Fly, art surfers, out to sea,
Frail, pale wings for the wind to try,
Small white wings that we scarce can see,
Fly! - Algernon Swinburne
QUOTE: Bart Simpson to the rest of of his class( in the episode in which he's given mood altering drugs) "C'mon people. This poetry isn't going to appreciate itself!"
INTERNET: Big news for those searching for a good online encyclopedia. The Encyclopedia Britannica is now free for all: www.britannica.com . Also do you remember the toy 8 ball that would answer any question about the future? Try //8ball.federated.com
miniQUIZ: What major Hollywood producer 1st started conceiving of stories about the Beautiful People (Dynasty, Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place, etc.) back when he used to operate the whites-only elevator at the Neiman Marcus Store in downtown Dallas in the 50's? (Question from "Hell's Half Acre Herald" - P.T. Riddell. Answer later in this column.)
ART: Camp Champ #1 is the MAC, Mckinney Avenue Contemporary, for its recent exhibit "Painting in Dallas 1889-1945, 33 paintings / 29 artists. Who knew that Dallas had a small but first rate collection of regional artists in the 30's that can compete with the best of them. Standouts included a portrait by Perry Nichols, a huge cattle-on-the range pastel by Frank Reaugh, and 'Mayor of Hoover City' by Olin Travis. This show was a real delight /// Dutch Artist Philip Akkermanm at the age of 41 has already painted 1,262 self portraits over the last 17 years. "I am painting nothing but self-portraits, that is a fact, but I am not painting myself. What I am painting is the mystery of existence."
Now for another installment of 'GEM FROM THE PEN', actual goofy art work & writing. (And as always I am NOT MAKING THIS UP) "Ghada Amer created an ironic Love Park on the grounds. Normally a haven for the homeless, the 'park' now offers wood benches and signs featuring literature about dysfunctional relationships between males and females. Janet Kutner (DMN 8/8/99)
ARCHAEOLOGY: Corp. Art has even invaded science: "Sponsorship has become integral to archaeology, as it has to a sport like motor racing. As the money flowing from govs and universities declines, costs rise ... Sponsors require a media tie-in and newspapers and TV networks want dramatic news, and pictures." (Conde Nast Traveler) ...And speaking of finding things: An unnamed buyer at a flea market in Amsterdam recently bought a secondhand book for $2. Inside it he found 2 Rembrandt sketches + one by one of his students. Value of the 3 = $46,000. (AP)
RADIO: Before Tom Hicks sold his vast radio network (see Hard News), the Met's David Blend had this to say about the quality of his stations, "We believe that, no matter the monies involved, radio remains a public trust. By forcing standardized, play by numbers excrement down our throats 24 hours a day, your stations break that trust. As consumers, we retain the right to turn the damn radio off." ... And speaking of radio a recurring response to Hunkasaurus, & Pet Dog Guitar playing the duo's weekly 2 shows in the BOX OFFICE is, "Oh, I thought you were a radio!"
TV: Real real TV. 2 new shows are causing quite a stir: Just about everyone in the Netherlands is watching the 1/2 hour prime time show called 'Big Brother', a reality show that broadcasts everything 8 captive Dutch people are doing in a one story house east of Amsterdam, (also on the internet 24 hours a day). And to add turmoil to the mix the producers have said that 6 of the original 9 will be evicted 1 at a time, as chosen by the group and voted on by the audience. On Dec. 31, the audience chosen fav. of the 3 left, gets prize money of $118,000. (Washington Post)
The CBS game show 'Survivor' will strand 16 castaways off the coast of Borneo (under a 24 hour video watch) to see who can last long enough to win 1 million dollars. "It's a double edged sword. They need each other to survive, but they know only one can win." - CBS Spokesman. Every 3 days they take a secret vote to expel one of the group until 2 left. Winner chosen by the last 7 kicked off. The show is based on the Swedish show "Project Robinson" (Compuserve)
Answer to miniQUIZ is Aaron Spelling.
LIT: We now know a few more facts about Shakespeare due to the investigation of Antwerp archives, by Frank van Nueshoorn. He discovered that Shakespeare had worked in Antwerp as an apprentice with the English Merchant adventurers in 1587. (A sizable English community lived in Antwerp in the 16th century). An entry in the ledgers of the Plantin publishing house revealed that on 9/23/1587 "Willem Shaakspeer" bought a copy of Christopher Plantin's Polyglot Bible and the municipal archives for the same year report that "Shaakspeer" was fined by city magistrates for 'bawdy behavior' in a sailors tavern. (Europe). ... In other lit news, a section of the book Henry David Thoreau was working on at the time of his death will be released soon entitled Wild Fruits. Most of the new book is a catalog of Thoreau's observations about plants or their fruits. (AP)
ENDER: This music quote was said in earnest in Sept. Entertainment Weekly, but some how it came across in a different way. See what you think, "It's a huge challenge for the Backstreet Boys to maintain career longevity, because you've gotta ask yourself, Where's Debbie Gibson? Where's Tiffany? New Kids went from a stadium act to not even being able to sell out clubs three years later." What can I add to that! STAY REVOLUTIONARY
And if you see any good news, send it to us! - Art S Rev.