“Did the world’s great novelists really spend years agonising over the pitch and rhythm of their sentences so some time-efficient post-modern reader could skim over the text like a political spin doctor searching for soundbites in the transcript of a ministerial speech?”
Tag: 12.14.09
Is Blogging On Visual Art As Bad As All That?
The Creative Capital/Warhol Foundation’s Arts Writers Grant Program, “according to its website, ‘aims to support the broad spectrum of writing on contemporary visual art, from general-audience criticism to academic scholarship.’ The list of 2009 recipients reflects that goal” — except in one area. “As writers on art, bloggers just don’t seem to measure up.”
Yo-Yo Ma To Be Chicago Symphony’s Creative Consultant
“Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director designate Riccardo Muti took a giant step toward realizing his goals of connecting the CSO with wider audiences and young people of all backgrounds by tapping cellist Yo-Yo Ma … for a new position in the orchestra’s artistic and educational leadership.”
Lincoln Center Creates Its Own Discount-Ticket Venue
“Starting Jan. 7th, visitors will be able to buy day-of discounted tickets to performances at all Lincoln Center cultural institutions at a box office in the new David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center on Broadway between West 62nd and West 63rd Streets. Tickets will be discounted from 25% to 50% off regular prices.”
Tate Christmas Tree Is Delightful. What’s Going On?
Tate Britain’s traditional, very Christmassy Christmas tree, decorated by artist Tacita Dean, is “extremely pretty — and confusing. What can this startling outbreak of Christmas spirit at Tate possibly mean? Is it caused by the credit crunch? Is the zeitgeist changing?”
Impossible? A Free Vetted Encyclopedia
“A number of academic institutions are quietly trying to do what Britannica and others say can’t be done: build online encyclopedias that are rigorous, scholarly, and free to access.”
Gods Of Comedy – Second City Turns 50
It was a star-studded night as alumni of Chicago’s Second City showed up to celebrate.
Oldest Known Santa Figurine Found
“Known as the “Blue Santa,” the object was made circa 1884 by The American Marble & Toy Manufacturing Company, which burned to the ground in 1904. The figurine is 2.5 inches tall.”
The Climate-Change Art Of Copenhagen
“I am not denying the emotional impact of these artworks. On the contrary: they’re almost all moving, beautiful and transporting. (Well, not quite all, but many.) But weeping only takes you so far.”
Our Biological Attraction To Music
Sound from other humans “is where we get information about our competitors and our potential mates–the things we need to know to be successful creatures. We developed an ear for the tones common in human vocalizations, the same way a sommelier might develop a taste for fine wines. Those are the tones we find most appealing and thus, the ones we made into our musical art.”