Years ago, I came across a play called Spike Heels by a writer named Theresa Rebeck. I was struck by its frank language, it's straight-ahead exploration of love, sex, and identity in a world of 20 and 30-something confusion. Since Spike Heels, Rebeck has gone on to wide success and acclaim, including a nod as …
The Visitor
Thomas McCarthy's film The Visitor snuck up on me several months ago. I forget who, but a couple of friends had recommended it and one boring night, there it was, offered on one of the cable subscription channels. So I clicked on it and sat there, no expectations...and just got bowled over. Whether it was …
On Not Murdering Your Gift
Perusing blogs on creativity and art this morning, I came across a pretty great quote this morning by a writer I don't know anything about other than I've seen her book on tables at Barnes and Noble. Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love, has this to say about talent, process, and making the work: …
Kitsch
Here's another interesting review of Robert Scruton's book Beauty. This time the subject is high art's trashy cousin, kitsch. Robert Fulford, of the National Post, doesn't really let on whether he agrees with Scruton's didsdain of kitsch or not, be he does a nice job of summarizing the issue. On the essence of kitsch: "an …
Desecrating Beauty
I came across a long article entitled "Beauty and Desecration" by Roger Scruton, in which beauty is championed, defended against what Scruton calls its desecration at the hands of modern and post-modern artists who believe that art is primarily disruptor, disturber, and provoker. He cites as evidence a Mozart opera produced in Berlin back in …
JEFF BERRYMAN 