Arts & Life http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1008&ft=1&f=1008 Art and entertainment commentary plus interviews, book reviews, movie reviews, music reviews, comedy, and visual art. Subscribe to podcasts and follow trends in music, painting, art, architecture, photography, and design. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Tue, 21 May 2013 15:37:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Arts & Life http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1008&ft=1&f=1008 'Arrested Development' Leads The Charge For Old Brands In New Media Brands that found their original audiences in traditional, old-media platforms are finding ways to keep going in the world of new media. Tue, 21 May 2013 15:37:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2013/05/21/185783915/arrested-development-leads-the-charge-for-old-brands-in-new-media?ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2013/05/21/185783915/arrested-development-leads-the-charge-for-old-brands-in-new-media?ft=1&f=1008 Brands that found their original audiences in traditional, old-media platforms are finding ways to keep going in the world of new media.

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]]> China Builds Museums, But Filling Them Is Another Story China has been building museums with abandon, opening about 100 annually in recent years. Two of the biggest opened on the same day last fall on opposite banks of Shanghai's Huangpu River. But filling these museums — with both art and visitors — is proving more challenging. Tue, 21 May 2013 13:58:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/05/21/185776432/china-builds-museums-but-will-the-visitors-come?ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/05/21/185776432/china-builds-museums-but-will-the-visitors-come?ft=1&f=1008 China has been building museums with abandon, opening about 100 annually in recent years. Two of the biggest opened on the same day last fall on opposite banks of Shanghai's Huangpu River. But filling these museums — with both art and visitors — is proving more challenging.

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]]> The Art And Science Of Motivation Graduation season is upon us and that means a slew of uplifting commencement speeches trying to motivate young adults to greatness. Science and experience tell us that everyone is motivated differently, so how do speakers, coaches and business managers inspire people? Tue, 21 May 2013 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/185809739/the-art-and-science-of-motivation?ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/185809739/the-art-and-science-of-motivation?ft=1&f=1008 Graduation season is upon us and that means a slew of uplifting commencement speeches trying to motivate young adults to greatness. Science and experience tell us that everyone is motivated differently, so how do speakers, coaches and business managers inspire people?

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]]> The Starfleet Divide: The 'Star Trek' Universe Revisits One Of Its Great Debates J.J. Abrams isn't the first guy to bait <em>Star Trek</em> fans by messing with the brand. Tue, 21 May 2013 11:22:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2013/05/21/185774613/the-starfleet-divide-the-star-trek-universe-revisits-one-of-its-great-debates?ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2013/05/21/185774613/the-starfleet-divide-the-star-trek-universe-revisits-one-of-its-great-debates?ft=1&f=1008 J.J. Abrams isn't the first guy to bait Star Trek fans by messing with the brand.

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]]> Soderbergh's Liberace, 'Behind The Candelabra' In his new HBO film, the acclaimed director examines the five-year relationship between the flamboyant entertainer and Scott Thorson, who was 40 years Liberace's junior and still a teenager when they met. Michael Douglas plays Liberace and Matt Damon plays Thorson. Tue, 21 May 2013 12:42:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/180640022/soderberghs-liberace-behind-the-candelabra?ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/180640022/soderberghs-liberace-behind-the-candelabra?ft=1&f=1008 In his new HBO film, the acclaimed director examines the five-year relationship between the flamboyant entertainer and Scott Thorson, who was 40 years Liberace's junior and still a teenager when they met. Michael Douglas plays Liberace and Matt Damon plays Thorson.

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]]> Book News: Stephen King's New Bogeyman? Digital Publishing Also: the legacy of Kierkegaard; the creator of Lyle Crocodile has died; Aussie airliner Qantas commissions flight-length books. Tue, 21 May 2013 07:15:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/21/185717055/book-news-stephen-kings-new-bogeyman-digital-publishing?ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/21/185717055/book-news-stephen-kings-new-bogeyman-digital-publishing?ft=1&f=1008 Also: the legacy of Kierkegaard; the creator of Lyle Crocodile has died; Aussie airliner Qantas commissions flight-length books.

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]]> American Voices On 'The Unwinding' Of America's Values George Packer's <em>The Unwinding </em>explores the social and economic upheavals that have transformed the U.S. over the past 30 years. In a nuanced work of literary journalism, colorful characters from across the class divide tell their own stories of a social contract in tatters. Tue, 21 May 2013 07:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/184183771/american-voices-on-the-unwinding-of-americas-values?ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/184183771/american-voices-on-the-unwinding-of-americas-values?ft=1&f=1008 George Packer's The Unwinding explores the social and economic upheavals that have transformed the U.S. over the past 30 years. In a nuanced work of literary journalism, colorful characters from across the class divide tell their own stories of a social contract in tatters.

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]]> Exclusive First Read: 'Big Brother' By Lionel Shriver Read an exclusive excerpt of Lionel Shriver's latest, <em>Big Brother</em>. Shriver is no stranger to controversial topics, from school massacres to the American health care system. <em>Big Brother</em> is a comedic take on obesity and its effect on an Iowa family. Tue, 21 May 2013 07:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/184865323/exclusive-first-read-big-brother-by-lionel-shriver?ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/184865323/exclusive-first-read-big-brother-by-lionel-shriver?ft=1&f=1008 Read an exclusive excerpt of Lionel Shriver's latest, Big Brother. Shriver is no stranger to controversial topics, from school massacres to the American health care system. Big Brother is a comedic take on obesity and its effect on an Iowa family.

