Indonesian artist Arahmaiani has faced controversy throughout her career due to her works combining symbols from Islam, Western culture and sexuality. Her 1993 painting "Lingga-Yoni" and 1994 installation "Etalase" sparked outrage among conservative Muslims who called for censorship and threatened her with death. She later moved to Australia where she continued her studies while living with a hippy community. Arahmaiani has spoken out against prejudices faced by Muslim women abroad, including being detained by American immigration officers in 2002 due to her status as a young Muslim woman travelling alone. In response, she created the installation "11 Juni 2002" which recreated the room where she was detained. She is also involved in environmental protection work in Tibet and has replicated her "Flag Project", which promotes community dialogue, in various locations including Tibet. Arahmaiani is currently working on a theme of political dynasties in Indonesia, a topic relevant to the country's recent election of President Prabowo Subianto, who is a former son-in-law of Suharto and has ties to the outgoing head of state Joko Widodo.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2024/12/21/arahmaiani-from-exile-to-global-stage-indonesias-fearless-artistic-voice/160661The Baltimore Museum of Art is currently hosting an exhibition called Preoccupied, which features contemporary Native American and First Nations art from leading practitioners such as Dana Claxton, Dyani White Hawk, Laura Ortman, Nicholas Galanin, and others. The exhibition includes a solo presentation by each artist, with works displayed in various galleries throughout the museum, including a video program that is particularly notable for its immersive quality.
https://hyperallergic.com/974112/top-50-exhibitions-around-the-world-2024/The exhibition showcases six immersive zones highlighting Hong Kong's strengths, including its role as a global financial hub, cutting-edge innovation and technology, thriving arts and culture scene, greenery and sustainability, sports and entertainment complex, and creative illustration of the city skyline. The exhibition features state-of-the-art displays, 3D installations, and interactive exhibits that allow visitors to immerse themselves in Hong Kong's multi-faceted brilliance.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/money/mediaoutreach/2024/12/21/step-into-hong-kong-experience-the-immersive-hong-kong-exhibition-in-dubai/350401The global art auction market is experiencing a decline, with sales dropping by 27% in the first half of 2024, according to The Art Newspaper. However, luxury fashion brands are capitalizing on this trend by incorporating art into their designs and collaborating with artists. For instance, Louis Vuitton has re-released its iconic collaboration with Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, while Gucci, Hublot, and Cartier have participated in Miami Art Week. This blending of art and design is allowing fashion to reignite the flame for fine art, as seen in garments that serve not only a functional purpose but also convey the designer's vision.
https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sunday-chronicle/fashion-as-art-and-art-as-fashion-1848680Anwen, an 18-year-old photographer, won several awards in the RSPCA's annual photography competition. Her photo of a puffin was named the overall winner, while her red squirrel image "Sergeant Squirrel reporting for duty" received a commendation in the 12-15 category. Anwen also placed runner-up in the City Life section with her swallows image and had two other images commended in separate categories. The RSPCA added two new categories this year, including "Better World" and "City Life", to mark its 200th birthday.
https://www.montanarightnow.com/national_news/amazing-animal-pictures-from-young-photographer-competition/article_e8c732b6-c24e-5f11-b252-ad32041fddaf.htmlThe city council in Bend has spent $1,500 to remove googly eyes from seven out of eight sculptures, according to Rene Mitchell, the city's communications director. The sculptures, made of bronze and steel, are being treated with a process that may require repainting for one piece, specifically the Phoenix Rising sculpture.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/580722-oregon-city-asks-residents-to-stop-sticking-googly-eyes-on-art-piecesA unique exhibition titled "Imaginary Books" is currently on view at the Grolier Club in Midtown Manhattan, showcasing a curated selection of fictional books that exist only as references within other literary works. The exhibit was organized by Marisa Charpentier and features an installation of these imaginary tomes, inviting viewers to engage with them as if they were real.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2024/12/20/grolier-club-exhibition-imaginary-lost-books-reid-byersThe Vasari Corridor, a secret passageway built in 1565 by architect Giorgio Vasari for the Medici family to move through Florence undetected, has reopened after an eight-year restoration project costing €10 million. The 700-meter-long corridor runs above the Ponte Vecchio and offers stunning views of the city centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site. It connects the Uffizi Galleries to the Pitti Palace across the Arno river and features 73 windows with unrivalled views of the city. The restoration included new disability access, emergency exits, toilets, energy-efficient lighting, and video surveillance. Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli hailed the reopening as a "masterpiece within a masterpiece" for Florence and Italy.
The Vasari Corridor, a historic passageway in Florence named after the 16th century architect Giorgio Vasari, has reopened to the public after a three-year restoration project costing 11 million euros. The corridor, which was built in 1565 and had been closed since 2016, now allows groups of up to 25 people at a time to walk through it from the Uffizi museum to the Pitti's Boboli Gardens, crossing over the Arno river via the Ponte Vecchio bridge. The restored corridor is now empty of paintings, but visitors can view its historic architecture and then visit the Uffizi museum, which houses an outstanding collection including works by Giotto, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Titian and Botticelli. Tickets for a combined visit to the corridor and the Uffizi must be booked in advance and cost 43 euros.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40338902/florences-landmark-passageway-over-ponte-vecchio-reopens-to-public