Latest news with #Costanzo
New York Times
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
After Curator's Death, Venice Biennale Will Realize Her Vision
The organizers of the Venice Biennale announced on Tuesday that next year's edition would go ahead as planned, despite the sudden death this month of Koyo Kouoh, the curator who was overseeing its main exhibition. Kouoh died of cancer on May 10, just days before she was scheduled to reveal the title and theme of the event. Cristiana Costanzo, a Biennale spokeswoman, told reporters at a news conference in Venice that next year's edition would run from May 9 through Nov. 22, and that a team of curators, art historians and editors who had been working with Kouoh would deliver her exhibition 'as she conceived and defined it.' Kouoh had been preparing the exhibition for almost seven months, Costanzo said: Working with a five-member team, she had selected some of the participating artists and artworks, and given it a title, 'In Minor Keys.' During Tuesday's news conference, members of the team used Kouoh's words to present her plan. Gabe Beckhurst Feijoo, an art historian from the team, said that Kouoh had wanted her Biennale to be 'neither a litany of commentary on world events, nor an inattention or escape from compounding and continuously intersecting crises.' Instead, Beckhurst Feijoo said, Kouoh had wanted to present 'a radical reconnection with art's natural habitat and role in society — that is the emotional, the visual, the sensory, the affective, the subjective.' Another team member, Marie Helene Pereira, a curator, explained the exhibition title. 'If in music, the minor keys are often associated with strangeness, melancholy and sorrow,' she said, in Kouoh's exhibition, they would also be associated with 'joy, solace, hope and transcendence.' The team did not reveal the names of the artists who would appear in the show, although it said the main exhibition would include poetry and film. Costanzo said the Biennale would announce the full list of participating artists on Feb. 25, 2026. In the lead-up to this announcement, the Venice Biennale curator usually spends months traveling the world, visiting artists' studios as the roster comes together. The presentation on Tuesday took place in front of a slide show of photographs that Kouoh and her team had taken on such journeys, including many that appeared to have been taken in Africa, Asia and South America. Kouoh's team did not refer to the images during the presentation, but Costanzo said later in an email that 'the slide show was intended to communicate moods around the conceptualizing of the exhibition.' All five members of Kouoh's team were unavailable for interview, Costanzo said. First held in 1895, the Venice Biennale is one of the art world's most important events, and every edition includes a large-scale group show, organized by a curator, alongside dozens of national pavilions that participating countries stage independently. When the Biennale's organizers asked Kouoh to oversee the main exhibition, she was the first African woman to receive such an invitation. She had made a name for herself as the chief curator of the Zeitz MOCAA in Cape Town, though she also worked on the curatorial teams of several major international exhibitions, including two editions of Documenta in Germany. She was 57 when she died. In an interview with The New York Times in December, Kouoh said that she had wanted to make an 'artist-centered' exhibition that 'really speaks to our times.' She added: 'The artists will define where we go.' Tuesday's presentation ended with a reading of a poem that Kouoh wrote in 2022 and had wanted to present at the news conference. 'I am tired, people are tired, we are all tired,' her poem began: 'Even art itself is tired.' 'We need to be with beauty,' Kouoh wrote, 'and lots of it.'
