“A federal judge has issued a declarative judgment stating that Holmes, Watson, 221B Baker Street, the dastardly Professor Moriarty and other elements included in the 50 Holmes works that Arthur Conan Doyle published before Jan. 1, 1923, are no longer covered by United States copyright law, and can therefore be freely used by others ”
South Africa Shrugs as Performance Artists Try to Turn It Avant-Garde
“Performance artists confront an extra dose of bewilderment in South Africa, a nation less accustomed to the whimsical world of public and performance art than the U.S. or Europe.”
Turkey’s High Court Suspends Obscenity Case Against Translator of Apollinaire
Having previously reversed (on odd grounds) an acquittal of the translator and publisher of Apollinaire’s Exploits of a Young Don Juan, the Turkish High Court of Appeal chose to punt.
Was Religion Itself Originally the Product of Psychotropic Drug Use?
The idea – referred to by scholars as the entheogen theory – has certainly been discussed over the past 60 years or so. How much is there to it?
The New Year’s Eve Fireworks You Could Taste And Smell
Giant orange-flavored bubbles, banana-flavored confetti, peach-flavored snow, the scent of strawberries – sure beats the smell of gunpowder, right? London has these two inventive (and crazily-dressed) food scientist-artists to thank.
The Stage To Screen Transition Is Just Rough
Reviewers take the movie version of “August: Osage County” to task for, well, theatricality.
Did JS Bach Burn Out In The Last Years Of His Life?
Why did the industrious and dutiful German musician abandon his duties? Was he tired of the job or even depressed? In light of the sensational find, German music journalists have been quick – perhaps too quick – to talk about “Bach’s burn-out.”
Is Virtual Reality Finally About To Have Its Breakout?
Second Life founder Philip Rosedale: “There is nothing magical about the real world. There is no magical ether. There are no magical particles that enable us to be connected to each other only when we’re face to face.”
Curator Of Controversial ‘Hide/Seek’ Gets A Promotion At The National Portrait Gallery
“Ward maintained the curator’s presence in ‘Hide/Seek,’ defending the exhibition amid political controversy, while also, like the historian he is, seeking to understand why the controversy erupted as it did.”
Freed Pussy Riot Members Renew Call For Sochi Olympics Boycott
“They also stressed that they have no plans of capitalizing on the Pussy Riot brand or even using it in the future.”
Does Hollywood Actually Make A Political Difference?
Yes, sometimes, and not so much.
Finding A Magritte That’s Been Cut Up And Painted Over
That is, by the artist himself.
An Especially Excited Statue Gets A Little Cover
“Critics did not interpret the animal’s grip on the man — its paws gently resting on the man’s hips — as a bear hug. Moreover, the man appears to be experiencing sensations other than fear: He has an erection.”
Making The Oscars Into The World’s Best, Not Just Hollywood’s Best
“There’s the Oscar lesson, proven year after year: You might win with a dark vision, but in general, keep it light and keep it in English.”
Can Changing Our Reading Habits Even The Balance?
“Establishing quotas is not inherently progressive, but it can help us examine our choices, to consider books or writers we might otherwise ignore or resist, and sometimes – as was the case for me with the wonderful Croatian author Dubravka Ugresic – recognize that we were missing out not having read them sooner.”
As Illustrations Grow More Popular, Museums Get Priced Out
“The rising prices are proving prohibitive for some; Davis says that high prices for works by Rockwell and Parrish have made purchases by museums such as his more difficult.”
In New York, Some Stagehands Make A Lot (A LOT) Of Money
“Even as organized labor in the United States has weakened significantly, the nearly 2,600 active members of Local 1 have retained their clout, allowing them to push for good wages and work rules.”
The Last Business Days Of A Typewriter Repairman
“Mr. Gan is also not a huge fan of Francis Ford Coppola, but he did service the Olivetti that Mr. Coppola used to write the Oscar-winning screenplay for ‘The Godfather.'”
One Day In The Life Of A Bookstore Clerk
“I’m looking for a book.”
“Would you happen to have the title?”
“It’s a long shot, but I was in my car about a month ago and heard an author on the radio. Sounded really interesting.”
The Most Exciting Magazine Of All Time
“No contemporary magazine could duplicate Life’s success, and not just because 1945 was such a monumental year. No modern magazine has remotely close to its influence. “
Is Arts Journalism Only Going To Survive As The PR Wing For Institutions?
“In the new media landscape, everyone is a content provider, and thus everyone is in competition. All true. To some extent.”
The Best Dance of 2013 In London
A top five list balanced by a worst five list.
Hollywood Poised For A Record Year At The Box Office
“With the current domestic box-office tally nearly 1 percent ahead of last year at this time, 2013 could surpass 2012’s overall haul of $10.8 billion by more than $100 million, according to box-office tracker Rentrak.”
Did Iron Maiden Actually Use Piracy Data To Locate Its Fans And Make Money?
“I really wish MusicMetric had advised Iron Maiden on how to make millions of dollars from music pirates. It’s such a good story. Too good, evidently, to be true.”
Free At Last! Judge Liberates Sherlock Holmes From Copyright
“A federal judge has issued a declarative judgment stating that Holmes, Watson, 221B Baker Street, the dastardly Professor Moriarty and other elements included in the 50 Holmes works Arthur Conan Doyle published before Jan. 1, 1923, are no longer covered by United States copyright law and can be freely used by creators without paying any licensing fee to the Conan Doyle estate.”