. . . and it's about a transgendered Polynesian sorceror, too.

We'll get to that. First, name the artist of this work:

Start guessing. Answer at the end.

URBAN PLANNING Because the world comes to screeching halt when you say Edina Byerly's Update, EDINA BYERLY'S UPDATE. This matters because it's a microcosm of every attempt to build something around here. Yesterday I mentioned the redesigned plan for the new project, which put the store on the corner, but still had lots of open parking space. Business Journal is now reporting that the Planning Commission tabled on the vote, while other concerns are raised. The problem seems to be the same one that struck the Target redesign few years back: people walking on the Edina Promenade can see loading docks. There has to be a way to hide the loading docks. Perhaps an underground garage. Maybe the stores could have supplies dropped on the roof. Why do we have to see loading docks?

UrbanMSP has an interesting back-and-forth about the project and the nature of France Avenue. There's some enthusiasm for reducing the lanes and making it more pedestrian-friendly. For heaven's sake. No. Putting the pedestrian walkways through the middle of the blocks ought to be sufficient; it creates a walkable space that's much more pleasant than strolling along the rolling torrent of cars blasting up and down France. If the purpose is to choke off traffic on France so fewer people will drive there, again: please stop trying to do this. Edina is not Manhattan. People drive to Target to get 24-roll bales of Scott Bathroom tissue and perhaps a desk. Then some meatballs over at Cub, because there was a coupon, some wine next door. Making the area incrementally more difficult to reach will not make people say "oh, to heck with my car. Please, build light rail." It's not going to happen.

MOVIES Early buzz on that "Superman" reboot: best picture of the year. Really.

YIKES Air pollution in Beijing yesterday was particularly bad. Emphasis on "particulate." Holy Crow.

ART Sure, this is just the story I expected to read today. From Artinfo.com

Here's the painting.

Or is it? This article discusses the curious provenance of a forged version.

Now it gets peculiar:

Now it gets weird:

All that comes from this 2007 story about the attempt to sell the picture, here.

In related news: that painting at the top of the blog? Olivepress says:

If it wasn't Picasso, would they be as impressed?

I was googling around for articles that contained the words "Picasso" and "overrated" and ended up here, where I was introduced to the world of Nicolai Fechin. I like his work.