In a conversation, when we’re talking with and not at each other, profundity is an impediment to the flow of thought. It’s more fitting in a context such as writing, where the roles of giver and receiver are fixed and do not shift back and forth. - The Atlantic
No matter which way we’ve tried to turn, we’ve encountered ruptures and revisions and counterexamples that obstruct our progress toward a universal definition. Despite this, we’ve continued to talk about “life” as if it were a discrete, agreed-on concept. - Wired
For instance, anytime there's a scene in a club, a choreographer will suggest moves for the extras so they don't look awkward (which is easier than you'd think). And they'll help manage crowd scenes as well as any set piece where timing and execution are crucial. - Yahoo! (Los Angeles Times)
The renovation — part of a building boom that is transforming the vibrant Los Angeles museum world — caps the Hammer’s emergence as one of the more influential museums in the country, and one that is now known for its promotion of contemporary and up-and-coming artists. - The New York Times
The companies will work together on this—they’ll codevelop new generative A.I. models, and Firefly is partially hosted on Picasso—and have accordingly come up with a joint approach to the thorny issue of copyright. - Yahoo!
After three decades of financial difficulties and musician-vs.-management strife culminated in a nine-month strike, the board threw up its hands and dissolved the San Antonio Symphony. Here's a deep dive on how things got to that pass and how the musicians organized a new orchestra, the San Antonio Philharmonic. - Texas Observer
The court will consider whether the Open Library violated copyright law by letting users “check out” digitized copies of physical books, an assertion several major publishers made in their 2020 suit. - The Verge
Here's a look-in on the sculptors who are carefully restoring or, where necessary, reproducing the delightfully grotesque waterspouts (yes, they help drain rainwater from the roof) that were damaged or destroyed in the catastrophic 2019 fire. (video) - Euronews
The ubiquity and allure of screens surely play a large part in this—most American children have smartphones by the age of 11—as does learning loss during the pandemic. But this isn’t the whole story. - The Atlantic
"The musicians of the San Antonio Philharmonic have reached their first collective bargaining agreement with the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) union Local 23." The contract for the fledgling ensemble is more flexible than was the one with the now-defunct San Antonio Symphony. - San Antonio Report
"(They're) eating gourmet meals in a medieval village turned boutique hotel with breathtaking views of the postcard-perfect Val d'Orcia countryside. With access to a sauna and spa, as well as pasta-making classes and truffle-hunting, they are very much in a pinch-me-I-can't-believe-it's-true state." - The New York Times
"Beyond 'compelling' stylistic evidence, the sonnet, titled 'To the Deserving Author', is signed with the mysterious pseudonym Cygnus, after the mythical figure who was turned into a swan – evoking Jonson's very own tribute to Shakespeare of Stratford-on-Avon as the 'Sweet Swan of Avon'." - The Guardian
"Charles Henry Pace … was one of the first African American gospel music composers in the United States, and the owner of one of the country's first independent, Black gospel music publishing companies." His archives had been sitting, unorganized, in crates until 2021. - AP
"Tyler Perry's Black Entertainment Television? It could happen: The prolific producer/director/actor is one of several very famous, very rich businessmen who have signaled an interest in taking control of the iconic entertainment brand now that owner Paramount Global has hinted it might be for sale." - Vulture
Six months into a pilot program that pays 2,000 working artists €325 per week/€16,000 ($18,200) per year, the results look good: as one recipient said, "If I didn't have this, I wouldn't be doing art today." Most participants, however, are reluctant to discuss the program publicly. - The New York Times
