1) Drawing Prize Winner Draws Questions from Critics

The winner of this year’s Parkin Drawing Prize is making headlines in part because the work is composed of a carpet, cut into strips and hung in a gallery space. “State Block” by Kirsty Lillico, won the prestigious New Zealand drawing award, which includes a cash prize of $20,000 NZD, beating out over 500 other submitted works, nearly all of which used traditional drawing media like ink, graphite, and paper. While Lillico’s work certainly has merit, some critics are asking whether it is truly the type of work that should win a contest specifically geared toward drawing. For Lillico's part, the artist defines it as "drawing with a knife."

2) Microsoft Art Search Grows to Over 8,000 Works

Microsoft’s City Art Search app has become “the most comprehensive” database of art currently available. With a total of 8,614 individual works indexed, the app allows users to search for and view works from collections and museums around the world. The database makes it possible to search for works by artist, date, region, or even artistic movement, with the primary goal of allowing users to locate the museums and galleries where the works are currently housed. The app is currently available from the Windows store, and is continuing to index more artworks regularly.

3) North Korean Artists Risk Safety for UN Art Show

Four North Korean artists have work in a United Nations show set to open today in New York. It’s a risky move - the artworks reportedly have not gone through the North Korean government’s approval process, putting these artists at risk for persecution by the famously closed-off nation. According to show organizers, the artists in question have remained anonymous, and the UN is keeping their participation as quiet as possible. The inclusion of the North Korean works is hoped to help spark international friendship amid growing tensions.

4) String of Crimes Plagues Skulptur Projekte

A third incident of petty crime has struck Skulptur Projekte Munster - this time, several pieces of audio visual equipment were stolen from a work by Koki Tanaka. The German public art exhibition, which happens only once every ten years, has thus far endured the vandalism of a fountain by Nicole Eisenman, and the theft of an LED light painting by Ei Arakawa. Thankfully, show officials indicate that the equipment in question will be easily replaced, and the show will continue its run until October 1st - hopefully with no more interruptions.