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]]> After Crashing In Canadian 'Abyss,' Four Men Fight To Survive On an icy night in 1984, a commuter plane crashed in the wilderness. Six passengers died, but four survived: the pilot, a politician, a policeman and a prisoner. Carol Shaben's <em>Into the Abyss</em> describes their fight to make it through that frigid night alive. Tue, 21 May 2013 03:09:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/184177321/after-crashing-in-canadian-abyss-four-men-fight-to-survive?ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/184177321/after-crashing-in-canadian-abyss-four-men-fight-to-survive?ft=1&f=1008 On an icy night in 1984, a commuter plane crashed in the wilderness. Six passengers died, but four survived: the pilot, a politician, a policeman and a prisoner. Carol Shaben's Into the Abyss describes their fight to make it through that frigid night alive.

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]]> Courtside Chemistry: How NBA's Phil Jackson Won 'Eleven Rings' Jackson is famous for his philosophical take on basketball and for the many stars he led to championship triumphs. He taught his players yoga and gave them assigned reading — but also pushed them to intensely practice fundamental skills. His new book looks back on a legendary coaching career. Tue, 21 May 2013 03:08:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/183974460/courtside-chemistry-how-nbas-phil-jackson-won-eleven-rings?ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/21/183974460/courtside-chemistry-how-nbas-phil-jackson-won-eleven-rings?ft=1&f=1008 Jackson is famous for his philosophical take on basketball and for the many stars he led to championship triumphs. He taught his players yoga and gave them assigned reading — but also pushed them to intensely practice fundamental skills. His new book looks back on a legendary coaching career.

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]]> At L.A.'s UnCabaret, 25 Years Of Letting It All Hang Out Launched as an alternative to the stale stylings of the '80s stand-up circuit, Beth Lapides' event bills itself as a venue for "idiosyncratic, conversational comedy." It's helped establish careers for performers from Kathy Griffin to Randy and Jason Sklar. Mon, 20 May 2013 17:28:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185533378/at-l-a-s-uncabaret-25-years-of-letting-it-all-hang-out?ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185533378/at-l-a-s-uncabaret-25-years-of-letting-it-all-hang-out?ft=1&f=1008 Launched as an alternative to the stale stylings of the '80s stand-up circuit, Beth Lapides' event bills itself as a venue for "idiosyncratic, conversational comedy." It's helped establish careers for performers from Kathy Griffin to Randy and Jason Sklar.

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]]> Black In America: A Story Rendered In Gray Scale Chimamanda Adichie's <em>Americanah</em> is about a young Nigerian woman who moves to the U.S. It's a story of relocation, far-flung love and life as an outsider. But reviewer Rosecrans Baldwin says that despite the author's talent, much of the storytelling feels flat. <em> </em> Tue, 14 May 2013 07:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/183662205/black-in-america-a-story-rendered-in-grayscale?ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/183662205/black-in-america-a-story-rendered-in-grayscale?ft=1&f=1008 Chimamanda Adichie's Americanah is about a young Nigerian woman who moves to the U.S. It's a story of relocation, far-flung love and life as an outsider. But reviewer Rosecrans Baldwin says that despite the author's talent, much of the storytelling feels flat.

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]]> Mel Brooks: 'I'm An EGOT; I Don't Need Any More' The screenwriter, producer, director and actor, whose name has become synonymous with American comedy, talks about his penchant for spoofs and his decades-long friendship with Carl Reiner. Brooks, who is among a handful of people who've won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards, is the subject of a new documentary on PBS. Mon, 20 May 2013 13:40:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/182609040/mel-brooks-i-m-an-egot-so-i-don-t-need-any-more?ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/182609040/mel-brooks-i-m-an-egot-so-i-don-t-need-any-more?ft=1&f=1008 The screenwriter, producer, director and actor, whose name has become synonymous with American comedy, talks about his penchant for spoofs and his decades-long friendship with Carl Reiner. Brooks, who is among a handful of people who've won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards, is the subject of a new documentary on PBS.

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]]> Reaction Saturation And Sunday Night Television On Sundays, it can seem like we're a nation of critics. But we're not. Mon, 20 May 2013 08:57:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2013/05/20/185498148/reaction-saturation-and-sunday-night-television?ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2013/05/20/185498148/reaction-saturation-and-sunday-night-television?ft=1&f=1008 On Sundays, it can seem like we're a nation of critics. But we're not.

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]]> Book News: J.K. Rowling Tells 'Harry Potter' Backstories Quidditch was invented "in a small hotel in Manchester after a row with my then boyfriend," writes the <em>Harry Potter</em> creator. Other book news: Ireland puts an entire short story on a postage stamp; Daniel Handler on Midwestern literature; and the best books coming out this week. Mon, 20 May 2013 07:15:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/20/185454112/book-news-j-k-rowling-tells-harry-potter-backstories?ft=1&f=1008 http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/20/185454112/book-news-j-k-rowling-tells-harry-potter-backstories?ft=1&f=1008 Quidditch was invented "in a small hotel in Manchester after a row with my then boyfriend," writes the Harry Potter creator. Other book news: Ireland puts an entire short story on a postage stamp; Daniel Handler on Midwestern literature; and the best books coming out this week.

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