Romania's National History Museum suffered a significant loss when three thieves stole a Dacian golden helmet of exceptional cultural and historical importance during its six-month display at the museum in Romania. The heist, which was captured on CCTV footage, has caused a strong emotional and symbolic impact on Romanian society, according to President Klaus Iohannis. The helmet's unique design and gold value make it unlikely to be sold on the black market, leading authorities to suspect that the thieves may have targeted the artifact for its monetary worth.
https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/01/30/three-arrested-over-theft-of-ancient-romanian-helmet-from-dutch-museumSvay, an artist, is working to create new directions for Khmer art through the museum, describing it as a time of experimentation and innovation. He acknowledges the significance of history in his work, referencing a past performance piece where he carried a metal sphere from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, symbolizing the burdens people carry.
https://hyperallergic.com/986137/one-couples-bold-vision-for-the-future-of-cambodian-art/During Paris Haute Couture Week, fashion designers presented their unique, handmade collections for high-profile events. Van Beirendonck's show featured a message of peace with models wearing jackets bearing "peace, not war" badges and concluded with John Lennon and Yoko Ono's song "Give Peace a Chance". In contrast, Elie Saab's collection drew inspiration from fairy tales. Meanwhile, luxury fashion company LVMH reported a decline in sales and net profit due to slower economic growth in China, attributing the drop to the end of the post-Covid period.
https://www.forbesindia.com/article/lifes/maison-margiela-names-glenn-martens-new-creative-director-during-paris-haute-couture-week/95183/1The cast and crew of a musical production have been rehearsing since December at the Zootown Arts Community Center in preparation for its upcoming performance, set to take place from February 5-9. The show is described as "silly and fun" with great music that explores heartfelt themes. Cast member Maisie Gospodarek noted that while the show's surface-level material is lighthearted, it delves into deeper, more meaningful topics.
https://www.kpax.com/news/missoula-county/rehearsals-underway-for-musical-now-here-thisThe Museum has featured a diverse group of 27 artists for this edition, showcasing their innovative works across various mediums such as painting, sculpture, film, video art, theater, and choreography. The cohort includes artists born in the 1980s and 1990s, with Iraqi artist Ali Eyal being the youngest participant. Notably, experimental filmmaker Pat O'Neill, who was born in 1939, is part of the group alongside Carl Cheng, born in 1942.
https://hyperallergic.com/986225/these-are-the-27-artists-in-the-2025-made-in-la-biennial-hammer-museum/Enzo Camacho and Ami Lien's art exhibition "Offerings for Escalante" at MoMA PS1 in New York features a range of multimedia works that explore the intersection of art and activism, particularly in relation to the Philippines. The show includes paintings, installations, and a 16mm film that incorporate natural materials such as leaves, flowers, and grasses. The artists are also collaborating with activist organizations in the Philippines to create an installation made from materials sourced from these groups. Their work is part of a broader movement against social inequality and for democratic freedom in the Philippines, as seen in the 1984 documentary "Daluyong" about the Lakbayan movement.
https://hyperallergic.com/986245/can-art-help-in-healing-from-a-massacre-enzo-camacho-ami-lein-moma-ps1/Jaune Quick-to-See Smith is a renowned artist and curator who has been spotlighted in over 50 solo exhibitions since the late 1970s. Her work includes a major 2023 retrospective at the Whitney Museum of American Art, "Jaune Quick-to-See Smith: Memory Map", as well as curating more than 30 shows, including "The Land Carries Our Ancestors" at the National Gallery of Art in 2023. Smith's recent exhibition, "Indigenous Identities: Here, Now & Always", features the work of 90 living artists from over 50 Indigenous nations and communities across North America. In addition to her art and curatorial practice, Smith is also dedicated to land and cultural preservation efforts, including saving Albuquerque's Petroglyph National Monument and Santa Fe's Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA).
https://hyperallergic.com/986266/artist-jaune-quick-to-see-smith-who-bore-witness-to-native-life-dies-at-85/London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has been criticized for spending £2,138,888 of taxpayers' money on a project to make the city's public art more diverse. The "Untold Stories" fund, set up in response to the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, has funded 398 new artworks, trails and events in public spaces, including plaques and information boards honoring figures such as anti-slavery campaigner Olaudah Equiano and LGBTQIA+ individuals. Critics, including Elliot Keck of the TaxPayers' Alliance, have accused Khan of prioritizing an "ideological crusade" over addressing pressing issues like knife crime in London. The project has also been criticized for its cost, with some questioning whether it is a responsible use of taxpayer funds.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14339587/Fury-Sadiq-Khan-woke-statues-commission.htmlThe French government plans to renovate the Louvre Museum in Paris with a major upgrade costing an estimated 700-800 million euros over the next decade. The renovation includes the creation of new underground exhibition spaces, a new entrance along the Seine that connects to the pyramid, and the development of a "green" area on the esplanade lined with trees. The project is expected to be paid for by contributions, ticket sales, and sponsorship agreements, including one with the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The renovation aims to make the museum safer and more comfortable for staff and visitors, and President Macron has stated that it will become the epicentre of art history in France and beyond.
https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/mona-lisa-painting-louvre-renovation-13857404.html