Indonesia Celebrates Jamu Festival in South Jakarta
7.28.25
Indonesia is celebrating its heritage through the Jamu Festival at Epiwalk in South Jakarta, with Deputy Minister Irene Umar highlighting the need to encourage regeneration and innovation in traditional jamu products. The festival aims to preserve Indonesian culture and traditions, including jamu, which plays a strategic role in the national creative economy ecosystem. Yuke Sri Rahayu emphasized the importance of preserving cultural diversity, while Acaraki founder Jony Yuwono stressed the need for an intergenerational approach to promote and preserve jamu.
Kotal Rang Magazine Honors Nusrat Naseem's Literary Legacy
7.28.25
A Hindko literary magazine, Kotal Rang, features contributions from prominent writers, including Muhammad Ziauddin and Ms Nusrat Naseem, a renowned travelogue writer. The magazine's latest issue pays tribute to Nusrat Naseem, praising her literary command and engaging narrative style. Syed Ibrar Hussain commends her keen eye for detail, while Muhammad Ziauddin describes her as a prominent figure in both Hindko and Urdu literature. The Gandhara Hindko Academy, which publishes the magazine, has established itself as a major force in promoting Hindko language and culture, with over 500 publications in 11 languages since its inception in 2015.
Kray Twins' Photos Spark Royal Controversy and Collectors' Frenzy
7.28.25
The Kray twins' presence in a photography collection sparked controversy among Lord Snowdon, a fellow photographer and aristocrat who dated Princess Margaret. However, the project gained notoriety, making it more appealing to collectors like Oliver Bayliss of Bayliss Rare Books. The rare portfolio is considered incredibly valuable, with proof copies highly sought after, as it features Hillman's design work, often overshadowed by the famous images themselves.
Live Nation Urban, in partnership with Live Nation Entertainment, has established itself as a key player in black culture through its live events and initiatives. The company's sought-after festival brands include The Roots Picnic and Exodus Music & Arts Festival, which have partnered with notable figures such as Kerry Washington for her book tour and Vice President Kamala Harris' home for a Hip-Hop 50 event. Live Nation Urban has also produced the Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop special, earning a nomination at the NAACP Image Awards. The company continues to grow in popularity through its tours featuring artists like Ari Lennox, Babyface, and Jill Scott, solidifying its position as the most trusted purveyor of live urban music.
Lotus Sculpture Celebrates 25 Years of Eastern Elegance
7.28.25
Kyle Tortora is celebrating 25 years of his business, Lotus Sculpture, which specializes in handcrafted Asian statues sourced directly from artisans across Asia. The company's unique Hindu and Buddha garden statues have been featured in gardens across the US. Tortora's inspiration for the business came during a two-week meditation retreat at a Thai temple after graduating with a degree in religion.
NSW Pledges $5m for Western Sydney Arts Revitalization
7.28.25
The New South Wales government has announced a $5 million funding commitment for the Western Sydney Plan for Arts, Culture and Creative Industries, which aims to create a thriving and inclusive creative ecosystem in western Sydney. The plan prioritizes unlocking investment, supporting First Nations' culture, growing creative careers, and showcasing local artists. The funding will be met from cost savings made by Create NSW, the state's art agency, which is undergoing a major restructure that will result in the loss of one-quarter of its workforce. The plan includes grants for small to medium-sized creative businesses, support for First Nations artists, and development of a philanthropy strategy to attract private donations.
Ohtani's Giant Rice Field Portrait Unveiled in Japan
7.28.25
In Iwate Prefecture, Japan, a giant image of Shohei Ohtani has been created in a paddy field in the Esashi District of Oshu City. The artwork is part of a long-standing tradition of rice field installations that began in 2009 to promote agriculture and tourism. Located near where Ohtani was born in Mizusawa, now part of Oshu, the image is created by driving stakes into the fields and planting colorful rice seedlings inside, resulting in a large and vibrant mural.
The Paris Opera Ballet's gala performance in Korea was a notable event that showcased the company's signature style. Dancer Park mentioned that he had the opportunity to work with renowned choreographer Wayne McGregor on Joby Talbot's "Chroma – pas de deux", which is not part of the Paris Opera Ballet repertoire. The event has become highly sought after by dancers at the Paris Opera Ballet, drawing many who wanted to attend.
Tate's Youth Membership Scheme Booms with 180,000 Members
7.28.25
The Tate has seen a significant increase in membership, growing from 2,000 members to become the "largest arts youth membership scheme in the world" with over 180,000 members. This growth is attributed to £5 tickets and discounts on shop and café items. In contrast, visitor numbers at the Tate Modern dropped from 5.7 million at its peak to just 361,000 in 2020/21.