The European Commission has launched an antitrust probe into Universal Music Group's proposed acquisition of Downtown Music due to concerns over reduced competition in the music industry. The deal involves UMG acquiring key assets such as FUGA, a distributor, and CD Baby, a digital distribution service. This move affects major musicians like Taylor Swift, Elton John, and Sabrina Carpenter, who are affiliated with Universal Music Group.
The exhibition "Be Your Own Cool" by Ghanaian artist Botchway is on view until September 13th at a gallery in Los Angeles. The show marks his second solo presentation with the gallery, featuring a series of paintings created during a residency in LA that showcase a shift in scale and mood. The works are introspective and contemplative, with vivid portrayals of Black identity infused with psychological depth, set against soft pastel backgrounds that evoke feelings of tranquility and empowerment. Botchway's use of rich tones and nuanced expressions highlights the quiet dignity of his subjects, who are presented as symbols of individuality and cultural identity, celebrating contemporary Black life through hairstyles, clothing, and personal flair.
Author Gary N. Lines' penthouse apartment in Adelaide's tallest residential tower, The Adelaidean, is for sale at $6million. The apartment features panoramic views and marble finishes, but its unique selling point is the bathroom wallpaper, which showcases dozens of versions of Gary's face, an art installation designed by his partner, interior designer Maggie Miles.
The Irish Museum of Modern Art has announced it will screen Derek Jarman's film "The Angelic Conversation" again in August, following controversy over censorship. The museum aims to reassure its LGBTQ+ community that it will continue to program inclusively. This comes after a recent lawsuit was settled, allowing for the exhibition of Jarman's work.
A vibrant mural in northeast Paris honors Josephine Baker, a renowned American-born performer who also served as a French Resistance spy during World War II and advocated for civil rights. The mural celebrates her legacy, bringing her spirit back to the streets of Paris, where she once lived and performed.
KL Chinatown's Vibrant Art Installations Unveiled Temporarily
7.21.25
Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown is hosting a unique public art installation experience for two weeks until August 3 as part of Kuala Lumpur Architecture Week 2025. Four temporary structures, designed by young architects in collaboration with local businesses, have been set up at locations such as lepaX, Twist Potato, go-kha-ki, and Prism of Merdeka. The installations aim to reflect the area's heritage and urban history, according to Malaysian Institute of Architects president Adrianta Aziz. C.I.S Network president Datuk Vincent Lim emphasized the importance of maintaining cleanliness and safety at these tourist spots. The installations are meant to be temporary, but there is hope for long-term collaboration with local authorities, including Kuala Lumpur City Hall.
The Glacier Arts Museum in Kalispell, Montana has hosted its 55th annual Arts in the Park Festival, a community event that showcases local artists, artisans, and musicians. The festival, which began in 1970 as The Hockaday Museum of Art, has provided a platform for artists like Maren Skates to turn their passion into a career. Skates, who started attending the festival as a child, won the Best New Artist award this year, marking a full circle moment for her. The event benefits both the artists and the Glacier Art Museum, with all funds from admissions and artist booth fees supporting educational programs, exhibitions, and events at the museum throughout the year.
Microsoft is partnering with the French government to create a digital replica of Paris' Notre-Dame Cathedral, a project led by Microsoft President Brad Smith. The digital replica will serve as a detailed record of the cathedral's architecture and provide a virtual experience for visitors who cannot physically visit. This initiative builds on Microsoft's previous work with Iconem on a digital replica of St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City and its preservation of heritage sites such as Ancient Olympia in Greece, Mont Saint-Michel in France, and the Allied Beach Landings in Normandy since 2019.
The artwork "No Trespassing" transforms a gallery into a layered space inspired by Palestinian, Jordanian, and Syrian walls, inviting viewers to engage in a dialogue with their surroundings, reimagining how they interact with and leave their mark on the spaces they inhabit.