A performance artist couple snuck up to the top of the Empire State Building this week, which reminds Rakewell that artists have long sought inspiration in high places
The algal bloom on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool has become a visitor attraction in its own right. But fans of abstract art might enjoy thinking of it as Color Field painting in 3D
As the news breaks that London’s celebrity pelicans have successfully hatched chicks for the first time ever, Rakewell wonders what’s taken them so long
An error-strewn first edition of Wuthering Heights that is set to sell for at least £400,000 reminds Rakewell of the joys of unorthodox spelling
The plans of Berlin’s Volksbühne to install a swimming pool outside its front steps prompts Rakewell to consider other theatres that have made a feature out of water
Georgia O’Keeffe and Joseph Beuys are among the artists who have been fascinated by the canines, but Looney Tunes may be responsible for the most memorable coyote of them all
When the work goes on display at the British Museum in September, visitors will have 40 minutes to look at it
A poll designed to determine Britain’s favourite butterfly reminds Rakewell that lepidoptera are nature’s paintings – and artists have long been drawn to them
In Rakewell’s opinion, Nathaniel Mary Quinn’s Bacon-esque painting for the cover of the band’s upcoming LP is their best album art in decades
The Venice Biennale is about to begin. After a year and more of tragedy, scandal and, let’s face it, farce, Rakewell can’t wait for the art to be centre stage again
A set of mirrors designed by Claude Lalanne sold for $33.5m this week, which has led Rakewell to reflect on the art of glass through the ages
Andrew Lloyd Webber is working on a musical charting the theft of the Mona Lisa – which puts Rakewell in mind of other times art has treaded the boards
The famous spiced anchovy paste, now tragically discontinued, was a condiment that provided a feast for the eyes and the tastebuds
A 15th-century painting of Saint Jerome that has been worn away by devotional kisses reminds Rakewell of other works that have been loved not wisely but too well
With reports that the great footballer-turned-manager is set to take over the French national team after the World Cup, Rakewell considers him as a work of art
The portrait on the cover of Allen’s latest album is now on display at the National Portrait Gallery – which puts the singer in very rarefied company indeed
The Bank of England’s announcement that nature will be the theme of the next set of bank notes has led to some wild-eyed responses
The news that the singer bought a portrait of himself at a Christmas market in Belfast last year without being recognised couldn’t be more on brand
Nostalgia was all the rage at the opening of Tate Modern’s Tracey Emin show this week, with appearances from Bianca Jagger and David Furnish
Bernini’s Roman elephant has lost a delicate part of its anatomy, while an implacable enemy of ancient Rome may have been found by Spanish researchers
There’s plenty of artistry on display at the Winter Olympics, but the showmanship of the opening ceremony was an art historical delight
Sabrina Carpenter held her own against the diva in a Muppet Show anniversary special, but Rakewell can’t help wishing that visual artists could also get in on the act
The Queen of Pop has been singing the praises of the British seaside town and its most famous resident, Tracey Emin
With Carr set to star in a new TV show about his search for the ideal Scottish castle, Rakewell wonders – does he prefer neoclassical or the Scots Baronial style?
