The intriguing psychology behind what drives people to destroy artwork for various reasons, ranging from abject vandalism and lunacy to a desire to make an important social statement, has inspired an increasingly prominent form of art based on destruction and decay. Over the years, this form of auto-destructive art has captivated many artists, who use bizarre combinations of artistic media to create their unique works. For example, one artist sprays acid on sheets of nylon, causing beautiful patterns to emerge from the corrosion of the fabric, while other artists have built makeshift sculptures designed specifically to "self-destruct" in public. This is the first I've heard of this form of art and I'm excited to see how it evolves more over time. Join discussion...

Sculptor Willard Wigan makes some of the worlds smallest sculptures. Instead of getting attention for doing something massive, people are amazed by the how tiny they are. Most of Wigan's pieces fit inside the eye of a needle. To create these "micro-sculptures", he mostly uses grains of rice or sand as material and pieces of fly hair to paint. In response to how he does it, Wigan says, "Let me tell you, it's very difficult. Every movement I make is so small. I have to control my breathing and heartbeat - it's not easy! I usually work at night and have to make sure the dog isn't around." Join discussion...

Philadelphia-based multimedia artist Ryan Trecartin won the Wolgin International Prize the other day. It is one of the highest valued awards given out in the artist industry. The prize money was $150,000. For Trecartin, at the age of 28, it was an amazing award to help his career. Trecartin is known for his mixed media, working in painting and sculpture. He also is very well known for his video work. Join discussion...

According to several artists and art dealers, the market for works of art is slowly picking back up after the lag during the economic recession. While business is nowhere near as good as it was before 2008, collectors are starting to buy again, even if it is after much more consideration than it used to be. This is a promising thought - with the economy (somewhat) on the rebound, artists will benefit along with everyone else. Join discussion...

This recently released book is a compilation of essays by British designers discussing the use of typography and other multi-media such as photography and propaganda, from WWII through 1970. Join discussion...

Hélio Oiticica, one of the most influential and famous contemporary Latin American painters, lost around 2,000 pieces and an estimated $200 million in a fire while in storage in Rio de Janeiro. The storage facility was owned by Hélio's brother, César Oiticica, who was unable to save the paintings before 90% of them were destroyed. Hélio had been storing his work there since 2007 when the Centro de Arte in Rio forced him to remove his collection due to improper storage conditions and an argument over unpaid exhibition fees. The only major Hélio Oiticica pieces remaining are those currently with the Museum of Modern Art and Tate Modern among other museums and private collections. Among the lost, uninsured, works were original pieces by Hélio's father, a famous photographer in his own right. Sufficient to say, it seriously sucks for Oiticica family right about now. Join discussion...

E.V. Day has spent the past couple months going through the warehouse where all of the New York Opera's unused costumes are kept. In fact, Day is best known for transforming articles of clothing into sculptures. The opera's manager was intrigued by her idea, and asked her to create an exhibit in the opera's promenade space. She has taken the clothing and created the opera characters from them, whether it be a pair of black gloves representing Don Giovanni or Mimi from "La Bohème." This is going to help make the connection between opera and the contemporary art world. Day uses fishing line to create a sculpture from the dresses and other clothes. "What helped me in imagining new forms for these costumes was all the evidence of life that I found inside them..." says Day, because she found makeup smudges, alterations, and dirt around the clothing, showing how they had been worn. Also, in additon to pieces made with specific outfits, she made ones with only hats, undergarments, and various other frilly theater ware. Join discussion...

Twenty years after Warhol's death, the Campbell's soup company designed a special can dedicated to Warhol. Now lots of Andy Warhol paraphernalia can be found - from candy to condoms, yes, condoms. The Warhol Campbell's soup was first unveiled in 2004, then in 2006 a 'Happy Holidays' can was sold for 12 dollars a can. Expensive stuff. Many more designs were also released. This article describes many instances in the 21st century in which people paid tribute to Warhol with the release of limited-time products portraying his work. Join discussion...

New bronze casts have are outside the new Los Angeles Police Department location. They look like weird blobs, or as the Police chief William Bratton described them, "cow splats". The artist intended them to be different animals, which brings up many questions about art like design, intent, aesthetics, and art. I will let you decide for yourself what these awful, brown blobs are...go to the website and make sure to continue on by clicking 'these photos' Join discussion...

A museum in Brookly, NY, celebrated Sufism. Sufism, is the belief that people can have a direct relationshop with a god. The museum had special installations from June 5 to September 6, 2009. Some of the new pieces of art of this exhibit were glass lamps, a beggar's bowl, and portraits of Sufi monks. In addition, there are also beautiful works of poetry and narrative. The purpose of this event was to acknowledge the presence of Sufism in the Islamic world today. Join discussion...