Ottawa Citizen
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Five off-season storylines to follow with Spitfires
Article content It's time for the Windsor Spitfires to turn the page. Article content While the club would loved to have been playing Friday as the Western Conference final got underway, the club's playoff exit on Tuesday has general manager Bill Bowler now looking towards the 2025-26 season. Article content 'You're invested in what's going on today, but you're always looking at the future,' Bowler said. Article content While players will get a few months off to rest and train, Bowler has been looking forward for months and took a few minutes to discuss some of the key off-season subjects the club and fans should keep an eye on this summer ahead of next season. Article content Article content Centre Ilya Protas exploded on the scene in his first season with the Spitfires, who made him the third overall pick in the Canadian Hockey League Draft. Article content The six-foot-five, 200-pound Protas had 14 goals and 51 points 61 games with Des Moines in the United States Hockey League last season, but finished second in Ontario Hockey League in scoring with 50 goals and 124 points in 61 games while earning the William Hanley Trophy as the league's most sportsmanlike player award. Article content A third-round pick by the Washington Capitals in 2024, the 18-year-old Protas still has a year of junior eligibility left. Article content However, Protas has signed his NHL entry-level contract and, because he was not drafted out of the CHL, the Capitals weigh the benefits of returning him to Windsor or placing him in the American Hockey League if he does not make the Capitals' roster. Article content 'Some things are out of your control,' Bowler said. 'Player movement is something we have no control over. Article content Article content 'We'll deal with it and there's no timetable (for a decision on his future). Washington and Ilyas' camp will decide what's best for him.' Article content If he opts to return for an overage season, Joey Costanzo has clearly established himself as a No. 1 goalie. Article content The 19-year-old Costanzo was outstanding to start the season, struggled a little in the second half, but was solid in the playoffs with a 2.29 goals-against average and .911 save percentage in 12 games. Article content 'He was awesome,' Spitfires' head coach Greg Walters said. 'He was amazing and he gave us every chance to win. He was one of our best players until Christmas, he went down a little bit and he came back. Super proud of him.' Article content But it's a crowded field behind Costanzo and the Spitfires will have decisions to make to reduce the field and prepare a future No. 1 when Costanzo graduates. Article content Six-foot-four Carter Froggett would be an overager in 2026-27, but was solid this past season as Costanzo's backup with an 8-7-1-1 record, 3.52 goals-against avenge and .879 save percentage.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Yahoo
22-year-old Torrington man pleads guilty to sexual exploitation charges
TORRINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) — A 22-year-old Torrington man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to multiple sexual exploitation charges, according to the Department of Justice. Christopher Jesus Costanzo allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl, enticed and sexually assaulted another 16-year-old girl and produced child pornography including a 17-year-old girl. ICE arrests man on sexual assault charges in Brooklyn, Conn. In December 2021, Costanzo and a 16-year-old girl arrived at the Canadian border in Highgate Springs, Canada, where they were denied entry due to a lack of COVID tests. When the two were separated by border protections officers, the minor claimed that she met Costanzo at Stillwater State Park in Torrington the night prior, sexually assaulted her, forced her into the trunk of her car, restrained her with a shoelace and kept driving. He was then arrested by border patrol. In July 2021, Costanzo allegedly used Snapchat to coerce a 16-year-old girl into an abandoned warehouse in Torrington to record herself having sex with him. He allegedly also threatened to kill the victim and her boyfriend if she did not comply. He then sexually assaulted her at knifepoint in the warehouse. Also in July 2021, Costanzo allegedly used his phone to record sexually explicit FaceTime video of a 17-year-old girl. Costanzo pleaded guilty to production of child pornography and, as a result, admitted his conduct against all three victims. He is facing a maximum prison sentence of 30 years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Yahoo
San Jose Police testing more than 900 rape kits after receiving grant
SAN JOSE, Calif. - San Jose Police say they're testing more than 900 rape kits after receiving a federal grant for $2.5 million. This is the 2nd federal grant the dept. has received in the last five years. Some of these rape kits date back to the year 2000, but now the police and the D.A.'s office say they're making great progress after processing these kits. "If you were a victim of a sexual assault case, and they never identified the perpetrator, we haven't given up on you," said Rob Baker, Deputy D.A. with Santa Clara County D.A.'s Office Cold Case Unit. After receiving a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Bureau of Justice Assistance, the Santa Clara County D.A.'s Office says they've been working with San Jose Police as they process backlogged rape kits, some dating back more than 20 years. Deputy D.A. Rob Baker says by working with a private lab, at least 30 DNA profiles have been created in the last six months. "Every day a new sexual assault case from this project is being uploaded in search. In the last three months, we've already had nine hits in CODIS," said Baker. The Combined DNA Index System or CODIS is a computer program that stores DNA profiles nationwide. San Jose Police released a statement, saying in part: "SJPD hopes these resubmitted kits can spawn new leads in cold cases, enhance our DNA database of suspect profiles, and ultimately bring closure to victims and families." San Jose-based Attorney Lori Costanzo has handled employment sexual harassment and sexual assault cases from more than 25 years. "I personally have had cases, clients who've suffered from sexual assault and crimes, and in particular, we couldn't even move forward because we couldn't get the DNA kit processed," said Costanzo, Founding Partner of Costanzo Law Firm. In June of last year, San Jose Police announced the arrest of 46 people in a sexual assault warrant sweep. Costanzo says DNA testing can give victims hope after a traumatic experience. "They also have hope that this person will not commit it again because their DNA is now in a national database," said Costanzo. Baker says getting a DNA profile is just the first step in solving cases. He says San Jose Police will use the information as they investigate and, hopefully, they can make an arrest.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lackawanna College plans to construct two-story building in Scranton
