the hunt paris catacombs sculptures 2709158

The article uncovers the story of three secret sculptures carved by François Décure, a quarryman in the Catacombs of Paris during the late 18th century. Décure, a veteran of the Seven Years' War, used his lunch breaks and spare time to chisel detailed stone models of buildings he remembered from his imprisonment on the island of Menorca, including a fortress called Port Mahon. He died tragically when a staircase he was working on collapsed, but his sculptures survived, were restored in 1854, and remain a highlight of guided tours through the catacombs.

Ada: My Mother the Architect review – illuminating profile of brilliant builder balances work and family

Architect-turned-filmmaker Yael Melamede directs a documentary portrait of her mother, Israeli architect Ada Karmi-Melamede, who co-designed the Supreme Court of Israel building in Jerusalem in the early 1990s with her brother Ram Karmi and later created Ben Gurion Airport. The film explores Karmi-Melamede's architectural philosophy of "architecture of the ground and of the sky," her departure from her brother's brutalism, and a painful family split when she left her husband and children in New York after being denied tenure at Columbia University.

‘It’s a huge, futuristic space with massive skylights’: Ali Zolghadri’s best phone picture

Ali Zolghadri, a Tehran-born fine art photographer, captured a composite image of the central atrium of the Iran Mall in Tehran—the world's largest shopping mall—which was shortlisted in the creative category of the 2026 Sony World Photography Awards. The photograph, taken four months before the US and Israel launched their war on Iran, depicts the mall's futuristic architecture with sweeping curved lines, metallic surfaces, and massive skylights, and includes a lone passerby to emphasize scale. Zolghadri emphasizes that his process involves manual editing in Photoshop without AI, blending three frames and removing unnecessary elements to construct meaning.

Keir Starmer is no Neville Chamberlain | Brief letters

The Guardian's obituary of architect Desmond Williams has highlighted a notable connection within the British architectural world. Williams, known for his ecclesiastical designs, studied at the University of Manchester School of Architecture alongside Donald Buttress, who eventually served as the surveyor of the fabric of Westminster Abbey.

Unusually Large, 2,000-Year-Old Hillfort Discovered in Estonia

Archaeologists from the University of Tartu have discovered a massive 2,000-year-old hillfort at Köstrimägi in Tartu County, Estonia. Utilizing high-resolution terrain mapping, the team identified a 4,800-square-meter Iron Age fortification featuring concentric ramparts and shallow ditches, a structural complexity rarely seen in the region. Radiocarbon dating suggests the site was active for a relatively short period, specifically between 41 BCE and 9 CE.

Kengo Kuma: "The first time architecture moved me, it was a church"

Kengo Kuma : « La première fois qu’une architecture m’a ému, c’était celle d’une église »

Renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma discusses his design philosophy and his recent intervention at the Angers Cathedral in France. He emphasizes a "dialogue with the place" over architectural ego, focusing on topography, local materials, and the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in the aging of materials over time. Kuma reflects on how his first emotional encounter with architecture occurred in a Christian chapel as a child, an experience that continues to inform his use of light and verticality.

Lake Flato Architects creates gallery for Marble Falls Arthouse

Texas-based Lake Flato Architects has completed the Marble Falls Arthouse, a 4,119-square-foot infill gallery in downtown Marble Falls, Texas, opened on April 25. The intimate venue, designed with a restrained palette of limestone and corrugated metal, houses the art collection of Mickey and Jeanne Klein and features a contemplative courtyard by Japanese gardener Sada Uchiyama. The ground floor hosts rotating exhibitions curated by Mickey Klein, beginning with 'Words Matter' featuring works by Mary C Sloane, Kenturah Davis, and Faith Ringgold.

New Seton Gallery Exhibit Celebrates Life and Legacy of Acclaimed Connecticut Artist

The Seton Gallery at the University of New Haven is presenting "Embrace: Elizabeth Gourlay," an exhibition celebrating the life and work of the late Connecticut-based abstract painter Elizabeth Gourlay. The show features her richly layered, color-sensitive paintings and includes an opening reception on February 7 and an exhibition talk on February 22, running through March 10.

What Did the Golden Lion Die Of? On Judgment and Disavowal at the Venice Biennale

The international jury of the 61st Venice Biennale announced it would exclude from prize consideration countries whose leaders are charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, specifically targeting Russia and Israel. This prompted the Italian culture minister to send inspectors to the Biennale's offices, leading the jury to resign. The Biennale then replaced the Golden Lion with "Visitors' Lions" prizes voted by ticket-holders, immediately making Russia and Israel eligible again. The article traces this crisis to the Biennale's historical structure under Mussolini's 1930 Royal Decree, which established the national pavilion system as a diplomatic concession system designed to serve state power, and notes the recent acceptance of a €50 million donation from Qatar for a new permanent pavilion in the Giardini.

