The Korea Herald

X-ray scientists authenticate Caravaggio masterpiece

Italian art sleuths announced on Friday they had successfully authenticated a painting of the snake-haired Medusa from Greek mythology as the work of 17th-century master Caravaggio using X-ray technology.“The X-rays allowed us to see some sketches under the surface. This is therefore a creation, not a copy,” Caravaggio expert Mina Gregori said in Rome at the presentation of a book about the project which has lasted several years.The round painting has a diameter of 50 centimeters and is a smalle

Feb. 27, 2012

Cultural institute shows Italian treasures

Masterpieces from Florence’s Uffizi Museum set to be exhibited in Seoul in 2013This is the fourth of the series introducing cultural centers of different countries in Seoul. ― Ed.Italian cuisine needs no further explanation. Like in many other parts of the world, pastas and pizzas are adored here. So is the southern European country’s fashion industry. Many of the luxury brands thriving in South Korea are from Italy. Lucio Izzo, director of the Italian Cultural Institute Seoul who has lived and

Feb. 26, 2012

Cultural institute shows Italian treasures

Rapper Jones arrested after fight at Foxwoods

Rapper Jim Jones was arrested and charged with assaulting a Connecticut state trooper in a brawl at the Foxwoods Resort Casino, police said Saturday.The hip-hop artist and actor, whose “We Fly High” was one of 2007’s top-selling rap tracks, was charged with assault on a police officer and breach of peace, state police spokesman Lt. J. Paul Vance said. Vance said he was not certain how the altercation Friday night began.Jones said on Twitter that he posted $40,000 in bond, adding that he “had a b

Feb. 26, 2012

Levine finds ‘Voice’ beyond Maroon 5

NEW YORK (AP) ― From moving like Mick Jagger to dating Russian model Anne Vyalitsyna, Maroon 5 front man Adam Levine hasn’t had problems attracting women in recent years.In an interview, the 32-year-old said that even though he was a “nerdy’’ musician in high school, he still always had luck with the ladies.“I loved hanging out with girls ... It was never an issue, how about that? And, of course, it’s been magnified times 1,000 with this whole (fame) thing that’s happened, so it’s kind of crazy.

Feb. 26, 2012

Calendar

Pop Music“Love Songs By Steve Barakatt”: New age pianist and composer Steve Barakatt will hold a concert on March 3 at the Seoul Arts Center, under the title “Love Songs By Steve Barakatt” to celebrate both Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14 and White Day, which falls on March 14. The program will include his popular works including “The Whistler’s Song,” “Flying,” “I’m Sorry” and “Rainbow Bridge.” Vocalists Shayne, who gained fame through TV show “Star Audition: The Great Birth,” will join him on stage

Feb. 24, 2012

Eyelike

The Black Keys ‘s new album hits the shelves hereThe Black Keys“El Camino” (Nonesuch)The blues-rock duo’s seventh studio album hit the shelves here on February after drawing widespread attention around the world. The new album, produced by Danger Mouse, is the follow-up to The Black Keys’ Grammy-winning 2010 album “Brothers.” The duo gained popularity after their album “Brothers” became an international hit throughout 2010 and 2011. The band, formed in Ohio 10 years ago, says that they were infl

Feb. 24, 2012

Oldest art fair gets younger and bigger

Korea Galleries Art Fair offers over 3,000 artworks in celebration of 30th anniversaryCelebrating its 30th anniversary, the nation’s oldest art fair is underway at COEX in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul, in its largest fair to date. The Korea Galleries Art Fair features over 3,000 works from about 90 member galleries. Established in 1979, the art fair has showcased a wide range of artwork, from emerging local rookies to internationally acclaimed artists. Almost of all of the established galleries

Feb. 23, 2012

Cyndi Lauper‘s ’Kinky Boots‘ heads to Chicago

A new musical bringing together Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein and rock icon Cyndi Lauper will put its best foot forward in Chicago this fall.``Kinky Boots‘’ will make its world premiere at the Bank of America Theatre in October ahead of a possible Broadway transfer, producers Daryl Roth and Hal Luftig said Wednesday.The musical is based on the 2005 British movie about a failing shoe factory that‘s struggling following the death of its founder until it finds new life in fetish footwear.Fiers

Feb. 23, 2012

Rihanna, Brown songs could draw criticism

NEW YORK (AP) ― Rihanna is known for making bold statements, from her often sexually charged music to her tattoos to even the hue of her hair.But her latest decision ― a musical pairing with the man who three years ago left her bloodied and bruised ― has left some questioning her judgment.On Monday, after days of teasing, Rihanna and Chris Brown debuted two songs featuring each other. Brown sings and raps on the remix of Rihanna’s song “Birthday Cake,’’ and she appears on a new version of his up

Feb. 23, 2012

‘Scream’ painting expected to top $80m at auction

NEW YORK (AFP) ― A version of “The Scream,” one of the world’s most famous paintings and an iconic image of despair, is expected to fetch at least $80 million when it goes on sale this May, Sotheby’s auctioneers said Tuesday.Norwegian businessman Petter Olsen, whose father was a friend and patron of “Scream” painter Edvard Munch, owns the work, which will go on the block in New York on May 2.There are four versions of the painting, which features a man screaming and clutching his head against a

