There are several short-hand ways to indicate approval or disapproval. Internally, The New York Times used to publish a list of “winners and sinners” and the Columbia Journalism Review has a column called “Darts and Laurels.” From time to time, I’m going to give out a few Raspberries and Strawberries.
First, a strawberry to Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, who told the Associated Press that “he believes the arts are key to generating revenue and strengthening the community” and that “getting children engaged in the arts must be a priority.” Nutter has also created an Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, and has increased funding for the arts in his proposed budget. Read the whole story, which was published Sunday in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Next, a raspberry to Dan Brown, author of The Da Vinci Code. The number of people who
called Leonardo by the name “Da Vinci” was bad enough before he mistitled his book. Now, as this article from the Christian Science Monitor makes clear, even people who know better are doing it. We now have “The Da Vinci Experience” exhibit on view at the San Diego Air & Space Museum and the “Da Vinci: The Genius” exhibit at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, to name two. Even some curators and critics are calling the master by his birthplace. Pity.