SCRANTON – Lackawanna College plans to construct a two-story building in the middle of the 500 block of Wyoming Avenue as its new Center for Technology Innovation, college Vice President for Government Affairs and Special Projects Brian Costanzo said Monday. A 16,000-square-foot building at 518-520 Wyoming Ave. also would house a 4,500-square-foot Advanced Automotive/Electric Vehicle, Robotics and Cybersecurity programs that would include both associate degrees and shorter-term training options, he said. A new building would have an auto lab with car lifts and electric vehicle equipment, large labs specifically designed for robotics and automation equipment and computer labs for the cyber security program. 'All of the labs will be designed to train both Lackawanna College students and to provide corporate training,' Costanzo said via email. Vehicles occupy a parking lot at 518 Wyoming Avenue in Scranton where Lackawanna College plans to construct a technology building. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Designs are preliminary and might be adjusted, but a two-story, 16,000-square-foot structure is the target goal, he said. An estimate of the cost of construction depends on final designs and the project would be funded with grants and private dollars, he said. The Scranton Zoning Board will hear on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. at City Hall an application by the college for a special exception in a highway/commercial zone to convert a gravel lot at 518-520 Wyoming Ave. into a new college building, according to a public notice of the board's agenda published Thursday in The Times-Tribune. Lackawanna College plans to construct a building at a gravel lot at 518-520 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton, seen here on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 at left, and with the side of the Able Brake building in background. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) The college initially planned to convert its six-story vacant office building at 401 Adams Ave. into a Center for Technology Innovation. But last year the college switched gears on the 401 Adams Ave. building constructed in 1973 and purchased by the college over a decade ago. The college instead put that building up for sale because the renovation estimate soared beyond original estimates of several years ago. College leadership did not believe it would be appropriate to pay for renovations through student tuition. 'Unfortunately, the cost to renovate the building at 401 Adams Ave was just too expensive for the College to complete,' Costanzo said. 'We have maintained a very affordable tuition and will continue to do so as we develop new programming, such as the CTI. Also, the new construction will provide a floor plan that is far more conducive for our technology-based programs and an overall building size that meets our needs.' Also last year, in August, Lackawanna College and Philadelphia-based Peirce College jointly announced they plan to merge and become the largest, private, nonprofit open-enrollment college in the state. The merger, which will give both colleges increased presence and offerings, will result in Peirce taking Lackawanna College's name as the two become a singular institution. The merger is proceeding as planned with regulatory approvals pending and is on track for a closing date of June 30, 2025, Costanzo said. * Vehicles occupy a parking lot at 518 Wyoming Avenue in Scranton where Lackawanna College plans to construct a technology building. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Lackawanna College plans to construct a building at a gravel lot at 518-520 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton, seen here on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 at left, and with the side of the Able Brake building in background. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) * Lackawanna College plans to construct a building at a gravel lot at 518-520 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton, seen here on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 from Wyoming Avenue, with the side of the Able Brake building in background at right, and the rear of the Washington West apartment building in the background at left, across Forest Court. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) * A Lackawanna College sign in the 500 block of Wyoming Avenue at the corner of Vine Street in Scranton on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) * Lackawanna College plans to construct a building at a gravel lot at 518-520 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton, seen here on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 from Forest Court looking west toward Wyoming Avenue in the background. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) * Lackawanna College plans to construct a building at a gravel lot at 518-520 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton, seen here on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 from Wyoming Avenue with the rear of the Washington West apartment building in the background, across Forest Court. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) * A Lackawanna College banner on a pole in the 500 block of Wyoming Avenue in Scranton on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) * Lackawanna College plans to construct a building at a gravel lot at 518-520 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton, seen here on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 from Forest Court looking west toward Wyoming Avenue in the background. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) * Lackawanna College plans to construct a building at a gravel lot at 518-520 Wyoming Ave. in Scranton, seen here on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 from Forest Court looking west toward Wyoming Avenue in the background. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO) Show Caption 1 of 9 Vehicles occupy a parking lot at 518 Wyoming Avenue in Scranton where Lackawanna College plans to construct a technology building. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Expand
