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2025 will be brown.
đď¸ IN THIS ISSUE
Hello everyone, Itâs December 12th and the holiday season is in full swing. This week, Notre Dame Cathedral holds its first mass since the 2019 fire, Olympic sharpshooter Kim Yeji stuns as Balenciagaâs new ambassador, Pantone unveils its 2025 Color of the Year, Art Basel Miamiâs cultural buzz, and donât miss Ralph Fiennes in the thrilling 28 Years Later trailer. Letâs get into it!
Photo of the Week: Nur Liebesbriefe "Love Letters Only" - Photo by Oliver Guhr
Submit your photo here.
THIS WEEKS HEADLINES
Notre Dame Cathedralâs First Mass Since 2019 Fire: A Comeback Story Youâll Want to See
Four years after a devastating fire, Notre Dame Cathedral celebrated its first mass, marking a powerful moment of renewal and resilience. Discover the inspiring journey of this global iconâs restoration. Learn more here.
Olympic Sharpshooter Kim Yeji Joins Balenciaga: A Style Revolution You Need to Know
From Olympic glory to high-fashion stardom, Kim Yeji is making waves as Balenciagaâs newest global ambassador. Curious how sheâs blending sport and style? Read the full story here.
Fun to Paint With, Not to Eat: Pantone Reveals Its 2025 Color of the Year
Every year, Pantone selects a Color of the Year to reflect cultural trends and inspire design across the globe. This time, their pick is "a warm, sensorial hue that invites us to embrace relaxed elegance and the indulgence of simple pleasures." Click here to uncover the shade thatâs shaping 2025âand why it matters.
Put Your Brand Knowledge to the Test: Spot the Brand Returns
Frontify's Spot the Brand challenge is back, inviting you to flex your design savvy and identify logos within a Where's Waldo? style collageof hints. This playful, interactive quiz is perfect for creatives who love to decode the subtleties of branding. Try it out for yourself here, and let us know how you did! The reader with the best score will earn a secret gift from the Art Newsletter Team. đ
The Art Newsletter | Trivia
Try our weekly art trivia to test your art knowledge.
How many times has the statue of liberty moved?
Once
Twice
Many, many times
Never, statues canât move
Which of the following were plans for the design of the Christ Redeemer?
Jesus on the cross
Jesus holding a globe and a cross
Jesus sitting down
Jesus with a pair of binoculars
What is the tallest statue (not counting the stand) in the world?
The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Unity
The Christ Redeemer
The Spring Temple Buddha
1Answers located at the bottom of the newsletter
Newsletter Recommendation: Cultural Reads is a bi-weekly newsletter with book, movie & music tips from countries all around the world. If youâre interested in culture, learning, and broadening your horizon â this is for you.
Explore it here ââ> www.culturalreads.com/newsletter
VISUAL ARTS
Art Basel Miami: 1. 2. 3. Big Reasons It Matters This Year
Art Basel Miami isnât just another art fairâitâs where the global art world comes to make waves. From innovative works to cultural conversations, here are three key takeaways from this yearâs event.
1. What Is Art Basel Miami? Why Is It a Big Deal?
Art Basel Miami is the American branch of the iconic Art Basel fairs held in Basel Switzerland and Hong Kong and has become one of the most anticipated art events worldwide.
A Platform for Discovery: From household names to up-and-coming talents, itâs the ultimate place to find whoâs shaping the art world.
More Than Galleries: Over 250 exhibitors and countless satellite events bring the city alive with installations, performances, and celebrations.
Cultural Significance: It reflects global trends and sets the tone for the year in art and design.
2. The Biggest Highlights From The Show
This yearâs Art Basel Miami Beach brought together a blend of art, fashion, and cultural moments that defined the event. Here are standout highlights from four key categories:
Art: Simone Leighâs Sculptures at Hauser & Wirth
Leighâs ceramic sculptures exploring Black femininity and cultural history became a standout. Her blend of traditional craft and modern forms solidified her as a leading voice in contemporary art.
Fashion: Miu Miuâs 'Miu Miu Select' Event
Miu Miuâs exclusive event in the Miami Design District, curated by Gigi Hadid, showcased her favorite picks from the brandâs latest collection. The star-studded gathering blended high fashion with the art fairâs vibrant energy.
