Good Morning,
The V&A’s new East Storehouse lets visitors order objects up from the collection and actually handle them (The New York Times). Museums have traditionally erected barriers between people and things; now one of the world’s great collections is betting on removing them.
It’s not alone in rediscovering that authentic presence is the asset. Americans are falling back in love with independent cinemas (The Guardian) — thriving not by competing with streaming but by selling what streaming can’t do, a room full of strangers. Mexico’s World Cup run is reviving mariachi (NPR) — “People are drinking. They’re happy. They’re paying for music.” And Wales’s Green Man festival has spent ten years training refugees for real careers (The Guardian), a music festival can double as civic infrastructure.
My AJ Chronicles essay this week takes a look at some of the culture that is working well and what they have in common. Some trends emerge
All of our stories below.
Doug
