The Arts Fuse Newsletter, November 20
Reviews of "Mindplay," "Sojourners," "S/He Is Still Her/e", the MFA's "Power of the People: Art and Democracy", and a talk with Dawes vocalist & guitarist Taylor Goldsmith
From The Editor's Desk:
The magazine’s jazz writer, Allen Michie, was alarmed when he read an item about the fragile existence of independent publishing sites in Ted Gioia’s Substack. Could The Arts Fuse be next?
The entertainment news outlet Giant Freakin’ Robot has announced it had to shut down after seeing its traffic plummet from 20 million views per month to just a few thousand. The culprit was Google, which had changed its algorithm in ways that not only junked Giant Freakin’ Robot but endangered other sites. GFR’s owner, Josh Tyler, posted an article about what led to the deep-sixing. He had noticed a serious drop in traffic over the past year and complained. He was invited to Google offices to discuss the crisis, along with 19 other hobbled publishers. In his sardonic report on the confab, Tyler concludes that Google has decided that indie sites “don’t fit in with the search monopoly’s new business model.” At the meeting, Google admitted that it was prioritizing larger brands in its search results. Some sort of vague solution, the company said, was coming in the future for indies — but don’t hold your cursor.
The demise of GFR serves as warning, and not just for small indie publications like The Arts Fuse. Google has the power to turn the SEO spigot on and off, which gives the company power over the life and death of indie publishers. The larger sites, with their hefty advertising budgets and influence, will be prioritized at the expense of the smaller players. And there is no reason to be confident, given current political developments, that this reward/punishment system will not be used to undercut bigger sites in the future. Those confident of Google’s commitment to an open internet today may have reason to fear tomorrow.
The bottom line: a call to come to the aid of small indie publishers, particularly those, such as this magazine, that supply news and views about local arts and culture. We are an endangered species. The Arts Fuse’s Winter Appeal will roll out the first week of December. Also, because those who believe in the value of arts criticism and dialogue are part of a proud but imperiled breed, a shout out to the Boston Art Review, one of a handful of remaining regionally focused art publications in our country. Currently, that publication is asking for support from readers to sustain its commitment to arts journalism. Those interested in nurturing a healthy cultural ecosystem should donate to BAR at this link
—Bill Marx, Editor-in-Chief
Archive: From the Editor's Desk
Jazz Concert Review: The Abdullah Ibrahim Trio Featuring Cleave Guyton and Noah Jackson — In a Meditative Mood
By Jon Garelick
Most in the Berklee audience seemed satisfied with the chance to be in South African pianist Abdullah Ibrahim’s presence, subdued perhaps, but still casting a magisterial aura.
Theater Review: “Mindplay” is Child’s Play
By Bob Israel
Because this “play” relies on audience participation, Vinny DePonto selects inevitably befuddled men and women from the audience on which to demonstrate his mental prowess.
Doc Talk: Grievous Bodily Charms in “S/He Is Still Her/e: The Official Genesis P-Orridge Documentary”
By Peter Keough
Director David Charles Rodrigues incorporates this wealth of material, a superflux of images generated by Genesis P-Orridge and the various artistic enterprises s/he founded, with concision and insight. The life and work of his subject is chronicled over the course of a lucid and kaleidoscopic 100 minutes.
Musician Interview: Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes on the Making of "Oh Brother"
By Robert Duguay
Los Angeles folk-rock act Dawes has new album out, “Oh Brother”. They're going to be performing at Roadrunner in Boston this Friday night as part of their tour in support of the recording. Rob Duguay spoke to Dawes vocalist & guitarist Taylor Goldsmith.
Visual Arts Review: “Power of the People: Art and Democracy” — A Timely Response to a Powerful Threat
By Lauren Kaufmann
Let’s hope the MFA Boston exhibition inspires some critical thinking about the importance and fragility of democracy, both here and around the world.
Dance Review: Faye Driscoll’s “Weathering” — New York City Pompeii
By Debra Cash
When the performers finally left the platform, breathing hard, crawling towards us and into the audience, I realized I was seeing something new.
Theater Review: “Sojourners” — A Compelling Enough Trip
By Bill Marx
The first in a nine-play cycle dedicated to chronicling the experiences of three generations of a Nigerian American family. Abigail C. Onwunali’s powerhouse performance is memorable, but the mechanics of the play don’t always match the lead’s boundary-stretching strengths.
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Questions, comments, concerns?
Editor-in-Chief
Bill Marx
wmarx103@gmail.com
