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
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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
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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.
Vespa is celebrating its 80th anniversary in Rome with a four-day celebration that includes mass rides, exhibitions, music, art, film, and cultural experiences. The event aims to reflect the scooter's long history, from its debut in post-war Italy to its current status as a symbol of style and freedom. To ensure representation, VCOP is planning initiatives and commemorative items for the Filipino community, both abroad and at home, including exclusive limited-edition items and collaborative art pieces.
Ziad Rahbani, a prominent Lebanese artist, made a significant impact during the Lebanese Civil War with his innovative plays and musicals that combined jazz, classical Arabic music, and colloquial dialogue to address biting political and social commentary.
Conrad Osaka Hosts Philippine-Japan Friendship Day Celebration
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The Philippine-Japan Friendship Day celebration at the Conrad Osaka brought together dignitaries and cultural partners to honor a bilateral relationship that began in 1956. The event featured a stunning fashion presentation by Furne Amato, showcasing intricately detailed works that highlighted Filipino craftsmanship and culture. The pavilion's theme "Woven" was reflected in its design, with 212 indigenous fabrics on display and 18 large-scale handwoven art pieces. The evening included musical performances, regional delicacies, and artisanal crafts, reaffirming both countries' aspirations for cultural engagement, sustainable tourism cooperation, and regional development.
The series features collaborations with skilled dancers such as Jodi Melnick, Sara Mearns, Taylor Stanley, Alec Knight, and Ingrid Silva, showcasing a range of dance styles including contemporary, neo-classical, and classical.
Michael Lemke, a photographer who has been shooting landscapes with a 4x5 large format camera since 1977, recently re-photographed the original Deadheads to document their community in formal portraits against a tie-dye backdrop. The project, titled "Aging Gratefully," aims to capture the essence of the Grateful Dead's subculture, which emphasizes caring for one another and living life according to values. Lemke uses his large format camera to slow down his process, allowing him to focus on composition and lighting. His photos are being compiled into a book, with 42 subjects sharing their stories through interviews with writer David Gans. The Kickstarter campaign for the book was successful, coinciding with the recent 60-year reunion concert of Dead & Company in San Francisco, which has reignited interest in the Grateful Dead's music and community.