Glenn Branca, 69

Glenn Branca: guitarist and composer dies at age 69
by Jake Nevins, The Guardian, May 14, 2018

Glenn Branca, Composer Who Blended Genres, Loudly, Dies at 69
by Allan Kozinn, The New York Times, May 15, 2018

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John Mahoney, 77

John Mahoney, who played Frasier's Martin Crane, dies aged 77
by Lanre Bakare and agencies, The Guardian, February 6, 2018

John Mahoney, Actor Best Known for ‘Frasier,’ Is Dead at 77
by Anita Gates, The New York Times, February 6, 2018

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John Berger, 90

John Berger, art critic and author, dies aged 90
by Mark Brown, The Guardian, January 2, 2017

John Berger, Provocative Art Critic, Dies at 90
by Randy Kennedy, The New York Times, January 2, 2017

Abbas Kiarostami, 76

Abbas Kiarostami, Palme d'Or-winning Iranian film-maker, dies aged 76
by Andrew Pulver and Saeed Kamali Dehghan, The Guardian, July 4, 2016

Anita Brookner, 87

Anita Brookner, art historian and Booker prize winner, dies age 87
by Ben Quinn, The Guardian, March 14, 2016

Alan Rickman, 69

Alan Rickman, giant of British film and theatre, dies at 69
by Catherine Shoard, The Guardian, January 14, 2016

Alan Rickman, Actor Known for ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Die Hard,’ Dies at 69
by David Itzkoff and Katie Rogers, The New York Times, January 19, 2016

Protest with joy: a view from Baltimore

We need to be reminded of black beauty in the face of black death. Moments of light to help us not to get lost in the darkness.

--Steven W. Thrasher

In Baltimore we need protest in all its forms. Even joyful ones
by Steven W. Thrasher, The Guardian, May 2, 2015

Terry Pratchett, 66

Terry Pratchett, author of the Discworld series, dies aged 66
by Caroline Davies, The Guardian, March 12, 2015

Peter O'Toole, 81 [UPDATE]

Peter O’Toole, Star of ‘Lawrence of Arabia,’ Is Dead at 81
by Benedict Nightingale, The New York Times, December 15, 2013

Peter O'Toole, star of Lawrence of Arabia, dies aged 81
by Robert Booth, The Guardian, December 15, 2013

Fun thought: Dukakis as Maupin's Anna Madrigal again

Olympia Dukakis hints at screen return for Armistead Maupin's Anna Madrigal
Forthcoming novel from San Francisco author, centered on iconic Tales of the City character, could be made into a film

by Joanna Walters, The Guardian, December 7, 2013

Neil Gaiman: why reading is fundamental

Neil Gaiman: Why our future depends on libraries, reading and daydreaming
A lecture explaining why using our imaginations, and providing for others to use theirs, is an obligation for all citizens
by Neil Gaiman, The Guardian, October 15, 2013

Eurythmics' star Dave Stewart plans First Artist Bank

Eurythmics' Dave Stewart unveils plans for First Artist Bank
Stewart and co-chair Michael Philipp will launch the 'global creative community bank' next year
by Helienne Lindvall, The Guardian, September 27, 2013

Women choreographers in Britain describe gender inequality

Sexism in dance: where are all the female choreographers?
Want to be a ballerina? No problem. But any girl dreaming of a career in choreography had better mind the glass ceiling…
by Luke Jennings, The Guardian, April 27, 2013

A look at how dance troupes use Twitter

How Twitter transformed dance
by Judith Mackrell, guardian.co.uk, July 31, 2012

Jones: Arts criticism has changed.

How I learned to look – and listen
by Jonathan Jones, guardian.co.uk, March 21, 2012

• • 
    

    • • dian.co.uk, Wednesday 21 March 2012 14.31 EDT

The age of the art critic as an unassailable voice of authority is long gone. Jonathan Jones recalls his rude awakening to the force of digital debate, and the era of readers biting back.

Read more here.

Sondheim on what makes a good critic

For me, a good critic is a good writer. A good critic is someone who recognises and acknowledges the artist's intentions and the work's aspirations, and judges the work by them, not by what his own objectives would have been. A good critic is so impassioned about his subject that he can persuade you to attend something you'd never have imagined going to. A good critic is an entertaining read. A good critic is hard to find.

--  Stephen Sondheim, from Look, I Made a Hat (Virgin Books, 2011)

And see:

Stephen Sondheim: who needs critics?
Good reviews can be as harmful as bad ones, says Stephen Sondheim. In an extract from his new book, he reflects on a life of prizes, putdowns – and the joy of songs sung in Sanskrit
The Guardian, November 20, 2011

The endless capacity to be surprised

Never say never: why theatre critics should keep an open mind
by Michael Billington, guardian.co.uk, October 10, 2011

Choreographers choose choreographers

Who are the choreographers' choreographers? Read this piece and find out.

The artists' artist: choreographers
Five choreographers nominate their favourite living artist in their field
Interviews by Anna Tims, guardian.co.uk, October 5, 2011

Characters not straight enough?

YA authors asked to 'straighten' gay characters
by Alison Flood, guardian.co.uk, September 14, 2011

Gil Scott-Heron, 62

Gil Scott-Heron dies aged 62
David Sharrock, Guardian.co.uk, May 27, 2011

Gil Scott-Heron, Spoken-Word Musician, Dies at 62
The Associated Press (via The New York Times), May 27/28, 2011