French artist Ben, best known for his ironic painted slogans, died at age 88 by killing himself at his home in Nice, France just hours after his wife’s death, his family said on Wednesday (June 5).

His wife, Annie, suffered a stroke on Monday evening and died on Wednesday, the couple’s two children, Eva and Francois, said in a statement.

“Unwilling and unable to live without her, Ben killed himself a few hours later at their home” in the French Mediterranean city of Nice, they said.

Ben Vautier, widely known by the artistic moniker Ben, was found with a gunshot wound. The Nice prosecutor’s office would open an investigation into his death, reported ArtNews.

Born in Naples in 1935, the artist moved to Nice aged 14 and spent the rest of his life there.&nbsp;

"On our children's pencil cases, on so many everyday objects and even in our imaginations, Ben had left his mark, made of freedom and poetry, of apparent lightness and overwhelming depth," French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement.

‘Goldsmith of Language’

Associated with the Fluxus movement of the 1960s, Ben sought to disrupt what counted as art, with a style of street-based, provocative irony that proved highly influential.

He would often say, “Everything is art.” He would sign anything he wanted, claiming it as his creation: the bodies of passers-by on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, or even other artists’ work.

“My art will be an art of appropriation. I seek to sign everything that has not been signed. I believe that art is in the intention and that it is enough to sign,” he once said, with a smile as always.

He became best known for his humorous slogans, usually painted in white on a black background, in a childlike handwriting: “What is the use of art?”, “Is the new always new?”, “What are you doing here?”&nbsp; 
Vautier’s work earned him a place in the world’s most prominent museums, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Centre Pompidou and the Stedelijk Museum.&nbsp;

His work was also replicated widely, so much so that his slogans became a staple on socks, tote bags, pencil cases and notebooks.&nbsp;

He was also known for his thought-provoking performances: standing in the window of a gallery and shouting until losing his voice, swimming across the Port of Nice, organising plays that never happened and piano recitals where the pianist would run away.

"The world of culture has lost a legend," Culture Minister Rachida Dati commented, dubbing Vautier a "goldsmith&nbsp;of&nbsp;language".

(With inputs from agencies)

French artist Ben, best known for his ironic painted slogans, died at age 88 by killing himself at his home in Nice, France just hours after his wife’s death, his family said on Wednesday (June 5).

French artist Ben, best known for his ironic painted slogans, died at age 88 by killing himself at his home in Nice, France just hours after his wife’s death, his family said on Wednesday (June 5). His wife, Annie, suffered a stroke on Monday evening and died on Wednesday, the couple’s two children, Eva and Francois, said in a statement. “Unwilling and unable to live without her, Ben killed himself a few hours later at their home” in the French Mediterranean city of Nice, they said. Ben Vautier, widely known by the artistic moniker Ben, was found with a gunshot wound. The Nice prosecutor’s office would open an investigation into his death, reported ArtNews. Born in Naples in 1935, the artist moved to Nice aged 14 and spent the rest of his life there. "On our children's pencil cases, on so many everyday objects and even in our imaginations, Ben had left his mark, made of freedom and poetry, of apparent lightness and overwhelming depth," French President Emmanuel Macron said in a statement. ‘Goldsmith of Language’ Associated with the Fluxus movement of the 1960s, Ben sought to disrupt what counted as art, with a style of street-based, provocative irony that proved highly influential. He would often say, “Everything is art.” He would sign anything he wanted, claiming it as his creation: the bodies of passers-by on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, or even other artists’ work. “My art will be an art of appropriation. I seek to sign everything that has not been signed. I believe that art is in the intention and that it is enough to sign,” he once said, with a smile as always. He became best known for his humorous slogans, usually painted in white on a black background, in a childlike handwriting: “What is the use of art?”, “Is the new always new?”, “What are you doing here?” Vautier’s work earned him a place in the world’s most prominent museums, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Centre Pompidou and the Stedelijk Museum. His work was also replicated widely, so much so that his slogans became a staple on socks, tote bags, pencil cases and notebooks. He was also known for his thought-provoking performances: standing in the window of a gallery and shouting until losing his voice, swimming across the Port of Nice, organising plays that never happened and piano recitals where the pianist would run away. "The world of culture has lost a legend," Culture Minister Rachida Dati commented, dubbing Vautier a "goldsmith of language". (With inputs from agencies)

‘Loss of a legend’: French artist Ben commits suicide just hours after wife’s death

They are finally married! 20 years on, world's most popular celebrity couple Bennifer is officially man and wife. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck married in a small private event in Las Vegas on Saturday, July 16 in presence of select guests. The couple who first started dating in 2001 and broke up in 2004 rekindled their love in 2021. In the last 20 years, the two married other people had kids, got divorced and then also dated others before they reunited. Here's looking at Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's relationship timeline.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's relationship timeline

Facebook Inc's new searchable database of US political ads reveals that companies such as Exxon Mobil Corp, Ben &amp; Jerry's and Penzeys Spices are cumulatively spending millions of dollars to encourage voting and influence how Americans vote.

Little data is typically published on specific companies' online ad spending, but Facebook's increased transparency about political activity on its service has opened a trove of details ahead of elections on November 6. The social media network showed that $256.4 million was spent on political ads since May.

