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VALENCIA.- In Miradas Reveladoras one can observe a graphic sequence that was intended to be an illustrated report and has ended up being a work of art because of the sharpness of the details in the composition as well as the sensitiveness in reflecting the social discourse that provided each photograph with veracity. This exhibition is a compilation of images of the most significant sociocultural changes that took place in Cuba 50 years ago and shows the cracks of Cuban society in decisive moments of confrontation with its fate. Some critics talk about the thematic exhibition as a testimony which shows with amazing clarity the atmosphere and circumstances that surrounded individuals, masses, leaders, and those who were captured by the lens.

LONDON.- An album of 40 ‘suppressed’ cartoons by leading British caricaturist James Gillray (1756-1815) has recently come to light in the Criminal Law Policy Unit of the Ministry of Justice. It features material judged socially unacceptable in the 19th century – including explicitly sexual, scatological and politically outrageous subject matter. The album was probably seized by police more than a century ago as ‘pornographic material’ and handed to Government officials. This slim volume of ‘Curiosa’ has now been transferred to the print collections of the V&A. In the 1840s Gillray’s plates were acquired by an

DETROIT (AP).- Houses with dreary urban facades covered in polka dots. A traveling dollhouse made from the remnants of abandoned homes. A dilapidated residence covered in ice. Artists across the Detroit area are using the city’s blight as their canvas, transforming abandoned homes into high-concept projects to draw attention to the homelessness, poverty and urban decay plaguing Detroit. They hope the ongoing experiment will shed some creatively inspired light on what Detroit was, is and could

LONDON.- The Michael Hoppen gallery announced an exhibition of work by one of America’s foremost fashion photographers Fernand Fonssagrives. Once the highest paid photographers in the world, he was ambivalent about the acclaim he received in his chosen field, preferring to remain anonymous. Little was written about him, even at the peak of his success. He was linked to the early ‘Design Laboratory’ classes of Alexey Brodovitch, and was a key member of the close knit group of photographers now celebrated as ‘The New York School. His most memorable work traces the unique partnership he had with his first wife, legendary model Lisa Fonssagrives,

ATLANTA, GA.- The Savannah College of Art and Design presents “NO LAB on Tour” by renowned multimedia artist Cao Fei and Map Office co-founders Laurent Gutierrez and Valerie Portefaix. The exhibition will be on display at the ACA Gallery of SCAD, Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St., Dec. 14-Feb. 7. In “NO LAB,” Chinese artist Cao Fei teams up with Hong-Kong-based Map Office to create a virtual experience of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina in the online virtual world community, Second Life. Fei depicts the storm surge and the devastating aftermath through a stark, politically charged multimedia presentation. In the ACA Gallery, visitors can experience “NO LAB on Tour” and participate in the ongoing discussion of urban space, society and the trauma/drama of change via a variety of visual materials including line drawings, photographs, light boxes, a video and computer stations where they can ac

DALLAS, TX.- Today the Dallas Museum of Art announced the 2010 season of Arts & Letters Live, the Museum’s literary and performing arts series that this year is celebrating its 19th season. With approximately 30 scheduled events featuring 50 authors, 20 actors, 7 musicians, and 2 dancers, some of this season’s highlights will include appearances by Mrs. Laura W. Bush, David Sedaris and Ira Glass. Widely acknowledged as a major contribution to Dallas’s cultural life, Arts & Letters Live has sold out most of its events since its inception in 1992. Audiences estimated at over 172,000 have attended more than 330 series programs, offered locally or on tour. To date, Arts & Letters Live has showcased more than 350 regional, national and international writers, often in combination with performing or visual arts. “We’re thrilled about the diversity and caliber of this year’s lineup, which showcas

ROME (AP).- Authorities say a magnitude 4.2 earthquake has shaken the Italian region of Umbria but caused no injuries. Towns in the province of Perugia reported buildings lightly damaged by the temblor, monitored by Italy’s national institute of geophysics. Italy’s agriculture minister said Tuesday 600 people were evacuated until their homes can be inspected. Mayors of several hamlets ordered schools closed Wednesday for inspections. Video of the city of Perugia showed bricks in the street and some damage to walls. The American student Amanda Knox, convicted this month of murdering her British roommate, is in Capanne prison outside Perugia. In April, a quake hit the Abruzzo region in central Italy, killing about 300 and leaving tens of thousands of homeless.

PARIS (AP).- A section of the Eiffel Tower’s original staircase has sold for euro105,400 ($154,380) in an auction of Paris memorabilia. The 40 painted iron steps had been estimated at a much lower price, euro50,000-euro60,000. Organizers of the Paris auction say Gustave Eiffel himself climbed the stairs during the 1889 inauguration of the monument to plant the French flag atop the tower. The famed French auction house Drouot says a pair of benches from the Paris Metro dating to the late 19th or early 20th century fetched euro22,320. A hexagonal wooden newspaper kiosk sold for euro14,260. Monday’s auction, dubbed “Paris Mon Amour,” brought in a total of

SAINT LOUIS, MO.- The Saint Louis Art Museum today announced that it is proceeding with its ambitious $130.5 million expansion project, following a one-year delay. Once begun, construction is anticipated to take approximately two years. The Museum will remain open to the public during construction of the new David Chipperfield-designed addition. “The Saint Louis Art Museum is one of our region’s most valuable cultural assets,” said John D. Weil, president of the Museum’s Board of Commissioners. “This expansion is our generation’s contribution to the future of this great St. Louis institution.” The more