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Dior’s creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri is continuing her streak of featuring women artists in runway shows, spotlighting the late Faith Ringgold in the latest Autumn/Winter 2024-25 haute couture presentation. Ringgold, known for her poignant depictions of African American women, was honored with large-scale reproductions of her iconic works like Woman Freedom Now and Woman Free Yourself at the show, exploring themes of race and gender. Chiuri’s incorporation of Ringgold’s art alongside fashion aimed to blend feminist aesthetics with athletic inspirations, ultimately showcasing a vibrant fusion of art and haute couture.
LVMH is expanding its watchmaking prowess through the acquisition of Swiss clockmaker L’Épée 1839 and its parent company Swiza, known for innovative timepieces dating back to 1839. This move, spearheaded by Frédéric Arnault, CEO of LVMH Watches, aims to leverage L’Épée’s craftsmanship and history in creating intricate complications such as perpetual calendars and retrograde hands. The move also marks a strategic step in enhancing creative possibilities within the group’s watchmaking division.
Sotheby’s is relocating its Paris headquarters to 83 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, a historic cultural hub renovated from the former Bernheim-Jeune gallery buildings. Spanning more than 35,500 square feet across five floors, the flagship features expanded exhibition space, including a 200-seat auction room and versatile galleries illuminated by a glass atrium. Designed with Art Deco features and modern amenities, the new flagship aims to enhance public engagement with free access to auction exhibitions and facilities for dining, events, and private sales.
Universal Music Group, Sony Music, and Warner Records have filed lawsuits against AI music-synthesis companies Udio and Suno for alleged copyright infringement, accusing them of using recordings owned by the labels to train their AI models. These models can create new music based on textual descriptions, potentially competing with and devaluing human artists’ work. The lawsuits seek statutory damages and highlight concerns that AI-generated music may replicate elements of famous songs and artists without permission.
The National Coalition Against Censorship has criticized museums for canceling or postponing Kehinde Wiley exhibitions following allegations of sexual misconduct, arguing that cultural institutions should not act as arbiters of morality. (Wiley denies the allegations.) While acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations, the NCAC emphasized that museums should contextualize art based on its artistic merit rather than excluding artists based on personal conduct. They urged museums to proceed with Wiley’s exhibitions while facilitating discussions on ethical conflicts, advocating for clear free speech guidelines in future exhibition decisions.
Olivia Rutigliano’s musings on Jaws might make you watch the film differently.
Some museums are staging fewer shows to deepen their existing programs.
Men are starting to “rawdog” long-haul flights for spiritual and emotional relief.
A wild American flamingo has drawn hundreds of spectators in the Hamptons.
