ArtsJournal: Arts, Culture, Ideas

ISSUES

In Praise Of Hotel Culture

Hotels—grand ones, modest ones, inns, motels, and single-room occupancies—once filled a crucial niche in the American housing ecosystem. And now they should again. - Slate

Are NFTs The Killer App for Tickets? The NFL Experiments

This coming season, each ticket will be an NFT, which means that ticket holders will be able to buy, sell, and trade their tickets (NFTs) on the Ticketmaster marketplace. -Shelly Palmer

How Relentless Right-Wing Attacks Shut Down An Entire Library

Vinton, Iowa's library shuttered as the staff resigned after a barrage of attacks. The complaints: "That we were not being fair to President Trump because we didn't have books that were equal. ... And that in the marching book, there was a lack of marches such as pro-life." - NPR

A Toronto-Based Filmmaker Uploaded A Movie Poster, And Is Getting Thousands Of Threats

Leena Manimekalai shared the poster, of the Hindu goddess Kali smoking a cigarette and holding a Pride flag, on Twitter. "Any artist would expect a discussion, a discourse post her work being exhibited. But I never thought I would be attacked by this type of organized violence." - CBC

In Ukraine, The Phrase “Culture War” Is Not Metaphorical

"With Russia actively trying to erase Ukraine's national identity, this country's music, literature, movies and monuments are not recreations. They are battlefields. The true culture war of our age is the war for democracy, and Ukrainian culture, past and present, has become a vital line of defense." - The New York Times

Hollywood And Abortion Activism

Meetings, walkouts, subtle out of office notes - and representation: "Many in Hollywood have begun to think about how they portray characters receiving abortion and reproductive care. And some in the industry have been turning to their guilds for guidance." - The Hollywood Reporter

Arizona Just Got The Biggest Chunk Of Arts Funding It’s Ever Had

From 2008 to 2012, the Arizona Commission on the Arts had a regular line, about $550,000, in the state budget; since then, the agency had only one-time appropriations that vary widely year-to-year. In 2020 the legislature gave the Commission $2 million; for the upcoming year, $5 million. - The Arizona Republic

Just Say What It Was, Texas

Obviously, "involuntary location" is a nonstarter, but also, "describing someone as a slave does nothing to diminish their humanity. Enslaving someone diminishes their humanity, which is why one should not do it." Texas and liberals alike can use their words - correctly. - The Atlantic

Why Are Americans So Snotty About Skyscrapers?

The best way for cities to grow is up, but you'd never know it from height restrictions in places like Washington, DC. - The Atlantic

“Bad Art Is Doing Very Nicely These Days, And The Reason Is That People Want A Message.”

David Bromwich: "In The Importance of Being Earnest, Algernon recoiled from the display of affection by the happily married: 'It is simply washing one's clean linen in public.' A great deal of the admired and well-rewarded art of our time consists of washing one's clean linen in public." - The Nation

Construction Of New Cultural Facilities Has Come Roaring Back: Study

The sixth annual Cultural Infrastructure Index, produced by AEA Consulting, has found that "after a predictable dip in 2020, due to broader pandemic lockdowns, 2021 showed an extraordinarily robust rebound in new buildings and projects." - Artnet

Old Redlined Neighborhoods In New Haven Have Become Havens For Black Artists

"A community of artists — many of color — has blossomed in unassuming districts with names like East Rock, Newhallville and Fair Haven. Most are Yale alumni who chose to stay. … New Haven's appeal over larger cities may not be self-evident, but it makes sense." - T — The New York Times Style Magazine

The Comeback Of Australia’s Country Pub

It's actually quite pleasing for architects - and fans of community spirit as well. "You can gut it and bring all of this modern stuff in … but people love the ‘imagine if walls could talk’ kind of feel."- The Guardian (UK)

At Least One United States Court Understands Comedy

Roy Moore, whom history will remember for putting a marble Ten Commandments monument at the Alabama Judicial Building and being banned from a mall for his interactions with teenage girls, just had his $95 million lawsuit against Sacha Baron Cohen for a "pedophile detector" TV episode tossed. - Washington Post

Making Activist Art A Conduit For Hope In Troubled Times

Andrea Bowers's show opened on June 24, the day that the Supreme Court of the United States overturned Roe. "When you enter the first gallery, you’re greeted immediately by a big, blinking yellow and red neon sign that reads, 'My Body My Choice Her Body Her Choice.'" - Los Angeles Times

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