“There’s a decision pending in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals that’s expected to have repercussions for artists and public art all over the country. The case addresses the question of whether artists have the legal right to protect their work from mutilation or destruction.”
Tag: 12.03.09
National Board Of Review Honors Up In The Air, Clooney, Freeman, Mulligan
“Director Jason Reitman’s Up in the Air was chosen the best film of 2009 and Clint Eastwood was named best director by the National Board of Review on Thursday in the first big awards of Hollywood’s Oscar season.” Eastwood and actor Morgan Freeman, playing Nelson Mandela, won for Invictus; Carey Mulligan took best actress for An Education.
Knight Foundation To Launch $50,000 Arts Fellowships
“Over the next five years 18 artists around the country will receive $50,000 unrestricted grants from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation as part of an arts fellowship … The awards, known as USA Knight Fellowships, will be presented to artists who live and work in the 26 cities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers.”
The Golden Age Of Australian Actresses
Judy Davis’s performance in My Brilliant Career was “destined to become a cultural watershed, one whose effects we can feel when we go to the movies or turn on our TVs. In fact, 30 years on, we’re currently living in an era that will be remembered for being dominated by great Australian actresses.” Think Blanchett, Kidman, Watts, Collette, Griffiths, Cornish …
Young Hong Kongers Struggle To Save Cantonese Opera
16-year-old Christie To “is one of ten young Cantonese Opera artists who’ve been striving to resurrect the ancient Chinese art form” in a new government-funded troupe. “It has proven an uphill battle to find younger audiences and performers given its musty image, uncertain career prospects and extreme hardships in mastering the art form.”
A New Theater At San Diego’s Old Globe
“San Diego’s Old Globe Theatre this morning unveiled a $22-million theater and education center on its 3-acre campus in Balboa Park. The new complex, which also includes an outdoor restaurant and a plaza, came in on time and on budget.” The addition’s centerpiece is the 250-seat in-the-round White Theatre.
England’s Notorious Libel Laws May Be Headed For Reform
“Calls for reform of the draconian libel laws in force in England and Wales have finally caught the ears of those in high places.” Both the Justice Minister and the House of Commons have committees exploring the issue, with particular concern about “libel tourism.”
‘Towering Follies: The Dubai Architecture You Couldn’t Make Up’
Steve Rose joins the schadenfreude party over the crash of the emirate’s building frenzy. “In architectural terms, Dubai has surely been the story of the decade. We’re just not sure if it’s a comedy, a tragedy or some surreal, hallucinogenic fairy tale.”
Glenn Gould, Sex Symbol
The directors of a new documentary about the famously, erm, eccentric pianist argue “that his awkwardness combined with his passion was a turn-on for many women.” Exhibit A in their case (and in the film) is Cornelia Foss, who left her husband (composer Lukas Foss) for Gould. (The affair didn’t last.)
Skylight Opera A.D. Theisen Talks About The Turmoil
Chucked by Skylight Opera Theatre in a cost-saving move, then wooed back after the Milwaukee company suffered protests and national disgrace, artistic director Bill Theisen says the whole debacle could have been avoided if only he’d been asked to go to half-time status. “And I’m quite sure I would have said yes….”