Archive for April, 2010
Arman
The French artist Arman, though regarded as somewhat scandalous in the 1960s, is today considered one of the most singular figures in the art of the latter half of the 20th-century. This exhibition looks back on his 40-year career, bringing together many of his most important contributions to pop art and the Nouveau Réalisme movement, from his famous ‘Rubbish Bins’ and ‘Accumulations’, assemblages of everyday objects and consumer items, up to the recent ‘Robot Portraits’.
Comments off
Barnum’s Kaleidoscape
PT Barnum once said nobody ever went bankrupt underestimating the intelligence of the American people, but the legendary circus owner was also smart enough to know that it takes a lot to impress New Yorkers. His latter-day heirs have prepared a compelling spectacle of clowns, trapeze artists, jugglers, crossbow marksmen and other purveyors of unimaginable thrills. All in a corner of midtown where the big tent is usually reserved for fashion runways – perhaps that’s why the circus is promising gourmet snacks.
Comments off
Noh and Kyogen
Noh and Kyogen are two of Japan’s traditional theatrical forms. Noh, the most ancient of them, is religious and usually centres on the sin of killing and the joy of Buddhism. Kyogen is intended as the light relief in between. Despite the language barrier – even Japanese people have difficulty understanding the florid language – there is much to admire in these performances. As with much that is Japanese, their appeal rests as much with aesthetics as with content. Noh actors never rehearse together before performing and the spontaneity of the performance is one of the form’s main attractions. Two separate plays are rendered during each performance
Comments off
Hanna Schygulla
Hanna Schygulla, muse to Rainer Werner Fassbinder and diva of new German cinema, returns to Rome in the guise of cabaret artist to consolidate the success of last season’s university concert. This time her repertoire is strictly Bertolt Brecht, performing classics from ‘The Threepenny Opera’ (expect a rousing Pirate Jenny), ‘Happy End’ (with the driving, haunting ‘Surabaya Johnny’) and the later ‘Kuhle Wampe’. Music is, of course, by Kurt Weill and Hanns Eisler, while Matthieu Gonet provides piano accompaniment.
Comments off
Aaron Kwok
Natty-dressing Canto-pop star Aaron Kwok has been getting fit for this series of 16 consecutive concerts. He needed to – despite having a fondness for wearing suits on stage, his dance routines are high energy and bound to have his legion of female followers in a froth. Musically, expect a run through of all his hits over the past five years including soppy love songs and some more predictable dance numbers.
Comments off
