A million-dollar ‘Kiss’
“Kiss V,” a $10 prize at a New York City “happening” in March 1965 and now an icon of postwar art, is up for auction at Christie’s in May, and expected to fetch at least $1 million. The story of Roy Lichtenstein's ‘Kiss’ is one of a long-ago art scene in the heyday of Christo and Warhol. Read more here
Photo: Associated Press
Aretha, before the breakthrough
While she’s revered for her work on the Atlantic label, the legendary singer recorded 10 earlier albums, with Columbia. They’ve never had a fair hearing. David Maine, writing for PopMatters, sets that right in a review of a stunning new collection. More in Music
Happy 69th birthday! The Queen of Soul celebrates in New York. The Daily Mail marks the occasion
Photo: Image source unknown
NYC: Rebels’ bleak expressions
In the decadent years before World War I, the German Expressionists helped modernize the idea of the artist as cultural maverick. Roberta Smith of The New York Times surveys the new show at MOMA. More in Art
Image: Young Couple (Emile Nolde, 1913). Photographed by Ozier Muhammad/The New York Times
Seattle: 10 next big things
For its poll of the best 10 new local bands, CityArts Magazine let readers be the deciders of the definition of “new.” Result: A diverse mix of voices and styles that will be heard. Read the poll here
From Portland to Tacoma to Seattle, a new subculture is redefining the Pacific Northwest music scene, and doing it with community in mind. CityArts’ Jonathan Zwickel reports: “Once you pay the cover, everybody’s in the band.” More in Music
Image: CityArts Magazine
Dame Elizabeth departs
Elizabeth Taylor died this morning in Los Angeles of congestive heart failure at the age of 79. Her own life’s dramas ran parallel with those she survived on the screen. A star in 50 films, a two-time Oscar winner and passionate activist in the fight against AIDS, she disproved the notion that there are no second acts in American lives.
Photo: Lennox McLendon/Associated Press via Los Angeles Times
Breakthrough you
Three new films (one opening on Friday) tap into the human drive for achieving personal excellence and self-fulfillment — and the price that's paid to attain them. More in Movies
Poster: © 2011 Relativity Media
Pop world trends Japan
The music world has jumped into relief efforts for Japan. Lady Gaga’s right-on-time “Pray for Japan” wristbands generated $250,000 for Japan-related charities in less than two days. Linkin Park and Sparks also raised money for disaster relief.
Image: From Lady Gaga's Twitter page
Losing Charlie Sheen
All the off-the-hook, borderline-and-beyond nut-job behavior, all the Noriega-style machete waving is taking us, the public, further and further away from what endeared him to us in the first place. More in Television
Photo: Screengrab from Today Show, NBC
Mexico City: A grand new museum
Carlos Slim, the world’s richest man, gave the world an early look at Museo Soumaya, a tribute to his late wife and — with 66,000 works of art, from da Vinci to Rivera — a force to be reckoned with in the museum world. More in Art
Photo: Getty Images
Rockin’ for Wisconsin
Dropkick Murphys, longtime champions of union causes and working-class heroes, have released a single, “Take ‘Em Down,” in solidarity with the workers of Wisconsin. Proceeds from sales of the T-shirt (left) benefit the Workers' Rights Emergency Response Fund. Read more at Monsters and Critics
Photo: © 2011 Dropkick Murphys/Born & Bred Records