Alphabet Inc's Google and Twitter Inc have introduced similar databases. But compared to Facebook, Google covers a narrower set of advertisers and Twitter's tool is more difficult to use.

The database unveiled by Facebook on Tuesday, called the "Ad Archive Report," will provide weekly updates on how much advertisers are spending on Facebook ads that specifically, encourage voting or mention political races or issues of national importance.

That policy pulls in ads from official campaigns as well as paid posts containing a political dimension from boutique apparel makers, talk-show hosts and global firms.

Oil giant ExxonMobil has spent more than $2.1 million on Facebook ads since May, more than any corporation beside online petition service Care2.com Inc. ExxonMobil has promoted a campaign supporting offshore drilling and urged a "no" vote on a Colorado ballot measure that would limit fracking.

The company did not immediately respond to a request to comment.

Ben &amp; Jerry's, a part of Unilever Plc, has spent more than $401,000 since May on various ads, including one supporting a Florida ballot measure that would let felons vote.

Jay Tandan, the ice cream maker's US digital marketing manager, said the company welcomed the transparency.

"We’ve long stood up for our company values and used our tools as a business – including monetary expenditure and our social media presence – to support driving the change we hope to see in the world," Tandan said in an email.

Penzeys, a nationwide retailer of spices based in Wisconsin, has put $773,000 into ads calling on people to vote despite any political frustration they may have following the contentious Senate confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

"Make your plan to vote, but please give thought to encouraging others to vote, too," one ad seen by at least hundreds of thousands Facebook accounts said. "Help them put together the ingredients they need for a healthy and satisfying voting experience."

Smaller firms are aiming to capitalize on the election too. California-based Concealed Online, which sells firearms training for concealed carry permits, has spent $1.76 million encouraging people in Texas, Florida and other states to apply before a possible shift in power brings gun restrictions.

To be sure, Facebook's transparency has limits. It privately requires government-issued identification from political ad buyers but allows them pseudoanonymity in public disclosures through vague names such as Be Registered LLC.

The tech companies' political spending databases arrived after the threat of regulation over the lack of disclosure on such spending.

Facebook also has faced a barrage of criticism from users and lawmakers after it said last year that Russian agents used its platform to spread misinformation before and after the 2016 US presidential election, an accusation Moscow denies.

Facebook Inc's new searchable database of US political ads reveals that companies such as Exxon Mobil Corp, Ben & Jerry's and Penzeys Spices are cumulatively spending millions of dollars to encourage voting and influence how Americans vote.

Facebook Inc's new searchable database of US political ads reveals that companies such as Exxon Mobil Corp, Ben & Jerry's and Penzeys Spices are cumulatively spending millions of dollars to encourage voting and influence how Americans vote. Little data is typically published on specific companies' online ad spending, but Facebook's increased transparency about political activity on its service has opened a trove of details ahead of elections on November 6. The social media network showed that $256.4 million was spent on political ads since May. Alphabet Inc's Google and Twitter Inc have introduced similar databases. But compared to Facebook, Google covers a narrower set of advertisers and Twitter's tool is more difficult to use. The database unveiled by Facebook on Tuesday, called the "Ad Archive Report," will provide weekly updates on how much advertisers are spending on Facebook ads that specifically, encourage voting or mention political races or issues of national importance. That policy pulls in ads from official campaigns as well as paid posts containing a political dimension from boutique apparel makers, talk-show hosts and global firms. Oil giant ExxonMobil has spent more than $2.1 million on Facebook ads since May, more than any corporation beside online petition service Care2.com Inc. ExxonMobil has promoted a campaign supporting offshore drilling and urged a "no" vote on a Colorado ballot measure that would limit fracking. The company did not immediately respond to a request to comment. Ben & Jerry's, a part of Unilever Plc, has spent more than $401,000 since May on various ads, including one supporting a Florida ballot measure that would let felons vote. Jay Tandan, the ice cream maker's US digital marketing manager, said the company welcomed the transparency. "We’ve long stood up for our company values and used our tools as a business – including monetary expenditure and our social media presence – to support driving the change we hope to see in the world," Tandan said in an email. Penzeys, a nationwide retailer of spices based in Wisconsin, has put $773,000 into ads calling on people to vote despite any political frustration they may have following the contentious Senate confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. "Make your plan to vote, but please give thought to encouraging others to vote, too," one ad seen by at least hundreds of thousands Facebook accounts said. "Help them put together the ingredients they need for a healthy and satisfying voting experience." Smaller firms are aiming to capitalize on the election too. California-based Concealed Online, which sells firearms training for concealed carry permits, has spent $1.76 million encouraging people in Texas, Florida and other states to apply before a possible shift in power brings gun restrictions. To be sure, Facebook's transparency has limits. It privately requires government-issued identification from political ad buyers but allows them pseudoanonymity in public disclosures through vague names such as Be Registered LLC. The tech companies' political spending databases arrived after the threat of regulation over the lack of disclosure on such spending. Facebook also has faced a barrage of criticism from users and lawmakers after it said last year that Russian agents used its platform to spread misinformation before and after the 2016 US presidential election, an accusation Moscow denies.

Exxon, Ben & Jerry's among buyers of $256 million in political ads on Facebook

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‘Loss of a legend’: French artist Ben commits suicide just hours after wife’s death

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's relationship timeline

Exxon, Ben & Jerry's among buyers of $256 million in political ads on Facebook