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People: Elizabeth Price, Ricky Martin, Clint Eastwood, Howard Stern
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Video artist Elizabeth Price, who uses collage and clutter to explore people's relationship to consumer culture, was named the winner of British art's much-coveted - and much-mocked - Turner Prize on Monday, according to the Associated Press.
Price, a London-based musician and co-founder of 1980s indie-pop group Talulah Gosh, beat three other finalists to snag the 25,000 pound ($40,000) prize, which is awarded annually to a British artist under 50.
She was presented with the award by actor Jude Law at a ceremony at London's Tate Britain gallery.
The judges praised Price's "seductive and immersive" video installations, which combine moving images, text and music.
One piece, "The Woolworths Choir of 1979," hauntingly juxtaposes news footage of a deadly department store blaze with clips of church architecture and musical girl groups. Another work, "West Hinder," was inspired by a ship that sank in 2002 with its cargo of luxury cars.
Price began making films only a few years ago, but the prize judges said she had created a "powerful body of work over the last three years."
In accepting the prize, Price said her career would be "unimaginable" without public support for the arts and hailed the other short-listed artists, saying they had shared "respect, camaraderie and a sense of the absurd."
She said being nominated had brought her work to a wider audience and the prize money would allow her to "carry on working and make new ambitious things."
The Turner Prize, named after 19th-century landscape painter J.M.W. Turner, was established in 1984 to honor younger British artists.
It often sparks heated debate about the value of modern art. Past winners include transvestite potter Grayson Perry, dung-daubing artist Chris Ofili and shark pickler Damien Hirst.
Ricky Martin is saying goodbye to Broadway's "Evita." But don't cry for him, the AP reports.
The Latin superstar has a slew of new projects in the works, including two television series and a children's book.
Martin takes his final bow in the Andrew Lloyd Webber revival on Jan. 26. Then he heads down under to join the second season of the Australian edition of "The Voice." But the Grammy winner says not to expect any biting, Simon Cowellesque critiques.
"I don't believe in tough love. I believe in love, and I believe in being nurturing to new talented men and women," he said at an M.A.C. Viva Glam event for Saturday's World AIDS Day. Martin partnered with the cosmetics brand to raise awareness and funding for HIV/AIDS programs worldwide.
The "Livin' la Vida Loca" singer is developing a new series for NBC, expected next year. He's producing, writing and will star in the currently untitled dramedy, where he hopes to tackle social issues with humor.
He's also writing his second book and admitted he didn't have to look far for inspiration.
"I think it's time to write about things that I've been through with my kids that I'm sure many daddys out there will understand," said the father of 4-year-old twins Matteo and Valentino.
The family-friendly story about self-esteem is slated for release next summer.
There's more excitement for Clint Eastwood!
Fresh off the heels of Friday's news that his daughter Francesca Eastwood was named Miss Golden Globe 2013, one of his other daughters, Alison Eastwood, 40, is ready to go public with the longtime engagement to her "Chainsaw Gang" co-star Stacy Poitras, People reports.
"I actually asked for [Clint's] permission three years ago at a Thanksgiving dinner in Pebble Beach that was attended by Alison's mom Maggie [Johnson], too," Poitras tells Celebuzz.
Having been with Alison for five years, Poitras calls himself "the luckiest guy in the world," to be engaged to "an angel."
As for a reaction from the Academy Award winner, 82, "Clint is a cool guy ... but he's definitely a man of few words," Poitras says. "I quietly asked him when we were alone if it would be all right if I asked for his daughter's hand in marriage. He coolly looked me in the eye and softly said, 'You better take that up with her,' to which I replied, 'So, I have your permission?' And he said, 'Yes.' "
Howard Stern will keep on buzzing!
After much speculation, NBC confirmed on Monday that the shock jock would be returning for a second season as a judge on "America's Got Talent," E! News reports.
The radio personality himself also shared the news with listeners Monday morning on his Sirius XM program.
"I'm very, very excited, honestly, about going back to 'America's Got Talent,' " he said. "I'm very excited to be working again with [executive producer] Simon Cowell and NBC and all the various folks who work there."
First Published December 4, 2012 12:00 am
