Indigenous Artist's Vibrant Paintings at Tate Modern
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The Tate Modern in London is set to host a major exhibition featuring Australian Indigenous artist Emily Kam Kngwarray's work for six months, starting this week. The exhibition, organized with the National Gallery of Australia, will showcase over 70 works, including early batiks and her final paintings. A recently uncovered letter reveals that the Tate initially turned down an offer to show Australian Indigenous art in 1996, citing a lack of interest in adding Indigenous artists to its collection. Emily Kam Kngwarray's work at the Tate Modern shares a narrative component emphasizing community perspectives with other exhibitions highlighting Indigenous experiences. The exhibition has been five years in the making and involves collaboration with Kngwarray's family members and community. It is expected to attract over 200,000 visitors during its six-month run.
South Korea and Japan have a complicated history, with a recent dispute over a 14th-century Buddhist statue at the Kannon Temple on Tsushima Island. The statue was stolen by thieves in 2012 and taken to South Korea, where it was confiscated by authorities. However, the Buseoksa Temple in South Korea claimed the statue had been previously stolen by Japanese pirates, leading to a legal battle that ended with the Supreme Court ruling in favour of Kannon Temple in 2023. The temple's chief priest, Setsuryo Tanaka, has now handed over 3D data of the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue to Buseoksa, allowing them to create three copies, including one covered in gold leaf.
Milwaukee Ballet Performs 'The Nutcracker' in December
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The Milwaukee Ballet will perform "The Nutcracker" from December 6-26, with each show featuring a 37-piece orchestra that played 19 performances in 2024.
Neil Diamond Returns to Stage with 'Sweet Caroline'
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Neil Diamond made a surprise appearance at his musical "The Neil Diamond Musical: A Beautiful Noise" in Los Angeles' Pantages Theater, performing his classic hit "Sweet Caroline" to a delighted audience. The crowd joined him in singing the song after he emerged from retirement, which he had announced in 2018 due to his diagnosis with Parkinson's Disease.
The Stone of Scone, also known as the Coronation Stone, was returned to Scotland in 1996 and displayed in Edinburgh Castle. However, due to sensitivities surrounding its history, it was moved to London for King Charles III's coronation in 2023. The stone was then secretly displayed at the Perth Museum in Scotland, where it is currently on display with enhanced security measures in place, including 24/7 protection, according to Culture Perth and Kinross.
Turkey's satirical magazine LeMan editor-in-chief Aslan Ozdemir has been arrested upon his return to Istanbul from France, accused of publishing a caricature of Prophet Mohammed. The drawing, created by cartoonist Dogan Pehlevan, depicts two characters meeting in the sky above a city devastated by bombs, with one named Muhammed. LeMan's editorial manager Tuncay Akgun has denied any link between the illustration and Islam's Prophet Mohammed, stating it was meant to convey a message about peace.
A music group called Velvet Sundown has sparked controversy over the authenticity of its online presence, with suspiciously fake social media profiles and contradictory information about its origins. Experts warn that AI-generated music is blurring the lines between reality and fiction, threatening the livelihoods of human creators. Spotify and Deezer have taken steps to detect AI-generated content, while a rival streaming service has warned users about potential AI-generated tracks on Velvet Sundown's album. Meanwhile, an imposter has been using AI-generated voice and text messages to impersonate US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, highlighting the dangers of AI-generated deception.
The Xixia Imperial Tombs in China are unique in that they showcase a dynasty's identity shaped by geography and history. The tombs' design, layout, and artifacts reveal how the Xixia Dynasty adapted Han models during the Tang and Song dynasties while incorporating distinct ethnic features. Artifacts such as over 150 kalavinka figurines found in Tomb 3 demonstrate a cultural exchange between Indian lore, Tang Dunhuang murals, and Song Quanzhou temples, highlighting cross-civilization dialogue.
Zimbalist Challenges Fashion's Definition of 'Natural'
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New York designer Zimbalist says her use of unconventional materials, such as seaweed, challenges the notion of what is "natural" in fashion. Arizona State professor Rogers believes the industry's willingness to experiment with new materials will have long-term benefits for artists and manufacturers, even if it doesn't lead to immediate change.