3.31.2011

A million-dollar ‘Kiss’

“Kiss V,” a $10 prize at a New York City “happening” in March 1965 and now an icon of postwar art, is up for auction at Christie’s in May, and expected to fetch at least $1 million. The story of Roy Lichtenstein's ‘Kiss’ is one of a long-ago art scene in the heyday of Christo and Warhol. Read more here


Photo: Associated Press

3.27.2011

Aretha, before the breakthrough

While she’s revered for her work on the Atlantic label, the legendary singer recorded 10 earlier albums, with Columbia. They’ve never had a fair hearing. David Maine, writing for PopMatters, sets that right in a review of a stunning new collection. More in Music

Happy 69th birthday! The Queen of Soul celebrates in New York. The Daily Mail marks the occasion

Photo: Image source unknown

NYC: Rebels’ bleak expressions

In the decadent years before World War I, the German Expressionists helped modernize the idea of the artist as cultural maverick. Roberta Smith of The New York Times surveys the new show at MOMA. More in Art

Image: Young Couple (Emile Nolde, 1913). Photographed by Ozier Muhammad/The New York Times

Seattle: 10 next big things

For its poll of the best 10 new local bands, CityArts Magazine let readers be the deciders of the definition of “new.” Result: A diverse mix of voices and styles that will be heard. Read the poll here

From Portland to Tacoma to Seattle, a new subculture is redefining the Pacific Northwest music scene, and doing it with community in mind. CityArts’ Jonathan Zwickel reports: “Once you pay the cover, everybody’s in the band.” More in Music

Image: CityArts Magazine

3.23.2011

Dame Elizabeth departs


Elizabeth Taylor died this morning in Los Angeles of congestive heart failure at the age of 79. Her own life’s dramas ran parallel with those she survived on the screen. A star in 50 films, a two-time Oscar winner and passionate activist in the fight against AIDS, she disproved the notion that there are no second acts in American lives. 


Los Angeles Times: Legendary actress dies

New York Times’ A.O. Scott regards a legend:


Photo: Lennox McLendon/Associated Press via Los Angeles Times

3.22.2011

3.19.2011

Arts world for Japan

In response to Japan’s serial natural disasters, or in spite of them, the arts world observes the art and culture of the Japanese people. In New York, the Japan Society plans a Concert for Japan on April 9, featuring Ryuichi Sakamoto, Lou Reed, John Zorn and Laurie Anderson. A long-planned Japanese Cultural Festival continues despite travel disruptions, The New York Times reports.


Seattle: Art galleries have joined forces to raise money for disaster relief, with proceeds slated for the International Red Cross.
Albuquerque: Attendance spikes at nuclear museum, KRQE reports
Eastwood’s Hereafter pulled from Japanese theaters

Pop world trends Japan


The music world has jumped into relief efforts for Japan. Lady Gaga’s right-on-time “Pray for Japan” wristbands generated $250,000 for Japan-related charities in less than two days. Linkin Park and Sparks also raised money for disaster relief.

Image: From Lady Gaga's Twitter page

3.18.2011

Losing Charlie Sheen

All the off-the-hook, borderline-and-beyond nut-job behavior, all the Noriega-style machete waving is taking us, the public, further and further away from what endeared him to us in the first place. More in Television


Photo: Screengrab from Today Show, NBC

3.03.2011

Mexico City: A grand new museum

Carlos Slim, the world’s richest man, gave the world an early look at Museo Soumaya, a tribute to his late wife and — with 66,000 works of art, from da Vinci to Rivera — a force to be reckoned with in the museum world. More in Art

Photo: Getty Images

3.01.2011

Rockin’ for Wisconsin

Dropkick Murphys, longtime champions of union causes and working-class heroes, have released a single, “Take ‘Em Down,” in solidarity with the workers of Wisconsin. Proceeds from sales of the T-shirt (left) benefit the Workers' Rights Emergency Response Fund. Read more at Monsters and Critics

Photo: © 2011 Dropkick Murphys/Born & Bred Records