Two fashion designers, Janae Pettit and Natalie Workman, discovered Afa Ah Loo's sketches of a collection he was working on while cleaning his shared studio after his death in Salt Lake City. Inspired by the designs, they collaborated with Benjamin Powell, co-founder of Creative Pacific, to complete the collection as a tribute to Ah Loo.
Lady Gaga Praises Doechii's Raw and Emotional Sound
8.5.25
Lady Gaga praised Doechii's music, calling it "raw and deeply personal" with a "wild mix of audacity and emotional precision." The two artists met briefly, but Gaga found her presence impactful without needing to discuss anything. Doechii described Gaga as having an "essence about her" that draws people in naturally.
The Korean government is launching a new campaign featuring actor Park Bo-gum in a series of promotional videos showcasing traditional hanbok clothing. The "Hanbok with Four Seasons" expo, now in its eighth year, will explore the cultural significance of hanbok across different seasons through exhibitions and activities. The main exhibition, curated by Professor Sim Yeon-ok, will feature over 170 pieces of hanbok garments made from traditional fabrics, alongside weaving demonstrations using both traditional and modern looms.
Plastic Pollution Threatens Global Health, Economy Suffers
8.5.25
A report in The Lancet warns that plastic pollution poses a significant threat to global health, with estimated annual economic losses of at least $1.5 trillion. Researchers compared the impact of plastic pollution to air pollution and lead, suggesting that laws and policies can mitigate its effects. To highlight this issue, Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong is creating a sculpture called "The Thinker's Burden" from plastic waste, which will be submerged in front of the UN. The plastics industry disputes this assessment, with Matthew Kastner stating that their products, including medical devices and water pipes, are essential for public health.
Kasmin gallery is hosting Éloge de l'ombre (In Praise of Shadows), the second solo exhibition by artist Ralaivao, who recently announced representation with the gallery starting in 2024. The exhibition features a suite of new black and white paintings that showcase Ralaivao's attention to composition, light, and shadow. His portraits and still life tableaux magnify subtle details at large scale through strategic framing, evoking a world of drama and suspense reminiscent of film noir.
A replica of Auguste Rodin's famous sculpture The Thinker is being slowly submerged in plastic rubbish outside the United Nations headquarters in Geneva as countries gather to finalize a global treaty on plastic pollution. Canadian artist and activist Benjamin Von Wong created the 6-metre-tall artwork, entitled The Thinker's Burden, to highlight the health impacts of plastic pollution on future generations. Over 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally each year, with only nine per cent being recycled, while nearly half ends up in landfills or incinerated.
Royal Ballet, Opera Cancel Israel Performances Amid Boycott
8.5.25
The Royal Ballet and Opera in the UK have cancelled all performances in Israel following a staff-led boycott call, with 182 employees signing an open letter condemning Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide". The decision comes after a performer raised the Palestinian flag on stage during a performance of Il Trovatore, prompting Oliver Mears, Director of the ROH Opera, to attempt to take it away. The staff's demands include rejecting future performances in Israel and not supporting institutions that financially back the state. This move is seen as unprecedented in scale and swift action by a major UK cultural institution in response to internal pressure.
Scotland's Rural Village Celebrates Timeless Traditions
8.5.25
The festival is a celebration of tradition and community, with event organizers focusing on preserving cultural heritage by honoring practices passed down through generations, such as traditional music and dance performances at the local village hall in rural Scotland.
Starbucks Korea Collaborates with National Museum of Korea
8.5.25
Starbucks Korea has released new merchandise inspired by the "Room of Quiet Contemplation" exhibition at the National Museum of Korea. The collection features items such as mugs, tote bags, and pin badges with designs based on traditional Korean art and motifs from the exhibition. Yoon So-yeon, a designer who worked on the project, aimed to capture the essence of the quiet contemplation room in the merchandise.