Every new public building, it seems, is a wonder of green efficiency, driving the bar of ecological innovation ever higher. But how does that theory convert into reality? asks Alan Davies.
Culture / The Arts / Art & Design
PHOTO GALLERY 
Never-before-seen photos from the night MLK died
LIFE photographer Henry Groskinsky was in Alabama on April 4, 1968 when Martin Luther King Jr was shot dead. He rushed to the crime scene and took these incredible photos of grieving civil rights leaders.
What would a ‘temple for atheists’ look like?
Author Alain de Botton, who wants to soften the voice of “aggressive” atheism, is promoting a “temple for atheists in London.” It’s a long, black tower that looks awfully dark and foreboding, writes Alan Davies.
Inside the casas of Mexico’s drug lords
Bullet riddled walls, flak jackets and opulent domed palaces with disco balls — the homes of Mexico’s drug cartels are an interesting mix of business and pleasure, writes Damien Cave.
Watching (and drawing) Guy Pearce with a mullet
Last week W H Chong went to a warehouse in Footscray, Melbourne, and discovered none other than Guy Pearce in the building. He has the drawing to prove it.
Pod and Prejudice: W H Chong’s favourite podcasts of 2011
W H Chong presents his favourite podcasts of the year, which include Crikey’s Canberra Calling, the BBC’s World Book Club and The Guardian’s Politics Weekly.
A portrait of David Malouf
The latest in W H Chong’s series of great portraits of great writers is a picture of David Malouf, drawn at a talk for the ABR. Malouf’s response: “ah, um, mm…”
Summer reading: Beauty under the hammer: bidding for pleasures at art auctions
Ever wondered what it’s like to bid at an art auction? W H Chong walks through the experience and explains how he snagged a beautiful bargain.
The 12 most bizarre stock photos explained
Why does a photo of a glass of milk have to include it being poured from a great height? Why do students always study while sitting on the floor? Cracked explains the 12 most baffling — and quite common — stock images.
first dog Upcoming First Dog on the Moon official exhibition
Thousands of Melbourne’s commuters pass through an exhibition space underneath Flinders Street station every day. Memo to Melburnians: First Dog on the Moon will be filling the space soon!
Lorna Fencer Napurrurria: wry, mischievous, shitty and a great artist
Paintings don’t “shimmer” or “glow” for Bob Gosford, though many of the works by artist Lorna Fencer Napurrurrla burst off the wall with a physical or emotional force that a photograph just cannot capture.
Black Postcards and hazy memories: Dean Wareham opens up
The multi-talented Dean Wareham has toured the world as the face of Andy Warhol’s Superstars. He sits down for a chat with Kent MacCarther, discussing his new book Black Postcards and a long and distinguished career speckled with drugs and g-strings.
My Cup Of Tea: The legacy of our departing gallery gurus
With the retirement of Edmund Capon from the Art Gallery of NSW and Gerard Vaughan from the National Gallery of Victoria within weeks of each other, two of the biggest jobs in the Australian art world are open.
Fashion to die for?
Fashion company Lacoste has found there is a downside to selling goods with its logo prominently displayed. Norwegian mass murderer Anders Behring Breivik won’t stop wearing one of their jumpers, writes Richard Farmer.
PHOTO GALLERY 
40 glorious examples of infrared manipulation
BuzzFeed has compiled a compilation of photographs, handpicked by Josh Fjelstad, that demonstrate a powerful and potentially gobsmacking tool for photographers: the manipulation of infrared light.
Tick tock tick tock: W H Chong’s culture clock
Crikey’s insatiable Culture Mulcher W H Chong recounts his previous month’s cultural forays — including an art crawl, a designer festival, university video art and Randy Newman with an orchestra.
Daily Proposition: Get snap-happy in Ballarat
There are literally hundreds of reasons to book a ticket to the Victorian rural hamlet of Ballarat this month to visit the 2011 Ballarat International Foto Biennale, says Nicola Heath.
The thieves who introduced the world to Mona Lisa’s smile
If a trio of Italian carpenters hadn’t pilfered the Mona Lisa in 1911, causing an international media sensation, the painting would never have never generated the iconic status it has today, writes James Zug.
Chong: The Country outing, the Art opening and the Governor’s speech
W H Chong trekked through the rain to the country pavilion of the Tarrawarra Museum of Art, crowning the rolling expanses of Yarra Glen to hear the Governor of Victoria open the latest exhibition.
Seduced by Central Australia: her name is Sarah Brown, and she’s a paintaholic
At a small gallery situated on the western edge of Darwin, Bob Gosford and around 100 other art lovers crammed in to view ZING!, the first major show outside Alice Springs for artist and paintaholic Sarah Brown.
Daily Proposition: Visit the Egyptian boy king’s crib
For a 19-year-old who died of unknown causes thousands of years ago, Tutankhamun sure is good at working a crowd. More than 7 million visitors saw the exhibition that bears his name on its US and European tour.
PHOTO GALLERY 
15 of the best Instagram artists
‘Indie’ social media platform and iPhone app Instagram is rapidly building in popularity but remains dominated by genuine artists and designers. Mashable presents 15 of the best.
My Cup Of Tea: Get your Aussie on: defining the authenticity of Australian actors
Australian screen production is still a closed shop and Aussie actors are fighting to keep it that way.
The cheek of it all: does Gillard get a bum rap from cartoonists?
When you picture Julia Gillard in cartoon form, what comes to mind? Her pointy nose? Her flaming hair? Her receding chin and long neck? Or her bum?
X-Men to contemplate gay teen suicide
The ‘mutant’ characters in Marvel’s X-Men comic book series have often been used as symbols of prejudice. So it’s not unusual that a bold upcoming edition will raise issues about gay teen suicide, reports SameSame.