Counter Culture: Satellite Events at Wynwood Walls
Outside the main fair, Wynwood Walls hosted immersive street art exhibitions, showcasing live mural paintings by world-renowned graffiti artists. This showcases how counter events often spring up in response to the more commercialized âofficial eventsâ
3. Why Itâs Important for You
Art Basel Miami is more than a spectacle; itâs a glimpse into the future of art.
Trends: The themes explored this yearâlike environmentalism and diversityâreflect larger cultural conversations.
A Space for Inspiration: Whether youâre an artist, collector, or enthusiast, the works showcased here fuel creativity.
Global Influence: Art Basel Miami bridges art, fashion, and culture, making it a must-follow event.
Want to see more? Click here for a gallery of highlights from Art Basel Miami 2024.
Have a favorite piece or memory from the event? Reply to this email or share it with us on Instagram!
THIS WEEK'S ART SELECTION FROM OUR TEAM
Take a moment to pause and join us every week as we showcase our favorite artists and the stories and history behind what makes them unique.
Chinese New Year (2019) Philip Vaughan
Philip Vaughan, an artist born in France to English parents, now lives and works in Los Angeles. His diverse body of work spans sculpture, paintings, and public art, drawing inspiration from plant biology and natural waveforms to create geometric abstractions that balance visual complexity with precise order. Initially trained as an architect at Cambridge, Philip transitioned to art at Chelsea School of Art, a shift that shaped his meticulous style. Notable achievements include the iconic Neon Tower at London's South Bank and numerous exhibitions across Germany, the U.S., and Japan. His works are featured in collections worldwide, including the LA Arboretum and northern Japan.
See more of him here.
WiFi girl (2019) Van Lanigh
Van Lanigh is a Russian artist based in the Netherlands. She had a tough childhood with abusive parents and made the first attempt to run from home when she was 7. Escaping from reality to the imaginary world assisted her to deal with anxiety. This developed into a strong spatial visualisation ability which helped her to become the youngest student in a local Art School. At sixteen she left home for the last time to start an artistic career and two years later moved to the Netherlands. Releasing her emotions into work connects realism and abstractionism through the lens of subconsciousness to achieve superconsciousness. Her work deals with continuous search to find peace in chaos. Abstract art is not enough to depict complexity of our world and mind. And beyond that psychological subjective perspective born metarealism. She defines Metarealism as the multi-dimensional perception of reality in the search for the feeling of subconscious happiness, which became the core idea of her work.
See more of her here.
MUSIC
Paul as Paul? Paul Mescal to Star as McCartney in a Beatles Biopic"
The legendary story of The Beatles gets a fresh take with Paul Mescal set to portray Paul McCartney. Directed by James Mangold, the biopic promises to explore the band's rise to global fame, with Mescal channeling the iconic Beatle. This casting choice has fans buzzingâcan one Paul truly capture another? Read more here.
Billie Eilish Teases 'Fun' New SongsâGet a Sneak Peek!"
Billie Eilish just gave fans a treat, previewing snippets of "fun" new music during a recent Instagram livestream. Describing the tracks as playful and experimental, Eilish revealed sheâs been in a creative groove with brother and collaborator Finneas. Could this hint at a new era for the pop star? Find out what she said.
SONG OF THE WEEK | NEW RELEASES
This week's song of the week is Mood To Make Love - Rosie Lowie
Who they are:
Rosie Lowe is a British singer-songwriter and producer known for her soulful voice, introspective lyrics, and atmospheric production. Blending R&B, jazz, and electronic influences, she crafts music that feels deeply personal yet universally resonant.
Why we love it: It was actually extremely difficult for me to pick just one song from this album, the project is just so damn subtle and cool, but remains fresh and dynamic. The instrumentation speaks loud when it needs to with elements of R&B, jazz, and even orchestral music. But still leaves room to breathe when Lowe sings. Here's what I recommend: turn off the hospital lights, flip on the orange lamps, press play and make a nice steak dinner for you or someone you love. By the time you are done you will have set a perfect mood for the night. You can thank me later.
Give it a listen, and let us know what you think by replying to this emailâwe read all the replies!
New Album Releases This Week:
Vicious Creature â Lauren Mayberry
Lauren Mayberry, known as the frontwoman of CHVRCHES, makes a bold solo debut with Vicious Creature. The album showcases her distinctive soprano and delves into personal themes such as past relationships, family, and challenges in the music industry.
