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Art

Last Wednesday, a Francis Bacon triptych sold at a Christie's auction for about $51 million. This is the highest price ever paid at a European auction for a post-war work. The sale, according to Christie's, demonstrates "the underlying, continued strength of the market" for art across the world. /// Actor Randy Quaid has been "banned for life" from the Actors' Equity Association, the labor union for American stage actors, for "physically and verbally" abusing his fellow performers during the Seattle production of the musical "Lone Star Love." The production was supposed to hit Broadway, but apparently Quaid's antics forced the show to close prematurely. Woah, Randy! /// A discussion by the N.Y. Times on Broadway's changing business model.

Books

American author James Patterson wants to create new video games based on his novels. It is hoped that the project will expand the current market for video games, much like the Nintendo Wii did when it was first released. "This will open up a whole new arena to a lot of people who don't play games now." /// Fledgling authors with no publishing deal prospects, take note: Newspaper columns may be a good launching pad for your career.

Film

The Writer's Guild strike could end as soon as next Monday, according to the L.A. Times. Negotiators from both sides are expected to put the finishing touches on a 3-year contract that is hoped to at least appease protesting writers for the short-term. Whether writers will accept this temporary truce, however, is a big "if." /// Director Martin Scorcese now plans to work with Shanrgi-La Entertainment to produce a new documentary about Bob Marley. It's set for release on February 6, 2010 (Marley's would-be 65th birthday).

Music

The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the "Total Music" project for antitrust violations. Total Music is a strategic move against Apple initiated by major record companies Universal Music Group and Sony/BMG in their fight to seize control over digital music pricing and distribution, which Apple pretty much has locked down through iTunes. Under the plan, Universal and Sony/BMG would "charge device manufacturers, cellphone service providers and other businesses $5 per month" for a basic music subscription service. The other two major record companies - EMI and Warner Music Group - appear to be unofficially involved in the Total Music project as well. All four companies are now under federal subpoena. /// The Chicago Park District, as part of its efforts to attract more live music to the Windy City, is now offering a 5-year exclusive promotion deal for Soldier Field (where the Chicago Bears play). Austin concert promoter C3 Presents, among others, has put in a bid for the deal. The contract could be awarded "as soon as next week." /// Study claims that revenue from Hispanic radio & television will encounter rapid growth in 2008. This is evidently due to a "growing audience with increasing buying power."