Comic Book Art Sold at Skyrocket Prices

Last week the original art comic book page that introduced the Wolverine, was sold for an impressive $657, 250. This page was found in issue number 180 of  "The Incredible Hulk," from 1974. In 1983, Herb Trimpe, the original artist of the Wolverine page gave the comic to young fan. The anonymous owner had visited Trimpe's home several times, hoping to receive a cornucopia of signed comic books from the artist. At the end of one of the visits, the fan was given the page of the Wolverine. A portion of the money will be given to a  specific charity which is set out to help young comic book artists thrive in our society. In the past, other art covers have been sold for extremely high prices. Spiderman and Batman have been the more notable Marvel Comic superheroes sold over the past few years. 

http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/05/19/first-wolverine-comic-art-is-sold-for-nearly-660000/

Art Car Parade

On May 10th hundreds of thousands of people turned out for the record-setting Art Car Parade in Houston. As many as 260 colorful vehicles drove into the signature art city. In her first appearance as the grand marshal Houston's mayor, Annise Parker, said "I love the Art Car Parade. It is an explosion of creativity and fun. It brings Houstonians of all types out. It's just a great day." In this year's parade there were over 100 new entries, including a tribute to Johnson Space Center's Mars Rover Curiosity. Some other unique looking vehicles included a truck with a giant spider on top of it and a toaster van. Since 1988, this vibrant and entertaining parade has offered the public a signature art extravaganza which they will never forget.

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Hundreds-of-thousands-turn-out-for-record-setting-5468513.php

The Derby Man Named Art

On May 3rd, a new stat was entered into the record books when 77 year old, Art Sherman, became the oldest trainer to ever win the Kentucky Derby. This was all due to California Chrome's cruising victory, which was nearly won by two-lengths. 59 years ago Art was an exercise rider for the horse named, Swaps, who won the 1955 derby. Last week Sherman visited Swaps' grave site, where he prayed that he could hopefully experience another triumphant win at the legendary race setting. During the post-race interview Art stated, "I'm just the same old Art Sherman, you know-- except, I won the Kentucky Derby." When asked about the possibility of winning the triple crown Sherman said, "The Triple Crown is probably the roughest races you'll ever have to face." On May 17th, Art and California Chrome will be faced with their next challenge in their quest for the Triple Crown, the Preakness.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/horseracing/2014/05/03/trainer-art-sherman-becomes-oldest-derby-winner/8676797/

Art is Everywhere

During this summer, over 50,000 pictures of art will be displayed on electronic billboards to bus shelters across the country. This project will be called Project Everywhere, where museum directors are hoping that their different museums scattered around the country will draw more visitors. The Outdoor Advertising Association of America will be devoting about $500,000 to the cause, in an effort to make the art billboards more fashionable and attracting to the public. Mr. Druick of the Art Institute of Chicago states, "hoping that familiarity breeds desire, that people will see an artwork, be struck by it and want to see it in the flesh." This project is set to be one of the largest outdoor art exhibitions in U.S. history.

  http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/07/arts/design/look-up-all-signs-point-to-art.html?_r=0

New Twist to Hall of Presidents

Walt Disney World's attraction known as the "Hall of Presidents" has received approval by Disney management to change certain aspects of the multimedia presentation. Instead of using 43 audio-animatronic figures of all 43 U.S. presidents, every former president who is currently living will replace the computer-generated roles. For the presidents who have passed on, their bodies will be dug up from their current grave sites and be brought to the Magic Kingdom in Florida. The bodies will be put into chairs and set upright for the audience. Disney has also made the decision to have all the former presidents, alive or dead, wear Mickey Mouse ears during each performance to try to lighten any heavy atmosphere created by the strong, possibly unsettling presence of death. Since President Obama will now be occupied between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 11:00 P.M. at the Magic Kingdom, Vice President Joe Biden will be called on to be more authoritative in leading the country. The narrator, Morgan Freeman, will also be present for every show during the day.

Art Investigation Revived

After nearly 40 years, the FBI and Amherst College have decided to reopen the investigation from a local campus art museum. In the February of 1975, three historic and genuine paintings were stolen from the college's Mead Art Museum. Each painting was reportedly valued at more than $400,000. In 1989 two of the three masterpieces were recovered, but the third piece entitled "Interior with Figures Smoking and Drinking", was never found. Mead's head of security, Heath Cummings, has been researching this case for years and has now turned over his analysis to the FBI. They aim to publicize this case and hopefully rediscover the artwork.

http://www.telegram.com/article/20140224/NEWS/302249897/1052

NBC's Unusual Sochi Experiences

During the course of this year's Winter Olympics in Sochi, a lot can be said about the unique moments that have come from it. NBC's decision to broadcast the most hours out of any Winter Olympics ever, has resulted in several moments of awkwardness and confusion. An instance of this came last week when longtime Olympic anchor Bob Costas, who was suffering from pink eye, was forced to relieve his position and receive medical treatment from Russian doctors. To take over his place on the big stage Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira agreed to temporarily anchor the broadcast. Other examples of awkward moments have been when Vieira asked skeleton sliver medalist Noelle Pikus-Pace about her miscarriage, trackside reporter Lewis Johnson crying after asking Katie Uhlaender about her late father, and Bode Miller getting emotional after a side reporter intrusively kept asking questions about his dead brother. NBC has also had to adjust to American Olympians not winning as much as they hoped. This has left commentators showing their remorse on camera and their disappointment. These weird situations have given the Sochi Games an interesting outlook on the event as a whole.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-olympic-tv-moments-20140217,0,4379384.story#axzz2talqF5ko