ADAA Shines Light on Regional Galleries Nationwide
7.18.25
The Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) is evolving its philanthropic efforts to support a broader national arts ecosystem. The ADAA launched a new programme, Spotlight On..., at The Art Show, which highlights member gallery stands from cities outside of New York. This initiative aims to promote the art scenes in various US cities each year.
Alberta Infrastructure has reversed its decision to demolish the Royal Alberta Museum's old building in Edmonton, after analyzing options and gathering input through an online survey and community engagement. The museum, which opened in 1967 to celebrate Canada's centennial, had been empty since exhibits were moved out in 2016-2017 to make way for a new location. The building features marble from Ontario and granite from Quebec, as well as ancient Indigenous petroglyphs, and was previously renamed by Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to the province in 2005.
Christine Macel, a contemporary art specialist and former chief curator at Centre Pompidou, has been appointed as the new director of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris. She will work collaboratively with stakeholders to craft a vision for the museum's future. Macel previously organized the French Pavilion at the 2013 Venice Biennale and succeeds Sophie Makariou, who is now overseeing cultural development of AlUla in Saudi Arabia.
Mark Morris Dance Group's current program at The Joyce Theater features a new piece, "You’ve Got to be Modernistic", which takes center stage amidst the company's classic works, including "The Muir" (2010), "Silhouettes" (1999), and "Mosaic and United" (1993).
Reliance Foundation and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) have collaborated with Dadu, Children's Museum of Qatar, to launch "Museum in Residence: Light Atelier" in Mumbai from July 19 to August 10, 2025. The initiative aims to provide a unique cultural experience for children through interactive exhibits and art installations.
Spatio's curated experience welcomes guests with a multi-sensory approach, featuring scents inspired by ube to evoke nostalgia, textured vignettes showcasing handcrafted goods, and ambient storytelling through sound. A highlight is the "Sa Habi ng Alaala" music mix by Jorge Juan B. Wieneke V., blending kundimans, ancestral beats, funk, folk, and experimental music to create an immersive environment reflecting Filipino identity.
Heritage experts are working to preserve Gaza's historical sites amidst ongoing conflict. The Palestinian Museum is involved in a reconstruction effort worth €260m, but funding uncertainties may hinder progress. A recent UN report found Israeli attacks on Palestinian heritage amount to war crimes. In response, a $1m fund has been allocated to support the preservation of Gaza's cultural heritage, including evacuating artefacts, conducting damage surveys, and providing training for safeguarding historical sites.
Anna Heringer's Low-Tech Clay Schools Thrive Worldwide
7.18.25
Scientists are developing high-tech coatings that could outperform air conditioners, but German architect Anna Heringer advocates for sustainable architecture using local materials like clay. Heringer has designed schools in Bangladesh and Ghana, where she uses mud as a low-tech material with high-tech performance. Clay walls balance humidity, reducing physical discomfort in extreme heat and cold, and can be strengthened over time through natural crystallization processes. Contrary to popular perception, clay walls do not dissolve in the rain, and Heringer's schools have required minimal maintenance despite being hundreds of years old.
Carmichael believes that Dark Mofo's Dark Park in Tasmania won't continue next year due to the ongoing controversy surrounding the festival. The festival faced backlash on social media over an art project that involved crowd-sourcing blood from Indigenous and Aboriginal people. In contrast, a previous initiative by David Walsh, a Tasmanian collector, aimed to create an Aboriginal art park on Hobart's waterfront with a history centre, fire and light installations, and a contemporary art gallery at Macquarie Point.