The Carpenter Center is launching its 2025-26 season this fall, featuring a diverse lineup of acts including Grammy-winning artist Bilal, who will kick off the season with two shows on September 12-13. Other performers include pianist and composer David Benoit, who will perform "Tribute to Charlie Brown Christmas" on December 6, and Sandra Bernhard in her "Wit & Wisdom" series on September 27. The season also includes a holiday show by David Burnham, the Peking Acrobats' acrobatic performance on January 17, and Cirque Kalabanté: Afrique en Cirque's acrobatics on March 21, before closing with Benny Benack III's show on May 6.
Christie's Expands into Saudi Arabia with Nour Kelani
7.15.25
Christie's is set to become the first global auction house to operate in Saudi Arabia, with Riyadh-based managing director Nour Kelani at the helm. This move aims to deepen ties with the Kingdom's collectors and support ambitious cultural projects. The announcement comes as London's Middle Eastern art sales have defied tensions, with Arab cultural entities overcoming early uncertainties related to the Israel-Hamas war. In contrast, Christie's had previously cancelled a Dubai sale of Middle Eastern art in 2020 due to new strategy and constrained supply of works.
Christie's Sells Riggio Collection for $271 Million
7.15.25
Christie's recent single-owner auctions have seen significant sales, including a $271,943,100 sale of works owned by Leonard and Louise Riggio, featuring pieces by Balthus, Arshile Gorky, Rene Magritte, Piet Mondrian, and Pablo Picasso. Sotheby's also had success with its May 21 auction of fifty Old Masters artworks from the collection of Jordan and Thomas Saunders III, earning $64.7 million. Christie's Vice President Elizabeth Siegel attributes the success to items owned by well-known individuals.
The inaugural edition of the Dora Maar Film Festival will take place from August 29-31 and feature six documentaries on photography and photographers. The festival is co-founded by Lucy Darwin, producer of Match Point and Lost in La Mancha, and Natasha Bahtia, and is presented with the Dora Maar Cultural Center. The program includes films such as Capturing Lee Miller, directed by Teresa Griffiths, and Ernest Cole: Lost & Found, directed by Oscar nominee Raoul Peck. The festival is named after Dora Maar, a surrealist artist and photographer who lived in Ménerbes for many decades, and will be held at the Maison Dora Maar, an 18th century town house she purchased in 1944.
Frieze Los Angeles Sees Surge in California Art Sales
7.15.25
Frieze New York and Frieze Los Angeles have been attempting to boost the stagnant art market. In 2023, Frieze Los Angeles saw a surge in demand for California artists' work, with collectors snapping up pieces at the fair. A new US art fair has also implemented an innovative contract, allowing visitors to take home art pieces without paying and giving artists control over their rights.
The heirs of a German mosaic's last owner contacted the Carabinieri unit in Rome to return the mosaic to Italy. After verifying its authenticity and origin, authorities successfully repatriated the mosaic in September 2023.
The Guinigi Tower in Tuscany features a unique garden on its roof, designed to symbolize rebirth and renewal. The garden is shaded by holm oak trees native to the Mediterranean region, including Italy. According to legend, Paolo Guinigi, who became lord of Lucca in 1400, planted the tallest tree in the garden before his arrest in 1430. Tragically, the tree lost all its leaves before his death in prison in 1432. From the tower's height, visitors can see the nearby Torre delle Ore, a 160-foot-tall medieval tower.
Northern Ireland Tourism Campaign by BBDO & Lindhorst
7.15.25
Photographer Christopher Lindhorst collaborated with BBDO on a tourism campaign for Northern Ireland. The project involved additional creative input from Laurence Keogh, a copywriter, and Christopher Gore.
Several Oscar contenders are emerging, with Mstyslav Chernov's "2000 Meters to Andriivka" and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson's "Sly Lives!" gaining attention. Investigative journalist Christo Grosev is also a potential contender in the documentary "Antidote," directed by James Jones and acquired by Frontline. Meanwhile, Brittany Shine's "Seeds" has won numerous awards despite not yet securing distribution, while Geeta Gandbhir's "The Perfect Neighbor" is set to make a strong bid with its Netflix acquisition. Ridley and Wissot predict success for Reid Davenport's sophomore film "Life After."