This morning's New York Times article about the Sotheby's and Christie's Auctions in New York this week. By all accounts both were quite impressive auctions, however I take issue with the Times' attempt to correlate the prices paid for high end, big name works of art from world renowned auction houses with the current "economic crisis". Yet, the hammer prices were very important. Of course everyone expects Modigliani, Monet and Matisse to be high sellers. What isn't expected is for their lesser works to garner the same enthusiasm and high sales as the artists' most valued works have previously achieved. Thus marks the transition of 20th century art to rarity, or at least in terms of availability on the art market.Something to keep an eye on!
Sotheby's made the news again this morning, this time for a stolen Degas that was discovered at their Paris office. Exciting news all around!
Friday, November 5, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
It's not every day...
It is not every day that you are so touched by someone's thoughtfulness that you simply don't know what to do but say "thank you" over and over again. I had one of those experiences today and it was wonderful. On November 18th I will be going to preview the new Art of the Americas wing at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. But the best part is that I get to attend with Anne Bentley, the curator of Art from the Massachusetts Historical Society. I can't wait to share my experience!
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Lost in Translation?...How about a Cello and a Laptop
Have you ever had a really amazing idea but the translation required to transfer to idea to the rest of the world without losing the impact of it escapes you?
I completely empathize. But, Zoe Keating might not. Zoe Keating is a classically trained cellist from Canada who produces beautiful musical works. Keating's pieces are exceptionally fascinating because not only are they rich, full, and sound like an entire orchestra but they are performed by only her. It may sound impossible but Keating really does record her pieces entirely solo. Sounds nice right? No agonizing over written composition, or struggle to schedule a recording session that works with everyone's schedule or any of the many other obstacles musicians face in bringing their music to the world.
But how?! Well, Keating records herself with software on a laptop that she loops and controls via foot pedal while playing. If you are seeking a visual, you can watch the process in action on Keating's website.
It is beautiful, I highly recommend it. If you're interested in hearing more, you can listen to what Keating has to say about her approach and a small improv. session on WNYC's Radio Lab.
I completely empathize. But, Zoe Keating might not. Zoe Keating is a classically trained cellist from Canada who produces beautiful musical works. Keating's pieces are exceptionally fascinating because not only are they rich, full, and sound like an entire orchestra but they are performed by only her. It may sound impossible but Keating really does record her pieces entirely solo. Sounds nice right? No agonizing over written composition, or struggle to schedule a recording session that works with everyone's schedule or any of the many other obstacles musicians face in bringing their music to the world.
But how?! Well, Keating records herself with software on a laptop that she loops and controls via foot pedal while playing. If you are seeking a visual, you can watch the process in action on Keating's website.
It is beautiful, I highly recommend it. If you're interested in hearing more, you can listen to what Keating has to say about her approach and a small improv. session on WNYC's Radio Lab.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Ce livre-ci, ce livre-la.
Livrelle is not a word. Well... now it is. Regardless, l'Académie Française would surely deny it entry into the French language.
This is an important point because it is thanks to l'Académie Française that I came up with this word. L'Académie Française is the governing body of all matters of French language. They save their language from the impurities of modern vernacular and the bastardization of their tongue through the introduction of foreign named objects, such as hot dogs, CD players and e-books, among many others. It is the e-book that is the object of interest. L'Académie Française announced, a year or two ago but I may be incorrect about that, that the French word for e-book is livrel. It is a rather pretty word, I think. So, I've borrowed it. It began with an innocent misspelling. Then it kind of stuck and I began to imagine what this newly invented word could represent....Livrelle can be a she e-book, Livre-elle, it can be that e-book there, livrel-le. Perhaps these are a stretch, but they are fun, they leave livrelle open for translation, and room for it to become whatever it will.
Voila, Livrelle.
This is an important point because it is thanks to l'Académie Française that I came up with this word. L'Académie Française is the governing body of all matters of French language. They save their language from the impurities of modern vernacular and the bastardization of their tongue through the introduction of foreign named objects, such as hot dogs, CD players and e-books, among many others. It is the e-book that is the object of interest. L'Académie Française announced, a year or two ago but I may be incorrect about that, that the French word for e-book is livrel. It is a rather pretty word, I think. So, I've borrowed it. It began with an innocent misspelling. Then it kind of stuck and I began to imagine what this newly invented word could represent....Livrelle can be a she e-book, Livre-elle, it can be that e-book there, livrel-le. Perhaps these are a stretch, but they are fun, they leave livrelle open for translation, and room for it to become whatever it will.
Voila, Livrelle.
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