Harbin, a city in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, is hosting various international musical contests and performances as part of its summer festival. The 2025 Schoenfeld International String Competition, the 20th World Saxophone Congress, and the 7th Harbin International Accordion Art Week are among the events taking place. Peter Paul Kainrath, president of the World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC), hopes to strengthen exchanges with Harbin and other Chinese cities through this year's annual meeting.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xinhua-silk-road-summer-music-feast-draws-crowds-of-attendees-in-ice-city-in-ne-china-302496388.htmlIraq's economy is showing signs of recovery, leading to a growing interest in art among a new generation of artists, collectors, and educators. The Miraz Art Space in Sulaymaniyah was established by collector Shad Abdulkarim to promote collecting among Iraq's wealthy elite. As the country's security situation improves, artists who fled during the violence are returning to work on projects, while curators from the Arab region are touring the country to explore its art scenes. The 2019 anti-corruption protests, known as "The Tishreen," marked a turning point in this renewed optimism, according to Hella Mewis, co-founder of the Baghdad art platform Tarkib.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/07/02/as-iraqs-economy-shows-signs-of-recovery-a-thirst-for-new-art-is-emergingCity Museum in Downtown St. Louis is an ever-evolving playground that opened in 1997 as a passion project. Located in an old shoe factory, it has developed into an indoor and outdoor attraction with underground spaces to explore. The museum welcomes visitors from around the world and is considered one of the great public spaces in the city.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/city-museum-unveils-labyrinth-302497315.htmlA British music duo, Bob Vylan, performed at Glastonbury Festival, sparking widespread criticism for a chant targeting the Israel Defense Forces. The BBC aired the moment live, prompting a review of footage by Avon and Somerset Police to determine if any criminal offenses occurred. UK officials, including Health Minister Wes Streeting and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, condemned the performance, while the Israeli Embassy in London warned of normalizing extremist rhetoric. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau revoked Bob Vylan's members' US visas due to their alleged glorification of violence and hatred. The incident reignited debate over artistic expression, political activism, and accountability in the arts.
https://en.tempo.co/read/2023376/who-are-bob-vylan-the-punk-rap-duo-behind-the-glastonbury-death-to-idf-chantThe Art Newspaper has been exploring Edvard Munch's work through various exhibitions and publications. A recent book by Przybyszewski introduces Munch as a pioneer in capturing the subtleties of human emotion, while a British Museum exhibition delves into his personal philosophy and printmaking techniques. The museum itself is set to open its new 13-floor building near Oslo's fjord, housing Munch's vast collection of 28,000 works.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2025/07/01/an-experts-guide-to-edvard-munch-five-must-read-books-on-the-norwegian-expressionistDebs, a mixed-media artist and art educator, has founded Make Du Si, a cultural "embassy" in Hong Kong representing Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine through arts and culture. The name "Make Du Si" is derived from the Cantonese pronunciation of the Arabic dish makdous. Debs' initiative aims to fill the diplomatic representation gap for these four countries in the Levant region, which was showcased at a cultural evening called "Arabian Night" at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong hotel on December 5, 2024.
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts/article/3316047/syrian-hong-kong-wanted-show-arts-and-culture-her-region-heres-what-she-did?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionThe exhibition features a large-scale projection of Dzama's 2023 film "To live on the Moon (For Lorca)" at the main gallery in New York, accompanied by select drawings that create a dramatic and hypnotic atmosphere.
https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/installation/the-magic-of-marcel-dzama-in-empress-of-night/The artist credits their father's guidance on the importance of dignity and acceptance in their profession, stating that he taught them to find meaning beyond technical skill. The father's words, "I have no story to tell, no symphony to play, no poem to recite - no climax, no anti-climax," continue to resonate with the artist, suggesting a focus on the process rather than external validation or dramatic outcomes.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine/you/1325235-i-want-my-paintings-to-bring-joy-and-offer-a-reason-to-smile-mona-naqshMiley Cyrus' directorial debut is a visual album described as "a one-of-a-kind pop opera fueled by fantasy", featuring songs from her album "Something Beautiful". The album premieres at the Tribeca Festival on June 6, followed by a one-night theatrical release in the US and Canada on July 12.
https://krcgtv.com/news/entertainment/mileys-something-beautiful-visual-album-is-coming-to-your-tv-watch-the-new-trailer-cyrus#