A recent auction of a 14th century Chinese calligraphy scroll at Sotheby's in Hong Kong saw a 95-minute bidding war over the piece, which attracted over 200 bids. The scroll, valued at 25 times its low presale estimate, was sold by artist Rao Jie and features cursive-script calligraphy of two pieces of prose. Auctioneer CC Wang oversaw the sale, which took place during Sotheby's Fine Classical Chinese Paintings sale on April 10, 2025.
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3309960/chinese-antiques-auction-outlook-hong-kong-cautious-despite-bidding-war-scroll?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionVivid Sydney 2025 will take place from May 23 to June 14, with installations scattered across multiple locations in Sydney including The Goods Line, Darling Harbour, CBD, Barangaroo, Circular Quay, and The Rocks. For the first time since 2018, Vivid Sydney will also feature installations in Martin Place. The festival will include free music events at the Sydney Opera House and Carriageworks, as well as "Tumbalong nights" with free food events.
https://www.9news.com.au/national/vivid-sydney-2025-dates-events-program-road-closures-everything-you-need-to-know-explainer/ba92cd0d-c874-4066-932f-579bdfc4023aThe Ankara State Opera and Ballet premiered "Tango Tutkusu" (Passion for Tango), combining music from Astor Pantaleon Piazzolla's "Tangata" and Arturo Márquez's "Crossroads". The performance paid tribute to late chief choreographer Almula Özlem, who passed away at a young age in May last year. Images of Özlem were projected on stage, honoring her impact on Turkish ballet. Bleda Özlem, principal ballerina and sister of the late artist, dedicated the work to her sister, describing her as a devoted artist who lived with sincerity and grace.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/latin-passion-on-opera-stage-209092Artprice by Artmarket has won the first prize of the Mobility Challenge 2023 under the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region's aegis for its eco-responsible approach. The company publishes its annual report on the global art market in March 2025, which includes data on contemporary art. Artprice.com has over 6.5 million followers on Facebook and Twitter, where it shares real-time news about the art market. The company is headquartered at the famous Abode of Chaos museum, featured in a New York Times article.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/artmarketcom--t1-en-forte-hausse-2025-annee-de-lintelligence-artificielle-avec-lia-intuitive-artmarket-induite-dans-les-banques-de-donnees-artprice-ses-nouveaux-services-et-abonnements-a-haute-valeur-ajoutee-302453640.htmlAuction houses Christie's and Sotheby's are expecting this month's New York sales to bring in around $1.6 billion, with a record-breaking Magritte painting being the most valuable lot. The sales come after a "tough season" for the art market, but strong bidding from mainland China has indicated signs of recovery.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/05/13/record-breaking-female-surrealists-spice-up-underwhelming-christies-sales-in-new-yorkThe High Museum of Art has announced that curator Naomi Beckwith will receive the $50,000 David C. Driskell Prize for her outstanding contribution to African American art. The prize is part of funds raised through acquisition and endowment funds named after Driskell, which have previously supported the museum's collection of 52 pieces by African American artists.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/05/13/alison-saar-wins-high-museum-driskell-prizeNguyen's work combines art history references with contemporary subjects, drawing from various styles including Medieval, Renaissance, and traditional Japanese painting practices. His exhibition features his first paintings made directly on copper panels, a technique popularized by Rembrandt and Jan Brueghel the Elder during the Middle Ages.
https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/painting/julien-nguyen-matthew-marks-nyc/Robert De Niro will participate in a masterclass at the Debussy theatre in Paris' Palais on May 14. The festival head praised De Niro's cinematic legacy, citing his iconic roles in films like Mean Streets and Taxi Driver, which won Cannes' Palme d'Or. This Boy's Life (1993) and Killers of the Flower Moon (2023), a reunion with Leonardo DiCaprio, are notable examples of their collaborations.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1311125-leonardo-dicaprio-sets-to-present-robert-de-niro-honorary-award-at-cannesThe Seoul Arts Center will premiere its first English-language opera production, "The Rising World: Spirit of Water," in May. The new opera marks a milestone for the center and is part of their plan to revitalize the genre. Directed by the center's new president, who emphasizes "pure performances," the opera features a delicate fusion of piano melodies and mezzo-soprano voice of Kim Jung-mi. Tenor Robin Tritschler plays an apprentice in the opening scene, which was previewed during a rehearsal on Tuesday.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-05-13/entertainment/musicPerformance/Seoul-Arts-Center-seeks-global-resonance-with-new-English-opera/2306373