Ai Weiwei is named ArtReview's 'most powerful artist'

The artist has spoken out against human rights abuses in China

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has been named the most powerful person in the art world, according to a poll compiled by ArtReview magazine.

But Mr Ai, who was released in June after being detained for more than 80 days by Chinese authorities, told the BBC he does "not feel powerful at all".

The magazine said he was chosen by the panel because of his political activism, as much as his artwork.

China criticised the selection saying it was based on "political bias".

In a statement, ArtReview magazine said: "[His] activities have allowed artists to move away from the idea that they work within a privileged zone limited by the walls of a gallery or museum."

"It's expanding the possibilities of what you can do with art, and as an artist how you can use your voice," it added.

International prominence

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said: "China has many artists who have sufficient ability. We feel that a selection that is based purely on a political bias and perspective has violated the objectives of the magazine."

ArtReview magazine said: "Ai Weiwei's number one ranking is the direct result of his efforts to expand the territory and audience for contemporary art practice by breaking down the barriers between art and life.

"Expanding the territory and audience for art is absolutely in line with the magazine's ethos."
The artist's arrest in April, as he boarded a flight in Beijing bound for Hong Kong, prompted a global campaign for his release.

Chinese authorities said Mr Ai was detained on charges of tax fraud, but his family have always insisted it was for his political activities.

Under the conditions of his release, he is not allowed to be interviewed by journalists or use the internet.

In an interview with the BBC, the artist said he was being "strongly restricted".

He added: "Like this kind of conversation today I am doing is a violation. I think it may bring me very big trouble."
"I don't have this concept to separate my art from my daily life. I think they are one thing to me. They are always one.

"How do you find a way to express yourself and how to communicate with others? Art is how we put our lives to deal with our living conditions."

Mr Ai, one of China's best-known artists, rose to international prominence as co-designer of Beijing's "Bird's Nest" Olympic Stadium.

In 2010, he created a carpet of 100 million porcelain sunflower seeds for Tate Modern's Turbine Hall in London.

Damien Hirst, famous for his pickled sharks, is the only other artist to have previously topped the list, in 2005 and 2008.

This year second place went to the directors of London's Serpentine Gallery, Hans Ulrich Obrist and Julia Peyton-Jones.

New York's Museum of Modern Art director Glenn D Lowry was in third place, followed by US gallery owner Larry Gagosian, who topped last year's poll.

Ai Weiwei created a carpet of 100 million porcelain sunflower seeds for Tate Modern

Scarlett Johansson speaks out over nude photos

Johansson is best known for films including Girl with a Pearl Earring and Lost in Translation

Scarlett Johansson has spoken out for the first time over the nude photos that were leaked online, calling the invasion of her privacy "unjust".

The FBI are currently investigating claims of computer hacking, following the leaking of naked photos of stars.

In an interview with CNN, Johansson said celebrities were no different to anyone else when it came to privacy.

"Just because you're an actor... doesn't mean you're not entitled to your own personal privacy," she said.

"If that [privacy] is sieged in some way, it feels unjust. It feels wrong," Johansson told the US broadcaster.

Referring to her life in the spotlight, the Bafta-winning star said: "I think there are certain instances where you give a lot of yourself and finally you have to kind of put your foot down."

Public appearance

The actress, last seen on the big screen in Iron Man 2, made her first public appearance since the pictures were leaked, at Milan Fashion Week last weekend.

One leaked photo appeared to show Johansson, 26, topless on a bed, while another apparently shows her wearing a towel while revealing her bottom.

The images, apparently taken by the actress, follow the leaking of naked photos of other celebrities including Jessica Alba.

Hacked photos of Justin Timberlake and his Friends With Benefits co-star Mila Kunis have also appeared online, according to reports.

Earlier this month, Johansson's lawyer sent letters out to all the websites that had published the photos within hours of them appearing, threatening legal action.

The photos have since been taken down by most outlets.

The FBI said it was investigating "the person or groups responsible for a series of computer intrusions involving high-profile figures".

Naomi Watts

She seduced King Kong Onscreen and Liev Schreiber in real life, but winning over Hollywood was harder. Now Naomi Watts, star of Dream House and J. Edgar, is focusing on her two young sons—and making “movies that I’d WANT to see.”

At first Naomi Watts balks when asked if she has a bawdy sense of humor, though bawdy is the exact word that three friends—actresses Nicole Kidman and Rebecca Rigg and writer-director Rodrigo García—each use when describing her ability to keep them in stitches.

