Mega-Rich Invest In Works By Living Artists
Renee Montagne talks to art sociologist and writer Sarah Thornton about how the habits of the 1 percent reverberate across the art world. She is the author of 33 Artists in 3 Acts.
Art & Design
Nazi-Era Art Cache Brings Provenance Issues To Swiss Museum
Audie Cornish talks to Jonathan Petropolous, professor of European History at Claremont McKenna College, about the acceptance of Nazi-era art by the Museum of Fine Arts Bern in Switzerland.
A Well-Designed Parking Sign Can Make Life Much Easier
Is it safe to park on the street, or are you risking a ticket? The more signs there are, the more confusing that question gets. Designer Nikki Sylianteng has found a way to help.
Lost — Then Found — Along The Border, Objects Become Art
A photographer's journey along the U.S.-Mexico border turned up dramatic images of lost possessions. Those found items were later made into instruments that sound just like that desolate landscape.
What's With All Of The 'Hairy Arms' In Graphic Design?
The term "hairy arms" is used in the world of graphic design and illustration. But what does that mean? Melissa Block talks to graphic designer Jessica Frease about the industry lingo.
Marvel's 'Black Panther' Isn't Just Another Black Superhero
The recently announced feature, scheduled for November 2017, may be the first Afrofuturist film with a shot of blockbuster success.
For One Artist, Colorblindness Opened Up A World Of Black And White
After his diagnosis, Peter Milton wasn't about to abandon art; but he did feel he had to abandon color. Today he says he finds black and white to be "fully more elegant than color."
Cosbys Start A 'Conversation' With African-American Art
Bill and Camille Cosby have loaned more than 60 pieces of art to the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art. NPR's Scott Simon speaks with the Cosbys about their collection.
'National Gallery' Offers A Lingering Look At Art
Filmmaker Frederick Wiseman's latest documentary takes audiences behind-the-scenes at London's National Gallery and delves into the stories being told in paintings. Wiseman tells NPR's Robert Siegel what he learned and how he goes about filmmaking.
How Kodak's Shirley Cards Set Photography's Skin-Tone Standard
Named for the original model — an employee of Kodak — the portraits were used by photo labs to calibrate printers. But until the 1970s, that model was always white.