ART OF ALL KINDS
The Whitney Biennial 2022 (Whitney Museum of American Art)
Roughly every two years since 1932, the Whitney has presented a survey of contemporary American art. This year’s exhibit occupies two floors of the museum and includes more women than some years and, overall, a very diverse set of artists. Viewing the exhibit, one might ask, what makes something art? Here is sculpture, painting, film, and all sorts of strange and exotic arrangements. One floor is white-walled and quite bright. The other floor is black throughout and very dark.
Lots of the works did not appeal to me either aesthetically or otherwise, but I think that is part of the point—pushing beyond what many of us expect. There were striking pieces like the representation of a woman standing in a sea of spent bullet shells or whimsical ones like the Palm Orchard of yellow trunked palm trees with colored spikes. Here are a couple examples.
POLITICAL HANKY-PANKY
Anatomy of a Scandal (Netflix)
Thanks to my friend, Patricia, I got onto this compelling 6-part series. Based on a novel by Sarah Vaughan, it’s the account of a British cabinet minister facing trial for a rape charge brought by an associate with whom he had an affair. James Whitehouse, the politician, is handsome and polished with a picture-perfect family—his blond wife Sophie and two young children. The attorneys are both women, Angela Regan, for the defense and Kate Woodcroft, very precise and measured as the prosecutor. What is truth? In the courtroom and in life? And what constitutes a definition of rape?
How each of these principals, James, Sophie, and Kate, handles the unfolding scandal and recalls their past histories, provides plenty of fuel for this gripping drama. Michelle Dockery of Downton Abbey is the impressive Ms. Woodcroft. For mature audiences. Recommended!
SPY TURNED DECTECTIVE IN ITALY
Signora Volpe (Acorn)
A British spy on the outs with MI6 decamps to Umbria for her niece’s wedding. No stranger to intrigue, Sylvia Fox suspects trouble with the fiancé and gets herself embroiled in a complicated criminal case. Emilia Fox (who starred in the chef restaurant series, Delicious) is masterful as a former spy who finds herself settling into village life midst family and new friends.
The beautiful Italian scenery is as much a character as are Sylvia’s sister Isabel, her brother-in-law Matteo, niece Alice, and the regional police chief, Giovanni Riva. Each of the three episodes (only three, alas) is an hour and a half. The pacing is somewhat leisurely, and there is a warmth and delight to the interrelationships. Crime yes, but lots of local color too. Highly recommended!
WOMEN WARRIORS IN THE AIR
A Sunlit Weapon by Jacqueline Winspear
Jacqueline Winspear has now churned out (although they don’t feel churned at all) seventeen Maisie Dobbs mysteries. This latest one features Jo Hardy, a WWII female pilot who ferried fighter planes and other aircraft to where they were needed. It was a dangerous exercise and not for those lacking in daring do. When Jo approaches Maisie about an unsuccessful shot at her plane and another tragic incident, Maisie swoops into action. A soldier is missing and there is a plot to harm First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Her sidekick Billy provides reliable assistance, and her family and friends, along with new husband Mark Scott, play their familiar roles. I thoroughly enjoyed this latest adventure with Maisie.
Note: All photos by JWFarrington (some rights reserved).
