Stories

Russian Publishers And Bookstores Are Nervous As Kremlin Cracks Down On Books

“Publishers have faced a difficult dilemma: stop offering books that the Kremlin dislikes, clandestinely cut the risky parts or openly redact them to show readers that something was censored. … ‘Right now we’re all playing Minesweeper, (said one literary critic,) when you don’t understand what is forbidden and what is not.’” - The New York Times

Woeful Security At The Louvre (Including Its Passwords)

Since the heist, information has resurfaced showing that gaps in security appear to have been known for years – including a 2014 warning that alleged one of the museum’s key passwords was simply “LOUVRE.” - CNN

Inside The Kennedy Center’s Nose-Dive

Interviews with 25 people, including current and former Kennedy Center executives, board members, longtime employees, recent hires, industry leaders and Trump administration officials, revealed a Washington institution in crisis. - The New York Times

Alabama Public Television Has Major Second Thoughts About Dropping PBS

“Officials said the end of the PBS partnership could cost Alabama Public Television millions in funding, 90% of its content and thousands of audience members. ‘I’m afraid that it would be the end of APT-PBS as we know it,’ APT Commissioner Pete Conroy said.” - AL.com

Music Labels Are Beginning To Make AI Deals. What Does It Mean For Musicians?

Such settlements and strategic partnerships will help major labels set the ground rules for developing AI-music ecosystems. And it seems they are becoming common. - The Conversation

The Unpleasant Art Museum Tour That’s Wildly Popular

Joseph Langelinck’s “highly unpleasant” tours cost around $8 USD, and they’ve reportedly sold out every session since they launched in May, with bookings well into 2026. - The New York Post

England Moves To Undo Cuts In Arts Education; Creative Sector Heaves Sighs of Relief

For years, Britain’s leading cultural figures have warned that substandard arts provision in schools is devaluing the sector and creating an increasingly elite industry. But the government’s proposed shake-up of the national curriculum, … has been met with overwhelming positivity, with one figure saying it could end ‘the madness of the past decade’.” - The Guardian

An AI Map Of Bob Dylan’s Songs

Could machine analysis measure the qualities that make Dylan’s songs resonate – how complexity arises, how new images mix with the familiar, how ambiguity threads through songs? - Aeon

Film Festival In New York Cancelled At Last Minute After Chinese Filmmakers Withdraw

“The inaugural IndieChina film festival was planned to take place between 8 and 15 November. But on 5 November the festival’s curator ... posted on Facebook that he had been forced to cancel 80% of the planned screenings because film-makers had pulled out” after their families in China were pressured by authorities. - The Guardian

The Mona Lisa Problem

One solution might be to put it in a separate structure — climate-controlled, transparent — in the neighboring Tuileries Garden. Time-controlled tickets could be sold at a premium, while the general public could view it for free at a distance, through the glass walls. - Washington Post

Why Japan Shadow-Banned Paul Schrader’s Biopic Of Yukio Mishima

Until, that is, last week, when the 1985 film Mishima finally had its Japanese premiere at the Tokyo International Film Festival, where the screening sold out in ten minutes. Before that? Well, in his homeland the life and ideas of the author were something of an uncomfortable subject. - The New York Times

Has Chicago’s Theater Scene Addressed The Issues In The “We See You, White American Theater” Letter?

“WBEZ/Chicago Sun-Times asked some Black Chicago theater makers what has changed for them since 2020. Among those interviewed for this story, even the most optimistic back in 2020 felt no significant change in the years since. That’s despite the promise of major action by groups themselves.” - WBEZ (Chicago)

Toronto’s Only Purpose-Built Dance Venue To Reopen

The auditorium at Queens Quay had been called the Fleck Dance Theatre; early this year, the Harbourfront Centre, which manages Queens Quay, declined to renew the Fleck’s lease. Now the Toronto Stage Company will take over, presenting its own mainstage season there and making it available to dance organizations. - Ludwig Van

Bizarre Attack By Teen Tourist On Met Museum Artworks

On Monday, a 19-year-old hurled water at a 19th-century portrait and a 16th-century altarpiece, then ripped two tapestries. His mother turned him over to police, who said he seemed to be to be under the influence of an “unknown substance” and took him to a hospital before having him arraigned for criminal mischief. - ARTnews

LACMA Management Won’t Recognize Employee’s Union Formed Last Week

“This means LACMA United cannot move forward with collective bargaining efforts until it is formalized by a National Labor Relations Board election. Complicating matters further, NLRB activities — including elections — are on hold amid the federal government shutdown.” - Los Angeles Times (Yahoo!)

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