Robert Rauschenberg, Titan of American Art, Is Dead at 82 (NY Times- May 13)

"The irrepressibly prolific American artist who time and again reshaped art in the 20th century, died Monday night. He was 82. He died of heart failure, said Arne Glimcher, chairman of PaceWildenstein, the artist's gallery in Manhattan.
Mr. Rauschenberg’s work gave new meaning to sculpture. “Canyon,” (left, lifted from his Wikipedia entry) for instance, consisted of a stuffed bald eagle attached to a canvas. “Monogram” was a stuffed Angora goat girdled by a tire atop a painted panel. “Bed” entailed a quilt, sheet and pillow, slathered with paint, as if soaked in blood, framed on the wall. They all became icons of postwar modernism."

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and in stupider news, (All via wee hayley campbell):
Furtive Venice snapper arrested

"A man who allegedly photographed more than 3,000 women's bottoms as they toured Venice has been arrested. The man was stopped after police became suspicious of a large bag he was carrying as he followed women through St Mark's Square...
Police have refused to name him but Mario Marina of Venice police said he is married with two young children and has a professional job in the nearby town of Padua.
He might have some explaining to do when he gets home."

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What did you do on your last day at school?
Pupils sent home after turf prank.

"The entire sixth year of a school was sent home on their last day after pupils turfed over the floor of their common room. Teachers at Banchory Academy took the step after it was discovered some pupils had been drinking."

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Aussie straps in beer, not child

"A car driver in Australia has been fined for strapping down his beer rather than his young child. Police said they were "shocked and appalled" when they pulled over the car south of Alice Springs in Australia's Northern Territory.

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This American Life. Four and a half minute Chris Ware animation.