ROYAL AIR FORCE MUSEUM TO BUILD 116 METER TALL BEACON

A SHINING TWISTED BEACON TALLER THAN THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT COULD BE CREATED TO REMEMBER THE SACRIFICES MADE DURING THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN. THE 116 METER TALL LANDMARK BUILDING IS PLANNED FOR THE ROYAL AIR FORCE MUSEUM IN HENDON, NORTH WEST LONDON, AND WOULD BE ALMOST 10 METERS TALLER THAN THE FAMOUS CLOCK TOWER AT THE PALACE OF WESTMINSTER. THE UNIQUE BUILDING, PROVISIONALLY CALLED THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN BEACON, WOULD BE VISIBLE FROM THE CENTER OF LONDON AND WILL HOUSE A PERMANENT EXHIBITION ABOUT THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN IF THE FUNDS FOR CONSTRUCTION ARE FOUND. THE ROYAL AIR FORCE MUSEUM IS CURRENTLY MARKING THE 70th ANNIVERSARY OF THE AIR CAMPAIGN AND ANNOUNCED ITS VISION FOR THE FUTURE AT A RECENT FUND-RAISING EVENT. DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR KEITH IFOULD SAID THE PROJECT WOULD COST AN ESTIMATED £80 MILLION SECURED THROUGH PRIVATE FUNDING AND THERE ARE SEVERAL INTERESTED PARTIES. THE DISTINCTIVE DESIGN HAS ALSO BEEN WELL RECEIVED, HE SAID. 'WE HAVE HAD AN AMAZINGLY POSITIVE RESPONSE TO IT. LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE SAYING 'THIS MUST BE BUILT'. IT IS HOPED THE BUILDING WOULD ALLOW WIDER PUBLIC ACCESS AND ENSURE THAT THE MUSEUM'S UNIQUE COLLECTION OF BATTLE OF BRITAIN AIRCRAFT, MEMORABILIA AND ARCHIVES IS PRESERVED FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. THE MUSEUM IS CONSULTING ON ITS PLANS AND HOPES TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT WITHIN THE LIFETIME OF SOME OF THE SURVIVING VETERANS OF THE BATTLE. NEARLY 3,000 RAF PILOTS WERE INVOLVED IN THE BATTLE, WHICH KILLED 544.

ANNE RICE LISTS HER RANCHO MIRAGE HOUSE ON THE MARKET

AUTHOR ANNE RICE HAS RECENTLY LISTED HER RESIDENCE IN RANCHO MIRAGE FOR $3.3 MILLION. BUILT IN 1995, THE LOW-SLUNG HOUSE HAS A FORMAL DINING ROOM AND LIVING ROOM DESIGNED FOR ENTERTAINING, SIX BEDROOMS, SEVEN BATHROOMS AND A MAID'S QUARTERS. THE STUNNING RESIDENCE SITS ON MORE THAN AN ACRE OF LUSHLY LANDSCAPED GROUNDS IN A PRIVATE GATED COMMUNITY. ALSO INCLUDED IS A DETACHED TWO-BEDROOM GUESTHOUSE HAS A FULL KITCHEN AND LIVING ROOM. 'THE HOUSE HAS BEEN A MARVELOUS PLACE TO WRITE, TO ENTERTAIN, TO DO INTERVIEWS, AND MANY REPORTERS AND CAMERA CREWS HAVE BEEN IN AND OUT FOR VARIOUS PROGRAMS', RICE SAID ABOUT THE HOUSE. SHE WORKED ON HER LAST THREE NOVELS IN THE HOUSE; 'CHRIST THE LORD:THE ROAD TO CANA', THE THRILLER 'ANGEL TIME' AND THE SPIRITUAL MEMOIR 'CALLED OUT OF DARKNESS'. RICE IS SELLING THE HOUSE BECAUSE SHE WOULD LIKE A SMALLER WRITERS' RETREAT IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY. SHE BOUGHT THE PROPERTY IN LATE 2005 AND HAS ADDED NEW FLAGSTONES IN THE POOL AREA AND REAR PATHWAYS, FRUIT TREES, CALIFORNIA PEPPERS AND OLEANDERS, A THIRD FIREPLACE IN THE DEN, NEW KITCHEN CABINETS. 'I'VE LOVED IT HERE IN THUNDERBIRD HEIGHTS WITH VIEWS OF THE VALLEY AND THE MOUNTAINS', SAID THE AUTHOR, WHO HAS SOLD ALMOST 100 MILLION BOOKS. 'IT MIGHT SEEM AN UNLIKELY PLACE FOR THE AUTHOR OF 'INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE', AND OTHER SUPERNATURAL NOVELS, HAILING FROM NEW ORLEANS, BUT IT'S BEEN A LOVELY PLACE TO WRITE.'

PIAGET QR CODE

LUXURY WATCHMAKER AND JEWELER PIAGET HAS RECENTLY UNVEILED THE FIRST EVER DIAMOND STUDDED QUICK RESPONSE CODE. THE QR CODE CONSISTS OF A SMALL PICTOGRAM AND IS MADE UP OF LITTLE BLACK AND WHITE SQUARES THAT WORKS AS A FULL-FLEDGED MULTIMEDIA COMMUNICATION TOOL, IT HAS THE AMAZING CAPACITY TO STORE PHOTOS, TEXTS AND VIDEOS. THE PIAGET QR CODE IS TRULY EXCEPTIONAL, IT IS MADE OF 18 CARAT WHITE GOLD AND IS SET WITH 1,042 BRILLIANT-CUT DIAMONDS AND 520 BLACK SPINELS. ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE QR CODE IS WHEN SCANNED IT DIRECTS PEOPLE TO PIAGET'S WEBSITE CELEBRATING THE 20th ANNIVERSARY OF THE POSSESSION LINE.

