Stories

Art Is Good For Your Health? Can’t We Do Better?

In other words, the key sell for engaging with art in this case is that there is science – a real expertise! – backing it up, to reassure those on the fence that it’s not all a clanging, nebulous waste of time. - The Guardian

National Capital Planning Commission Approves Construction Of Trump Arch

The motion to approve the project passed by an 8-4 vote after listening to over 100 public remarks largely against the project after a nearly 9-hour meeting. - The Hill

Livestream Of Trump Arch Public Testimony Meeting Crashed

The livestream went down during public testimony largely against the project and after a tense exchange with Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.). NCPC tech experts were looking into the issue, Reuters reported. - The Hill

Other U.S. Cities Are Boosting Arts Funding, But Chicago’s Will Remain Flat

“The Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events is set to receive about $62.5 million next year in the proposed budget. That’s up less than 1% from the arts budget that passed City Council last year.” - WBEZ (Chicago)

Federal Judge Blocks Construction Of Trump Arch In Late Night Ruling

Just before midnight Friday, District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan issued an order — finalized and made public minutes later - barring the government from any construction work for 14 days, granting a request filed days earlier by the governments of D.C. and Virginia. - NPR

Library Use Going Up As Economy Stresses

It is something of a truism in the library world that, when economic conditions worsen, people use libraries more. Patrons and librarians across the U.S. tell NPR they're seeing that pan out now. - NPR

A Bold Orchestra Experiment With AI

Machover’s brilliant new half-hour orchestral score asks AI for agency. It does so by treating the technology as stupid, musicians as creative artists and the audience as capable of opening its collective mind. It handles democracy not as a done deal, but a series of scary questions — and doesn’t trust the heartless machines for answers. - Los Angeles...

Long-Unseen Georgia O’Keeffe Painting Turns Up Behind Fur Coats In Someone’s Aunt’s Closet

“(The painting) Near Abiquiu was previously only known from a 1931 photograph. It laid hidden under a row of fur coats for nearly 40 years, until a woman known only by her middle name, Betsy, was helping her now-deceased aunt, an accomplished former Foreign Service worker, prepare for hospice.” - Artnet

Post-Dudamel, L.A. Phil Changes Its Artistic Leadership Structure

While Gustavo Dudamel was the orchestra’s music and artistic director, incoming music director Daniel Harding, who starts next fall, will split responsibilities with creative director (a new title) Esa-Pekka Salonen and conductor-in-residence Anna Handler. On Wednesday, the orchestra also announced new artistic chairs for jazz, Latin music, and new music. - Los Angeles Times (Yahoo!)

Online “Salon” (Which Started As A Pioneering Arts And Culture Site) Shuts Down

In an unsigned announcement posted on its website, Salon said that the “business realities of independent digital journalism” had changed profoundly and that “our publishing model is no longer sustainable.” - The New York Times

A Contender For The Prix Goncourt Was Disqualified For Using AI. Now The Winner Says He Used It, Too.

"Philippe Jaenada, who won the Prix Goncourt on Tuesday for L’Inconnue du quai de Javel (The Unknown Woman of the Quai de Javel), told France Inter radio on Wednesday that he had turned to AI ‘three times’ while writing it.” - The Guardian

New York Times In Talks To Buy Cinephile Site Letterboxd For $330 Million

“An agreement has not yet been reached and could still fall apart, but the companies have entered into exclusive negotiations. … The Times would acquire the controlling stake in Letterboxd from Tiny, a Canadian-based company which originally picked up a 60% stake in 2023 when the website was valued at just $50 million.” - IndieWire

Stolen Picasso Found Under Pile Of Clothes And Toolboxes

“Six Picasso prints stolen from a restaurant near Cannes have been recovered after a month-long police investigation. The works were stolen from L’Amandier in Mougins in the early hours of 1 October, when two masked men allegedly broke in through a French door.” - Riviera Radio

Joshua Weilerstein Named Chief Conductor Of BBC Philharmonic

“The American conductor is currently in his third season as Music Director at the Orchestre National de Lille and fourth as Chief Conductor of the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra. … He will take up the (BBC) post (in Manchester) in September 2028 on an initial 5-year contract, succeeding John Storgårds.” - Gramophone

Stars Flock To Join London Production Of Gisèle Pelicot Trial

Director Milo Rau’s documentary staging of the trial of Pelicot’s husband, who repeatedly drugged her and invited men to rape her, will be produced and livestreamed by the Young Vic, with a cast including Kate Winslet, Brian Cox, Indira Varma, Tobias Menzies, Rosie O'Donnell, Suzy Eddie Izzard, Juliet Stevenson, and others. - WhatsOnStage (UK)

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