Texas's new Republican-led bill could impose penalties of up to $500,000 on museums displaying artworks deemed "obscene or harmful" by Attorney General David Lowe, who previously accused photographer Sally Mann of child exploitation over her photographs displayed at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. The proposed legislation, which could be enacted by September 1 if signed by Governor Greg Abbott, has sparked concerns from civil rights groups like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas, who warn it aims to intimidate artists and curators, suppressing free speech.
https://hyperallergic.com/1001240/republican-led-bill-would-penalize-texas-museums-for-obscene-art/Tilda Swinton's collaboration with the museum Eye has shed light on her active role in film creation, challenging the traditional notion of actors as passive vessels. Through a curated exhibition, Swinton highlights her long-standing creative relationships with collaborators, showcasing how these connections shape their joint works. The exhibition invites viewers to explore the narratives and atmospheres that inspire Swinton, offering new commissioned pieces born from companionable conversations that keep her engaged and nourished.
https://petapixel.com/2025/04/03/tilda-swinton-portrait-exhibition-to-be-curated-by-the-actress-herself/The Tottori Prefectural Museum of Art in Japan's San'in region has officially opened its doors, marking a significant milestone for the country's least populous prefecture. The museum was attended by notable figures such as Shinji Hirai and the family of manga master Mizuki Shigeru during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 28. The grand opening festivities drew a crowd of 12,000 people, featuring live performances and a street parade with 1,000 revelers.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2025/04/04/art/tottori-prefectural-museum-of-art/Martin Bailey writes about nine unusual locations around the world where Vincent Van Gogh's paintings can be found, including the Hiroshima Museum of Art in Japan, which houses his "Daubigny's Garden" (July 1890).
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/04/04/nine-astonishing-places-to-see-van-goghs-paintingsLives Less Ordinary is an exhibition at Two Temple Place in London that showcases working-class Britain through the lens of talented artists. The show aims to highlight the brilliance of these artists regardless of their background. This is part of a broader effort to re-examine the representation of working-class Britain in the art world, as seen in previous exhibitions such as those by Monster Chetwynd and Gasworks, which has celebrated 30 years of supporting emerging artists like Tania Bruguera and Sonia Boyce.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/04/04/richness-complexity-and-joy-this-london-exhibition-fittingly-varied-celebration-british-working-class-lifeThe Abu Dhabi Festival is set to take place from April 8-29 at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD), featuring a diverse lineup of global musical talent. The festival will include performances by renowned artists such as Kodō, Yunchan Lim, Kuniko Kato, Katia and Marielle Labèque, the Korean National University of Arts Symphony Orchestra, Jaewon Wee, Sang Hyeok Park, Augustin Hadelich, and Riley Mulherkar. The festival will also showcase an All-Star Ballet Gala with performances by world-class dancers from top ballet companies.
https://www.gulftoday.ae/lifestyle/2025/04/03/abu-dhabi-fest-to-highlight-50-years-of-uae-japan-tiesTamer Karadağlı, General Director of State Theaters, highlighted Adana's rich cultural heritage, citing its ancient theaters and Roman-era traditions. He emphasized the city's ability to bring artists from around the world to engage with local audiences. Nevgül Bilsel Safkan, General Manager of Sabancı Foundation, stressed that cultural initiatives drive social progress. The city is home to the prestigious "Sakıp Sabancı Lifetime Achievement Award," which recognizes outstanding theater contributions since 2005.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/international-theater-festival-kicks-off-in-adana-207607The Aral Culture Summit 2025 will be held in Samarkand on April 4, attended by regional and European heads-of-states, as part of the first Global Climate Forum. The summit's programme will continue in Nukus, Karakalpakstan, where a multidisciplinary programme with panel discussions, keynotes, artistic performances, and exhibitions will address environmental regeneration, creative economy, and cultural diplomacy. Chairperson Gayane Umerova of ACDF will announce a preliminary masterplan for the regeneration of Istiqlol, a former amusement park in Nukus, reimagined as a permanent cultural and ecological hub. The summit aims to integrate cultural dialogue with the climate agenda, ensuring the arts contribute to long-term sustainable development.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aral-culture-summit-2025-uzbekistans-landmark-event-aligning-culture-ecology-and-regional-cooperation-announces-official-programme-302419646.htmlA dissident artist's artwork, "Here and Now", created by Badiucao, has been removed from a Hong Kong billboard as part of an experiment to test freedom of speech in the city. The four-second video work, which critiques China's human rights record, was displayed on a billboard in Hong Kong before being taken down.
https://www.smh.com.au/culture/art-and-design/no-trace-dissident-artist-told-his-work-has-been-removed-from-hong-kong-billboard-20250403-p5lorj.html