Category Archives: Art and Architecture

Crimes against empathy: Where are the stories?

Posted on March 26, 2017 by Nicholas Gruen

I’ve weighed in previously on the relentless emphasis on symbolism in the political prosecution of aboriginal issues in Australia. This isn’t necessarily a criticism of aboriginal activists because, as I argued, they’re working within the rules of memefication. I can add that, where … Continue reading →

Posted in Art and Architecture, Cultural Critique, Indigenous | 35 Comments

Travesties of the proverbial: Fukuyama and the id of history

Posted on March 25, 2017 by Nicholas Gruen

Travesties of the proverbial is a very occasional series one post of which began with these words. Keen readers of this blog will know that occasionally, just occasionally I identify a saying or concept which has somehow come to signify something … Continue reading →

Posted in Art and Architecture, Cultural Critique, History | 2 Comments

Falling water

Posted on February 18, 2017 by Nicholas Gruen
Posted in Art and Architecture | Leave a comment

The artists resale royalty

Posted on December 5, 2016 by Nicholas Gruen

Cross posted from the Mandarin It is six years since Australia’s Artist Resale Royalty scheme (ARR) commenced and three years since submissions to its Post Implementation Review (PIR) closed, though the review itself has never been published. However, in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Art and Architecture, Economics and public policy, regulation | 6 Comments

Damien Shen

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Nicholas Gruen

I went to this opening because I know the artist’s sister from The Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI). Like sister like brother, some pretty interesting, reflective and classy stuff. If you’re in Melbourne go check them out for yourself. More here.

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Bullshit: some more tidbits

Posted on August 10, 2016 by Nicholas Gruen

Apropos of my general theory of bullshit – outlined here – here are a few more straws in the wind. Consistent with the theory, the the signal to ideological noise ratio in political speeches has been falling precipitously lately – at … Continue reading →

Posted in Art and Architecture, Cultural Critique | 11 Comments

That’s one small step for government as impresario

Posted on April 20, 2016 by Nicholas Gruen

Last night I attended the launch of Creative State which was the culmination of over a year of engagement between the Victorian Government and the arts community. It involved a taskforce or some such and an Expert Reference Group – on which I sat. Anyway the Minister … Continue reading →

Posted in Art and Architecture, Economics and public policy, Innovation, Theatre | Leave a comment