Sam Ekserdjian, an artist, recently visited Armenia as part of a residency where he explored the country's diaspora culture. His parents, Professor David Ekserdjian and FT critic Susan Moore, are also in the field of art. Sam was invited to Buckingham Palace for the State Banquet honouring the emperor and empress of Japan earlier this year. His cousin, Princess Eugenie, is an associate director at Hauser & Wirth gallery, which exhibited some of his porcelain work in Somerset.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-14230355/eleanor-ekserdjian-kate-middleton-style-resemblance-samuel-chatto.htmlThe Italian Ministry of Defense is hosting an event in Abu Dhabi, UAE from December 27-31, featuring various activities and exhibitions at Villaggio Italia and on board the Amerigo Vespucci ship. The event aims to promote Italian culture, music, art, design, cinema, conferences, sports-disability, and gastronomy. The program includes concerts by the "Guardia di Finanza" Band, Dubai Singers choir, Serena Autieri, Mark Zitti and the Coltelli Brothers, and Gordon Santoro's "Belcanto". The event also features an exhibition of Italian design, a film festival in collaboration with the Venice Biennale International Film Festival, and a gastronomy program promoting Italian cuisine. The Amerigo Vespucci ship will be open to the public for visits on board, offering guided tours and activities such as the "Vespucci Camp – A Journey into the History of the Vespucci" for children. The event is organized by IEAP-Events and ITACA - Italian Theatre And Culture Association. The Villaggio Italia will also host a meeting dedicated to artist Jago, who will exhibit his marble work "family" and discuss his art. Another artwork, "Posidonia", inspired by the sea, will be exhibited by Lorenzo Quinn. The event is part of the Ministry's efforts to promote Italian culture and excellence abroad, and to strengthen cultural ties between Italy and the UAE.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-amerigo-vespucci-world-tour-arrives-in-abu-dhabi-302339556.htmlHong Kong's culture officials can learn from the city's evolving pop culture, which has the potential to be a source of soft power if its creative economy is developed from the grassroots. The recent sale of a satirical artwork featuring a banana taped to a wall for US$6.2 million highlights the value of embracing and nurturing the city's unique cultural identity. Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, Hong Kong's new Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, can draw inspiration from this example as she works to develop the city's creative economy.
https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3291936/what-hong-kongs-culture-officials-can-learn-banana-wall?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionA new exhibition is set to open at Dundee Contemporary Arts, featuring works by artists Helen Cammock, Ingrid Pollard, and Camara Taylor. The show will run from December 7th to March 23rd, 2025.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2024/12/26/a-brush-with-beth-bate-director-of-dundee-contemporary-artsThe Culture Bites team reflects on their favorite cultural experiences of 2024, including exhibitions such as NYU Abu Dhabi's Between the Tides: A Gulf Quinquennial and the Andy Warhol exhibition in Dubai. They also discuss books, series, and films that resonated with them this year, as well as memorable music experiences like concerts and a TikTok karaoke channel.
https://www.thenationalnews.com/podcasts/culture-bites/2024/12/26/thats-a-wrap-end-of-year-special/Punjab Minister Azma Bokhari stated that Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz is working tirelessly for the public, much like her father. As the Minister of Culture, she has formed a committee to revive Punjab's culture and restore the vibrancy of its theatres and arts councils. The goal is to promote culture not just on special occasions but every day, as per the vision of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. A project named "Suthra Punjab" has been launched under her leadership, aiming for a developed Punjab that will be visible globally.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40339531/azma-pays-tribute-to-quaid-e-azamMumbai's Art Deco architecture is under threat due to rapid development and neglect. Despite being recognized as one of the world's largest collections of Art Deco buildings by UNESCO in 2018, many historic structures are being demolished or renovated with modern designs that compromise their original character. A small group of building owners, architects, and heritage lovers are working to conserve the city's unique "Indo-Deco" style, but face challenges from developers who seek to cash in on the area's prime real estate.
https://www.forbesindia.com/article/lifes/indias-architecture-fans-guard-mumbais-art-deco-past/94933/1A new exhibition at the British Museum in London showcases over 80 prints by Pablo Picasso, including some of his earliest works from his Blue Period and later experiments with various techniques such as intaglio prints, lithographs, and linocuts. The exhibition features notable pieces like 'The Frugal Meal', one of Picasso's first prints made as a professional artist in 1904, and 'Faun Uncovering a Woman' from the Vollard Suite created between 1930 and 1937. The show highlights Picasso's artistic evolution, exploring themes such as the circus, bullfighting, and his personal relationships. In 1968, at the age of 86, Picasso astonishingly created 347 prints in less than seven months, which are now part of the British Museum's collection.
https://africanews.com/2024/12/26/unveiling-picasso-an-exhibition-of-his-prints-in-london/The 18th edition of the Seoul Illustration Fair is currently underway until December 29 and features a diverse range of artists and companies showcasing their work in illustration, graphic design, picture books, and webtoons. This year, the event has partnered with Illustration Taipei, Taiwan's largest illustration industry exhibition, to expand its reach and offerings. The fair is being held at Coex in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, where visitors have been flocking to see the various exhibits on display.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-12-26/business/industry/Drawing-a-crowd-Seoul-Illustration-Fair-kicks-of-at-Coex/2209509