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Weekend Reading: August 9 Edition

Melissa Starker, Creative Content & PR Manager

Aug 09, 2024

A man embraces a woman from behind. She has dark hair; his face is buried in her neck. They are standing in a living room.

Top of page: Tomás Gutiérrez Alea's Memories of Underdevelopment, courtesy of Janus Films

Around Ohio

A man with white hair and glasses sits in a book-lined space and smiles as he looks to his left.

Jeffrey Smalldon, courtesy of the author; photo: Hailey Gonya

Local writer Taylor Dorrell reflected on our recent Tomás Gutiérrez Alea retrospective.
Streetlight Guild’s Scott Woods is participating Sunday afternoon in a virtual symposium celebrating Prince, and it’s free to register.
Retired forensic psychologist-turned-author Jeffrey Smalldon discussed his new book about serial killers ahead of a reading Tuesday at Gramercy Books.
The Dispatch spoke with Shelby Leigh about how she uses poetry in her personal mental health journey.
Greater Columbus Arts Council President Tom Katzenmeyer blogged about the power of artists at the polls.
Would you like to join the statewide celebration of Ohio on film? Ohio Goes to the Movies is looking for screening partners.
Matter spoke to painter-turned-curator Brandon Doup about a new show at All People Arts.
Here’s a preview of the inaugural Columbus Comedy Festival, which kicks off Wednesday.
Also Wednesday, Hanif Abdurraqib will be reading at Thurber House.
Thursday, Ohio Art League opens its 2024 Fall Juried Exhibition at Ohio Wesleyan’s Ross Museum.
Next weekend is a big one for music. First, there’s the Olde Towne East Jazz Festival.
And some rock and art wrestling on tap Friday at Cafe Bourbon Street.
And the CBUS Soul Fest Saturday in Genoa Park.
Saturday’s also the opening day for the exhibition Haptic Hearts at 934 Gallery.
Lastly, the city lost guitarist and educator Michael Christian this week. Matter collected tributes.

Around the Globe

An artist print featuring lines of various colors that extend outward from a Black woman standing at the center of the image.

Rico Gatson, Shirley #3, 2023. Limited edition print available through Art for Change, courtesy of the artist

Art for Change has partnered with Michelle Obama’s org When We All Vote to boost turnout for this year’s election.
A statue of Johnny Cash will replace a statue of a racist politician in the US Capitol.
Among those released in the US prisoner exchange with Russia was antiwar artist Aleksandra Skochilenko.
The Andy Warhol Foundation is selling works from its collection to fun a new grants initiative.
Artist Amy Sillman put a mood and a style to the summer season.
Banksy tried to cheer up London.
Also in London, Yayoi Kusama unveiled a new public sculpture outside Britain’s busiest railway station.
The Whitney Museum hired from within for the 2026 Whitney Biennial.
There’s a new online store where you can support independent journalism in Ukraine with the purchase of merch featuring work by Ukrainian artists.
From Caligula to Forrest Gump, classic films are having a big screen comeback.
For all the talk of progress and the success of Barbie, 2023 was overall a dismal year for diversity in Hollywood.
David Lynch announced that due to emphysema, he will no longer be able to direct in person.
Mental health professionals revealed how the Inside Out films have changed therapy for children.
Five days before production, Joaquin Phoenix dropped out of a film project he brought to director Todd Haynes.
Actor Jennifer Tilly looked back on her four-decade-and-counting career.
The Washington Post looked at five composers who’ve defined the sound of horror, including Angelo Badalamenti and John Carpenter.
Here’s a rundown of the long push to keep politics out of Hollywood.
And a cultural history of the word “weird.”
Author Imani Perry has won the first book prize judged entirely by incarcerated individuals.
Ahead of the sport/art’s debut at the Olympics, the BBC broke down the physics of breakdancing.
Bill T. Jones discussed his work with Saul Williams on The Motherboard Suite.
Here’s a look at the unusually wide range of venues at this year’s Edinburgh Festival.
Devo did a Tiny Desk Concert.
And all is not jolly for the children of Frank Zappa.