Comments for Art Scatter

Comment on “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” — Woody goes breezy by MightyToyCannon

MightyToyCannon — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:59:16 +0000

I finally saw “Vicky Christina Barcelona” last week, and wholeheartedly concur with your review. It felt fresh while still harkening back to Woody Allen’s good-old-days. Penelope Cruz was perfectly insane and fiery. Scarlet Johansson didn’t have to do much but be herself, but did that quite well. Javier Bardem played sexy and funny in equal parts. I thought Patricia Clarkson was a real stand-out, though the other three seem to get more notice in other reviews. The scenery is gorgeous–if this film doesn’t tempt to jump on a plane for Spain (where it rains mainly on the plain), you’re not paying attention.

Comment on A bridge too far: Connecting Portland’s performance halls by MightyToyCannon

MightyToyCannon — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 18:47:15 +0000

Thank you for putting this issue into a broader, more strategic perspective. I hate to be a pessimist, but the challenge seems insurmountable in a climate where even the strongest advocates of or public funding of the arts don’t seem to be talking about an investment in the physical infrastructure of the arts. And, the first hurdle will be figuring out whether an organization such as the Oregon Symphony can even survive in its present form. (Not only does the Symphony have to figure out how to build a new audience, but what happens when the wealth of their biggest patrons is transferred to a generation that may not have the same commitment to the arts or even to philanthropy?)

Comment on Scatter’s “Project Runway” infatuation by Barry

Barry — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:29:05 +0000

I have a feeling MrMead may have me outgunned in the Project Runway dish department! His movie riffs here and at pupuplatter are incredible…

Comment on Scatter looks at its schedule by Barry

Barry — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:21:23 +0000

I wrote about Mary Oslund back in April in these precincts after her last big show, and I’m a big fan, as well. And thanks for the Reggie Watts tip!

Comment on Scatter looks at its schedule by MightyToyCannon

MightyToyCannon — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:00:48 +0000

I saw a bit of Reggie Watts during the taping of “Live Wire” a few weeks ago — should be a great show in the Winningstad (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Also, my favorite choreographer, Mary Oslund, has done a piece for “Ten Tiny Dances” (at The Works on Saturday night).

Comment on George Johanson, printed and embossed! by artistinseattle

artistinseattle — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:04:10 +0000

Check out the large painting consigned at ArtREsource in Seattle: http://www.seattleartresource.com/inventory/johanson.htm

Comment on Scatter’s “Project Runway” infatuation by MightyToyCannon

MightyToyCannon — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 17:25:44 +0000

I wish I had more time this week to have weighed in on your insightful post about the Portland Cello Project and classical music, or Bob’s strategic analysis of the PCPA and the Schnitz renovation. But I can’t resist letting you know that it’s a delight to listen in as you and MrMead dish about Project Runway! Personally, I can’t wait for the new season of Dancing with the Stars to get started. Fine Arts be damned!

Comment on A bridge too far: Connecting Portland’s performance halls by Barry

Barry — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:14:33 +0000

I think cities, specifically city governments, have a difficult time deciding to support something like “orchestral music” or “contemporary theater” or “European art” or even “the art of our region”. They seem too frivolous compared to roads, police and fire departments. But they aren’t. So governments prefer to support the facilities, the “infrastructure,” which seems more “basic”. But the success of the facilities is contingent on meeting the needs of “orchestral music” and its audience, in the case of the Schnitz.

A lot of time and expertise and even money has gone into addressing the acoustic issues of the Schnitz, from the very beginning of the refurbished hall, but the problems were too great for a “fix”. So we come to a point more than 20 years out where it needs an expensive sprucing up for various reasons, and you get to the line of questions and alternatives that Bob has proposed. If the city cares about orchestral music, rather than the Schnitz, that leads us directly to the original post. And I agree: there is something sad about it all.

Comment on A bridge too far: Connecting Portland’s performance halls by Jimmy

Jimmy — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:55:01 +0000

This thing is rolling out the way it is because PCPA and the people who own/run the facilities there simply want to spend money to make more income and use from the facilities. They could care less about the Symphony or the users. Really sad.

Comment on Scatter’s “Project Runway” infatuation by Barry

Barry — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:31:42 +0000

I shoulda hung around for the decorator show! Yes, I get what you’re saying about Kenley’s Portland vibe. In some ways, she’s exchanged places with Leanne — now she’s fragile and quirky the way Leanne once was. I love how expressive Leanne’s face is, especially when she rolls her eyes at something Kenley says! And I’m with you: Korto has been consistently top-drawer the whole show; hard to imagine her stumbling. I’m convinced they are keeping Blayne on board just for the laughs!