(August 2012) Carrara’s Marmotech has mutated to a show of different types of regional marble according to a report on the Trade Fair (April 23rd to 26th) in the trade journal Pierre Actual. Granite was not represented at all, as the author was sorry to discover who also noted that there were no exhibitors from China or of cast stone. Praise was expressed for the Carrara marble Weeks, during which artworks in stone were exhibited.

Keys are often misplaced, if not lost altogether. An original key hider by Canadian sculptor Stephan Yettaw solves this problem.

„Nothing is set in Stone“ is the title of a sculpture by artist Mira Calix in which she composed washed stones to a shape through which music is dispatched. The installation can be seen and heard through September 9th in Fairlop Waters by London. .

A gastronomic tour is on offer in the Brazilian town of Cachoeiro de Itapemirim during the stone fair (August 28th to 31st). Special delicacies named after local stone types will be served (Portuguese).

Photos of quarries can be seen on Garfagnana Innovazione’s website.

Lena Pillars Nature Park was added to the UNESCO world heritage list. The park is comprised of 100 m high stone pillar in the Lena river bed in Russia’s Sakha (Yakutia) Republic. Also added to the list ware the Portuguese city of Elvas with its fortress and the city of Rio de Janeiro with its Statue Cristo Redentor covered in soapstone mosaic. Rio has inspired many an artist according to a laudation.