It is the latest series of camouflage trickery unveiled by artist Liu Bolin, or 'the invisible man', who made his name blending into the background of everyday scenes. Claiming they are a comment on his role in society, the Beijing-based painter, photographer and sculptor goes through swathes of clothes as he smears them in paint to blend into road signs (top left), toy shelves (bottom left), an open square (bottom right), and a rack of Chinese lanterns. ...read
Art big picture gallery
It was identified after a hunch by the show's presenter when the owner of the work took it along to be valued at Newstead Abbey in Nottinghamshire.
Art Headlines
Incredible pictures taken just a yard from erupting volcano by photographer who was forced to flee to avoid being hit by lava
But one intrepid photographer has trekked right up to a molten lava spewing crater in search of the perfect shot. Miles Morgan was just one metre away from the source of the eruptions when he took some of these incredible images of Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii. ...read
The original paparazzo: Exhibition by legendary society photographer Richard Young captures unexpected celebrity moments
It's been forty years since society photographer Richard Young first got his major break. Since then, he's snapped photos of the most famous stars in the celebrity pantheon. Pictured are Johnny Depp and Kate Moss smoking, and Elizabeth Taylor kissing Richard Burton. One of the most important photographers of the twentieth-century according to The Times, Young's diverse portfolio includes Elizabeth II and Diana, Princess of Wales, Joan Collins, Kate Moss, Andy Warhol, Marvin Gaye, Mick Jagger and Stevie Wonder, to name just a few. ...read
MUST READS...Art stories from around the world
Amazing bird's-eye views of Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld... from a helicopter
Jason Hawkes's latest aerial project sees him photograph theme parks in Orlando, Florida, from several hundred feet up in the sky.
Mesmerizing pictures of cave formations reveal a hole new world beneath our feet from New Mexico to Vietnam
The incredible pictures show the natural stalagmites and stalactites within some of the world's deepest caves and they were taken by keen caver Dave Bunnell, 61, from Delaware.
North Korea photojournalist named 'Instagram photographer of the year'
Time has awarded it's Instagram photographer of the year to veteran Associated Press chief Asia photojournalist David Guttenfelder, thanks in large part to his fascinating depictions of life behind North Korea's Bamboo Curtain. Guttenfelder's unique post allows him the world's most intimate access to the rogue state, where despite being forever under the watchful eye of a government minder, he's managed to produce gorgeous, haunting visual documents.
LATEST ALBUM RELEASES
Scroll through for the latest new album releases
Supernova (RCA)
Backwoods balladeer Ray Lamontagne has spent the past decade quietly building an impressive body of work. From 2004s gut-wrenching Trouble, each album has been a subtle progression from the previous one. This fifth release moves the American away from his usual blues, soul and country towards Sixties psychedelia and the sun-kissed Californian pop of The Mamas And The Papas. Producer Dan Auerbach, of The Black Keys, adds a rock edge.
****
Resurrection (BMG)
Having overcome the breast cancer that caused the cancellation of last years European tour, Anastacia breathes defiance on this fifth album. Despite talk of a more tender approach, the former dancers speciality remains the big, blustery pop number. A real pocket powerhouse, she even sounds strident on Pendulum, a song about the recent collapse of her marriage. Stupid Little Things is an anthemic single, while the pleading Lifeline is almost operatic in its orchestral scope.
***
I Never Learn (Atlantic)
Song titles like Never Gonna Love Again and Sleeping Alone sum up the melancholy mood on Swedish singer Lykke Lis third album. Her emotional scars are all too evident, but there is something uplifting about her echo-drenched ballads. The title track is underpinned by banks of strummed acoustic guitars, while No Rest For The Wicked is an epic torch song. With floating harmonies and hints of classic Sixties girl-pop, heartbreak has rarely sounded so alluring.
****
Hendra (Unmade Road)
Watt takes the notion of the 'difficult second album' to new extremes, 31 years after jazzy debut North Marine Drive. He spent the intervening decades in the husband-wife duo Everything But The Girl and working as a DJ, but these simple folk-rock songs suit his languid style well.
****
The Duets (Rhino)
Dubbed the First Lady Of Rock in her Seventies heyday, versatile Ronstadt never restricted herself to one genre. Bringing a Californian flavour to country rock, she hooks up with cajun singer Ann Savoy on Walk Away Renee. Duets with Dolly Parton and James Taylor also feature.
***
Singles(4AD)
The Baltimore band became an internet hit when an appearance on the Letterman TV show went viral, thanks to frontman Sam Herring's wild bobbing and weaving. The extrovert singer takes centre stage here, adding melodrama to their heartland electo-pop
***
Kiss Me Once (Parlophone)
She might have parted company with her long-term manager and found a new musical adviser in fellow Aussie singer Sia Furler, but it is business as usual on frothy, flirty tracks such as Into The Blue and the Madonna-esque Million Miles. There are subtle updates to the coquettish Kylie template. The high point is Feels So Good, a rousing slice of pop-R&B; that features fast-rising London whizz-kid MNEK. Less impressive are the moments where Kylie, 45, tries to compete with younger chart princesses.
***
The Power Of Love (Syco)
Warbling ballads dominate the X Factor winners debut. She powers through Oleta Adamss Get Here, but a duet with Nicole Scherzinger is too lung-bursting for its own good. The indecent haste of this release hardly suggests longevity.
***
The Day In Pictures
The best pictures from around the world today
REVIEWS
IN BOOKS TODAY
- CAD WHO'S CRUELTY KILLED KARL MARX'S DAUGHTER: Eleanor Marx fell foul of a callous charmer
- BEWARE THE DEMON BARBER: Interviewer Lynn Barber has certainly had a curious career
- HOWZAT, HITLER! WE BEAT THEM AT CRICKET TOO: Cricket and Nazis! Can there be a more enticing combination of subjects to read about?
- MISERY OF A SCHOOL WITH NO RULES AND NO LESSONS: Mikey Cuddihy's unhappy memories of controversial school Summerhilllast year
MUSIC REVIEWS AND FEATURES
THEATRE
- Suicidal, but Stevie is full of life and laughter, writes PATRICK MARMION
- These lovers' tunes will pluck your heartstrings: Moving and sweetly performed, Once will make your eyes well
- Admit it, Mr Ayckbourn, you're a bit of a Leftie at heart: QUENTIN LETTS reviews A Small Family Business A deeply self important play
- You really got me! Timeless hits and magnetic stars - QUENTIN LETTS is wowed by the quirky Kinks musical
- Huzzah for Prince Hal - but Falstaff needs a bit more bottle: QUENTIN LETTS reviews Henry IV Parts I and II What a walloping spectacle
- A holy visitation on the waterfront: PATRICK MARMION reviews A View From The Bridge Closest thing you'll get to religion this Easter
- Nasty rock 'n' roll tale hits the wrong chord: PATRICK MARMION reviews Birdland A new play about a sex-addicted rock star.