“After the archbishop’s interference, Beckett withdrew all rights in protest, for all of his works in Ireland, indefinitely.” - Irish Times (Internet Archive)
That “is partly because he is so intensely aware of a defining fact about his country: it’s an island. For Turner, Britain is bordered by death, terror and adventure.” - The Guardian (UK)
Marketing, campus planning, and the entire social media team - gone as of Friday. “Kennedy Center staff members ... spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution. Most former employees had to sign non-disparagement agreements.” - Washington Post (MSN)
“Marissa Chaffee starts her shift by housing a Five Guys burger with pickles, mustard and ketchup. … Later tonight, she’ll chug (a "Witches' Brew") potion while half-dressed in Spider-Man underwear and knee-high boots in front of 85 theatergoers. The test is … whether she can remember her iambic pentameter.” - The Washington Post (Yahoo!)
The livestreams haven't calmed the complaints about Coachella's lacklustre audiences — many who watch online have commented that the crowds aren't as hype as they believe they would be if they were in attendance. - CBC
“The Sonic Heritage project is a collection of 270 sounds from 68 countries, including from famous UNESCO-designated sites such as Machu Picchu and the Taj Mahal, … a monarch butterfly sanctuary, … wind turbines, rare whales and the Amazonian dawn chorus.” Also, sea lions who sound like drunk frat boys. - The Guardian
A more assertive Canadian nationalism than any we’ve seen this century has come roaring back, bringing with it not only a renewed patriotism but also an inchoate spirit of nation building with no equivalent in recent memory. - The Walrus
The two protesters, members of the German environmental group Letzte Generation (Last Generation), entered the gallery and attached one hand each to the frame of the world-famous artwork. - ARTnews
How is it that an island that has managed to produce one of the strongest theatrical traditions in the West could be without a national dance company? - Fjord Review
Supporters agree that “R-Evolution” by sculptor Marco Cochrane represents “feminine strength and liberation.” Critics complain that it’s just more of the male gaze and simply bad art. But even Uber drivers are talking about the piece and the issues involved, and that counts for a lot. - San Francisco Chronicle (MSN)
Culture is the sphere in which people debate and determine who they are, what they value and the kinds of lives they wish to lead. Properly understood, culture is not a passive backdrop to “real life” but an active domain where communities articulate their shared meanings. - Salon
Curiosity fosters openness and collaboration while reducing decision-making errors. Yet only 24% of organizations actively encourage it, leaving a wealth of untapped potential on the table. The best leaders don’t just seek answers; they reframe problems. - Fast Company
Almost all unanimously say Conservative threats to tear up cultural institutions just as Trump aggressively seeks to recalibrate America’s relationship with Canada, whether through tariffs or other actions, led to culture becoming a real battleground – and it’s a battle the Liberals are winning easily. - Deadline
The 43-year-old show, which has had a profound hold on New York’s new-music scene, was first slated for cancellation, evidently for non-budgetary reasons, in 2019; the decision was reversed following public outcry. Money was the issue this time, and a fundraising campaign has secured the program for three years. - The New York Times
There is a sexy underground auditorium, a 60-seat café, and the entire second floor of the mansion is now filled with art. There’s almost twice as much on view now. What’s not to love? - New York Magazine
