VENICE, Italy (AFP) ― An array of sometimes disconcerting sights and sounds went on public display Saturday on the shores of the Venice lagoon for the Biennale contemporary art festival.From a picture of Jesus in his underwear to a human skull decorated with pearls, the images at the festival provoke, bemuse or titillate.“This is completely amazing!” exclaimed Edouard Duval-Carrie, an artist from

Performance June 5, 2011

SINGAPORE ― If you are searching for blazing sun, beautiful beaches and great scenery for your summer holiday but have overlooked Singapore, it’s time to reconsider.With the opening of Universal Studios last week, the Resort World Sentosa on Sentosa Island off Singapore, is now transformed into an international leisure complex, aiming to attract more than 600,000 visitors annually. The Lost WorldT

Arts & Design June 3, 2011

Francesco Rinaldi, one of the oldest estates in Piedmont, is known for its classic Barolo. Those who prize the elegance and earthiness of Piedmontese reds should seek out Rinaldi’s single-vineyard Dolcetto d’Alba “Roussot.”In Piedmont, you’ll find winemakers drinking Dolcetto at their own tables ― with salumi, pasta or panini. But this Dolcetto, made with grapes from a vineyard near the famous Can

Food June 3, 2011

VENICE, Italy (AP) ― Outside the U.S. Pavilion, a runner pounds a treadmill on an overturned 60-ton military tank. The visually commanding exhibit at the 54th Biennale contemporary art exhibit reverberates ― loudly.At the Danish Pavilion nearby, a contemplative exhibition that explores free speech issues is periodically disturbed by the rumbles.The juxtaposition of the booming Americans and the qu

Performance June 2, 2011

LOS ANGELES (AP) ― MTV says Reese Witherspoon will receive its Generation Award at Sunday’s MTV Movie Awards.The 35-year-old Oscar winner is being recognized for her range as an actress and for delighting the MTV audience throughout her career. MTV President Stephen Friedman called Witherspoon “one of the most versatile and accomplished performers of her time.” Reese Witherspoon (AP-Yonhap News)“S

Performance June 2, 2011

LOS ANGELES ― Jeffrey Katzenberg was visiting the University of Southern California recently when a faculty member stopped to chat with him. As the two parted ways, the DreamWorks Animation chief urged him: “Just keep sending me magicians.”The magicians Katzenberg seeks are animators, in high demand as the art form has exploded not only in movies and video games but also arenas such as medical res

Film June 1, 2011

NEW YORK (AP) ― Forget the pear-vs.-apple and curvy-vs.-curveless shape charts for a minute. There’s another divide in the two-piece swimwear discussion: What if you actually have to get up and move around instead of lying on the chaise with a cool drink in hand?The runway swimsuits and magazine-shoot bikinis, with their thin straps, triangle bottoms, decorative hardware and high ratio of white fa

Arts & Design June 1, 2011

LOS ANGELES ― Most people would not think of combining seemingly polar opposite pursuits such as Pilates and boxing. But the odd pairing makes perfect sense to one fitness instructor.Former dancer and certified Pilates teacher Viveca Jensen thought the mindful core-strengthening properties of Pilates would complement and counterbalance the quick cardio-heavy pace of noncontact boxing with weighted

Technology June 1, 2011

Rubs, brines, marinades make thrills for the grillWALNUT CREEK, California ― We may grill all year round, but summer traditionally signals the start to barbecue season. And something about that barbecue grill, says Food Network star Guy Fieri, conjures up all the best parts of summer. Summer traditionally signals the start to the barbecue season. (Contra Costa Times/MCT)“I think we all have an add

Food June 1, 2011