"Bewitched" plus "Mad Men" equals "Bell Book and Candle" - At Hartford Stage

Go see "Bell Book and Candle" at Hartford Stage. This is a new production of the play that inspired the TV show "Bewitched" and it's a great show. I'm not a theater critic, but I can say that the set is great, perfectly evoking the 60's (henceforth known as the "Mad Men" decade), the acting is fantastic, and the dialogue is seductive and witty. You won't be disappointed. The show runs through April 29th in Hartford and is a co-production with Long Wharf Theater in New Haven, CT. Here is a review of the show by Frank Rizzo, the theater critic of the Hartford Courant:

http://articles.courant.com/2012-03-15/entertainment/hc-bell-book-candle-review-20120312_1_shepherd-henderson-first-impressions-john-van-druten

And here is another Frank Rizzo article about Kate MacCluggage, the star of the show:

http://articles.courant.com/2012-03-09/entertainment/hc-kate-maccluggage-0311-20120309_1_gillian-holroyd-john-van-druten-book-and-candle

This image is a detail of "The Crucifixion" by Matthias Grunewald, 1515, (one panel of the Isenheim Alterpiece)

I think it is appropriate for Easter to post a link to this very interesting article in Wired Magazine about Jerusalem Syndrome, a psychological disorder that is triggered by a visit to Jerusalem. People who succumb to Jerusalem Syndrome experience intense religious feelings and, as detailed in the Wired article, sometimes start to believe they are the second coming of Jesus Christ. Imagine the postcards they send home! Check out the article here:

http://www.wired.com/magazine/2012/02/ff_jerusalemsyndrome/all/1

The Dark Side of Thomas Kinkade

One of these days I'll have to try to figure out what Thomas Kindade's popularity says about popular culture in the U.S., but I'm worried that investigation will drive me to an angry rampage of burning down quaint little stone cottages.

For now, check out this article from the LA Times... Thomas Kinkade's life was different than his paintings:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/04/kinkade-life-often-at-odds-with-his-pastoral-vision.html

Robots are coming to get us

Yes, robots are coming to get us, and Timo Arnall can show you what they'll be seeing right before we hear PEW PEW PEW and they vaporize us with lasers. Check out his awesome video below, which is a compilation of different types of machine-vision.

http://vimeo.com/36239715

You can learn more about Timo and his work here:

http://www.elasticspace.com/2012/02/robot-readable-world

Damien Hirst video, retrospective info, official website

Hey Everyone, I posted a link yesterday to a UK Channel 4 documentary about Damien Hirst's retrospective at the Tate Modern that, as it turns out, doesn't work in this country. Fear not, Hirst fans. I've found a YouTube link to the same documentary which does work and I think it's really worth a watch, especially if you want to know how the shark in the tank came about.
As discussed in the video, some people think he's a genius, others think you're a fool to buy some of his work.
Is Hirst even worth discussing as a contemporary artist anymore or has he ascended to "Art History" at this point? (this would change the discussion of his work, in my opinion) Maybe any new work he produces won't be critiqued, just simply analyzed as it enters his art historical oeuvre. And is there anything he can to do to outdo "For the Love of God"?!
Also of interest is Hirst's new official website which displays a live video feed of his studio. So far all I've been able to see are some assistants working on a painting. It's no surprise to see the assistants at work. What would interest me is trying to quantify how much time the master actually makes an appearance on the live feed. I'd be willing to bet it's less than 5% of the time. Anyone have any thoughts about Damien Hirst?

4oD - Two tv documentaries about Damien Hirst's retrospective in the UK

The "Trough of Sorrow", my new favorite phrase and how it relates to Tacocopter:  http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/03/the-marketing-genius-of-tacocopter/255092/