“She’s bawdy as hell,” says Rigg, who shared a Bondi Beach apartment with Watts in Sydney, Australia, two decades ago. “She’s unshockable, and she’s shocking, especially to people who don’t know her.”

Watts, who stars in Dream House, opening September 30, and J. Edgar, due out November 9, still isn’t buying. “What exactly does bawdy mean?” she asks.

I punch up the definition on my laptop and read it to her: “dealing with sexual matters in a comical way; humorously indecent.”

She laughs. “That’s a bawdy sense of humor? I do, I do,” confesses Watts, 43. “And it’s definitely heightened when I’m in the company of Australian women and a drink.”

Perhaps that accounts for the night, recalled by Rigg, when Watts, after hours at a friend’s restaurant, climbed atop a table and launched into a risqué dance routine right out of the ’80s pop-music show Solid Gold...

Kristin Cavallari's 'Dancing With The Stars' Rehearsal 'Sweaty But Fun'

'I don't have any dance experience, so this is very new for me,' former 'Hills' starlet tells MTV News.

Kristin Cavallari may not have started out as a dancer, but she's definitely a quick learner.

On the season 13 debut of "Dancing With the Stars" last week, the 24-year-old former "Hills" and "Laguna Beach" starlet wowed the judges and audiences alike when she shook her way through the cha-cha, proving she has more to offer than just reality-TV drama. MTV News caught up with "DWTS" pro Mark Ballas and the former reality bad girl, who stressed the show's grueling (but fun) rehearsal schedule.


"Mark and I have been rehearsing since 8 in the morning, which Mark's not very happy about," the blond bombshell confessed. "But it's been a good day. We're getting a lot done. We've been here for five hours almost, so we're a little sweaty, but it's been fun."

"I'm not a morning person at all," Ballas reaffirmed.

Even though Cavallari nabbed a respectable score during the season premiere (19/30), the starlet told us she's not used to all the showstopping choreography. "I don't have any dance experience, so this is very new for me. I'm out of my element here. The only style of dance I would do is like bop around at a club," she laughed.

Coming off a rough year, which includes a broken engagement, Cavallari said she's "having a lot of fun" in rehearsals, particularly learning the quickstep, which she'll be performing on Monday night's (September 26) episode. There is another dance on her bucket list as well.

"I'm looking forward to learning how to salsa dance. That's something I've always wanted to do," she said. "Dancers ... how they way they carry themselves is just completely different than how we do it in our everyday lives. They're just very free with their bodies, which I'm not very used to, although with the quickstep, I have to be very in frame and strong."

Ballas is also intent on helping the reality star build up her physique, saying, "We're working on core muscles, trying to get those abs rocking."

Bieber takes over Staples Center for date night

In a move that will have tween girls swooning, Justin Bieber's rep confirms to CNN that the pop star did, in fact, arrange for a private screening of "Titanic" at the Staples Center for himself and Selena Gomez Friday night.
Will the romance never end?
On Friday, the teen couple attended pal Demi Lovato's show at the Nokia Theater LA Live. After the show, J. Biebs, 17, pulled out all the stops. The singer surprised girlfriend Selena, 18, with an elaborate movie night, taking her to the Staples Center across the street by way of an underground tunnel.

The young lovebirds shared a dinner for two on the floor of the empty 20,000 seat arena, and followed that up with a private screening of "Titanic."

It's not confirmed whether the romantic Mr. Biebs was inspired by Adam Sandler's movie, "Mr. Deeds" (Sandler takes Winona Ryder on a date to Madison Square Garden).

TMZ reports that the Staples Center let Bieber use the arena free of charge, as a thanks for his recent sold-out concerts at the venue.

"Romance isn't dead," Biebs tweeted that night. "Treat your lady right fellas."

Funk legend Sly Stone living in a van

Sadly, Sly Stone, one of the fathers of funk music, is now homeless and living out of a van in Los Angeles, the New York Post reports.

The man behind Sly and the Family Stone calls a white van home these days. The 68-year-old’s fortune ran out thanks to financial mismanagement, substance abuse and a lavish lifestyle, he tells the paper.

The singer has accused his manager, Jerry Goldstein, of stealing his royalty payments, and sued him for fraud last year.


