The Bayeux Tapestry has a replica at the Reading Museum in England, which was created by 35 skilled female embroiderers in 1885. The original tapestry is believed to contain explicit depictions of male genitalia, with some estimates ranging from 93 to 94 examples. Historian Dr. Chris Monk argues that these images are not just scabbards but also represent machismo and testosterone.
Red Lions Soar at Heartland National Day Celebrations
7.9.25
The People's Association (PA) is hosting National Day celebrations in five heartland locations across Singapore on August 10, with festivities including a signature display jump by the Red Lions and a mobile column featuring vehicles from the SAF, Police Force, and Civil Defence Force. The events will feature exhibits, live performances, fireworks, and a drone show, as well as community experiences and activities for all ages. Colonel David Kwek and Pow Choon Ghee are co-chairmen of the NDP 2025 heartland celebrations committee, which has worked with grassroots organisations to plan a "rich line-up" of programmes.
Riley Bruce Captures Bench Beauty in Minneapolis Parks
7.9.25
Riley Bruce is on a mission to celebrate Minneapolis' park benches. The photographer aims to capture the unique character of each bench, highlighting their design and surroundings. Bruce's project showcases the often-overlooked benches in Minneapolis parks, such as the one at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, where he photographed a bench with a sculpture by artist Claes Oldenburg.
Romania's Culture on Display at The Wharf Festival
7.9.25
The "Romanian Weekend at The Wharf" festival is set to take place from July 11-13 at the Wharf in Washington D.C., featuring folk dance performances, live concerts, and traditional crafts demonstrations. Major Romanian companies and banking institutions are sponsoring the event, which will also include tourism presentations, exhibitions, and culinary and wine tastings.
The Saint George monastery in North Macedonia has been producing intricately detailed mitres for the Christian Orthodox Church since its reopening in 2001. The nuns, led by Sister Efimija, craft these elaborate headpieces with vibrant colours, gold embroidery and jewels, which can weigh up to 4.4 pounds. One such mitre was gifted to late Pope Francis in 2016, taking five months to complete. According to Sister Efimija, the mitres symbolize humility, as she hopes each wearer will feel the burden of Christ's crucifixion.
Sofia Coppola's Family Stuns at Chanel Haute Couture Show
7.9.25
Sofia Coppola attended Chanel's Haute Couture Fall/Winter 2025-2026 fashion show with her daughters Romy, 18, and Cosima, 15. The family added height to their frames in classic heels, with Romy wearing a pale blue shift dress and Cosima opting for a pink mini dress. Sofia, who stands at 5'4", was joined by her husband Thomas Mars, lead singer of Phoenix, and his daughters made headlines last year for being grounded after trying to charter a helicopter using her father's credit card.
Sonny Liew Reimagines Founding Fathers as Toy Figurines
7.9.25
Cartoonist Sonny Liew is set to showcase his unique interpretation of Singapore's founding fathers in the upcoming "Artist's Proof: Singapore At 60" exhibition. In a nostalgic tribute, Liew has reimagined three of Singapore's founding fathers as toy figurines, blending pop art with a touch of whimsy.
Sonny Liew's 'Uniform Man' Figurine Series Revealed
7.9.25
The Singaporean artist Sonny Liew has created a series of figurines, titled "Uniform Man," which pay homage to four influential figures in Singapore's history: Lee Kuan Yew, Goh Keng Swee, S Rajaratnam, and Dr. Goh. The figurines are inspired by performance art pieces, including Suzann Victor's "Still Waters" and Josef Ng's "Brother Cane." Liew aimed to balance realism and caricature in his depiction of the ministers, with each figurine coming with miniature props and display packaging reminiscent of traditional toy product packaging. The artist navigated potential political sensitivities while seeking to provoke reflection and conversation among audiences, hoping to inspire a thriving arts ecosystem in Singapore.
Syrian Designer Creates Hope with 'Guardian of Light'
7.9.25
Syrian designer Al Ali has created a new collection called "Guardian of Light" that showcases intricate hand-stitched patterns made from rolled crepe fabric, taking an estimated 300 hours to complete. The collection is part of his charity initiative Ard Dyar, which aimed to support Syrian artists during the country's civil war. With the recent fall of former president Bashar al-Assad and the rise of leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, Al Ali feels hopeful about Syria's future and believes that artists will now be able to express themselves more freely, highlighting the country's rich history and design culture.