A&E

IU Art Museum studies controversial ownership history of paintings

Going once, going twice -- halt? On Nov. 8, despite a favorable verdict from U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff, Christie's auction house in London stopped the auction of the Picasso painting, "Portrait de Angel Fernandez de Soto," that was expected to sell for $40 million to $60 million. In a news release, the judge said he needed to decide whether the Nazis forced the painting's former Jewish owner to sell it during World War II. Though he found no evidence to support the claim, the case caused much controversy and the sale was halted. This issue of ownership affects almost every facet of the art world, and the topic is being explored on campus at the IU Art Museum with its "provenance project."

Newly-formed group to perform at White House

When the Jewish a cappella group Hooshir formed this semester, it had only one date on its concert schedule -- its Dec. 18 performance for the President of the United States.

Singing Hoosiers' annual show features songs from new CD

From American popular music to jazz to Broadway favorites, IU's Singing Hoosiers do it all, leaving even the least musically inclined audience in awe.

Judy Gold jokes about her life as a gay, Jewish mother

Offensive does not even begin to describe Judy Gold's humor. Between cracks about everyone from her kids to homosexuals to Jews, it was impossible for any particular group to feel singled-out during her show Monday night in Whittenberger Auditorium.

Help Me, Harlan!

Students stage final project today

While many students study for final exams or prepare final projects, the African American Dance Company students will perform their final collaborations on stage at 7:30 p.m. today in the Willkie Auditorium. Admission is $3.

One Book, One Bloomington expands, now taking votes

In 2007, One Book, One Bloomington will turn into the Big Read: One Book, One Bloomington, expanding its name and opportunities to unite the city and the surrounding area by promoting popular literary fiction.

Artists' works raise safe sex awareness

ondoms. They come lubricated, ultra-thin, flavored and ribbed for her pleasure, and Friday they filled the Indiana Memorial Union Solarium by the thousands, with the simple intention of promoting safe sex.

Downtown galleries showcase local art pieces at 9 venues

Bloomington celebrated the works of local artists Friday with the Downtown Gallery Walk from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at nine art galleries.

Comedian Judy Gold tackles taboo topics in free show

Toward the end of the semester, everyone is in need of a bit of comic relief. But instead of sitcom reruns, tonight there is a different show to watch.

'Tis the season for frankincense, myrrh and bubble-hem dresses

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la la la la la. 'Tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la la la la la. Don we now our gay apparel ... Yes, don we now our pleather pants and black mesh thongs this holiday season.

Chicago Field Museum launches adopt-an-artifact program to benefit $290 million endowment fund

CHICAGO -- A T-Rex skull, two stuffed elephants and a meteorite from Australia are among the more than 20 popular exhibits included in an adopt-an-artifact program started this month by Chicago's Field Museum.

Tea, art served up at IUAM

If you're into art, music and tea -- or your significant other no longer considers having a beer and sitting on the couch with you a date -- come to the IU Art Museum Friday. The museum will stay open until 7 p.m. for Teahouse Night to celebrate its current exhibition, "Conspiring With Tradition: Contemporary Painting From the Guilin Chinese Painting Academy." The exhibit features a variety of contemporary Chinese art, said Judy Stubbs, Pamela Buell Curator of Asian art.

Bluebird offers a taste of 'Sexual Chocolate' Saturday night

Karl Denson is one of those musicians people have seen without even knowing who he is. He got his break in an uncredited roll as the bandleader and saxophonist in the fictional band "Sexual Chocolate" in the 1988 Eddy Murphy movie "Coming to America." He played as Lenny Kravitz's saxophonist and bandleader throughout the '90s and has played in numerous projects since, garnering acclaim from jazz, rock and jam fans as he fused genres together with whatever his current lineup happened to be.

Professor, docent leads 'story time'

The IU Art Museum staff has found a new way of presenting its permanent collection. For the past few years, the Art Museum has offered a thematic tour of the museum on the first Saturday of each month. The themes are wide in variety, ranging from science to Shakespeare, with each tour providing a new approach to understanding and learning about art.

Students showcase Bloomington, 'Off the Map'

For the 13 students in the Bachelor of Fine Arts photography program, "Off the Map," the ninth installment of the annual Alternative Show, is more than just a chance to showcase pieces they've been working on throughout the semester.

Downtown Gallery Walk spans 9 art venues

The Bloomington Area Arts Council will host a Downtown Gallery Walk from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday. The event, which is free and open to the public, will bring together more than 60 artists from five surrounding counties to display their work at nine galleries located in and around downtown Bloomington. The Monroe County Historical Society is collaborating in this event. Managing Director Jill Lesh said it has been a common goal of the historical society to work more with the Bloomington Area Arts Council since both groups share a common goal of educating and involving the public in Bloomington art and history.

Finding a Creative Cure

Bohemians had the Left Bank. Andy Warhol had the Factory. Bloomington has the Art Hospital. When you step into the Hospital, you walk on the same floor scuffed from techno dance parties and metal-head moshing. Look to your left, and you might think you're stepping back three decades to your crazy aunt's time-warped attic -- complete with old Coke machines, street signs and fake fruit in a bowl. While at first glance, it might look like a strewn mess, everything in that room could potentially have its own role in an artistic masterpiece. The Hospital, 1021 S. Walnut St., is a diversely functional facility for Bloomington artists to find solace within each of their methods of work. Founded in June, it is Bloomington's latest addition to the creative community.

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra will perform, present 'Process' seminar

The Grammy-winning Orpheus Chamber Orchestra will perform at 8 p.m. Dec. 3 at the IU Auditorium. The orchestra will also present a seminar on its copyrighted and highly acclaimed "Orpheus Process" at 11 a.m. Dec. 4 in the foyer of the IU Auditorium. The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra began 34 years ago and has been playing at New York's Carnegie Hall for 26 seasons. It has collaborated with many famous artists including Isaac Stern, Yo-Yo Ma and Dawn Upshaw. Orpheus is unique because the group does not have a conductor; the members of the orchestra share and rotate leadership roles. This is known as the "Orpheus Process." Business schools at Harvard, Columbia and Yale, as well as corporations including Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, have incorporated the group's philosophy on self-government into their own business outlooks.

Alumna targets post-collegiate readers in book

Bloomington-born author Meg Cabot has the Monroe County Public Library to thank for her love of literature. Cabot, who is best known for the famed "Princess Diaries" series, spent much of her childhood in the young adults' section, soaking up books by fellow authors Judy Blume and Jane Austen, according to a press release for Cabot's most recent book. Cabot's latest novel, "Size 14 Is Not Fat Either," was released Tuesday as the second book in her "Pink Mystery" series. "Size 14" chronicles the daily conundrums faced by Heather Wells, heroine of the previous Pink Mystery novel, "Size 12 Is Not Fat." Wells is a former teen pop sensation with a penchant for cracking the occasional murder case.