Artist's unique tribute to Muhammad Ali

Artist's unique tribute to Muhammad Ali

Artist's unique tribute to Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali always said he was the prettiest thing that ever lived. He has a point. It does take a certain beauty to make 1,300 punching bags, five miles of stainless steel and two miles of aluminum tubing look like a work of art. Of course, it doesn't hurt to have a talented sculptor rendering those materials.

California artist Michael Kalish will unveil his Ali art installation, "reALIze," later this month in Los Angeles. The project, which depicts the three-time heavyweight champ by using speed bags, stands two stories high, fills up 15,00 cubic feet and includes five miles of stainless steel, two miles of aluminum tubing and 1,300 of Ali's favorite practice targets. Kalish told the Los Angeles Times that it took three months to design the sculpture and five months to build it.

Aretha Franklin announces stage comeback

Franklin's new album, Aretha: A Woman Falling Out of Love. will be released in May

Singer Aretha Franklin has announced she is to return to the stage in May, months after being admitted to hospital for an undisclosed ailment.

The 68-year-old - who also has plans to release a new album - will perform at the Seneca Niagara Casino in Buffalo, New York on 28 May.
Last November Franklin cancelled all concerts and public appearances for six months under doctor's orders.
The following month she had what she described as "more than minor surgery".
Since then the "queen of soul" has revamped her diet and lost weight.
"I want to not only maintain the weight I am at now, but better it by one dress size," she told the Associated Press news agency.
In January she told US magazine Jet that she was "feeling great" and her medical condition had been resolved.
Last weekend saw Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, Florence Welch and others perform a tribute to this year's Grammy awards.
Read More: BBC