QUEEN ELIZABETH'S HORSE WINS TROPHY AT ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW

QUEEN ELIZABETH IS ACCUSTOMED TO BEING IN THE PRESENCE OF SOME OF THE MOST GLITTERING AND DAZZLING THINGS MONEY AND PRESTIGE CAN ACQUIRE. BUT WHEN SHE WAS PRESENTED A SILVER TROPHY SHE COULD ONLY LOOK DOWN AT IT WITH DISBELIEF. THE QUEEN APPEARED TO BE LOST FOR WORDS WHEN GIVEN THE CUP, AWARDED TO ONE OF HER STEEDS IN THE ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW. HER BELOVED STARDUST III, RIDDEN BY KATIE JERRAM, WON THE LADIES SIDE-SADDLE CLASS AT THE FAMOUS EQUESTRIAN EVENT. THE MONARCH SHARED THE VICTORIOUS MOMENT WITH THE YOUNG JOCKEY, WHO LOOKED OVER THE TROPHY AS IF TO REASSURE HER MAJESTY THAT IT WAS INDEED FOR REAL. THE QUEEN WAS DRESSED UNASSUMINGLY IN A KHAKI GREEN TRENCH COAT, AND A VINTAGE HERMES SILK SCARF WRAPPED AROUND HER HEAD. HELD ANNUALLY SINCE 1943 FOR FIVE DAYS IN MAY OR JUNE IN WINDSOR HOME PARK, THE ROYAL WINDSOR HORSE SHOW HAS ALWAYS ENJOYED THE ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT OF THE QUEEN AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY. THE QUEEN IS AN AVID HORSE RIDER HERSELF AND HAS WON THE SINGLE PRIVATE DRIVING EVENT ON HER PONY HANS. PRINCE PHILIP IS ALSO KNOWN TO REGULARLY COMPETE IN THE CARRIAGE RIDING RACES.

AUSTRALIAN HOUSE FILLED WITH ROYAL FAMILY MEMORABILIA

WITH ONE OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST COLLECTION OF BRITISH ROYAL FAMILY MEMORABILIA, JANET AND PHILIP WILLIAMS HAVE CREATED THEIR OWN LITTLE WORLD OF THE HOUSE OF WINDSOR, TURING THEIR FOUR-BEDROOM FAMILY HOME IN WOONONA, AUSTRALIA, INTO A ROYAL MUSEUM, WHICH ATTRACTS THOUSANDS OF CURIOUS VISITORS EACH YEAR. AN ABUNDANCE OF UNION JACK FLAGS FILL THE FRONT GARDEN AND ON THE PORCH, A FACSIMILE OF CHARLES AND CAMILLA CAN BE FOUND TAKING IN THE SUN, HAND IN HAND. STEP INSIDE THE QUAINT HOME AND THE UNIQUE ROYAL TOUR CONTINUES. FROM A LIFE-SIZE MODEL OF THE QUEEN, WITH A SMALL CORGI NIPPING AT HER ANKLES, TO ROOMS FULL OF COMMEMORATIVE CHINA, INCLUDING NUMEROUS PLATES, CUPS AND ASSORTED FIGURINES, AND EVEN A PAIR OF CHARLES AND DIANA SLIPPERS. IT ALL BEGAN WHEN JANET WILLIAMS, ORIGINALLY FROM GATESHEAD, MET THE QUEEN ON ROYAL VISIT IN 1952. 'MY MUM BOUGHT ME A ROYAL COMMEMORATIVE TOUR MUG', SHE RECALLS. 'THAT STARTED MY COLLECTION, AND I HAVEN'T STOPPED TO THIS DAY.' THE HOUSE CONTAIN MORE THAN 12,000 ITEMS, BOUGHT FROM MARKETS, ANTIQUE SHOPS OR EBAY, AND THEY'RE JUST THE ONES THAT JANET HAS COUNTED. SEVEN YEARS AGO, THE COUPLE HAD TO BUILD A BIGGER HOUSE TO ACCOMMODATE THE GROWING COLLECTION. PRINCESS DIANA, JANET'S IDOL, HAS HER OWN MEMORIAL ROOM, WITH ELTON JOHN'S 'CANDLE IN THE WIND' PLAYING ON A LOOP.

LOUIS VUITTON YOUNG ARTS PROJECT

LOUIS VUITTON HAS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THE LAUNCH OF THE LOUIS VUITTON YOUNG ARTS PROJECT, AN UNPRECEDENTED PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN LOUIS VUITTON AND FIVE OF LONDON'S LEADING ART INSTITUTIONS: HAYWARD GALLERY, ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS, SOUTH LONDON GALLERY, TATE BRITAIN AND WHITECHAPEL GALLERY. THE LOUIS VUITTON YOUNG ARTS PROJECT EMBODIES THE BRAND'S CREATIVE SPIRIT AND ITS LONG TRADITION OF ARTS PATRONAGE, AS WELL AS ITS ONGOING COMMITMENT TO CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND TO LONDON. FOLLOWING THE SPONSORSHIP OF NUMEROUS EXHIBITIONS AT MAJOR INSTITUTIONS, AND THE SUCCESS OF THE LOUIS VUITTON ART TALKS SERIES AT WHICH ARTISTS INTERACT CLOSELY WITH THE INVITED AUDIENCE, LOUIS VUITTON WANTED TO CELEBRATE THE OPENING OF THE NEW BOND STREET MAISON WITH A MAJOR NEW PROJECT THAT WOULD EXTEND OPPORTUNITIES TO YOUNGER, OFTEN LESS PRIVILEGED PEOPLE TO ACCESS THE ART WORLD. THE THREE YEAR ARTS AND EDUCATION PROGRAM WILL GIVE YOUNG LONDONERS FROM ACROSS THE CITY UNIQUE ACCESS TO MUSEUM DIRECTORS AND CURATORS, ARTISTS AND COLLECTORS WHO SHAPE THE BRITISH CONTEMPORARY ART SCENE, WHICH IS WIDELY ACKNOWLEDGED AS ONE OF THE MOST DYNAMIC AND SUCCESSFUL IN THE WORLD. THE YOUNG ART PROJECT WILL ADD A VIBRANT CULTURAL DIMENSION TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S LIVES, AND ALLOW THE PARTICIPANTS TO GAIN THE INSIGHT, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES NECESSARY TO CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF PURSUING A CAREER IN THE ARTS.

