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The Sistine Chapel's masterpiece frescoes have been digitized
To prepare for future restoration projects, the Sistine Chapel's world-famous frescoes and mosaic floor have gotten the up-close-and-personal treatment by way of an army of DSLRs. The last time the Sistine's masterworks were documented photographically (both by Michelangelo and other artists) it was a 14-year-long job that wrapped in 1994, according to Reuters. This time out, photographers spread 65 nights of work across five years, resulting in 270,000 digital still photos.
Amazon now lets you name your price on fine art
If you don't like the price on an Amazon Collectible & Fine Art item, you can now dicker for it instead. A new "make an offer" feature cropped up on the third-party marketplace site today, giving another option to paying the preset price. Amazon launched a failed auction site 15 years ago to compete with eBay, but the new system only allows private bids. Venders can accept, reject or counter an offer within 72 hours, and buyers can reply to any counter-offer within another three days. Amazon's upscale marketplace features over 15 million items valued up to three million dollars, though only about 175,000 carry the new option. It plans to expand it next year, however, so maybe you can clear space on your mantle for that $450,000 "Bat" Masterson manuscript after all.
Interactive Robotic Painting Machine begs the question: Art for art's sake, or for its master's? (video)
If Warhol were still around, we're pretty sure the man would've snatched up this contraption as a Factory-approved objet d'art. Born from visual artist Benjamin Grosser's existential musings regarding the soul of AI-enhanced technology, the Interactive Robotic Painting Machine lets the sounds of its environment be its canvas maneuvering guide. For what it's worth, the artist claims that criticism fed into the apparatus' microphone often results in less than stellar compositions from the fine art automaton. We'll refrain from speculating as to the qualitative merits of the stationary bot's abstract flair, and leave you to the high art critique in the comments below. Be sure to jump past the break for a full video of this beaux arts concept.
Draper's Fine Art for FlatScreens conceals your HDTV when not in use
Draper treated us earlier this year with a brilliant flatscreen lift made for those not exactly kosher (or allowed -- by the SO, landlord, etc.) with hanging their HDTV upside the wall. This piece, however, is for that sect who already has one mounted in or on their wall, particularly for the subset that can't stand the sight of it when not in use. The Fine Art for FlatScreens, part of the Reveal/Conceal line, contains a woven reproduction of an original work of art, and there are 39 Jacquard Tapestries to choose from. If none of those float your boat, you can also work up a custom design for the right price. Speaking of which, pricing for complete units runs from $835 right on up, with replacement tapestry's ringing up at around $326.[Via WidescreenReview]
Digital Masterworks Art-TV could switch between TV and art display
Oh sure, GalleryPlayer enables your HDTV to instantly turn into an art display, but it doesn't even pretend to be anything classier than a multifaceted television. Samsung, however, is looking to change the game by partnering with Thomas Kinkade on a new 46-inch prototype Digital Masterworks Art-TV. The unit was recently showcased to news media, and it's said to be "housed n a Thomas Kinkade frame designed to accentuate the fine art theme." From what we can gather, it's being aimed at folks who'd love a nice piece of art sitting above their mantel, but when the time comes, they can switch off the paintings and throw on a day's worth of NFL in HD. The wild thing here is how important the actual art aspect is to the display, with hidden touch controls planned to enable viewers to flip through artworks and zoom in / out as they please. Heck, there's even integrated WiFi, a 40GB hard drive, 3,000:1 contrast ratio, 8ms response time and 500 nits of brightness. The set is due out exclusively through Thomas Kinkade's Signature Gallery later this year, with iffy plans to release it to other retailers in 2H 2009.[Via CNET]
