Latest Stories
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Behold! The world’s most expensive painting
Can a work of art be worth $450 million? That was how much a Leonardo da Vinci painting sold for, and it smashed all records. The portrait, called “Salvator Mundi”, was once valued at £45.
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How there’s a Leonardo in each of us
Can we all learn something from the greatest genius ever to walk the Earth? Leonardo da Vinci was an amazing artist, scientist and inventor. A new book says we can all become more like him.
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The magic cap that turns us all into composers
Should everyone be a composer? Scientists have invented a cap that can read music we make up in our minds and capture it for others to enjoy. We no longer need any complex special skills.
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The bad painter who is an artistic genius
Can a person be a great artist if they are not very good at painting? David Hockney is one of the most admired artists in the world. And yet experts say that he is not “highly skilled”.
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World’s ‘miraculous’ first painted film
A new film about Vincent Van Gogh was made by 100 professional artists, who created 65,000 oil paintings to show the action. Could this inspire you to learn more about this amazing artist?
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Top artists accused of cruelty to animals
A museum in New York has decided not to show artwork featuring live animals, after 700,000 people signed a petition accusing it of animal cruelty. Should animals be used in art?
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Elgin Marbles: ‘Stolen’ treasure to be returned to Athens?
“Greece is on the phone again, they want their statues back.” The Greek minister of culture is “determined” to get the famous sculptures out of the British Museum. Should they be sent home?
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Dippy the dinosaur replaced by Hope the whale
London’s Natural History Museum has swapped its famous Dippy the diplodocus display for the skeleton of a blue whale. Is it more important for us to focus on endangered, or extinct animals?
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Can maths be beautiful?
Play word association with “mathematics”. You might use words like “confusing” or “challenging”. What about “beautiful”? Maths was exhibited in an art gallery recently. Is maths beautiful?
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The ‘wordless wonder’ of The Red Turtle
UK cinemas are showing a film with no spoken words. The Red Turtle is an animated film about a man on a desert island. Should more films tell their stories without words?
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More skyscrapers than ever built in 2016
Tall buildings have divided opinion since the Tower of Babel. Last year, humans built more than ever before, despite economic problems around the world. Is this cause for celebration?
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National outcry at exile of adored dinosaur
The Natural History Museum is replacing its famous dinosaur with a blue whale. Many are outraged, but is it more important to focus on endangered animals?
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Roses and teardrops: the trouble with tattoos
Tattoos have become a normal part of life. Celebrities, news presenters, and even Barbie dolls all have them. So why do some people think you should hide your body art to get a good job?
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Giving Back the Benin Bronzes
As two bronze sculptures are returned to Nigeria, we ask: should ancient treasures stay in our museums?
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The Shard competes for top architecture prize
Love it or hate it, the tallest building in western Europe has been nominated for a top prize, which celebrates the best of new buildings in Britain. Would it be...