BONHAMS TO HOLD FIRST EVER PICASSO EDITIONS SALE

BONHAM'S, LONDON, WILL HOLD THEIR FIRST EVER PICASSO EDITIONS SALE FEATURING CERAMICS, PRINTS AND JEWELRY BY THE MOST CELEBRATED ARTIST OF THE 20th CENTURY, IN KNIGHTSBRIDGE SALES ROOM ON 22.SEPTEMBER. PICASSO ITEMS HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN SOLD IN OTHER BONHAMS SALES, BUT THIS WILL BE THE FIRST AUCTION TO BE DEVOTED PURELY TO THE WORKS OF THE ARTIST. AS WELL AS CERAMICS, THERE IS ALREADY A SPECIAL EARLY CONSIGNMENT OF TWO OF THE NINETEEN SILVER PLATES DESIGNED BY PICASSO, INCLUDING ONE TITLED 'DORMEUR', HIS FIRST EXPERIMENT IN THE USE OF SILVER. PICASSO BEGAN DESIGNING IN SILVER PLATES IN THE MID 1950s. FOLLOWING A METING WITH THE SILVERSMITH FRANCOIS HUGO. HAVING GIVEN HIM THE PLATTER 'DORMEUR' AS A MODEL, PICASSO WAS SAID TO HAVE BEEN SO PLEASED WITH THE RESULT THAT HE IMMEDIATELY ASKED HUGO TO CREATE ANOTHER FOUR LIKE IT. FROM THE EDITION OF JUST TWENTY EACH, BOTH 'DORMEUR' AND 'JOUEUR DE FLUTE AT CAVALIER' ARE EXCELLENT EXAMPLES OF THE PLAYFUL AND ICONIC MOTIFS TO BE FOUND IN PICASSO'S EDITIONS. THEY ARE ESTIMATED AT £10,000-15,000 EACH. THE SALE HAS BEEN INTRODUCED BY BONHAMS SPECIALIST RUTH GRAHAM WHO HAS BEEN WITH THE FIRM SINCE 2008.

RARE CONSTABLE NUDE HIDDEN FOR 145 YEARS SELLS FOR £20,000

A FEMALE NUDE SKETCH BY JOHN CONSTABLE HAS RECENTLY SOLD FOR £20,000 AFTER IT WAS COVERED UP FOR 145 YEARS BY ITS PRUDISH OWNER WHO THOUGHT IT WAS TOO RISQUE. THE STUNNING PENCIL DRAWING FEATURING THE BARE BOTTOM OF A NAKED WOMAN WAS PLACED IN AN ALBUM OF OTHER WORKS BY THE ARTIST, AND HAD A DINNER INVITATION PASTED OVER IT. THE OWNER, THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN A BRITISH ARISTOCRAT, DECIDED TO HIDE IT AS SHE DIDN'T WANT TO OFFEND PEOPLE WHEN SHOWING OFF THE ALBUM. DURING THE VICTORIAN TIMES, NUDE ART AND PUBLIC NAKEDNESS WAS CONSIDERED OFFENSIVE AND OBSCENE. UNFORTUNATELY, SHE DIDN'T TELL ANYONE ABOUT IT AND NOBODY KNEW OF ITS EXISTENCE UNTIL 145 YEARS LATER WHEN A LUCKY ART ENTHUSIAST PURCHASED THE ALBUM. THE ART SEALER PEELED OF THE INVITATION TO EXPOSE THE CONSTABLE ORIGINAL, WHICH IS THOUGHT TO HAVE BEEN DRAWN IN 1808. ALTHOUGH THERE IS SOME MINOR GLUE STAINING ON IT, COVERING IT FOR SO LONG ACTUALLY HELPED PRESERVE THE CONDITION OF THE DRAWING. CONSTABLE WAS FAMED FOR HIS LANDSCAPE PAINTINGS, INCLUDING THE HAY WAIN, BUT HE WAS ALSO AN ACCOMPLISHED PORTRAIT ARTIST AND OCCASIONALLY DREW NUDE FIGURES. THIS ONE CAME UP FOR SALE AT AUCTION AT BONHAM'S LONDON. IT HAD AN ESTIMATE OF ABOUT £5,000 BUT SOLD FOR FOUR TIMES THAT AMOUNT. CHARLIE O'BRIEN, HEAD OF 19th CENTURY PAINTINGS AT BONHAM'S, SAID: 'IT IS A BEAUTIFUL DRAWING AND ALTHOUGH IT WAS DRAWN IN THE EARLY 1880s IT WAS REMARKABLY MODERN FOR ITS TIME. IT HAS A WONDERFUL SENSE OF MOVEMENT, WITH THE WAY THE WOMAN TURNS HER HEAD OVER HER SHOULDER. IT DOES HAVE GREAT RESONANCE WITH COLLECTORS TODAY. THE VICTORIANS' ATTITUDE TO NUDE ART WAS MORE PURITAN THAN TODAY AND THE OWNER OF THIS ALBUM WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN THE FIRST TO COVER UP SUCH WORK, ALTHOUGH A MORE INNOCENT DRAWING IS HARD TO IMAGINE. THE ALBUM WAS BOUGHT BY AN ART DEALER YEARS LATER. WHEN HE WAS LOOKING THROUGH IT, THE PREVIOUSLY HIDDEN DRAWING CAME TO LIGHT HIDDEN BENEATH AN INVITATION TO A ROYAL ACADEMY DINNER. WE PUT A VERY CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE OF BETWEEN £4,000 TO £6,000 ON IT BUT IT WAS BOUGHT BY A PRIVATE LONDON COLLECTOR FOR A LOT MORE THAN THAT."

QUEEN VISITS THE COMPANY OF PIKEMEN AND MUSKETEERS

THE QUEEN WAS REDUCED TO A FIT OF GIGGLES WHEN A "17th CENTURY" MILITARY OFFICER CLAD IN ARMOR HAD A LITTLE TROUBLE SITTING DOWN NEXT TO HER. THE MONARCH SAW THE FUNNY SIDE OF THINGS AS SHE TOOK HER PLACE AMONGST A GROUP OF HISTORICALLY ATTIRED SERVICEMEN, WHO ACT AS THE LORD MAYOR OF LONDON'S BODYGUARDS, FOR A GROUP PHOTOGRAPH. WHEN MAJOR PAUL CHAMPNESS, CAPTAIN OF THE COMPANY OF PIKEMEN AND MUSKETEERS OF THE HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY, TRIED TO TAKE HIS SEAT NEXT TO THE QUEEN, HIS METAL THIGH PROTECTORS, KNOWN AS TASSETTS, BRUSHED AGAINST HER. WEARING A BREAST PLATE AND HELMET HE SQUEEZED HIMSELF BETWEEN THE HEAD OF STATE AND THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AND WRIGGLED TO CREATE SOME SPACE WHICH LEFT THE QUEEN LAUGHING AT THEIR PREDICAMENT. IT WAS THE SECOND DAY RUNNING A GROUP PICTURE OF THE MONARCH WITH A MILITARY UNIT HAD SUFFERED A SLIGHT MISHAP. ON TUESDAY THE QUEEN SAT DOWN IN THE WRONG SEAT IN FRONT OF THE MASSED RANKS OF THE 1st BATTALION, THE GRENADIER GUARDS MOMENTS BEFORE A PHOTOGRAPHER PRESSED THE SHUTTER. THE COMPANY OF PIKEMEN AND MUSKETEERS WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1925 AND RECEIVED A ROYAL WARRANT 30 YEARS LATER IN 1955. IT IS MADE UP OF MILITARY VETERANS WHO HAVE SERVED WITH THE HONORABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY, A TERRITORIAL ARMY UNIT, THAT HAS SERVED THE QUEEN AS ITS CAPTAIN-GENERAL. THE PIKEMEN AND MUSKETEERS WEAR THE UNIFORM OF THE PERIOD OF CHARLES I AND CAN BE SEEN AT STATE CIVIC OCCASIONS. THE QUEEN VISITED THE MILITARY VETERANS AT THEIR HOME IN ARMOURY HOUSE NEAR LONDON'S BARBICAN TO REVIEW THEIR UNIT AND TAKE THE ROYAL SALUTE.

