• Why am I spending $12 million for a stuffed shark? The New York Sun answers the question in a review of a new book, The $12 Million Stuffed Shark: The Curious Economics of Contemporary Art. (Andrea Carson at View on Canadian Art has more on the book.)

• Art auctions on cruise ships? Buyer beware. (The New York Times)

• Filmmaker Mark Lewis will represent Canada at the 2009 Venice Biennale. (CBC News) (Lewis was also this year's winner of the $25,000 Gershon Iskowitz Prize.) (CBC News)