“[He] produced thousands of objects over a 60-year career, from pen holders and toys to chairs and vases. Each of those items drew inspiration from the Arts and Crafts movement, in the simplicity of their form, and from his own uncompromising belief in communism.” – The Guardian
Anna Pavlova And The White Russians Who Transformed Dance In China
“The stateless émigrés trained ‘Shanghailanders’ in the early 20th century, including one Margot Fonteyn. Their influence remains embedded in modern Chinese ballet.” – South China Morning Post (Hong Kong)
Streaming Services Likely To Dominate This Year’s Oscars
It was always inevitable that Netflix’s awards tally would tick upward. The same goes for Hulu, Amazon and their myriad competitors. With Hollywood’s traditional studios prioritizing big-budget franchises that don’t appeal to prestige sensibilities, streaming platforms are becoming go-to vessels for the original, star-driven films that attract Oscar esteem. – HuffPost
Why We Need More African Archaeologists
It is easy to take for granted our way of keeping things in museums. Yet many cultures do not have the tradition of museums as a concept. They are a European transplant in much of the world. Instead, knowledge is passed on through oral culture, festivals, songs, poems, commemorations and casual conversations and observations. Heritage can be just as much about relationships and performance. – The Guardian
COVID Has Orchestras Rethinking The Need For Music Directors
What we are seeing is a breakdown of trust between musicians and maestros, a schism that will lead, post-Covid, to a downgrade or downfall of the music director. There has been, over half a century, a tremendous evolution in the role from Toscanini-like autocracy to a chummy collegiality in which maestros achieve harmony by consensus and drink beer after concerts in the musicians’ bar. But when the chips are down, as they often are, it is still the music director who makes key decisions and leads the fights for extra funding, a new concert hall and social justice. – The Critic
Taking Choreography Offline
Or at least part of it. In a new work, Zoom participants bang pots and pans in their kitchens, and then received the “score” as a PDF to complete on their own. For choreographer Yanira Castro, “It’s hopefully a gift that’s like, you can do this if you want. But “being present with the page” is also a form of performance. – The New York Times
A Nazi-Looted Painting Is Back In Court
A Parisian woman struck a complicated co-ownership deal with an Oklahoma museum where she found a painting the Nazis stole from her father. Now she wants to revisit the deal for Camille Pissarro’s La Bergère Rentrant des Moutons (Shepherdess Bringing in Sheep). – The New York Times
Under A Cloud Of Accusations, Artist Aydin Aghdashloo Faces Repercussions
At least 13 women have accused the artist of sexual misconduct, and an exhibit of the artist’s work was canceled in Iran, where the Tehran auction is also considering not including his work this year. But in Canada, where the artist has dual citizenship, a cultural festival that often invites him decided to remain “noncommittal about the accusations.” – The New York Times
Don A Wig, And Paint Along With Bob Ross
Ross is dead, of course, but a new re-creation of his studio, along with “Master Classes” with the prolific pine painter, is just getting underway in Indiana. “‘This is fantastic,’ Brett Estes, the Best Bob winner said, outfitted in a Bob wig (from a costume shop), beard (real) and light blue button-down. His brushes were tucked in the front pocket.” – The New York Times
The Best Place For An Artist To Be Right Now Is Her Studio
Joy Labinjo, a 25-year-old British-Nigerian painter, doesn’t get lonely in her studio. Instead, she says, “It’s easier to focus with fewer social engagements.” – The Guardian (UK)
The Public, Distanced, Sadly Large Celebration Of Day Of The Dead This Year
How to do Day of the Dead safely – especially since it’s so large this year as many Mexican Americans, many of them essential workers, have died? “The most beloved celebration in Los Angeles takes place every year at Self-Help Graphics & Art in Boyle Heights. Betty Avila, executive director of Self-Help, said there was no doubt that the venerated arts organization would hold an event — in some form — this year. The customary art exhibit is now virtual, and the group is leading a drive-by caravan today for Día de los Muertos at Grand Park.” – Los Angeles Times
A Medieval Mason Earns His Self-Portrait Fame 900 Years After He Carved Himself In Stone
Millions and millions of pilgrims have made their way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. They’re not usually there for the art history of the place. Meanwhile, the stonemason’s selfie “has looked down on them from the top of one of the many pillars that soar upwards, each decorated with carved foliage, among which he is concealed.” – The Observer (UK)