAINING A GOOD IDEA
Five years ago Britain set up the lottery-supported Heritage Fund, setting forth £1.5 billion in spending on arts and cultural projects. “Who could have imagined in 1990 that so many longstanding conservation problems would be resolved or that such bold initiatives would have found funding? Without it, the world would have been a much duller place. Yet, just as the achievements of the fund are becoming clear, so are the dangers that surround it.” – The Telegraph (UK) 11/19/00
HOW DO YOU CENSOR THE UNCENSORABLE?
“Film censorship nowadays is a mess: it has neither legal nuance nor intellectual force, and instead it relies on a vague outrage about the unacceptable. Anyway, the new freedoms instituted and exercised right now by the internet are making a mockery of regulation.” – The Telegraph (UK) 11/19/00
USING THE ARTS FOR COMMUNITY REGENERATION
In Britain’s “vast, scorched, abandoned” industrial outposts, traditional industries are in full retreat. “What can save these places? Enter the good fairy of the arts with her magic wand and her bag of enchanted lottery dust. Hey presto – cultural regeneration!” But wait just a minute…” – The Sunday Times (UK) 11/19/00
ART MEETS VEGAS
Art museums aren’t the only higher artform to discover Las Vegas. The performance offerings are changing too, and serious artists are beginning to see a new market (and one backed with plenty of cash). – Orange County Register 11/19/00