Smoking pics, Julia Child, etc.

August 25, 2009
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I've spent the last few days talking about Indy Fringe. Today, I'm taking a break to look at some arts stories beyond our town's borders.

--In England, Lynn Barber, author of the memoir "An Education," withdrew from the Books Now festival because the event organizers refused to print her photograph in the program. Why? Because it featured the writer smoking. I guess they don't watch "Mad Men" there. Read all about it here and tell me if you think this is a logical public safety step or taking things too far.

--In Abu Dhabi, $27 billion is being spent to create a cultural hot spot, including branches of the Louvre and the Guggenheim. The story is here. Who said Carmel was taking chances with its arts district?

--Julia Child is back on the bestseller list, making me wonder about favorite books that center on food. Do you have any nominees (besides "Green Eggs and Ham")?

Your thoughts?
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  • FirewomanAugust 25, 2009 10:26 AM
    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs! There is a movie version coming out which I dread. I loved the book as a kid though.
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  • McStratmanAugust 25, 2009 12:25 PM
    Omnivore's Dilemma, Michael Pollan
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  • LindsayGAugust 25, 2009 12:33 PM
    Lynn Barber is so proud and in your face about her habits its nauseating. She could have easily sent in another pic and still been in consideriation for the Festival. I don't know much about her, but she sounds like a trouble maker who is just looking for a headline. And no, I don't think they went too far. It's their own festival and they can make their own rules, as long as those rules don't harm others, which in this case: they don't.
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  • MelissaAugust 25, 2009 12:47 PM
    I suppose they were both in the right, but I wholeheartedly applaud the festival for asking for an alternate photo. She had every right to withdraw if she cannot understand that the photo clearly violates the festival's efforts to promote healthy living - and I hardly think that those writers who do smoke really want to promote it to other people. Few smokers want others to be faced with such an addiction!
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  • AaronAugust 25, 2009 4:05 PM
    I think they should have run her picture. What better promotes NOT smoking than that picture!
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  • InaraAugust 25, 2009 8:14 PM
    Is it illegal to smoke? Is it offensive like a bare chest? Is she making someone else smoke? Give it up, please. It's a photo of her smoking not shooting someone. PErhaps she was not a good fit for the festival and that should have been seen earlier. Perhaps the festival should screen all the authors to see if they drink or have other unhealthy habits. Her's just happens to be in a photo.
    Favorite food book- First Person Rural by Noel Perrin ( or one of the ---- Person Rural books) he talks about his trials on finding the best potatoes for frying, baking and etc. Or any Frugal Gourmet cookbook- fun to read as well as use in the kitchen.
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  • Hope BaughAugust 26, 2009 1:13 AM
    I'm too sleepy from power-Fringe-ing to be able to articulate any more opinions except to say that one of my favorite food stories is COOKING FOR MR. LATTE: A FOOD LOVER'S COURTSHIP, WITH RECIPES, by Amanda Hesser. A fastidious food critic falls in love with a man who uses powered instant latte mix.

    Hope Baugh
    Indy Theatre Habit
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