Arts
The DNA Behind Viral Videos
Just like a new breed of influenza hits us every year with coughs, sneezes and a runny nose, at least one music video goes “viral” around the world, infecting millions. Within weeks, or even days, the video takes over every facet of our lives: it pops up on our Facebook feeds, on the radio, and at parties, and then it replicates in the form of parodies.
Art Museums Magazine Goes Digital
Awaiting the re-opening of Harvard’s Fogg Museum in 2014, Harvard recently launched a digital version of its Art Museums magazine, “Index,” to provide users with updates on the renovation as well as unique daily content.
Part Two of "20/20" Is A Bleary Follow-Up
Worse than the recycling is the clutter. On “Part 1,” each instrument was distinguishable and noteworthy—just listen to “That Girl” to hear how clearly the slick bass and punctuated horn hits come through. Songs on “Part 2,” however, are largely overlong, jumbled washes of god knows what kind of instruments.
Allston Education Portal Exhibits Contrasting Painters
“If we don’t take risks then we never learn,” Lee says. “I feel like I’ve learned more from my mistakes than my successes. That’s why I try so many different techniques.”
Urban Renaissance
Arts programs have managed to have an unmistakable impact of young people, even in the face of budget cuts and policy changes. Though not a panacea, they have shown themselves to be an important part of a long-term economic strategy for urban renewal.
The Best Lonely Island Movie Adaptations That Haven't Been Made Yet
The indie Robin Wright film “Adore” made waves (or at least mediocre splashes—33% on Rotten Tomatoes and a modest box office haul) when it hit theaters last month due in part to its controversial storyline involving two mothers who engage in carnal relations with each other’s sons. Despite our most sincere intentions to move out of an SNL-centric pop culture paradigm, we couldn’t help but recognize that the plot of the film was identical the Lonely Island and Justin Timberlake collaboration “Motherlover.” And so the Arts Blog presents our ideas for the most compelling hypothetical films based on other Lonely Island tracks.
Mindy for Mindy's Sake
This past Saturday, Mindy Kaling of “The Office” fame was featured on the cover of Parade Magazine. Wait for it, I haven’t gotten to the exciting part. Yes, she is one of the few female leads on television—as the creator and star of Fox’s “The Mindy Project”—and one of even fewer non-white leads. And yes, the magazine industry is notoriously reluctant to use non-white cover subjects. Even the gorgeous Halle Berry’s turn as a Cosmopolitan cover girl was described as an “improbable feat” by David Carr in the New York Times.
Imperfect Heroism
Benson is not perfect, but she is almost always noble and just. If she does ever die on the show, it will be as crushing a blow to the fictional fight for human good as the death of Albus Dumbledore in “Harry Potter” or Ned Stark in “Game of Thrones.” She is a reminder that real heroes can exist—people who constantly try to help others and yet at the end of the day, are human and susceptible to mistakes.
Viva Viva
Harvard Square, meet Viva Viva, a Boston rock band through and through. Though you hear fewer and fewer musicians these days professing their allegiance to the seemingly outdated genre, the members of Viva Viva proudly wear a rock’n’roll ethos on their sleeves. There’s no pretense about it: Viva Viva revels in stomping grooves, gritty guitars, sweaty bars and basement shows.
The Feelies
Brenda Sauter, the bass guitarist for The Feelies performs at the Sinclair in Harvard Square. She was part of the Feelies from 1983 to 1991, before they disbanded.
Little Green Cars
The Dublin Indie-Rock band, Little Green Cars returns to Harvard Square to play the Sinclair on September 23.
