The Hiroshi Sugimoto Gallery at the Setouchi Triennale on Naoshima Island in Kagawa Prefecture is showcasing "Time Corridors," a series of photographs by renowned artist Hiroshi Sugimoto. The exhibition features large-scale, immersive installations that explore the relationship between time and memory through images of abandoned landscapes and industrial sites. Visitors can walk through a recreated 19th-century Japanese village, surrounded by Sugimoto's photographs, which blur the lines between past and present.
Sylvia Young, a pioneering teacher who founded a stage school in Westminster that launched the careers of Amy Winehouse, Rita Ora, Billie Piper, and Emma Bunton, has died at the age of 86. Her daughter, Frances Ruffelle, confirmed the news, stating her mother was a "true visionary" who gave young people from all walks of life the chance to pursue their performing arts skills. The school, which began in London's east end, has a strong reputation for nurturing talent and has produced notable alumni including Dua Lipa, Denise Van Outen, and Tom Fletcher.
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) is showcasing a unique collection of objects that highlight their influence on various art forms, including fashion, design, film, and creativity. The display features items such as a Qing dynasty porcelain vase, a costume from the Royal Ballet's "The Sleeping Beauty," and a watercolour painting of a forest glade by Potter. The collection also includes a handmade quilt from Wales and a 15th century earthenware tile from Somerset. Visitors can view these objects up close through the museum's Order an Object service, which allows them to book an appointment with a staff member.
In Germany, a campaign by 12 well-known voice actors from the VDS association went viral on TikTok, calling for lawmakers to obtain explicit consent when training AI on artists' voices and fairly compensate them. The petition gained over 75,500 signatures, with VDS member Cedric Cavatore stating that if intellectual property is no longer protected, creators will stop producing content due to concerns of theft. In the US, SAG-AFTRA has signed a new contract with video game studios focused on AI, representing progress in protections against the tech. Meanwhile, some studios like Neue Tonfilm Muenchen are cautiously exploring AI and human dubbing coexistence, with managing director Eberhard Weckerle warning that cheaply produced AI-generated content could lead to poorer quality.
Yale University in Connecticut has been ranked 15th overall by Travel + Leisure. The university's diverse architecture reflects changing styles, from the Georgian-style Connecticut Hall to postmodern Ingalls Rink designed by Eero Saarinen. Other notable buildings include Edward P. Evans Hall by Norman Foster and the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, which houses a Gutenberg Bible and a 12th-century book of Buddhist prayers.
In Gaza, an artist named Taha Hussein Abu Ghali destroyed his paintings in a video shared on Instagram, saying they had become "bread" due to the lack of fuel and resources during the nearly two-year-long conflict. He expressed the pain of having to burn his art, which he considered music to his heart, as a family struggled with no access to basic necessities like food, fuel, and medical facilities.
In Sharjah, UAE, children are using AI to rewrite ancient fables from Kalila wa Dimna, creating a vibrant digital universe with custom animations and holographic projections. The House of Wisdom is expanding its summer camp program, including AI-focused workshops in game design, animation, and interactive fiction, based on the enthusiastic response from participants and parents.
Music industry experts Yung Spielburg and Mathieu Gendreau warn that the rise of AI-generated music poses a significant threat to musicians' livelihoods. According to Spielburg, "active" listeners who care about what artists convey will ultimately prevail over AI-generated tunes, but those who listen passively while doing mundane tasks may not be able to distinguish between human and synthetic music. Gendreau predicts that if listeners can't tell the difference, publishers and labels will opt for AI-made bands that don't earn royalties, making it harder for musicians to make a living. Music streaming platforms are already filling playlists with anonymous mood music, while University of Rochester School of Music professor Dennis DeSantis notes that AI-generated soundtracks have become cost-saving options in various venues, including movies and advertisements.
Aisha Rao is set to make her debut at the Hyundai India Couture Week on July 29, 2025, with a colourful showcase titled "Wild At Heart" at Taj Palace in New Delhi. The collection, created in collaboration with Kohler, is described as a maximalist ode to nature's untamed beauty.