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...

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...

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 ArtImage: Young Couple (Emile Nolde, 1913). Photographed by...

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...

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...

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 MoviesPoster: © 2011 Relativity Me...

Arts world for Japan In response to Japan’s serial natural disasters, or in spite of them, the arts world observes the art and culture of the Japanese people. In New York, the Japan Society plans a Concert for Japan on April 9, featuring Ryuichi Sakamoto, Lou Reed, John Zorn and Laurie Anderson....

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...

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, ...

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 ArtPhoto: 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...