There is a growing trend in American culture of what the literary theorist Peter Brooks calls “storification.” We’ve relied too heavily on storytelling conventions to understand the world around us, which has resulted in a “narrative takeover of reality” that affects nearly every form of communication. - The Atlantic
It was the most consequential monument of the 20th century, and it reinvigorated the making of monuments and memorials in Washington. And yet, despite its groundbreaking power and enormous popularity, it has had a faltering influence on memorials ever since. - Washington Post
“Through the history on the timeline, we have tried to show the idea of Broadway’s consciousness and American consciousness. The issues are all there, whether actively in protest or inherently in the story.” - Artnet
Performing arts spaces must be saturated with music by diverse composers and performers, but we cannot do this in a performative way. - I Care If You Listen
Among the 224 items up for grabs, both the photograph (a 1968 portrait of Didion by Julian Wasser) and the table (an oak desk she used in her office) were sold for a combined total of $87,000 — far beyond their projected worth. - Los Angeles Times
"There's a lot of storytelling ability in dance, but in musical theater, people champion words first. And so many times as a dancer, you don't feel integral. You don't feel like you are helping the story really come around." So he created Only Gold. - MSN (The Washington Post)
Tourists have often registered their experience by posting reviews, photographs, and comments on social media. Such data offer an unprecedented, though particular, view of the visitor experience at these sites. - Cultural Analytics
"The key is Arbery's ear. He is one of the theater's greatest listeners, able to hear and reproduce the subtle and deeply specific ways individuals reveal themselves and their relationships to others with language." - The New York Times Magazine
Since winning the bid to host the World Cup in 2010, the Gulf state has focused on transforming itself into "a beacon of art and culture", according to the tournament's organisers. - Dezeen
For decades, the little territory's movie industry was vibrant and proud: its martial arts thrillers and historical epics gathered fans throughout the world. and its most famous actors (Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh) became global stars. Now, with Beijing's control tightening, Hong Kong cinema is turning abroad. - MSN (The Washington Post)
"Pakistan has reversed course and lifted a ban on its Oscars entry, Joyland, but the film will receive some cuts by local censors. ... The film features a love story between a married man and a transgender woman, which sparked controversy among some conservatives." - The Hollywood Reporter
While the share of Americans listening to spoken word audio increased across all age groups, it increased the most for those ages 13 to 34, the report found. That age group now dedicates 26% of its listening hours to spoken word audio (instead of music) — up from just 12% in 2014. - NiemanLab
"In interviews over the last few weeks, many of those involved in bringing The Lion King to Broadway in 1997 spoke about the show's genesis. This oral history contains edited excerpts from those interviews." - The New York Times
Lord Neil Mendoza: "It's just not right — it's absolutely not fair. We're so London-focused. ... There's this idea that once you've had funding it's a human right that funding will continue. That's not true. ... No one's lost anything, because no one's guaranteed anything." - Financial Times
