BOTTOMS UP: Kanye's new video has received praise from the art world
That’s what the art world is saying after the rapper screened his controversial video Famous at secret locations in LA and New York on Monday night.
Respected artist Vincent Desiderio, whose work Kanye “borrowed” to make the vid, called it a “feat of magic”.
West copied Desiderio’s 2008 painting Sleep – featuring a row of snoozing bodies – with “frighteningly uncanny” style.
Chuffed Desiderio, 60, said: “I had been presented with the most extraordinary gift.
Kanye appears to have likened himself to Pablo Picasso
Kanye had spent the past months producing a video of tremendous power and beauty.”
Naked waxworks of Taylor Swift, Rihanna and Chris Brown all feature in the vid.
Taylor has previously accused Kanye, 39, of not getting approval to use her likeness, something he denies.
MIFFED: Taylor says she didn't give her approval for her likeness to be featured
But Desiderio gave his approval in spades, after he was flown to LA by the rapper to see the work. Now the art world believes Kanye’s ability to blend high art with pop culture puts him on a path to becoming one of the greats.
A source said: “Kanye is becoming a guerrilla or performance artist, a bit like Banksy.”
Most of the celebs shown in the video are pretty annoyed, including singer Ray J – once involved in a sex tape with Kanye’s missus Kim Kardashian – who said: “My fiancée is tripping. It’s all bad in my world.”
Taylor’s actress pal Lena Dunham, 30, called the video “sickening”.
UNIMPRESSED: the Girls star has called the video 'sickening'
Kanye hinted he was the next Picasso when he called his new album The Life Of Pablo.
I bet Taylor would like to hang him on her wall.
ROME is the city of love, according to the cliché, so it’s no wonder that Taylor Swift dragged Tom Hiddleston there.
SWIFT MOVER: it didn't take Taylor too long to move on from Calvin Harris
Part four of their “We’re in love, honest” tour came after more US commentators accused Taylor, 26, of orchestrating a media campaign.
The couple kissed and waved to fans as they visited the Coliseum – and Taylor has invited Tom to her July 4 party on Rhode Island.
Tom, 35, had better watch his credibility.
His odds on becoming the next James Bond have already lengthened.
Beyonce: Stadium of Light, Sunderland
IRREPLACEABLE: Beyonce wowed in Sunderland
AFTER being delayed by 40 minutes thanks to a downpour soaking the stage, the pop powerhouse launched with a typically exhausting Formation dance routine.
Queen Bey slayed Sunderland with Irreplaceable hits, deeper catalogue cuts and seven spangly costume changes.
Old school favourites such as Run The World mixed seamlessly with newer cuts from her Lemonade album, and there was no apparent hint of heartbreak, despite her album’s rumoured inspiration.
Looking after her people, ever-loyal Beyoncé gave a shout out to her “Bey Hives”, saying: “I’m so blessed and honoured to still be on the stage, that wouldn’t be possible without your support.”
She teased the opening bars of Don’t Hurt Yourself before climbing into a cube to cover late icon Prince’s Purple Rain.
Later the Texan smouldered in red latex for a Fifty Shades Of Grey-style version of Crazy In Love.
Hell, Bey’s so powerful she even walked on water – quite literally – as the crowd sang along to every syllable of Halo.
Simply flawless.
POOR old Calvin Harris isn’t having the best of times post Taylor.
Calvin's been having a tricky time lately
As well as a new girlfriend, the big Scot is after a new car door after destroying one on his SUV on Monday.
Calv, 32, was leaving a Beverly Hills gym when he backed up his Range Rover, but his back door was open.
Crunch.
Cal and Tay during happier times
The DJ got angry with paparazzi for pursuing him, but later said sorry.
Apparently he was “bewildered and astonished” that Taylor has already met Tom’s mother in the UK after just a couple of weeks together.
Tay never met Calvin’s parents during their 15-month relationship. Take it out on the car, Calv.
RIHANNA has many faces – and here is her “butter wouldn’t melt” one.
DEMURE: Rihanna in an ANTI tour snap
This ANTI tour diary snap goes perfectly with RiRi’s new single Sledgehammer.
The Star Trek Beyond tune is a full-on ballad, ideal for a first dance at a wedding.
Slow dance, Drake?
TARZAN beauty Margot Robbie has set herself up for a lifetime of “ah-ahaha-ah-ah-ah-ah”.
Oz beauty Margot Robbie received lots of Tarzan calls
The Aussie, 25, who plays the loin-clothed hero’s love interest Jane, can kiss goodbye to wolf whistles.
At the LA premiere of the movie, all that could be heard were Tarzan calls from fans.
Roll them eyes, Margot.
