Author: Douglas McLennan

THE CUBAN PICASSOS

Relatives of Pablo Picasso are discovered in Cuba. “Today, the black Picassos, as they call themselves, are thrilled about the discovery of their connection with the artist whose name from a clipping, cousin Luis Picasso, has kept for years in his wallet, simply because he found the coincidence of the spelling amusing.” – CNN

ARISE, SIR … ER, MR. STEVEN

Steven Spielberg is to be knighted in London. “Although theatricality might seem appropriate, there will be no “Arise, Sir Steven Spielberg”. As he is not a British citizen, the director will not kneel or be tapped on each shoulder with a sword, nor will he be able to call himself “Sir”. He will, however, be able to place the letters KBE after his name.” – The Times (UK)

LAST OF THE STONECARVERS

Vincent Palumbo, the last of the Washington Cathedral stone-carvers, died last week at the age of 61. “At his funeral in the nave on Wednesday, Palumbo was remembered as ‘the last of the classically trained stone carvers’, one who learned from his father, who had learned from his father and so on.” – Washington Post

MINING THE CLASSICS

A comic book remake of Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina” in Russia has critics upset. “Convertible cars, cocaine and sushi bars provide the backdrop for the comic-book reworking, set in the present day and casting its characters as fast-living members of Russia’s idle rich. The novel’s heroine is depicted as a femme fatale with a mobile phone, a taste for luxury lingerie and, by the end of the comic, a drug habit that drives her to suicide.” – National Post (Canada)