“Vivien Duffield, the philanthropist whose father once owned the Selfridge’s department store, said she is giving 8.2 million pounds ($13.3 million) to 11 U.K. arts institutions including Tate Britain and the National Theatre.” Well woop de do. I don’t wish to change the name of this blog to “The Daily Whinge” BUT I do find this news rather depressing. This sort of philanthropy is lovely (and just what the Tories wanted) but it highlights where philanthropic monies will go. To large prestigious institutions (already generously funded) while the rest of the art world scrabbles around in the dirt. It seems we may return to the sort of grand patronage of the middle ages where the rich ensure their place in heaven by building cathedrals while the rest of us suck each other buboes for nourishment. Hmph! right enough of that. I have been commissioned by the Earl of Wilmore to film his Golden pheasants.