In 2009, Stone was forced to move into a van, and while he says he doesn’t “want to return to a fixed home,” he does want to make money and put his financial nightmare behind him.

“But now please tell everybody, please, to give me a job, play my music,” he says in the interview. “I’m tired of all this s--, man.”

Sly released an album of hits rerecorded with other artists earlier this year, and notes that he has new songs ready for release. “But, with new energy, it will feel good to step on stage,” he says.

“I see all the guys playing those old songs," he continues. "Let these guys know, like Lady Gaga, let me come in, just let me come in and pay me if you like it.”

'Ghostbusters' returns to theaters in October

Amidst the new movie hype, The Wrap reports that “Ghostbusters” is coming back to the big screen in October.
Sony Pictures Entertainment announced Thursday that you can catch the “quintessential modern classic” in theaters for the first time in over 25 years during a limited run next month. On October 13, 20 and 27, “Ghostbusters” will play on about 500 big screens nationwide.

"We're delighted to be bringing ‘Ghostbusters’ back to the big screen! This is a special celebration of the movie, giving the fans a chance to see it [in theaters] in perfect digital presentation,” Sony Pictures’ Rory Bruer said in a statement.


(The movie will be shown in 2K digital with 5.1 Surround Sound.)

Bruer continued: “As we head towards Halloween, we ain’t afraid of no ghosts, but just the same, we’re glad that everyone’s favorite paranormal eliminators are on the case.”

A re-release worked for "The Lion King" last week, and we're thinking this showing will be a smashing success.

Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, Ernie Hudson and Bill Murray battled ghosts, demons and the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man in the 1984 action-comedy. The movie also stars Rick Moranis and Sigourney Weaver.

Sony Pictures advises fans to check local listings for show times and theaters. Visit Ghostbusters.com for information.

'Ringer' doubles the Sarah Michelle Gellar

[Editor's Note: If you want to stay unspoiled about the premiere of the CW's "Ringer," stop reading now -- potential spoilers await!]
Sarah Michelle Gellar may not be staking vampires in the CW's "Ringer" but we're nonetheless happy to welcome her back to TV. (SMG, and “Lost’s” Nestor Carbonell, might we add.)

Tuesday night’s premiere of “Ringer” was one of the most hyped of the season, and the gripping pace and plot kept our attention. That being said, we still need an episode or three before we’re completely sold.

The hour-long premiere was packed with info: We first meet SMG as former stripper Bridget, a key witness in a high-profile murder case and six months sober.


Right before the big trial Bridget skips town and reunites with her wealthy, well-dressed sister Siobhan in East Hampton after a six-year separation.

Let’s pause for a minute on the sight of two Sarah Michelle Gellars facing each other: It was a bit jarring at first, but after a few frames the interaction became more convincing, and it stayed riddled with tension.

The sisters head to Siobhan's weekend home, and she informs Bridget that her husband of five years, Andrew, doesn't know Bridget exists. Clearly Siobhan is one who's good at keeping a secret.

The writers kept the element of surprise by not providing any background on the sisters' childhood or family, so we have no idea what drove Siobhan and Bridget to their present circumstance. Whatever it was – and it seems to have to do with a little boy named Sean, perhaps the son of one of the twins or a brother? - Siobhan has supposedly already forgiven Bridget.

The two take a boat ride (or at least, they pretend to – this scene’s production values were Internet meme-worthy bad) and do more sisterly bonding, but before we see much more Siobhan vanishes while Bridget slumbered, leaving her wedding ring and belongings behind.

Presuming her sister killed herself – she certainly screamed "Siobhan" enough times to be thoroughly convinced no one was answering - Bridget puts her hair in a bun, dons the fancy clothes and returns to New York City as her sister. As she tells her NA sponsor, Malcolm, she saw an opportunity and went for it. After all, as Bridget she’s a walking target thanks to her involvement in the murder case.

The scenes that follow Siobhan's "disappearance" seem to indicate that all Bridget would really have to do was keep up appearances as a wealthy socialite; very much like "The Prince and the Pauper." But as we learn more about Siobhan's secrets, the plot takes a darker (and, yeah, soapier) turn.

What we do know is that Siobhan was in a passionless marriage with Andrew, (Ioan Gruffudd); she was cheating on him with her best friend Gemma’s husband Henry; her stepdaughter can't stand her; and she’s pregnant, with Henry pretty convinced it’s his. Hopefully you got all of that.

