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--> --> Aug. 2: Nothing critical has changed since 1809 By Amy Richard "As soon/Seek roses in December, ice in June;/Hope constancy in wind or corn in chaff; /Believe a woman or an epitaph,/Or any other than that's false, before/You trust in critics." - Lord Byron Putting his feelings about women aside for the moment, Byron probably was voicing a commonly held opinion about critics. On that score, I don't think much has changed since 1809. If you caught a strong scent of that much-maligned breed a few weeks ago, you've got a good nose. There was a slew of critics in town. The American Theater Critics Association visited the Rogue Valley in early July. They attended shows at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and the Oregon Cabaret Theatre; they visited the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater, shopped at Harry & David's, took a jet boat excursion in Grants Pass, ate like royalty at a number of the restaurants in the valley, and actually squeezed in a few panel discussions about the Crisis in Arts Coverage. As a group, this is an odd bunch. They pay dues, make an annual trek to a designated city in the United States where they take in a lot of theater, food and drink. Next year the group is headed to Chicago. The idea of course, for those hosting the critics, is that many of the folks go away and write wonderful things about the cultural, recreational and culinary opportunities of the regions they have visited, and their readers decide to visit. Knowing what we know about critics, why would we think that? Back in my youth I read that children live up to the meaning of their monikers. I did a little research and discovered that mine came from the French "aimer," to love. I was so surprised I tried to be nice. Like me, these critics have taken their title to heart - and believe me many of them have lived with the name a long time - and have been given (or taken) the license to do what every human being does most naturally. Criticize. And now that the critics have come and gone, the businesses, hotels, theaters, visitor and convention bureaus and chambers that hosted them await their ink. But all you readers who fear a new influx of tourists into the Rogue Valley, relax and remember that critics are penning these articles. As I mentioned, there were a few discussions about the Crisis in Arts. Robert Hurwitt, a theatre critic for the San Francisco Chronicle, who used to write for the Examiner, gave a talk, noting that column inches devoted to the arts have been cut, photos are taking up more space, advertisements overwhelm arts pages, and rating systems (thumbs up/down, stars, the Chronicle's "Little Man" in the chair) are substituted for in-depth analysis. And even while space is whittled away, it's agreed among the critics that arts readers want more arts coverage. I'm all for that, including criticism and reviews, though reading criticism can be annoying, even infuriating, particularly when a reviewer dismisses an artistic choice or a whole production, book or exhibit with a dash and a period. But that's not good criticism. And it's not an issue of space, but of imagination and skill. A good reviewer needs that additional precious space, however, to explain why she connected (or didn't) with the art, what worked, what didn't and why. If she's disgruntled with some choices, she might elucidate on what she was looking for, how that looks and why she needs it. Well-written and thoughtful criticism can provoke discussion, tease out artistic concepts that deepen a reader's appreciation of the art, and get readers into theatres, opera houses, performing arts centers and art exhibits where they can then shape and express their own opinions. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing