Indonesia Aims to Leverage Culture for Economic Growth
7.20.25
Indonesia has the potential to become the world's cultural capital due to its rich cultural expressions, including traditional cuisine, local arts, and games like pacu jalur rowing, which recently gained popularity. Minister of Culture Fadli Zon aims to build a bridge between culture and other sectors such as the creative economy, tourism, MSMEs, and cooperatives to leverage Indonesia's cultural wealth as soft power for economic advancement.
Indonesia Showcases Innovative IP Seeds in Jakarta Exhibition
7.20.25
Indonesia is showcasing its promising intellectual property (IP) seeds at The Local Market in Jakarta, a creative product exhibition. Deputy Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Irene Umar praised local entrepreneurs for their innovative designs and sustainable values. She hopes that events like this will spread to other regions, providing more opportunities for local businesses to showcase their work globally. The ministry's Ekraf Hunt program aims to promote Indonesian creators' intellectual property worldwide through its official website.
The Ipoh International Arts Festival is expected to attract approximately 15,000 visitors from July 19 to August 3 at the Perak Innovation and Creative Resource Centre. Organized by People of Remarkable Talents (PORT), this year's festival will focus on the theme 'GEMA: Art, Healing and Future'.
Josephine Baker's Son Sees Murals as Symbol of Freedom
7.20.25
Josephine Baker's son Brian Baker views the recent murals of his mother in Paris as a symbol of freedom and resistance, likening them to her "rainbow tribe" or "a little United Nations". The murals, painted by artist FKDL, are part of an initiative called Paris Colors Ourq, aimed at bringing women back into urban landscapes.
The kebaya, a traditional Southeast Asian garment, has been inscribed onto the Unesco Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2024 as part of a joint bid by five countries - Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. This recognition is significant for its role in symbolizing unique heritage and identity among these nations, with examples seen in modern airline uniforms such as those worn by Singapore Airlines flight attendants.
Malaysian Artist Chang's 'Me, Then Blue' Exhibition
7.20.25
Malaysian artist Chang, known for her mosaic sculpture "The Lady," has created a new exhibition called "Me, Then Blue" at Lai Lai Art Gallery in Kuala Ampang. The show features sculptures made from weathered porcelain shards found on the ocean floor, which date back centuries and tell the story of the Wanli shipwreck that sank 400 years ago. Chang used eco-friendly cement to reassemble the fragments, preserving their history, and incorporated motifs she saw on the shards into oil paintings. The exhibition aims to encourage visitors to look beyond the surface and find beauty in the broken, with a companion book about the Wanli shipwreck also on display.
Melbourne Street Artists Paint City Vibrant Masterpieces
7.20.25
A group of artists, including Melbourne-based street artist, Daniel Boyce, and local muralists, have collaborated to create over 300 murals across the city, transforming public spaces with vibrant works of art.
Norman Lindsay's Hidden Masterpieces Uncovered in Sydney
7.20.25
Researchers at Sydney University's Fisher Library have discovered a hidden archive of work by artist Norman Lindsay, which had been undervalued for decades. The collection, recently unearthed by art historian Robert Holden and Rodney Kent, includes sketches, etchings, letters, and other ephemera.
Princess Rajwa of Saudi Arabia wore a striking Elie Saab dress at her wedding, which was part of a lavish celebration that included a three-day event. The bride's fashion choice was widely reported and showcased in 41 photos from the wedding.