On who lives, who dies, who tells your story

This will be an unproductive week, y’all. Why? Hamilton‘s available. (!!!!!!!) Via Alexandra Petri at The Washington Post, I don’t think many people have noticed what makes it so zeitgeisty. The reason “Hamilton” is making such a big splash is not just because it is terrific (it is) — diverse, lyrically brilliant, dense, emotional, erudite, cool. […]

On art, freedom of expression, and embassies in the Netherlands

Letty Reimerink over at CityLab reports on Manon van Hoeckel’s “In Limbo Embassy” — No visas, asylum requests or official papers get processed at the trailer, known as the “In Limbo Embassy.” There is, however, a certain kind of diplomacy as migrant “ambassadors” shake hands with people passing by and invite them inside for conversation. Manon van […]