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Music
Cosmic Waves Volume 1 â Angel Olsen
Angel Olsen curates and contributes to this compilation, featuring original songs and covers that traverse emotional landscapes, highlighting her versatility and depth as an artist.
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Music
rosie â ROSĂ
ROSĂ, a member of BLACKPINK, releases her first solo full-length album titled rosie, blending pop sensibilities with introspective lyrics, offering a fresh perspective and showcasing her growth as an artist.
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Music
Maybe in Nirvana â Smino
Smino returns with a genre-blending project that fuses hip-hop, R&B, and funk, delivering innovative sounds and thought-provoking lyrics.
Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Music
FILM, TV & ANIMATION
This yearâs Sundance lineup features talent old and new, with work from Oscar winners, studio filmmakers, and independent filmmakers. So far, 41% of films announced are by first-time feature directors. This year also features an array of films tackling the most topical issues, which festival director Eugene Hernandez says âis never surprising.â This yearâs festival finds itself at a time of transition, following the announcement of Sundance CEO Joanna Vicente stepping down. While the details for future festivals are yet to be decided, this season is sure to be an impressive display of the best filmmakers today.
Ralph Fiennes, Jodie Comer, And Aaron Taylor-Johnson Fight For Their Lives In 28 Years Later Trailer.
The much-anticipated continuation to the revered series has a trailer that only builds anticipation. The film, which was shot on an iPhone 15 Pro Max, starring legends like Ralph Fiennes, Jodie Comer, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson, is a âheart stopping, arterial sprayingâ phenomenon, sure to impress audiences.
Weekly Film Recommendation
This weekâs film recommendation is the modern classic Interstellar (2014). In time for its 10th anniversary, this film is worth revisiting, for anyone whoâs in for an awe-inspiring, mind boggling vision of the place love has in the universeâs greatest mystery. In classic Christopher Nolan fashion, the film beautifully interweaves the most complex scientific and theoretical concepts with the most intimate human relationships in a way that will leave you reeling.
Interstellar (2014)
Interstellar is known as one of the greatest films in modern filmmaking, and generally has a deep personal connection to people who enjoy it. With gorgeous visuals, made with mostly practical effects, and tear-jerking moments that keep you emotionally invested, Interstellar is a perfect blend of everything that draws a person into cinema.
Starring the immensely talented Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, and Michael Caine, with stellar supporting actors as well, every part of the film feels perfectly tuned every time you watch it. Interstellar is in select theaters for its 10-year-anniversary, and is on sale on most streaming platforms.
Interstellar (2014)
DESIGN
Designing the Future: Met Museum Unveils First Look at Frida Escobedoâs Bold New Wing
The Metropolitan Museum of Art has revealed the initial visuals for its highly anticipated new wing, designed by renowned architect Frida Escobedo. Known for her innovative approach to space and materials, Escobedoâs design is set to redefine the museum experience, seamlessly blending modern aesthetics with the institutionâs historic legacy.
Image Courtesy of Yntegra Group
Miamiâs First Floating Padel Court: A Sustainable Marvel
Miami continues to push boundaries with its first floating padel court, crafted from recycled shipyard steel by Yntegra. Sticking with our Miami theme, this architectural marvel isnât just sustainableâitâs a symbol of the cityâs innovative spirit, blending sports, design, and environmental awareness. Dive into the details here.
"I try to find beauty in the smallest things and express it in my work."
1 Trivia Answers
The answer is (3) the statue of liberty never stops moving, it can sway up to 3 inches during strong winds.
The answer is (2). It was originally planned as a ponderous Jesus juggling a globe and cross, but instead opted for a more aerodynamic open-armed pose.
The Answer is (2) the Statue of Unity, coming in at a whopping 182 meters (597 ft). The second tallest statue is the Spring Temple Buddha which is only 128 meters (420 ft) tall, about â the height of the number one contender.
That's it for this week's issue everyone. Thank you for reading! What we do is not possible without your support.
Work With Us! We are looking for artists, musicians, filmmakers, and creators like you to showcase in our newsletter. If interested, please feel free to contact us via this link or by our email [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you! We are always looking for feedback. Please visit this page to share your thoughts with us. Written by Wolfgang Bakari Burst, Jesog Brian Lee, and Kai Arun. |