The printing house of Trinity-St. Sergius, the Patriarchate’s flagship monastery, has issued a 2014 calendar with images and biographical excerpts of the leader under whom thousands of churches were destroyed and thousands of clergy were killed, imprisoned or exiled. (The publishers recommend it as a gift for history buffs.) Fortunately, the Internet is not happy about this.
Egyptian Government Launches Terrorism Probe of Hand Puppet
If only this were a joke … (Egypt’s internet wags are making fun of the affair in high style, at least.)
The Bechdel Test Is Not Enough Anymore
You know the Bechdel Test: “Do you, movie, feature two or more named women? Do they talk to each other? About something besides a guy?” But Katy Waldman observes, “In 2014, we are still whooping with delight when movie studios depict a woman sharing a snippet of non-dude-focused conversation with another woman? This is not exactly a high bar.” And several other writers weigh in on how they might update the Test.
Study Suggests That Watching Movies Can Greatly Influence Your Political Perspective
“We believe the potential for popular films to generate lasting attitudinal change presents an important area for future research.”
We Know Why People Want To Work At Google. Why Do People Work In The Arts?
“Besides the obvious attraction of the kind of work we do in the arts, what are the other components of what makes people satisfied and happy or dissatisfied and unhappy in their jobs?”
Barnes & Noble Closes Its One-Time Flagship Manhattan Store
The space at Fifth Avenue and 18th Street was the only remaining retail location when Leonard Riggio bought and relaunched the chain in the 1970s.
Starbucks Redesigns By Going Hyperlocal
“How do you make the world’s largest coffee house feel like a neighborhood haunt? The answer: good design.”
Report: How We’re Buying Music – Streaming And Vinyl Sales Surge
“The number of albums bought on vinyl increased by 33%, echoing the UK trend where events like Record Store Day helped double sales of vinyl last year. UK figures released by the Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA) last week showed that music streaming was up 33.7% and now accounts for nearly 10% of consumer revenues from recorded music.”
We Need To Rethink Design Of How We Present Information
“Nowadays, devices and people are unceasingly uploading all kinds of information about the economy, locations, weather and even what sweater makes them happy. With this flood of data, some believe traditional ways of displaying information do not work well anymore.”
Can You Quote A Critic From Their Twitter Feed?
“Is it kosher for a movie producer to selectively quote from the Twitter feed of the NYT’s movie reviewer, in a print ad, even when the reviewer in question explicitly said he would not give permission?”
’12 Years a Slave’ Director Called ‘Garbage Man’ and ‘Doorman’ at NY Film Critics Circle Awards
Was the heckler, as some have reported, former NYFCC chairman and proudly ornery contrarian Armond Whiie, himself African-American? Andrew O’Hehir reports.
Trey McIntyre Project to Disband Full-Time Dance Company
“After six years in Boise, choreographer Trey McIntyre says he will disband his Trey McIntyre Project as a full-time dance company in July, instead focusing TMP on other enterprises involving film production, photography and choreography” on a per-project basis.
Destroyed the English Major? Oh, Please – UCLA Hasn’t Even Eliminated Shakespeare
“Literature students have a brand new ‘classic’ to study: the Political Correctness Killed Shakespeare article.” Rebecca Schuman offers a take-down of Heather Mac Donald’s jeremiad.
Top AJBlog Posts for 01.07.14
A Voice To Be Heard — And Heeded?
Source: Real Clear Arts | Published on 2014-01-08
MOCA’s Unfinished Revival: “Financial Stability” (but no director yet)
Source: CultureGrrl | Published on 2014-01-07
Arts Council announces cuts and raids the Lottery bank
Source: Slipped Disc | Published on 2014-01-07
Afrofuturism Arrives — With Sun Ra!
Source: Artopia | Published on 2014-01-07
In Age Of University Museums, A Thriver
Source: Real Clear Arts | Published on 2014-01-07
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What Canadians Want To See: Musicals! (A Record Season)
Apparently, all Ontarians wanted for Christmas was musical theatre, as audience demand helped break records at theatres across the province over the holidays.
Is The Problem With Making Dance More Viable That Dancers Don’t Talk Enough?
“To survive we need to talk … I think our silence is part of the reason for our marginalization. Not just the marginalization of the arts within the rest of American society, but the marginalization of the artist within the art world.”
Study Asks Inmates If They’re Good People (And They Answer…Duh!)
The results suggest low self-esteem is not among the prisoners’ problems. Compared to their fellow inmates, “they rated themselves as more moral, kinder to others, more self-controlled, more law-abiding, more compassionate, more generous, more dependable, more trustworthy, and more honest.”
LA’s Museum Of Contemporary Art Says It Meets Goal, Has Future
David Johnson said the campaign’s success means that MOCA has “a sustainable financial future for the first time in its history.”
How To Pitch Broadway To Sports Fans
“Live theater and live sports are kind of the same emotional experience — you have that emotional connection to whatever’s happening onstage, and I think the same thing happens with sports.”
Music Streaming Is Great (It Is) But Arghhhh!
“As with the endless smorgasbord of gummy bears, Froot Loops and other toppings at those frozen-yogurt chains, what starts as a tantalizing abundance of music can suddenly seem overwhelming. That’s one reason why we fall back on the same stuff we’ve been listening to since senior year in high school.”
Japan’s Population Has Fallen For The Fifth Year In A Row (That Might Be Good News)
“Japan has the world’s oldest population, with a median age of 46 years, an average lifespan of 84, and a quarter of the population over 65. But this doesn’t have to mean a gloomy future. What happens in the coming years might even point the way for other countries.”
Downton Abbey Season Premiere Kills In The US Ratings
“Julian Fellowes’ drama is a major hit in the US, winning numerous Golden Globes and Emmy Awards. Nielsen figures show ratings were 22% higher than the series three premiere.”