Seph Rodney is a prominent arts journalist and critic with a distinguished career, having contributed to top publications such as the New York Times, CNN, NBC, Artforum, and the Guardian. He has received notable awards for his work, including the Rabkin Arts Journalism Prize in 2020 and the Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant in 2022. Additionally, Rodney is a curator of contemporary art exhibitions, most recently co-curating "Get in the Game" at SFMOMA in 2024.
https://hyperallergic.com/author/seph-rodney-for-ford-foundation/US Representative Rep. Lowe's proposed legislation in Texas could lead to censorship of artistic works, including those featuring children, as seen in the case of photographer Sally Mann. Chloe Kempf, staff attorney at the ACLU of Texas, warns that such laws threaten the constitutionally protected right to artistic expression in the state. If passed and signed by Governor Greg Abbott, House Bill 3958 would take effect on September 1, potentially intimidating artists and curators through baseless investigations and penalties.
https://petapixel.com/2025/04/02/texas-lawmaker-seeks-ban-on-harmful-art-in-wake-of-sally-mann-controversy/A new English translation of Emile Bernard's writings on Van Gogh has been published by David Zwirner Books in both the UK and US. The book provides insight into their friendship, with Vincent van Gogh describing his friend Joseph Roulin as having a "big, bearded face, very Socratic". A series of exhibitions featuring Van Gogh's work is set to take place in 2025, including shows in Boston, Amsterdam, Tokyo, and London. One of the star pieces for these exhibitions is Van Gogh's portrait of Joseph Roulin, which was once owned by the Tate Gallery in London but has since been loaned to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/04/02/where-to-see-van-goghs-work-in-2025-boston-london-and-beyondAnalog photography has played a significant role in preserving cultural heritage worldwide since its invention in the 19th century. The Apollo 11 lunar landing, documented using analog cameras, is one notable example. Claudia Determann and Christian Klant have led efforts to submit arts and traditions for consideration through analog photography, with Thomas Gerwers' involvement. Their efforts have been successful, as analog photography has been officially recognized in the State Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage of North Rhine-Westphalia.
https://petapixel.com/2025/03/31/germany-officially-recognizes-film-photography-as-a-cultural-heritage/The Blokees Brand Marketing is evolving its event system by 2025 into a comprehensive framework featuring three core components: an online creation competition, an offline Speed Build competition, and a global exhibition of works. Ye Shanshan, Vice President of Blokees Brand Marketing, aims to provide a more complete platform for participants worldwide to create and share their talents, allowing individuals to discover their own stage.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/04/01/tmt-newswire/pr-newswire/blokees-officially-announces-the-launch-of-the-second-season-of-3rd-bfc-creation-competition-breaking-the-cocoon-season/2083875The final rehearsal for the Kyoto's spring 'Miyako Odori' geisha dance performance took place on April 1, 2025. The event is a traditional Japanese dance performance that showcases the art of geishas from Kyoto. The rehearsal was held at the Gion Shirakawa district in Kyoto, Japan, where the actual performance will be staged later this spring.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250401/p2a/00m/0na/013000cArtist O'Connor's work combines elements of portraiture, landscape, and still life, emphasizing deep observation and engagement with his subjects. His direct portraits feature unguarded gazes, while landscapes painted en plein air in Los Angeles capture the transient nature of place. The artist's use of time and sustained attention imbues his works with psychological intensity, as seen in Eaton Canyon Unfinished, where a painting was left unfinished after its subject was lost to the 2025 Eaton Fire. O'Connor's still-life "table paintings" feature recurring motifs that blur distinctions between past and present, suggesting presence as an evolving state. His works, such as those in Flame of Vapor, unfold over time, revealing how painting warps, erodes, and reconstructs its subjects through prolonged observation.
https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/painting/kent-o-connor-flame-of-vapor/Odia cultural heritage has been recognized globally by UNESCO. The Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's apex cultural body, has listed Rath Yatra and Bali Jatra from Odisha in its National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Rath Yatra, a festival celebrated in Puri, is the annual journey of Lord Jagannath and his siblings to the Shree Gundicha Temple, attracting millions of devotees worldwide. Bali Yatra, a historic festival in Cuttack, commemorates Odisha's rich maritime heritage and ancient trade connections with Southeast Asia.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/odisha/odishas-rath-yatra-bali-yatra-find-place-in-centres-intangible-cultural-heritage-list/article69399255.eceThe Vivid Sydney 2025 festival will feature a unique blend of art, literature and entertainment. The event aims to reimagine the traditional festival by inviting attendees to dream through various forms of media such as films and literature.
https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/vivid-sydney-2025-a-festival-reimagined-inviting-you-to-dream-whether-it-is-films-or-litersture-13876180.html