QUEEN ELIZABETH INVITES NEW PRIME MINISTER TO FORM GOVERMENT

THE QUEEN ELIZABETH GAVE GORDON BROWN A PARTING GIFT FROM SAMANTHA CAMERON'S STATIONERY SHOP, SMYTHSON. THE GIFT OF TWO SIGNED PHOTOGRAPHS IN LEATHER FRAMES FROM THE BOND STREET STORE WAS MADE AFTER BROWN FORMALLY TENDERED HIS RESIGNATION AS PRIME MINISTER AS PART OF A CONSTITUTIONAL RITUAL THAT HAS BEEN LARGELY UNCHANGED SINCE THE DAYS OF CHARLES II. PROTOCOL DICTATES THAT PRIME MINISTERS ARE NOT APPOINTED, THEY ARE INVITED TO TAKE THE JOB BY THE REIGNING MONARCH. THE PROCEDURE OFTEN REFERRED TO AS 'KISSING HANDS' WAS SET INTO MOTION YESTERDAY WHEN GORDON BROWN ARRIVED AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE JUST BEFORE 7.30pm. HIS LAST OFFICIAL DUTY OF OFFICE WAS TO INFORM THE QUEEN THAT SHE SHOULD SEND FOR DAVID CAMERON. THE TORY WAS HELD UP IN LONDON TRAFFIC, BUT FINALLY ARRIVED AT 8.08pm. DURING HIS AUDIENCE, CAMERON TOOK THE QUEEN'S HAND, BUT DID NOT KISS IT OR KNEEL, BEFORE BEING ASKED IF HE COULD FORM A NEW GOVERNMENT. AFTER REPLYING 'YES, MA'AM', CAMERON WAS THEN INVITED TO BECOME THE NEW PRIME MINISTER, THE 14th DURING QUEEN ELIZABETH'S REIGN.

JORDON'S QUEEN RANIA'S FOURTH BOOK TOPS BEST SELLER LIST

'IT ALL BEGAN WITH A PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY SANDWICH... AND IT ENDED WITH A HUMMUS SANDWICH.' THAT'S HOW HER MAJESTY QUEEN RANIA AL ABDULLAH OF JORDAN STARTS 'THE SANDWICH SWAP', HER CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK WHICH HAS JUST BECOME A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER. IN THE STORY, RANIA'S FORTH TALE FOR CHILDREN TO BE PUBLISHED, THE SANDWICHES PROVIDE A LINK INTO A STORY OF TWO FRIENDS FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, WHO AFTER THEY SWAP THEIR LUNCHES, DISCOVER THEY HAVE MORE IN COMMON THAN THEY REALIZED. THE MOTHER OF FOUR, WELL KNOWN FOR HER WORK PROMOTING CROSS-CULTURAL DIALOGUE, HOPES THAT THE BOOK WILL TEACH YOUNG PEOPLE ABOUT THE VALUES OF UNDERSTANDING AND COMPASSION. AND THIS WEEK THE BOOK SHOT STRAIGHT TO THE TOP OF THE CHARTS TO BECOME NUMBER ONE SELLING CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOK IN THE US, ACCORDING TO THE BIG APPLE NEWSPAPER. SET TO CELEBRATE HER 40th BIRTHDAY LATER THIS YEAR, THE QUEEN WAS RECENTLY ON THE PROMOTIONAL BOOK TOUR THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATS. QUEEN RANIA'S SHARE OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALES OF THE BOOK, WHICH SHE CO-WROTE WITH KELLY DIPUCCHIO AND FEATURES ILLUSTRATIONS BY TRICIA TUSA, WILL GO TO MADRASATI JORDON, AN EDUCATION INITIATIVE LAUNCHED BY THE QUEEN TO RENOVATE AND BETTER THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT IN 500 STATE-RUN SCHOOLS.

CHRISTIE'S SELLS JASPER JOHNS' FLAG FOR £19,476,900

THE QUALITY, SCOPE AND INNOVATIVE VISION OF THE LATE AUTHOR MICHAEL CRICHTON'S COLLECTION OF CONTEMPORARY ART COMPELLED BUYERS AT CHRISTIS'S ON 11.MAY. THE FOCAL POINT OF THE SALE WAS JASPER JOHNS; FLAG, 1960-1966, SELLING FOR £19,476,900, THE HIGHEST PRICE PAID EVER ACHIEVED FOR WORK BY JOHNS AT AUCTION. THE COLLECTION REALIZED £63,459,980 AND SOLD 100% BY LOT AND BY VALUE. FOUR BIDDERS VIED FOR THE FLAG WHICH TOOK TWO MINUTES TO SELL. THE WINNING BIDDER WAS A MEMBER OF THE US ART TRADE. COMPLETED BY JOHNS IN 1966, THE WORK, EXECUTED IN ENCAUSTIC, WAS PURCHASED BY CRICHTON OVER THIRTY YEARS AGO FROM THE ARTIST'S OWN COLLECTION OF WORKS. IT WAS LAST SEEN IN PUBLIC IN 1992 AND WAS A KEY PIECE IN THE COMPREHENSIVE AND PRIZED COLLECTION CULTIVATED BY THE BEST-SELLING AUTHOR. JOHNS' ICONIC AMERICAN FLAG SERIES IS CREDITED WITH JUMP-STARTING THE POP ART MOVEMENT; PAVING THE WAY FOR THE AVANT GARDE WORKS OF ANDY WARHOL AND ROY LICHTENSTEIN IN THE MID 1960s. THE PREVIOUS RECORD WAS FOR JOHNS' FIGURE 4,1959, ENCAUSTIC AND PRINTED PAPER COLLAGE ON CANVAS, SOLD AT CHRISTIE'S IN MAY 2005 FOR $17.4 MILLION.

