The Hyundai India Couture Week 2025, in association with Reliance Brands and the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), has begun as part of its 18th edition. Actor Tamannaah Bhatia served as the muse for fashion designer Rahul Mishra during the event's opening. The week-long celebration will feature showcases by prominent Indian couturiers, including JJ Valaya, Manish Malhotra, and Rohit Bal, among others.
Madame Tussauds has released 13 wax figures of Taylor Swift, each celebrating a different era of her music career, featuring replicas of iconic outfits from her Eras Tour, including a purple dress and black sequined catsuit. The figures were created with the help of renowned designers and are on display at locations worldwide, offering fans a chance to take photos with replicas of the pop star.
The Galleria Borghese is reimagining its opulent rooms by incorporating contemporary art to revitalize its centuries-old institution and appeal to new generations. The museum's director aims to create a living, evolving space through dynamic exchanges with the historic collection, as seen in the recent exhibition "Black Soil Poems" by American artist Wangechi Mutu.
Hiroshima Teens Record Atomic Bomb Survivors' Stories
7.23.25
In Hiroshima, Japan, Japanese teenagers are creating art pieces based on interviews with hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors), including a 5-year-old boy who lost his mother in the 1945 US atomic bombing. The Motomachi High School art program has been documenting the testimonies of these survivors for nearly two decades.
A proposal by special envoy Jillian Segal to strip arts organisations of public funding if they facilitate or support antisemitic themes has raised concerns that freedom of expression would be compromised. The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance strongly opposes such policies, emphasizing the importance of artistic independence. In contrast, the National Association for the Visual Arts' executive director Penelope Benton welcomes a nationally united response to racism, including antisemitism, and believes artists should contribute meaningfully to anti-racism education. However, some high-profile pro-Palestinian voices have been penalized, sparking concerns about censorship. The report's lack of evidence and reliance on a single source from the Executive Council of Australian Jewry has also raised questions about its credibility.
K-pop Groups Bring Immersive Experiences to Theaters Globally
7.23.25
Theaters are shifting their focus from traditional film screenings to immersive experiences, incorporating fan venues and merchandise shops. K-pop groups like Enhypen and BTS are capitalizing on this trend by releasing VR concert movies and livestreaming events in theaters worldwide. For example, Enhypen's first VR concert movie will hit theaters on August 8, while BTS's Jin is set to livestream his Osaka concert globally.
Thomas Dambo's Giant Troll Invasion Spreads Worldwide
7.23.25
Thomas Dambo and his team have created a large number of troll sculptures using discarded materials, with over 170 pieces found in more than 20 countries and 21 US states. The "Trail of a Thousand Trolls" project has been ongoing for twelve years, with the team producing around 25 new trolls each year, some reaching heights of up to 40 feet tall.
An installation of six sculptures called "Trolls Save the Humans" is on display at Filoli in Woodside, California. The trolls, each with their own personality and story, aim to teach humans how to protect the environment by promoting sustainable practices. Created by Dambo, a poet and former hip-hop artist, the trolls are made from recycled materials and have been viewed by over 4.5 million people globally.
The Queensland Ballet's Bespoke series, opening at the Thomas Dixon Centre in West End on July 31, features three dance pieces including "Blindness" by LoadingBinet and Amelia Waller. The work explores the connection between navigating the world as a blind person and memorizing dance steps. Collaborating with Yolande Brown, a Bidjara woman, helped LoadingBinet stretch his idea of ballet.