Feb. 22, 2012

Herald artday auction offers ‘Korean beauty’

Over 100 works by Korean up-and-coming to veteran artists on auctionHerald artday, a subsidiary of the Herald Media group, opens its third online auction on Friday. It will roll out 110 paintings, photos, sculptures and prints by acclaimed South Korean artists, ranging from up-and-coming figures such as Mari Kim and Lee Soo-dong to veterans like Lee U-fan, Kim Chong-hak and Lee Manik, steady-selling artists despite the depressed art market. As usual, the auction is approachable for both first-ti

Feb. 22, 2012

Herald artday auction offers ‘Korean beauty’

Gov't employee punished over fake nude photo of Girls' Generation

A 53-year-old government employee was dismissed from his post Wednesday after police started investigating his role in spreading a fake nude photo of K-pop group Girls' Generation, his office said.The employee, whose name was withheld, was relieved of his duties from the Yeonsu Ward Office in Incheo

Feb. 22, 2012

Spain’s Prado museum puts Mona Lisa ‘twin’ on display

MADRID (AFP) ― Spain’s Prado Museum put the earliest known copy of the “Mona Lisa” on display Tuesday for the first time since restoration work revealed it was likely painted by one of Leonardo da Vinci’s apprentices as he worked on the original.Throughout the day, a crowd gathered around the painting, which shows the same woman the Italian artist painted, backed by a landscape of hills resembling those of the original masterpiece which hangs in the Louvre Museum in Paris.“It is the most importa

Feb. 22, 2012

Adele wins big again at hometown Brit Awards

LONDON (AFP) ― Just over a week after her spectacular sweep at the Grammys, British soul diva Adele triumphed on home soil Tuesday at the annual Brit Awards in London.The 23-year-old picked up two awards ― including the prestigious British album of the year ― to add to the six Grammys she won in Los Angeles, cementing her status as one of Britain’s most successful pop exports in years.Adele ― whose career was threatened last year by a throat illness ― claimed British female solo artist and best

Feb. 22, 2012

Adele wins big again at hometown Brit Awards

After ‘The Artist,’ French composer in quest for Higgs Boson

Ludovic Bource, who composed the score for the Oscar-tipped French silent movie “The Artist,” hopes to set to music the mammoth scientific quest to find the Higgs Boson, also known as the “God particle.”After scoring four movies for French director Michel Hazanavicius, earning Golden Globe and BAFTA awards and an Oscar nomination for his work on “The Artist,” the 41-year-old composer told AFP he has several projects on the boil.“I can‘t wait to get back to composing. I have a personal project th

Feb. 22, 2012

Despite nod, Sergio Mendes feels snubbed by Oscars

NEW YORK (AP) ― Sergio Mendes will attend the Academy Awards on Sunday with mixed feelings.He’s honored that his song “Real in Rio,’’ from the animated movie “Rio,’’ is one of the only two nominated this year, but upset with the show producers’ decision not to present the tunes during the telecast.“I am very frustrated, kind of sad that we will not be able to perform such a lively song,’’ the 71-year-old Brazilian legend said in an interview Monday (Mendes shares the nomination with his countrym

Feb. 22, 2012

Seoul’s royal palaces to be hub of traditional culture

For those who have missed the chance to experience Seoul’s royal palaces at night or see a gugak concert in the court garden last year, the year 2012 will come as an exciting one. More cultural events and educational programs will take place in the four royal palaces in Seoul ―Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, and Deoksugung ― as well as Jongmyo shrine this year, including court cuisine sessions, gugak concerts, and late-night tours, Cultural Heritage Administration announced during

Feb. 21, 2012

Seoul’s royal palaces to be hub of traditional culture

Museum head vows to prove women can curate with the best

Chung Hyung-Min announces NMOCA will go through overall renovations through 2013Chung Hyung-Min, newly appointed director of National Museum of Contemporary Art, said that she is happy to see that women are taking powerful positions in the art scene and thus generating public interest in it. Now she said she will take this opportunity to prove something“I feel a heavy responsibility for taking the job at a time when the museum is doubling its size. I will put emphasis on expanding the collection

Feb. 21, 2012

Museum head vows to prove women can curate with the best

Chung to lead N. Korean-French orchestra in Paris

Conductor says long-term aim is joint performance by North, South Korean musiciansA world-renowned South Korean conductor said on Tuesday that he would conduct a joint performance of the French and North Korean orchestras in Paris on March 14 and he hopes this will pave the way for musicians from the two Koreas to perform together in the near future.“What I wanted the most was to have musicians from North and South Korea perform together, but (we) decided to stage a joint performance of French a

Feb. 21, 2012

Chung to lead N. Korean-French orchestra in Paris

S. Korean conductor to conduct joint N. Korean-French orchestra

A world-renowned South Korean conductor said on Tuesday that he would conduct a joint performance of the French and North Korean orchestras in Paris on March 14 and he hopes this will pave the way for musicians from the two Koreas to perform together in the near future.“What I wanted the most was to have musicians from North and South Korea perform together, but (we) decided to stage a joint performance of French and North Korean orchestras first, because there are still lingering political prob

Feb. 21, 2012