PRINCE WILLIAM AND PRINCE HARRY TO VISIT SOUTHERN AFRICA

PRINCE WILLIAM AND PRINCE HARRY WILL BE ADDING THEIR WEIGHT TO ENGLAND'S BID TO HOST THE 2018 WORLD CUP BY TRAVELING TO SOUTH AFRICA FOR THIS YEAR'S TOURNAMENT. WILLIAM, THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT, AND HARRY WILL TAKE THEIR FIRST EVER JOINT OFFICIAL OVERSEAS TOUR IN ORDER TO BACK THE FA'S PLANS TO STAGE THE EVENT IN EIGHT YEARS' TIME. WILLIAM AND HARRY WILL TAKE TO THE STANDS AT CAPE TOWN'S GREEN POINT STADIUM WHEN ENGLAND PLAYS ALGERIA IN THEIR SECOND GROUP STAGE MATCH IN JUNE AND THEY WILL ALSO JOIN FIFA EXECUTIVES AT A RECEPTION. IT IS HOPED THAT THE ROYAL WILL BE ABLE TO MEET ENGLAND MANAGER FABIO CAPELLO'S TEAM IF IT DOES NOT DISRUPT THEIR PREPARATIONS. LORD TRIESMAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE 2018 BID, SAID: 'WE'RE EXTREMELY HONORED THAT PRINCE WILLIAM AND PRINCE HARRY WILL BE SUPPORTING ENGLAND'S BID TO HOST THE FIFA WORLD CUP WHILE IN SOUTH AFRICA. AS PRESIDENT OF THE FA, PRINCE WILLIAM IS A FIRM ADVOCATE OF THE BID AND WE'RE DELIGHTED THAT BOTH HE AND PRINCE HARRY WILL BE SUPPORTING US DURING THE SUMMER.' THE TRIP IS PART OF A SHORT TOUR OF SOUTHERN AFRICA WHICH WILL ALSO INCLUDE TRIPS TO BOTSWANA AND LESOTHO, TWO NATIONS WHERE THE PRINCES HAVE CHARITY INTERESTS. IN BOTSWANA, THEY WILL SEE THE WORK OF THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION THE TUSK TRUST, WHICH HAS WILLIAM AS ITS PATRON, WHILE IN LESOTHO THE CHARITY SENTEBALE, WHICH HARRY CO-FOUNDED, WILL SHOW OFF PROJECTS HELPING VULNERABLE CHILDREN AND ORPHANS. THE ROYALS WILL VISIT SOUTHERN AFRICA FROM 14-19.JUNE.

UPS TRUCK CRASHES INTO HIRSHHORN MUSEUM'S FACADE

THE HIRSHHORN MUSEUM AND SCULPTURE GARDEN MADE AN UNINTENTIONAL ACQUISITION LAST NIGHT WHEN A UPS TRUCK VEERED FROM THE STREET, BREAKING THROUGH CEMENT PLANTERS PLACED OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING AND CRASHING INTO THE GLASS-FRONTED LOBBY OF THE ICONIC WASHINGTON DC INSTITUTION. THE DRIVER HAD BEEN TRAVELING PAST THE MUSEUM ON INDEPENDENCE AVENUE SW, THE STREET THAT RUNS PAST THE CAPITAL'S TOURIST HEAVY MUSEUM DISTRICT ON THE WASHINGTON MALL, WHEN THE DRIVER 'SUFFERED SOME KIND OF MEDICAL CONDITION, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS, AND LOST CONTROL OF THE TRUCK' AROUND 8.30pm, A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE MUSEUM SAID IN A RECENT OVERVIEW. BEFORE STRIKING THE MUSEUM, TRAVELING ABOUT A FOOT OR SO THROUGH THE LOBBY'S EXTERIOR, THE UPS TRUCK PASSED BETWEEN CLAUS OLDENBURG'S 1791 SCULPTURE GEOMETRIC MOUSE AND JIM SANDBORN'S 1997 COPPER AND PETRIFIED WOOD SCULPTURE ANTIPODES, WHICH STAND IN THE BUILDING'S COURTYARD. THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO AN AREA HOSPITAL WITH 'SERIOUS BUT NOT LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES'. BECAUSE THE HIRSHHORN IA A FEDERAL BUILDING, THE METROPOLITAN POLICE'S SQUAD WAS CALLED IN TO CLEAR THE AREA AND SCREEN THE PACKAGES IN THE UPS TRUCK, BUT NO SUSPICIOUS MATERIAL WAS FOUND. 'THE ONLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION WE HAD THAT THERE WAS A FUEL SPILL FRO THE TRUCK, BUT WE CLEANED THAT UP', THE MUSEUM SPOKESPERSON SAID. AS OF TUESDAY AFTERNOON PLYWOOD WAS COVERING THE DAMAGED SITE ON THE MUSEUM'S FACADE, BUT THE LOBBY WAS OPEN TO VISITORS.

