China wants sculptures about to be auctioned

China wants sculptures about to be auctioned

BEIJING — China has demanded the return of looted imperial bronzes scheduled to be sold in Paris as part of the estate auction of the late French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.

The sculptures of a rat head and rabbit disappeared in 1860, when French and British forces sacked the former summer palace on the outskirts of Beijing at the close of the second Opium War, according to China’s official Xinhua News Agency.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said last week that the pieces were “stolen and taken away by intruders,” and “should be returned to China.”

The two bronzes — which are expected to sell for about $10.4 million to $13 million each, according to Xinhua — are to be auctioned by Christie’s Feb. 23-25 in Paris along with other pieces belonging to the estate of Saint Laurent, who died last year.

Peas singer’s new cause

LOS ANGELES — The frontman of the Black Eyed Peas has taken up another cause.

In collaboration with Australian photographer Russell James’ “Nomad Two Worlds” art project, will.i.am has created a new song that will be used in a viral music video featuring Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, celebrities like Hugh Jackman and James’ images of Aborigines.

The viral music video will be released on dipdive.com, the Web site that will.i.am debuted the pro-Obama video “Yes We Can” to millions of online views last year. That video featured celebrities reciting lines from a speech by Obama.

Neil Young joins lineup

NEW ORLEANS — Neil Young will join a slew of other first-time performers at the 2009 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, a bittersweet announcement given that the “Queen of Soul” canceled her coveted appearance.

Jazz Fest producer Quint Davis said Aretha Franklin’s activities surrounding President Barack Obama’s inauguration, scheduling and travel issues led to the cancellation.

Young joins other first-timers Bon Jovi and Grammy winners Sugarland and Kings of Leon.

Today’s birthdays

Actress Jane Seymour is 58. Singer Melissa Manchester is 58. Cartoonist Matt Groening (“The Simpsons”) is 55. Actor Joseph R. Gannascoli (“The Sopranos”) is 50. Actress Sarah Wynter (”24”) is 36. Singer Brandon Boyd of Incubus is 33.