Category: visual

The Chinese government has protested the showing of “Inside Out: New Chinese Art” in Australia, saying the exhibition could damage their “international standing.” A disclaimer note above the entrance to the exhibit reads: “The National Gallery of Australia wishes to advise that this performance contains nudity, live animals and Chinese firecrackers.” What on earth are they worried about? – South China Morning Post (Hong Kong)

Due to the political climate of North Korea in the 1950’s, there is very little art or recorded literature to help Koreans remember that period of history. A newly discovered photographic collection is helping people fill in the blanks. – Korea Times

“For centuries, Michelangelo’s sculpture David has been held up as the ultimate in male physical beauty. But now a laser scan of his face has revealed the truth: he squints.” – New Scientist

The Russian government recovers a stolen Franz Rubeau painting from Chechen rebels who planned to sell it for $1 million to help finance their war against the Russians. – The Art Newspaper

Now is the time of year when art schools present their degree shows – “the art world’s coming-out parties” – and dealers, curators, and collectors make the rounds looking for new talent. Royal College of Art grads in London are already fetching four-figure sums for their student work. What does this say about the fickle British art market? “If we have learned one thing from the sensational success of British art in the past decade, it is that talent or skill alone has nothing to do with becoming a famous artist. This is not because art is a con, but because it is an intellectual game. It’s a game of recognition, of constantly stretching the parameters of what can be defined as art.” – The Guardian

• New York Times arts reporter Judith Dobrzynski discusses the current FBI investigation of the recent fraudulent bidding for a purported Diebenkorn painting on eBay. – NPR [Real audio file]

— is reportedly investigating the troublesome fake (?) Diebenkorn auction a few weeks ago on the eBay auction site. – New Jersey Online (AP)

Two ancient Egyptian cities, Herakleion and Canopus – known only from ancient legends and Greek tragedies – were discovered off the Egyptian coast last weekend by French and Egyptian researchers. The 2,500-year-old finds are being heralded as “the most exciting find in the history of marine archaeology. They are intact. Frozen in time and totally untouched.” – The Times (UK)

The permanent collection at Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum contains an unrivalled range of 17th-century Dutch paintings. This year the museum celebrates its 200^th anniversary and has acquired additional masterpieces from other Dutch collections for a massive exhibition showcasing the definitive sweep of the period. – The Telegraph (UK)

Last summer Chicago placed 300 fiberglass art cows on its downtown streets and the city claims 2 million visitors came to see them, generating more that $200 million in economic activity. Sniffing a hit, some 30 North American cities are planning urban animal installations this summer – among them Toronto, which this week put up 100 10-foot-tall moose around its downtown. – Chicago Tribune