Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

A mixture of silly and serious in this weeks Current Distractions. So let’s start with the slightly silly.  Anyone fancy cutlery made from rope?  Here’s a collection or surreal takes on everyday objects.

Talking of surreal, many of you may remember when artist Rachel Whiteread came to prominence with her cast of the inside of a terraced house. In this article, the artist talks about what it feels like to create a masterpiece – though of course you may not necessarily agree with that assessment of her work… (contains strong language).

What’s more important – painting or people? This is the dilemma that the city of Detroit is currently facing. Having recently declared bankruptcy the city is considering selling off its art collection. Should a city’s cultural assets be sold off to help fund services? That’s what’s being vigorously debated in this New York Times piece.

And lastly…music, with the news that the music of Benjamin Britten isn’t perhaps wholly loved in his home town.  A celebratory concert in his birth place, Lowestoft, has apparently rather failed to capture the locals enthusiasm, with less than 20% of tickets sold…

William Norris
Communications Director