A global trend on social media platforms has seen users sharing hand-drawn images inspired by Studio Ghibli's distinctive style, founded by Hayao Miyazaki. The trend is reminiscent of the iconic characters and settings from films like "Spirited Away" and "My Neighbor Totoro", with fans recreating scenes and creatures in their own artwork.
https://www.tbsnews.net/tech/ghibli-effect-chatgpt-usage-hits-record-after-rollout-viral-feature-1106406The National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) in Mumbai is hosting "When Jazz Meets Broken Beats", a performance by a stellar ensemble of musicians that blends jazz with contemporary grooves. The event features dynamic improvisations and original compositions, promising an electrifying two-hour experience for jazz enthusiasts.
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/jazz-meets-broken-beats-a-fusion-of-tradition-and-innovation-1870444The Prague Philharmonic Orchestra has announced its upcoming season under new music director Jakub Hrůša. Soprano Magdalena Frühwirth will make her first U.S. appearance in six years at a Palm Beach Opera recital in February. The company's 2025-26 season includes productions of Verdi's "Les Vêpres Siciliennes", Handel's "Ariodante", Wagner's "Siegfried", and Britten's "Peter Grimes".
https://apnews.com/article/anna-netrebko-royal-opera-c36c993f6635d3c5108c6985562baa75The Ras Al Khaimah Art Festival is held in Ras Al Khaimah, at the entrance of the Arabian Gulf, and has evolved from a modest gathering of 30 emerging local artists since its founding in 2013 under Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/culture/2025/04/02/ras-al-khaimah-art-2026-festival-unveils-civilizations-as-its-themeThe governor of Savannakhet Province has designated three cultural treasures in the province as national heritage sites: The Library of Buddhist Manuscripts, a repository of ancient texts; Taleo Temple, a historic temple complex; and Khonesavanh Singing, a traditional form of music.
https://laotiantimes.com/2025/04/02/three-cultural-treasures-of-savannakhet-earn-national-heritage-status/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/