The final rehearsal for the Kyoto's spring 'Miyako Odori' geisha dance performance took place on April 1, 2025. The event is a traditional Japanese dance performance that showcases the art of geishas from Kyoto. The rehearsal was held at the Gion Shirakawa district in Kyoto, Japan, where the actual performance will be staged later this spring.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250401/p2a/00m/0na/013000cA catalogue raisonné of Lucian Freud's oil paintings, written by Catherine Lampert and Toby Treves, offers a comprehensive look at the life and work of the post-war British painter. The book features nearly faultless forensic scrutiny and includes 566 illustrations. A recent exhibition at the National Gallery marked the centenary of Freud's birth, exploring his enduring appeal to a new generation.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/04/01/the-trials-and-tribulations-of-putting-together-lucian-freuds-catalogue-raisonneA new exhibition showcases Michelangelo's lesser-known works, including a red chalk preparatory sketch for the Sistine Chapel's "Worship of the Brazen Serpent" section. The catalogue features drawings and letters that reveal the artist's creative process, such as his draughtsmanship, which is highlighted in a book about his life and works. A scholar discovered a sketch of Michelangelo in the margin of a 15th-century edition of Dante's Divine Comedy, while another expert, Grant Lewis, curated the exhibition.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/04/01/april-book-bag-from-a-new-angle-on-michelangelos-sistine-chapel-to-the-re-issuing-of-bell-hookss-art-essaysArtist O'Connor's work combines elements of portraiture, landscape, and still life, emphasizing deep observation and engagement with his subjects. His direct portraits feature unguarded gazes, while landscapes painted en plein air in Los Angeles capture the transient nature of place. The artist's use of time and sustained attention imbues his works with psychological intensity, as seen in Eaton Canyon Unfinished, where a painting was left unfinished after its subject was lost to the 2025 Eaton Fire. O'Connor's still-life "table paintings" feature recurring motifs that blur distinctions between past and present, suggesting presence as an evolving state. His works, such as those in Flame of Vapor, unfold over time, revealing how painting warps, erodes, and reconstructs its subjects through prolonged observation.
https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/painting/kent-o-connor-flame-of-vapor/A new book, "Artists of the Middle East: 1900 to Now" by Saeb Eigner, explores Iraq's diverse art scene and Tehran's Saqqakhaneh school of the 1950s. The book delves into the lives and works of artists such as those influenced by the pivotal Saqqakhaneh school, which had a lasting impact on the region's artistic landscape.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/04/01/new-book-looks-at-the-shaping-of-modern-art-in-the-middle-east-beyond-politics-and-warOdia cultural heritage has been recognized globally by UNESCO. The Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's apex cultural body, has listed Rath Yatra and Bali Jatra from Odisha in its National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Rath Yatra, a festival celebrated in Puri, is the annual journey of Lord Jagannath and his siblings to the Shree Gundicha Temple, attracting millions of devotees worldwide. Bali Yatra, a historic festival in Cuttack, commemorates Odisha's rich maritime heritage and ancient trade connections with Southeast Asia.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/odisha/odishas-rath-yatra-bali-yatra-find-place-in-centres-intangible-cultural-heritage-list/article69399255.eceThe Vivid Sydney 2025 festival will feature a unique blend of art, literature and entertainment. The event aims to reimagine the traditional festival by inviting attendees to dream through various forms of media such as films and literature.
https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/vivid-sydney-2025-a-festival-reimagined-inviting-you-to-dream-whether-it-is-films-or-litersture-13876180.htmlThe Academy has faced criticism after releasing a statement condemning artists who express harm or suppress viewpoints, with some members feeling it fell short of the moment's demands. Journalist Yuval Abraham compared this to silence on Hamdan's assault. Over 600 Academy members signed an open letter expressing their discontent, including Joaquin Phoenix, Olivia Colman, and Riz Ahmed. In response, the board apologized for any support given to artists who felt unsupported by the initial statement, condemning violence worldwide and affirming the suppression of free speech under any circumstances.
https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/the-academy-apologizes-to-oscar-winning-palestinian-filmmaker-hamdan-ballal-amid-attacks-on-him-by-israeli-settlers-13875915.htmlBennett, an adjunct professor at UNC Chapel Hill, and Whitener, a former instructor at The Creative Circus, mentor junior creatives at agencies and brands. Their work has earned industry recognition, including 15 Cannes Lions, with notable campaigns like Coca-Cola's "1,000 Song Celebration" and the Travelocity Roaming Gnome's first live-action TV campaign. Guesthouse, an agency founded by Bennett and Whitener, is on pace to more than double its first-year revenue growth in its second year, prioritizing simplicity, great work, fast execution, and lasting client relationships built on kindness and creativity.
https://www.adweek.com/agencies/indie-agency-guesthouse-expands-adding-every-man-jack-and-first-full-time-hire/