Arts & Entertainment: Industry News
Art
One of the most significant art heists in Australian history took place on April 1st. The robbery was apparently carried out by "drunken itinerants." /// Apparently art theft is on the rise. As a result, museums are re-considering how they handle new acquisitions (since they might be stolen). /// As part of the Waller Creek area renovation project, the 21c Museum Hotel and 21c Museum Residences will be built at East Cesar Chavez and Red River. This is the first major development planned for the Waller Creek area; construction on the $350 million art-themed hotel and condo project will begin in 2009.Books
An advocacy group for writers is fighting the March 18 detainment of British author Sebastian Horsley by U.S. Customs officials at Newark Liberty International Airport. Horsely was barred from entry into the United States on grounds of "moral turpitude." Horsely was coming in for the U.S. launch of his book Dandy in the Underworld, "a memoir of sex, drugs and flamboyant fashion" published in the U.K. last year. /// The publishing industry demands reforms to the U.S. Patriot Act in order to "restore reader privacy." /// The Austin International Poetry Festival takes place next week from April 10-13. Here's the schedule.
Film
The Dalai Lama is getting a feature release that will display the struggle for Tibetan independence. The film will be hit theaters in the U.K. nationwide next month and will also be offered online...read on for details.... /// The Cine Las Americas film festival will take place April 16-24 here in Austin. Check out the list of films being screened this year here. /// A film based on the 80s show Magnum P.I. is in the works. They're looking at Matthew McConaughey to play Magnum himself. For the record, we believe this to be a bad choice: McConaughey is indeed studly - much like Selleck - but we think the man lacks moustache potential, which is the key element for this role (Sam Elliott would be perfect, but he's too old). Just our opinion.
Music
They say the music industry is like a giant cruiseliner; it takes a while to change its direction. This would be a prelude to one of those moments... /// Myspace Music launched today. Here's a nice opinion piece on what the launch of this new music service means for the digital music market. /// According to Silicon Valley Insider, the future of digital music is in streaming audio.