By the end, “Ringer” upped the suspense: Gemma calls Bridget with a new guess as to who Henry could be cheating on her with, and asks to meet her at Siobhan’s unfinished loft.

Instead of Gemma, waiting for Bridget at the penthouse is a masked man who tries to choke her and we are back at the opening scene. “You have the wrong girl,” Bridget screams. She manages to pull out the gun she hid in the apartment and before shooting her killer she says, “I am not Bridget.”

But when Bridget reaches into the dead man’s pocket for clues, she finds a picture of Siobhan. That means that there’s someone out to kill Siobhan and now Bridget has two targets aimed at her.

The pilot ends in Paris where we see Siobhan, alive and well, receiving a call about a “problem” and smirking.

Which leaves us with so many questions we HAVE to ask. Why would Siobhan fake her death, and what is she planning? Why haven’t any of Siobhan’s family or friends noticed the change in Siobhan’s temperament and suspect something? We’re likely not going to get answers to those questions anytime soon.

But here’s the question for you: If you watched “Ringer,” what did you think? (Aside from the return of SMG, “Buffy” fans.) Did CBS make the right or wrong choice in handing this one over to the CW?

Britney Spears asked to apologize for music video gun

Britney Spears has drawn ire from British officials after brandishing a fake gun in a music video shoot near London. Local politicians want an apology from the pop star for “promoting gun violence,” reports MTV.

In the video for her upcoming single “Criminal,” Spears runs out of a convenience store waving a fake pistol, accompanied by fiance Jason Trawick, who totes a duffel bag.

The controversial Bonnie and Clyde-esque scene was shot in the London neighborhood of Hackney, and officials there say Spears is encouraging violence in the wake of Britain’s August riots.


Ian Rathbone, of the Hackney Council, aired his grievances on news program “London Tonight”: "I think she should apologize and make a sizeable donation to a Hackney charity that deals with young people, in compensation for the rudeness and damage she's done to this community."

In a statement to CNN, Rathbone says he's standing by the remarks he gave to "London Tonight."

“I stick by my comments which were supported by young people also interviewed at the time. Gun crime has been reducing in the Hackney area. We don’t need some celeb running around with a handgun in a public street stirring things up again," Rathbone says. "What she did was illegal as she had not sought permission for what was apparently a late change of script and she also needed to notify the local police who would have wanted to have been present in such a situation. She is encouraging a lifestyle of crime, get something for nothing, or use a gun to get your way. I can provide the names of some charities in Hackney, and how she can help pay for a performance to be put on of a production called 'Frenzy' by a local theater group involving young people in the area in Hackney where a riot took place to help them express their views about what happened.”

The Council told "London Tonight" they did not approve of a replica gun being used in the video shoot. Hackney’s Member of Parliament Diane Abbott thinks Brit is behaving irresponsibly.

“It is only a music video but it’s images like this, with pop stars glamorizing gangs, which means that some young people… get drawn in,” Abbott said. “Britney should really know better.”

For her part, Britney tweeted that she had "a blast” in London, and her rep tells CNN, "The video is a fantasy story featuring Britney's boyfriend, Jason Trawick, which literally plays out the lyrics of a song written 3 years before the riots ever happened."

Lion King reigns at US box office

The 3D version of The Lion King has fared better than expected

The 3D re-release of Disney's The Lion King has held off Brad Pitt's baseball drama Moneyball at the US box office.



The animated movie reclaimed the number one slot in its second week on the chart, making $22.1m (£14.3m), according to studio estimates.

Brad Pitt's Moneyball opened at number two with $20.6m (£13.3m), while family film Dolphin Tale was close behind with $20.3m (£13.1m).

The re-issue of The Lion King has made $61.7m (£39.9m) since its release.

The original film came out in 1994 and was re-released for the first time in 2002.

The 3D version has surpassed expectations, according to Disney. Its head of distribution, Dave Hollis, said the studio will leave the film in cinemas longer than its planned two-week run.

Action film Abduction, starring Twilight's Taylor Lautner, debuted at number four with takings of $11.2m (£7.2m).

Killer Elite, starring Robert De Niro, Jason Statham and Clive Owen rounded out the top five with takings of $9.5m (£6.1m).

Steven Soderbergh's Contagion, heist movie Drive, civil rights film The Help, thriller Straw Dogs and Sarah Jessica Parker comedy, I Don't Know How She Does It, made up the remainder of the top 10.