1) Digitization Saves 17th Century Chinese Illustrations

The world’s oldest multi-coloured printed book has been digitized for the Cambridge University Library. The 17th century manual of calligraphy and painting by Chinese author Shi zhu zhai shu hua pu was so delicate that opening the book was strictly forbidden until the digitization process began. Now available for viewing on Cambridge University’s digital library site, the book features illustrations by 50 different artists.

2) Should Have Just Bought The Sculptures

Billionaire Igor Olencioff has been sued for fabricating two scuptures from plans provided by John Raimondi, and exhibiting them as originals. The defendant had originally sought Raimondi claiming he wished to purchase the sculptures, but after receiving plans, had the sculptures fabricated in China without the artist’s knowledge. Olencioff owes the artist $640,000 - the artist's original asking price.

3) Cat Pictures Are The Path To Fame and Fortune 

Entrepreneur Mark Cuban of Shark Tank fame has reportedly raked in $10,000 selling crudely-drawn pictures of cats. This comes after Cuban helped fund a web-based project called I Want to Draw a Cat for You, which itself turned as much as a $200,000 profit. So there you have it: drawing cats can be very lucrative! Better update your artist website with a few feline doodles of your own, just to be sure. 

4) Exclusive Club Makes the Art World Accessible (If You can Spare the Fee)

Have $2,500 or £1,900 to spare? Why not get on the inside track to becoming an art world insider by signing up as a member of the Cultivist? Co-founded by Marlies Verhoeven and Daisy Peat (above), The Cultivist is a new, exclusive club that allows members front-of-the-line access to museums and art fairs, among other perks such as mentorship from those already “in the know.” "Accessible" might be a stretch, here. 

5) Kapoor Copycat Appears in China

And to round out the week, a sculpture has recently been unveiled in Karamay, China, that looks awfully similar to Anish Kapoor's 2006 Cloud Gate, which currently sits in Chicago's Millennium Park. The Chinese sculpture, entitled Big OIl Bubble, is not yet attributed to an artist, though it wouldn't be the first time a copy of a famous artwork has popped up.