Photographer's Work Featured in Global Exhibitions Worldwide
8.3.25
The photographer's work has been showcased in various international exhibitions, including the Photography Museum of The Hague, Kunsthaus Zürich, International Center of Photography in New York, and Benaki Museum in Athens. His work is part of permanent collections at institutions such as the Kunsthaus of Zurich, Kunstmuseum Bern, Netherlands Photo Museum, and the International Center of Photography in New York. He has received several awards, including the W. Eugene Smith Student Grant and the Harry Pennings Prize.
Art Basel's partnership with Qatar has highlighted the connection between high art and big business, as well as soft power promotion. The Gulf State used the event to boost its international influence, with a dedicated pavilion and official sponsorships. Art Basel CEO Noah Horowitz downplayed concerns about Qatar's human rights record, instead praising the country's cultural commitments, citing them as "well noted and deep and quite visionary".
Rise Production Brings Malaysian Culture to Manga Scene
8.3.25
A local Malaysian visual and IP development studio, Rise Production, founded by comic artist Cross, is creating original manga that reflects Malaysia's unique culture and identity. The studio aims to retell local cultures through the globally recognized format of manga, with stories blending action, mystery, and supernatural thrills. Their work has gained favorable reviews in Malaysia, selling over 500 copies of titles like "Ibu Gunung" and over 800 copies of "Keramat". The studio's success has also led to strong engagement at conventions in South-east Asian countries such as Singapore and Indonesia, with digital versions being released for popular titles.
Vehicles Take Stage in Estonian 'Romeo and Juliet'
8.3.25
A unique production of "Romeo and Juliet" in Estonia uses a cast of vehicles, including a red Ford pickup as Juliet and a rally truck as Romeo, to tell the story of star-crossed lovers. The show, which runs until Sunday, is set against the backdrop of a disused limestone quarry and features over a dozen vehicles, including city buses and fire engines, in a silent performance accompanied by fireworks and music. Co-director Paavo Piik of Kinoteater aimed to explore new ways to stage Shakespeare's classic tale, asking if big machines can convey emotions like love.
Tehran Museum Showcases Women Artists' Modern Works
8.3.25
The "In Women's Words" exhibition at the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art in Iran showcased artworks from a collection featuring modern Iranian women artists. The event took place on Sunday, August 3, 2025, and was photographed by Vahid Salemi for AP.
Trump Targets Smithsonian with Ideology Reimagining Order
8.3.25
US President Trump has called for a reimagining of the Smithsonian Institution, accusing it of promoting a "divisive, race-centered ideology". He signed an executive order directing Vice President Mike Pence to work with the museum's Board of Regents to remove "improper ideology" from exhibits. Artist Amy Sherald withdrew her exhibit from the National Portrait Gallery after concerns were raised about a portrait of a transgender woman dressed like the Statue of Liberty. The Smithsonian disputed Sherald's characterization, stating that she was not asked to remove the painting but rather for a video featuring differing opinions on it.
A team of women is creating the Digital Memory Storage project, which digitizes thousands of photographs from Ukrainian archaeologists' personal estates, including stunning portraits of villagers and street life from the 19th and early 20th centuries. Halyna Stanytsina's work in the Kyiv archive has inspired Buzko, who feels a strong connection to her deceased compatriots through these images. The project highlights the importance of traditional Ukrainian culture, particularly during the time of Tsarist Russia, as it holds new significance today amid the Russian invasion.
The upcoming Gwangju Biennale will focus on space, inspired by traditional Korean pansori performances. A new production, "Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born," reinterprets the 19th-century work "Shimcheong-ga" with a socially oppressed Shimcheong seeking to break free from expectations. Director Yona Kim, a Korean-German artist, has created a large-scale production with 157 performers, blending traditional music with new meaning.
Boo Junfeng Brings Life Stories to National Day Parade
8.2.25
The 2025 National Day Parade in Singapore will feature a specially designed 360-degree centre stage at the Padang and light projections on buildings, as well as massive floats with designs by artists with disabilities. The parade aims to showcase everyday Singaporeans whose life stories often go unheard. Filmmaker Boo Junfeng, known for his award-winning films such as "Sandcastles" and "Apprentice", has been tapped to bring a storytelling lens to the event, highlighting the human experience and spotlighting ordinary Singaporeans with hopes and ideas for the country.