BONHAMS TO SELL ART DECO STATUETTE ONCE OWNED BY ELTON JOHN

A STUNNING AND PROVOCATIVE ART DECO STATUETTE, 'THE CIGARETTE GIRL', ESTIMATED AT £20,000 – 30,000, ONCE OWNED BY ELTON JOHN IS COMING UP FOR AUCTION AT BONHAMS 'DEIGN FROM 1680' SALE ON 16.JUNE. DURING THE 1970s, THE SINGER AMASSED A HIGH QUALITY ART DECO COLLECTION, SPARKING A FASHION AMONG THE RICH AND FAMOUS FOR WORKS OF THIS PROLIFIC PERIOD OF DESIGN. MUCH OF JOHN'S ART DECO COLLECTION WAS DISPERSED AT AUCTION IN 1988. THE BRONZE AND IVORY FIGURE SHOWS A SELF CONFIDENT YOUNG WOMAN, ARMS CROSSED, POSING PLAYFULLY AND PROVOCATIVELY WITH A CIGARETTE. DRESSED IN A REMARKABLY MODERN WAY FOR A WOMAN OF THE TIME (HER LEATHER JACKET AND TIGHT FITTING TROUSERS. LATER KNOWN AS CIGARETTE TROUSERS, BRING TO MIND THE LOOKS OF GARBO AND DIETRICH). THE CIGARETTE GIRL IS TE WORK OF MASTER SCULPTOR BRONO ZACH. ZACH SPECIALIZED IN PORTRAYALS OF WOMEN IN FLIRTATIOUS POSES AND HIS WOK HAS STEADILY INCREASED IN VALUE IN RECENT YEARS. IN 2009, BONHAMS SOLD HIS 'THE RIDING CROP' FOR A WORLD RECORD PRICE OF £60,000.

FANTASY ARTIST FRANK FRAZETTA HAS DIED AT 82

PIONEERING FANTASY ARTIST FRANK FRAZETTA HAS DIED IN A FORT MYERS, FLA, HOSPITAL. HE WAS 82. MANAGER ROB PISTELLA SAYS FRAZETTA DIED MONDAY MORNING, A DAY AFTER SUFFERING A STROKE. HE SAYS FRAZETTA HAD BEEN OUT TO DINNER WITH HIS DAUGHTERS SUNDAY BEFORE FALLING ILL. FRAZETTA IS RENOWNED FOR HIS SCI-FI AND FANTASY ART. HE CREATED COVERS AND ILLUSTRATIONS FOR MORE THAN 150 BOOKS AND MAGAZINES, INCLUDING CONAN THE BARBARIAN AND TARZAN. HIS DAUGHTER, HEIDI FRAZETTA GRABIN, SAYS SHE IS HOPEFUL THAT A DISPUTE AMONG SIBLINGS OVER HER FATHER'S ARTWORK HAS BEEN RESOLVED THROUGH RECENT NEGOTIATIONS. HIS SON, FRANK FRAZETTA, WAS CHARGED IN DECEMBER WITH USING A BACKHOE TO BREAK INTO THE ARTIST'S MUSEUM IN THE POCONOS AND TRYING TO REMOVE DOZENS OF ARTWORKS.

GALERIE CAMERA WORK TO PRESENTS EXHIBITION OF ROBERT POLIDORI PHOTOGRAPHIC WORKS

FROM 8.MAY THROUGH 26.JUNE, GALERIE CAMERA WORK, BERLIN, WILL BE PRESENTING THE WORKS OF PHOTOGRAPHER ROBERT POLIDORI IN ITS GALLERY SHOWROOMS. THE EXHIBITION ENTIRELY FOCUSES ON THE POWERFUL BEAUTY OF THE PALACE OF VERSAILLES. POLIDORI'S EXTENSIVE DOCUMENTATION OF THE RESTORATION PROCESS OF THE LATE 1980s IS SUPPLEMENTED BY CURRENT WORKS WHICH HAVE NEVER BEEN EXHIBITED BEFORE. THE EXHIBITED PHOTOGRAPHS PRESENT AN EXCLUSIVE SELECTION OF THE THREE-VOLUME ILLUSTRATED BOOK 'PARCOURS MUSEOLOGIQUE REVISITE' WHICH WAS RECENTLY RELEASED BY STEIDL PUBLISHING HOUSE. THE STUNNING BOOK COMPREHENSIVELY DOCUMENTS POLIDORI'S MONUMENTAL PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK AT THE PALACE OF VERSAILLES OVER A PERIOD OF 25 YEARS. THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF VERSAILLES ARE GRANDIOSE WITNESSES OF A WORLD LONG GONE. POLIDORI UNDERSTANDS HOW TO SUBTLY DETECT THE INTERFACE BETWEEN OLD AND NEW, AND, IN THE PROCESS, TO LOOK FOR THE 'EMBLEMATIC MOMENT' OF THE LOCATION, THE UNITY OF PAST AND PRESENT. IN DOING SO, THE PHOTOGRAPHER IS A MASTER OF SPECIAL AESTHETICS AND COMPOSITION. HIS PICTURES ARE COMPLEX STILL LIFES, WHICH, IN THEIR COLOURFULNESS AND UNIQUE QUALITY, PROVIDE A BACKDROP FOR THE IMAGINATION OF THE BEHOLDER. IN THE PEACEFUL STILLNESS AND THE DETAILED NATURE OF HIS PICTURES LIES AN EXCEPTIONAL FORCE.
ROBERT POLIDORI, WHO WAS BORN IN MONTREAL IN 1951, CURRENTLY LIVES IN NEW YORK AND PARIS. EXTENSIVE PHOTO ARTICLES PUBLISHED IS SUCH MAGAZINES AS THE NEW YORKER, FOR WHICH HE WORKS AS EDITORIAL PHOTOGRAPHER ALONGSIDE MARTIN SCHOELLER, ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST, GEO, AND VANITY FAIR MARKED THE FOUNDATION OF POLIDORI'S INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS, WHICH HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN RECOGNIZED BY HIS RECEIVING AWARDS SUCH AS THE DEUTCHE FOTOBUCHPREIS OR THE ALFRED-EISENSTADT-AWARD. APART FROM THE SPLENDID PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE PALACES OF THE WORLD, POLIDORI ALSO DOCUMENTS THE OFTEN DEVASTATING IMPACT OF HUMAN ENCROACHMENT UPON HIS ENVIRONMENT, AS EXEMPLIFIED BY HIS HAUNTING SERIES ON THE CHERNOBYL DISASTER AND HIS DOCUMENTATION OF THE IMPACT OF HURRICANE 'KATRINA' IN 2005.

