Visual Arts
Creepy clowns obscure the value of real clowning
The current craze for creepy clowns is a sad reminder that real clowning is a misunderstood art.
Why useless art is useful
Visual arts is useless, edgeless and homeless...and that is a good thing both for artists and for society.
Indigenous remains returned to Australia
The UK is relinquishing the remains of 13 Aboriginal Australians which will be handed over in a ceremony today.
Why a scorecard of quality in the arts is a very bad idea
Modern society has become addicted to ratings and league tables. But a new scorecard, which aims to give 'good art'…
What book club is that?
Your book club may have no more in common with mine than lawn bowls has with Sumo wrestling.
Outing anonymous authors
The identity of novelist Elena Ferrente has been exposed, creating an international storm around the right of authors to remain…
Turning a free lunch into a gravy train
Whether you are a wannabe, a winner or a frustrated also-ran, working the award scene can be rewarding.
How do you ship a T-Rex?
Shipping a 13-meter dinosaur from Japan to Sydney sounds like a logistical nightmare, but that’s nothing. The museum needs upgrading…
Koons' Piglet displaces sports stars
Art at sports stadiums is usually restricted to bronzes of sports stars. But a US stadium this week unveiled an…
It's okay to be mediocre
Artists are looking beyond the conventions of success and excellence to find enjoyment in the creation – even if it’s…