As the age of Covid-19 more or less wanes, Arts Fuse critics supply a guide to film, dance, visual art, theater, author readings, and music. More offerings will be added as they come in.
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Latest in Visual Arts
Visual Arts Review: Venice Through American Eyes — At the Mystic Seaport Museum
The allure of Venice, as crafted by Venetian artisans, seduced American artists and collectors, who traveled across the world and brought back their prizes to American homes and eventually to museums.
Latest in Music
Classical Music Feature: “Best of 2022” — Unusual Operas Plus Some Songs, Choral, and Instrumental CDs
Here’s my list of two dozen superlative operatic offerings of wildly differing kinds, plus some notable non-operatic offerings.
Latest in Dance
Dance Review: “Requiem: Fire in the Air of the Earth” — Cycles of Death and Rebirth
What Kyle Abraham has done is to conjure up a wonderfully confusing vision into the myriad possibilities raised by the cycle of death and life again.
Latest in Television
WATCH CLOSELY: The Horror of Pork Chops — “Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story”
The series is wise to center its attention on Jeffrey Dahmer’s victims as often as possible. This is a heartbreaking saga of lives lost to a homicidal maniac.
Latest Short Fuses
December Short Fuses — Materia Critica
Each month, our arts critics — music, book, theater, dance, television, film, and visual arts — fire off a few brief reviews.
Latest Podcast
Short Fuse Podcast #58: Breath, Suspended
In this episode of the podcast, Elizabeth Howard talks to poets Diane Alters and Edward Hirsch about the ways we think about grief, publicly and privately.
Latest in Books
Translator Interview: John Taylor on Philippe Jaccottet
“We have entered an age of unequivocal partisan discourse, of linguistic robotization, of tiny symbols standing for complex emotions. In total contrast to this, Philippe Jaccottet’s writing constantly shows nuance, attentiveness, perseverance, circumspection, and a genuine quest for essential truths.”
Latest in Theater
Theater Reviews: On Broadway, “Topdog” Sizzles While “Salesman” Slogs
In Broadway revivals, Topdog/Underdog is absolutely riveting, while Death of a Salesman feels forced and unconvincing.
Latest in Film
Doc Talk: Two New Documentaries about Political Terror Hit Close to Home
Two powerful films about fending off violent threats, xenophobic and fascist.
Latest in Food
Film Review: “Flux Gourmet” — Food, Glorious Food
Flux Gourmet occasionally reminded me of the films of Peter Greenaway, who often juxtaposed the grotesque or disturbing with the beautiful and ethereal.
Read the Latest
KEEP THE ARTS FUSE LIT! — Our Winter Appeal
Please take this opportunity to sustain the future of the arts in this country by strengthening a magazine that is making a real difference.
Film Review: “Empire of Light” – A Lovely Celebration of Cinema and Those Who Love It
Sam Mendes writes and directs an poignant ode to the escape we find in going to the movies.
Arts Commentary: Remembering the Culture Wars of the ’90s
Freedom of expression is a more precious commodity than taste. Conservative critics were very clear about their moral imperative; they confidently vilified artists and terrorized institutions. No one won the culture wars — we lost them.
Book Review: “Jimi” — Hendrix’s Life in a Beautifully Designed Art Book
Jimi’s sister and a Newton-based Hendrix scholar dig into the archives and come up with a coffee table book that celebrates the rock icon.
Classical Concert Review: Violinist Christian Tetzlaff — “Playing for Life and Death”
Christian Tetzlaff’s recital was a breathtaking experience, full of dancelike grace, intelligence, and charm.
Classical Concert Review: Pianist Martin Helmchen — Balancing Bach with Subtlety and Flair
In his Celebrity Series debut, pianist Martin Helmchen performed a mostly vivid and colorful evening of Bach.