'DALI IN THE THIRD DIMENSION'

'DALI IN THE THIRD DIMENSION' IS A NEWLY PUBLISHED STUDY OF THREE DIMENSIONAL ARTWORKS BY SALVADOR DALI. THE IMPRESSIVE HARDBACK BOOK, 334 PAGES, CONTAINS OVER 250 STUNNING COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHS DETAILING MORE THAN 150 ARTWORKS. THE READER IS INVITED TO ADMIRE THE IMPRESSIVE COLLECTION OF SCULPTURE AND TO DISCOVER THE HISTORY BEHIND THEIR CREATION. FROM THE DELICATE SHIMMERING BEAUTY OF THE SURREALIST GLASS DAUM SCULPTURE, TO A MAJESTIC AWE INSPIRING MONUMENTAL BRONZE SCULPTURE, THE BOOK IS AT ONCE AN INTELLECTUAL MEDITATION AND AN EXCITING ADDITION TO ANY DALI AFICIONADOS LIBRARY. 'DALI IN THE THIRD DIMENSION' DETAILS THE VAST COLLECTION AMASSED BY MR LEVI, PRESIDENT OF THE STRATTON FOUNDATION, WHO HAS DEDICATED OVER 40 YEARS OF HIS LIFE IN RESEARCHING, IDENTIFYING AND COLLECTING DALI ARTWORKS. THE BOOK IS AT ONCE THE STORY OF AN INCREDIBLE COLLECTION AND HISTORICAL TESTIMONY OF ONE MAN'S ADMIRATION AND DEDICATION. INCLUDING TEXT BY DALI WORLD EXPERTS ROBERTS DESCHARNES, ALBERT FIELD AND A REYNOLDS MORSE, THE BOOK ENTHRALLS READERS AND INVITES THEM TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DALI'S THIRD DIMENSIONAL ARTWORKS; THE COLLECTION HAS ALREADY BEEN SEEN BY MORE THAN TEN MILLION PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD AND EXHIBITED IN OVER EIGHTY PRESTIGIOUS MUSEUMS AND LOCATIONS. THE BOOK SERVES TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF A MAJOR ASPECT OF DALI'S GENIUS AND SERVES AS AN EXCELLENT INTRODUCTION TO THE SURREALIST MIND OF THE CATALAN GENIUS.

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE AND SOTHEBY'S TO HOLD CHARITY AUCTION

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE, THE PREMIUM BRITISH GIN DISTILLERY, HAS ORGANIZED A CHARITY AUCTION TOGETHER WITH SOTHEBY'S TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CANCER RESEARCH ON 11.MAY AT THE COFFEE HOUSE OF PALAZZO COLONNA IN ROME. THE AUCTION WILL FEATURE 19 UNIQUE MARTINI GLASSES BY THE MOST INNOVATIVE DESIGNERS IN THE WORLD. THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE SALE WILL BE THE 'CHALICE', THE MARTINI GLASS MADE BY AUSTRALIAN DESIGNER PETER CRISP, WHOSE DINNERWARE IS USED IN BUCKINGHAM PALACE AND BY SOME OF THE WORLD'S RENOWNED CELEBRITIES. THE ORNATE GLASS IS RECREATED FROM PETER'S ORIGINAL BOMBAY SAPPHIRE INSPIRED DESIGN FROM 2000. A TRUE COLLECTOR'S ITEM, THE GLASS IS ADORNED WITH 22 CARAT GOLD, PLATINUM AND 226 LIGHT BLUE SAPPHIRES AND VALUED AT $25,000. THE DESIGNER GLASS COLLECTION WILL ALSO FEATURE LUURY GLASSWARE FROM TOM DIXON, KARIM RASHID, MARCEL WANDERS, EVA ZEISEL, ULLA DARNA, DAKOTA JACKSON, MICHAEL GRAVES AND THE RECREATED STEPHEN DWECK GLASS. THE PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO FIGHT CANCER, SPECIFICALLY TO BE DONATED TO TO TWO CHARITY GROUPS: THE ITALIAN AIRC - LAZIO COMMITTEE AND THE AUSTRALIAN CURE FOR LIFE FOUNDATION.

PRINCE HARRY'S PONY DIES AT POLO MATCH

PRINCE HARRY'S FAVORITE PONY COLLAPSED AND DIED OF A HEART ATTACK AFTER HE HAD BEEN RIDING THE ANIMAL AT A POLO MATCH. THE PRINCE WAS SAID TO BE 'VERY UPSET' AT THE DEATH OF DRIZZLE, A 10 YEAR OLD BROWN AND WHITE MARE ALSO RIDDEN BY PRINCE WILLIAM AND THE PRINCE OF WALES. HE TOOK THE ANIMAL OFF THE PITCH BEFORE THE END OF THE GAME BECAUSE HE NOTICED SHE WAS HAVING DIFFICULTY. MINUTES LATER DRIZZLE SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK AND DIED. A SENIOR PALACE OFFICIAL TOLD THE MAIL ON SUNDAY: 'WILLIAM AND HARRY ARE VERY, VERY UPSET, HARRY WAS IN TEARS.' THE PONY DIED AT A CHARITY MATCH AT COWORTH PARK IN ASCOT, BERKSHIRE, BETWEEN A TEAM IN WHICH BOTH THE PRINCES WERE PLAYING, AND ONE FIELDED BY THE SPONSOR AUDI. DRIZZLE WAS ONE OF A NUMBER OF POLO PONIES STABLED CLOSE TO THE PRINCE OF WALES'S HIGHGROVE ESTATE NEAR TETBURY IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE. THE PRINCE OF WALES HIMSELF USED TO RIDE HER UNTIL HE GAVE UP COMPETITIVE POLO IN 2005. THE EVENT WAS TO RAISE AWARENESS THE FOUNDATION OF PRINCE WILLIAM AND PRINCE HARRY.

PRINCE OF WALES HONORS FALLEN SOLDIERS

THE PRINCE OF WALES PLACED A WREATH AND TOOK PART IN A SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE TO HONOR CAVALRY AND OTHER TROOPS WHO HAVE FALLEN IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY. THE PRINCE, COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE ROYAL DRAGOON GUARDS, STOOD BAREHEADED IN LIGHT RAIN AT THE CAVALRY MEMORIAL IN LONDON'S HYDE PARK ON SUNDAY AS BOTH SERVING AND FORMER SOLDIERS MARCHED PAST HIM. MANY WERE IN SUITS WITH BOWLER HATS AND TIGHTLY-ROLLED UMBRELLAS BUT THEY REMOVED THEIR HATS AS THEY TURNED TO SALUTE HIM. THE PRINCE, WHO HAD BEEN WEARING A BOWLER HAT EARLIER HIMSELF, REMOVED IT TO RECEIVE THEIR SALUTES. HE WORE A DARK SUIT WITH A ROYAL DRAGOON GUARDS TIE. FIVE BANDS LED MARCHING DETACHMENTS OF THE CAVALRY AND YEOMANRY REGIMENTAL ASSOCIATIONS. HUNDREDS OF SOLDIERS, THEIR FAMILIES AND CROWDS OF WELL WISHES TURNED OUT FOR THE OCCASION. AFTER THE MARCH-PAST THE PRINCE PLACED A WREATH AT THE CAVALRY MEMORIAL, ON THE 86th ANNIVERSARY OF ITS UNVEILING AND DEDICATION. HE THEN TOOK PART IN A HALF-HOUR SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE AT THE NEARBY BANDSTAND.

