Nearly half the art and historic preservation workers at the General Services Administration have been put on leave and are expected to be terminated
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Thomas Trotta was part of a theft ring that nabbed a variety of items, including sports memorabilia and gold nuggets, from museums on the East Coast of the US over two decades
Ohan Breiding’s experimental film and photography, on view at Mass Moca, pay homage to the disappearing Rhône Glacier in Switzerland
The UK institution is slashing 7% of its workforce as “real-terms decline” in public funds and declining visitor numbers continue to bite
Meanwhile the abolishment of DEI initiatives in the US risks increasing “unconscious biases”, according to the second SML Art Market Talent Report
The RA says that up to 60 jobs are a risk of redundancy—but the union claims the true figure is almost 100
The Turner prize winning potter stunned viewers and hosts of the popular TV show after revealing himself as the voice behind the kingfisher costume
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is listed alongside six other ‘unnecessary’ organisations
Leonardo – Dürer: Renaissance master drawings at the Albertina
From 7 March to 9 June 2025, the Albertina presents the exhibition “Leonardo – Dürer Renaissance master drawings on colored ground”
Source: Albertina · Image: Leonardo da Vinci, “Half-Length Figure of an Apostle”, 1493-95 (detail)
In the Libro dell’Arte, the famous treatise on painting, Cennino Cennini described drawing in light and dark on colored backgrounds around 1400 as “il principio e la porta del colorire”, the beginning and the gateway to painting. A century later, Leonardo would perfect the technique in his grandiose studies of nature. Albrecht Dürer followed his example with sheets such as the Praying Hands, one of the most famous works in the art of drawing. With Leonardo’s and Dürer’s works, the study in chiaroscuro was finally recognized as a highly artificial art genre.
While the chiaroscuro drawing had a firm place in the work process in Italy, it was favored north of the Alps for delicate scenic depictions from the mid-15th century onwards. These were never design drawings, but precious showpieces. Outstanding examples of this are sheets by Albrecht Altdorfer, Hans Baldung Grien and finally Dürer’s famous Green Passion. The many subjects from history, mythology and popular beliefs alone demonstrate that the artists were targeting the desires of a new, educated clientele.
The ALBERTINA Museum’s exhibition uses carefully selected works from its own holdings and topclass loans from international collections to illustrate the functions of color ground drawings in the South and the North, the expressive possibilities the technique offered artists and the links to contemporary printmaking. It will offer visitors a special aesthetic pleasure and reveal to laymen and connoisseurs alike how master draughtsmen such as Leonardo and Dürer pushed the door to painting wide open and crossed the threshold to art for art’s sake.
The world’s longest-running International Kite Festival, ARTEVENTO CERVIA, is set to dazzle the skies once again in 2025 with its historic 45th edition. Taking place from April 19 to May 4 in Cervia, Italy, this year’s event promises an unparalleled celebration of culture, freedom, and artistic excellence, commemorating significant anniversaries while featuring an extraordinary lineup of international guests.
From Easter weekend at the historic Magazzino del Sale Torre to the breathtaking aerial displays over Pinarella Beach, ARTEVENTO CERVIA 2025 extends its reach beyond kite flying, embracing multidisciplinary arts, environmental advocacy, and social engagement. Under the artistic direction of Caterina Capelli, the festival will bring together over 200 participants from 50 countries across five continents, offering an unparalleled showcase of art, history, and tradition.
A Commemoration of History and Culture
This year’s edition carries profound historical significance, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Italy, the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures, and the 40th anniversary of Lucio Dalla’s song Gli aquiloni di Cervia. Honoring these milestones, ARTEVENTO will host thought-provoking lectures, performances, and exhibitions emphasizing themes of peace, democracy, and inclusion.
The festival’s opening weekend (April 19–21) will feature the European debut of Indonesian master Kadek Armika’s Balance and Harmony exhibition, alongside interactive workshops. This exhibition of multidimensional, wind-inspired sculptures will set the tone for an event rich in artistic and cultural expression.
A Sky of Many Colors
As the longest-running international kite festival, ARTEVENTO CERVIA continues to bridge cultures through the shared art of kite flying. This year, a special focus is placed on Eastern delegations, with Indonesia as the Guest of Honour. Representatives from Cambodia, China, Korea, Japan, India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam will join forces in a breathtaking collective flight—a symbol of peace and intercultural unity.
International super guest Connor Doran, an America’s Got Talent finalist known for his mesmerizing indoor kite performances, will bring his unique artistry to Cervia. Additionally, the Maori delegation will pay homage to the sacrifices of soldiers from distant lands during World War II, bringing the powerful haka and traditional waiata songs to the festival’s Anzac Day (April 25) commemoration.
Contemporary Circus, Music, and Interactive Experiences
ARTEVENTO 2025 continues its tradition of multidisciplinarity, featuring performances by contemporary circus artists, musicians, and dancers. The festival pays tribute to the late Moira Orfei, a legend of Italian circus, with a critically acclaimed show blending illusionism, music, and literature.
The Orchestra del Mare, an ensemble of instruments crafted from wood salvaged from shipwrecked migrant boats, will be honored with the Special Award for Merits of Flight 2025. Arnoldo Mosca Mondadori’s innovative project will resonate powerfully as the music accompanies testimony from fisherman Vito Fiorino, who saved 47 Eritrean refugees from a deadly shipwreck off Lampedusa in 2013. The screening of North of Lampedusa will further highlight the humanitarian themes central to this year’s festival.
Innovation, Sustainability, and the Spirit of Freedom
In a festival that celebrates flight in all its forms, ARTEVENTO’s environmental installations, including Wind Gardens, will transform the beach into an open-air gallery of kinetic art. Sustainability is at the heart of this year’s event, with workshops on plastic recycling, inclusive accessibility initiatives, and new culinary experiences featuring a seafood restaurant highlighting the flavors of the Romagna coast.
For the first time, the Mutoid Waste Company will bring their post-industrial, mechanical art installations to Cervia, offering a thought-provoking contrast between consumerism and creative reuse.
A Festival of Wonders: A Must-See for All Ages
Beyond its artistic and cultural significance, ARTEVENTO remains a family-friendly spectacle. With La Notte dei Miracoli, acrobatic kite performances set to music, and the thrilling Italian Championship of Acrobatic Flying Cervia’s Cup, audiences of all ages will be mesmerized by the magic of flight. The festival will also feature three special postal cancellations by Filatelia Poste Italiane, marking this edition as a truly historic event.
As ARTEVENTO CERVIA 2025 prepares to transform the sky into a masterpiece of movement and color, visitors are invited to witness this unparalleled celebration of art, history, and freedom. The complete program can be found at artevento.com
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