Rankin, the celebrated photographer, is on a mission to bring death to life in an exhibition inspired by the trauma he suffered after his parents died within weeks of each other.

Things are looking up – the first Chagall UK show in 15 years

After his story makes the national news, Christian Nayet insists his actions were 'human, not courageous.'

Visual Arts

The Harlem Shake video produced by students at a language school in Tunis looks familiar enough. There is a boy with a cardboard box over his head dancing wildly, a girl in a dressing gown jumping up and down, a mass of hair bouncing with her.

On a new year fitness drive? Get your mind into shape as well with these great talks and lecture series around the UK...

Click through a gallery of the year's exhibition highlights, below

Fans flocked in droves to Tate's website this morning to purchase tickets for the hotly anticipated Kraftwerk gigs at the Tate Modern's Turbine Hall.

He is one of the most influential American artists of the past 30 years but is almost unknown in the UK.

It's the last chance to see a Viking battle at Lindisfarne Priory today (01289 389200; www.english-heritage.org.uk; admission £6.50). "The Vikings Return: Viking Raiders" will aim to recreate the atmosphere of AD793 when Lindisfarne was the scene of the first assaults on the north-east coast of England by these marauders. Rather less combative entertainment is also on offer at this specially reconstructed Viking encampment. See the armour they wore and weapons they used, and there's also a replica of a Viking longship to admire.

Visitors to London's Tate Modern gallery this Summer may find themselves holding a conversation with a complete stranger in a cavernous hall as part of a piece of art.

The National Portrait Gallery has unveiled its largest commission to date, the culmination of three years’ work, dedicated to the “spirit of greatness” of those involved in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Young artists can showcase their works commission free as part of a Cultural Olympiad project.

Brains: The Mind as Matter proved to be the most popular exhibition ever staged at Wellcome Collection, a free venue in London for the ‘incurably curious’ that explores the connections between medicine, life and art in the past, present and future.