Chinese artist, Ju Duoqi, has created a vegetable version of Leonardo DaVinci's famous portrait, Mona Lisa. This Mona Lisa is being displayed in the Contemporary Art Museum in Beijing, in Ju's "Vegetable Museum." This Mona Lisa is known as the Tofu Lisa, with pepper for eyes and flowing noodle hair. Join discussion...

The Clive of India Flask, said to be the greatest of the Clive of India treasures, is going to be long-term loaned to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The flask was bought by Sheikh Saud al-Thani for Qatar. Four years ago the museum tried to by the priceless artifact, but Sheikh imminently called off the deal. The wine flask, which is which is made with jade and jewels will be on display at the V & A Museum by next October. It is a very valuable piece of ancient Islamic art with will finally be able to be on display for the public. Join discussion...

This article is primarily about Eli Broad, famous art collector and philanthropist, who, in sequence with his earlier donation to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to aid in building a new building, the $56 million Broad Contemporary building, is planning to once again show his gigantic art collection. This time, though, according to this article, he is going to build his own museum. This also raises the question 'why is there such a lack of support from Hollywood bigwigs for the arts?' Some museums in L.A., including the Museum of Contemporary Art, have seen a dip in membership revenue over the last few months. Other questions follow, like 'why the decrease in interest in the arts?' Only time will tell. Join discussion...

In this editorial, Roland Augustine, President of Art Dealers Association of America, explains why artists want equal tax deductions as art collectors when donating artwork. Currently, collectors get a deduction of market value for the art they donate. However, if an artist donates his or her work, the only deduction is for the materials needed to make it. The Artist Museum Partnership Act is currently before Congress and would allow artist equal deductions as collectors. Many believe if passed, the number of donations would increase, and contemporary art would take on a stronger presence in the community. Join discussion...

For two years negotiations have been going on. The subject? Several pieces of art in the Cleveland Museum of Art. Now the museum has agreed to return 14 pieces of art from their collect to Italy. Most of these pieces are ceramics, except for one Italian copper cross. The Italian Culture Minister states that these pieces are important to Italian culture and will be returned in the next 3 months. The Italian government has been negotiating with other U.S. museums also. The Cleveland Museum’s art director states that this agreement is not threatening our museums and that it is the museums duty to obtain pieces legally and ethically. Join discussion...

This story is about an art museum that will soon be expanded. Renzo Piano, the architect who designed the new wing to be added on, says that the size of the gallery will be more than doubled. The Kimball Art Museum will start construction in 2010 and hopes to be completed in 2012. Join discussion...

The National Museum of China is planning to build a new museum next to the Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium in Beijing. The new museum will contain contemporary and modern art from the National Museum as well as new exhibitions developed with international partners. The National Museum will remain, although Chinese government leaders want a change, therefore the new museum will be built quickly. Join discussion...

Despite the current economic issues, Singapore has recently decided to lower the rent prices on three quality buildings for private museums. The chief executive officer of the National Heritage Board, Michael Koh, has been discussing this matter of lowering the prices with the Singapore Land Authority. It is his hope that qualified individuals will take advantage of the low prices and create great museums in these buildings. Two of these buildings are located around the Tanglin Village in Singapore and the other is near the Singapore Art Museum. Their reduced prices are approximately twenty to thirty percent lower than the original prices, so it is a great opportunity. They are currently accepting applications for these three buildings. Lately, Singapore has begun spending millions of dollars on building new art museums and on other art projects, such as this one, in an effort to improve their art center. Join discussion...

The Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum has raised a bit over half of its estimated goal for its upcoming renovations, which will basically restructure all of the museum. $37 million dollars have been raised out of a $64 million dollar estimated goal, which will help pay for a new cafe overlooking the museum garden, among other things. Join discussion...

This exhibition, Death in Four Colors, is being shown at the Centro Atlantico de Arte Moderno. It brings together theatre, film and visual arts focusing on a program dealing with the perspective of death. The First exhibition is Viva la Muerta, Long Live Death. This reveals a different approach to death for the tradition of death in Spain goes back a long time. This exhibit includes many artists. Arne Haugen Sorenson Petite Morte/ Grand Morte is another participant in this project and his plastic works reflect on life and death. Jose Dámaso's Sonrisa de la Muerte, the smile of death is an exhibition that features his works stemming from his experiences of death at a young age, such as the death of his father. The other artist with an exhibition is Cristino de Vera, Varitas. His 24 paintings on canvas all convey the essence of death Join discussion...