HERMES FOLDING TRAVEL BELT

HERMES HAS RECENTLY RELEASED A UNIQUE BELT SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR TRAVELING. THE BELT FEATURES SILVER RIVETS, EMBLAZONED WITH HERMES' ICON LOGO, WHICH ALLOWS THE BELT TO FOLD AT THE POINTS AND THEN BECOME FLAT. ONCE FOLDED IT CAN EASILY BE PACKED TAKING UP MINIMAL SPACE IN A CARRY-ON BAG. THE BELT IS MADE HERMES' ICONIC LEATHER WHICH IS STURDY YET LIGHTWEIGHT FOR TRAVEL. THE HERMES FOLDING TRAVEL BELT IS AVAILABLE FROM HERMES BOUTIQUES WORLDWIDE AND AT THEIR WEBSITE www.hermes.com.

ELIZABETH TAYLOR VISITS CAST OF 'PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT'

WITH A GLITTERING ABUNDANCE OF SPARKLE, GLAMOR AND CAMPY ATTITUDE IT'S NOT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHY 'PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT' MIGHT APPEAL TO ICONIC SCREEN LEGEND ELIZABETH TAYLOR. TAYLOR BROUGHT SOME EXTRA HOLLYWOOD GLITZ TO THE WEST END MUSICAL AS SHE JOINED THE AUDIENCE TO WATCH JASON DONOVAN STRUT HIS STUFF ON STAGE AT LONDON'S PALACE THEATRE RECENTLY. THE 78 YEAR OLD ICON WENT BACKSTAGE TO MEET DONOVAN AND THE MEMBERS OF THE PRODUCTION, ALL OF WHOM JUMPED AT THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND TIME WITH THE STAR. TAYLOR, WHO IS NOW CONFINED TO A WHEELCHAIR, LOOKED ALL THE STAR IN A PURPLE SATIN DRESS WITH GOLD DETAILING, A MATCHING GOLD CLUTCH AND AN ABUNDANCE OF SPARKLING GEMS. AUSTRALIAN ACTOR DONOVAN FIRST TOOK TO THE STAGE IN THE WEST END MUSICAL IN MARCH LAST YEAR. HE HAS WON RAVE REVIEWS FOR HIS ROLE AS DRAG QUEEN TICK, WHO IS JOURNEYING TO ALICE SPRINGS IN THE AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK TO REUNITE WITH HIS LONG-LOST SON FROM HIS PAST. THE STUNNING COLOURFUL PRODUCTION IS THE CAMPEST MUSICAL SINCE LA CAGE AND FEATURES AN ARRAY OF SEQUINED, FEATHERY COSTUMES AND A HOT PINK BUS. DONOVAN IS NOW IN HIS FINAL WEEKS AS TICK, AND WILL BE REPLACED BY ACTOR BEN RICHARDS FROM 29.MAY. TAYLOR ARRIVED IN LONDON LAST MONTH TO ATTEND A GALA EVENING AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE, WHERE A BUST OF HER EX-HUSBAND RICHARD BURTON WAS UNVEILED.

FONDATION BEYELER TO PRESENT JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT EXHIBITION

JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT (1960 –1988) WAS ONE OF THE MOST FASCINATING AND CONTROVERSIAL PERSONALITIES IN THE ART WORLD. AFTER STARTING ON THE NEW YORK UNDERGROUND SCENE AS A GRAFFITI SPRAYER, MUSICIAN AND ACTOR, HE BEGAN TO DEVOTE HIMSELF TO PAINTING AT NINETEEN. HIS HIGHLY EXPRESSIVE, ENERGETIC WORK SOON FOUND WIDE ADMIRATION. SUPPORTED BY ANDY WARHOL, HE ADVANCED TO BECOME AN INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED STAR. HE WAS THE YOUNGEST DOCUMENTA PARTICIPANT EVER, AND EXHIBITED AT ART BASEL, THE VENICE BIENNALE, AND VARIOUS FAMOUS GALLERIES. THE SON OF IMMIGRANTS FROM THE CARIBBEAN, BASQUIAT BECAME THE FIRST BLACK ARTIST TO MAKE A HIGH-LEVEL BREAKTHROUGH. HE COLLABORATED WITH KIETH HARING, FRANCISCO CLEMENTE, DEBBIE HARRY AND MANY OTHER STARS. IN THE SPACE OF ONLY EIGHT YEARS, HE CREATED AN EXTENSIVE OEUVRE OF ABOUT 1000 PAINTINGS AND 2000 DRAWINGS BEFORE HIS TRAGIC DEATH AT THE AGE OF ONLY 27. TO MARK HIS 50th BIRTHDAY, THE FONDATION BEYELER IS DEVOTING A LARGE RETROSPECTIVE TO JEAN-MICHEL BASQUIAT, COMPRISING MORE THAN 100 PAINTINGS, WORKS ON PAPER AND OBJECTS FROM RENOWNED MUSEUMS AND PRIVATE COLLECTIONS AROUND THE WORLD. HIS WORKS, POPULATED BY COMIC-LIKE FIGURES, SKELETAL SILHOUETTES, CURIOUS EVERYDAY OBJECTS AND POETIC SLOGANS, ARE HIGHLY COLOURFUL AND POWERFUL. THEY BLEND POP CULTURE AND CULTURAL HISTORY INTO CRITICAL AND IRONIC COMMENTARIES ON CONSUMER SOCIETY AND SOCIAL INJUSTICE. THE EXHIBITION BRINGS TOGETHER MANY OF BASQUIAT'S MAJOR WORKS AND ILLUSTRATES THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LEGENDARY ART SCENE STAR. THE EXHIBITION WAS CONCEIVED BY THE FONDATION BEYELER IN COLLABORATION WITH THE MUSEE D'ART MODERNE DE LA VILLE DE PARIS, WHERE IT WILL BE ON VIEW FROM 15.OCTOBER TO 30.JANUARY.2011.