Robert Howlett, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, builder of the Great Eastern, ca. 1857-1858. George Eastman House, eastmanhouse.org

Photographer: Robert Howlett | Isambard Kingdom Brunel, builder of the Great Eastern | ca. 1857-1858 | George Eastman House, eastmanhouse.org

Some stories we’ve been reading this week:

  • In Japan’s Otsuka Museum of Art, nothing in its entire collection of art is original. On the plus side, you can touch the art, and you can get a tour from a speaking robot guide.
  • Having run out of paper and ink, the famed Dr. Livingstone used the juice from a berry to write his diary on an old newspaper. As early as 1874, the juice had faded and the newspaper’s dark type made it impossible to decipher. Until now.
  • Stuart Little, the talking mouse, had a role in finding a long-lost avant-garde painting. Seriously.
  • An artist has spent the last ten years carving a sandstone cave. The results are pretty spectacular.
  • According to a number of recent studies, you can boost your creativity by looking at art.
  • Is there a connection between an artist’s collecting habits and her work? Maybe.
  • The Digital Public Library of America held an animated gif contest, and it only takes two words to entice you to check out the winners:  typing dog.