MAYA WATANABE IN A GROUP EXHIBITION AT THE HOSPEDALETTO COMPLEX IN VENICE

The In Between Art Film Foundation has announced "Canicula," the final installment of its "Trilogy of Uncertainties," set to open at the Ospedaletto Complex during the 2026 Venice Biennale. Curated by Alessandro Rabottini and Leonardo Bigazzi, the exhibition features eight international artists, including Peruvian video artist Maya Watanabe, whose work investigates memory and the politics of representation. The show utilizes the unique architecture of the Ospedaletto’s church and music hall to create immersive environments exploring themes of environmental and political pressure.

trump unveils latest plans for proposed 250 foot tall triumphal arch 1234780939

The Trump administration has unveiled designs for a massive 250-foot triumphal arch to be situated at the end of the Arlington Memorial Bridge, facing the Lincoln Memorial. Submitted to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, the proposal features a classical design with eagles and a golden angel, intended to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary and the president's legacy. The project is part of a broader suite of architectural interventions, including a new $400 million White House ballroom and the proposed National Garden of Heroes.

Trump's White House Ballroom Proposal Faces Criticism Over Scale

trumps white house ballroom proposal too big 1234775859

President Donald Trump has proposed a massive 90,000-square-foot addition to the White House, featuring a 22,000-square-foot ballroom designed to host 1,000 guests. While the administration argues the space is necessary to replace temporary tents for state functions, the project has already led to the demolition of the East Wing and sparked significant backlash from federal planning commissions and preservation groups.

At the Baths of Diocletian in Rome, a show by a Chinese artist is a hit. The curator explains why

Alle Terme di Diocleziano di Roma spopola la mostra di un’artista cinese. Il curatore spiega perché

Chinese artist Wu Jian'an (born 1980, Beijing) is the subject of a major solo exhibition at the Baths of Diocletian in Rome, part of the Museo Nazionale Romano. Titled "Metamorphoses. L'arte che trasforma," the show explores connections between Chinese and Italian cultures, as well as broader Eastern and European traditions. Curated by Umberto Croppi, president of the Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma, the exhibition features works such as the monumental leather installation "The Heaven of Nine Levels" (2008–2009) and the series "The Eternal Cycle – Running Through the Seasons" (2024–2025), which combines intricate paper cutouts, silk, wax, and cotton thread. The artist, who represented China at the 57th Venice Biennale in 2017, was inspired by the ancient Roman spaces, creating a dialogue between his contemporary pieces and the site's classical mosaics and architecture.

Un itinerario fotografico tra installazioni e progetti d’autore della Design Week 2026. La collaborazione tra Artribune e i computer di MSI

This article outlines a one-day itinerary through Milan's 2026 Fuorisalone design week, highlighting key installations and exhibitions. It begins at Torre Velasca, featuring Polish Modernism and Brazilian modernist Jorge Zalszupin, then moves to the University of Milan's cloisters for the Interni magazine exhibition themed 'Materiae,' with oversized sculptures and a yacht installation by Piero Lissoni for Sanlorenzo. Other stops include Palazzo Litta, where architect Lina Ghotmeh presents 'Metamorphosis in Motion,' and Galleria Rossana Orlandi, focusing on the theme of doors. The itinerary concludes at Alcova in the former Baggio Military Hospital, an abandoned space reactivated by curators Valentina Ciuffi and Joseph Grima.

trump ballroom construction plans halted 2760737

A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction to halt President Donald Trump’s controversial $400 million overhaul of the White House’s East Wing, which includes the construction of a massive new ballroom. Despite the ruling, the National Capital Planning Commission voted to approve the project, following the submission of over 30,000 public comments, the majority of which were negative. The legal challenge, led by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, argues that the President lacks the constitutional authority to bypass Congress and use private funds for major structural changes to the historic landmark.

Art Formes Presents A multi-disciplinary group exhibition curated by Jean Dreyer

Art Formes presents a multi-disciplinary group exhibition curated by Jean Dreyer at The Old Biscuit Mill in Cape Town, running from 16 April to 11 June 2026. The show features 21 artists including Maja Marx, Katherine Glenday, Gerhard Marx, and others, with works that explore themes of soil, text, and interconnection through painting, ceramics, and sculpture. The exhibition emphasizes dialogue between works and the gallery's architecture, with a press release highlighting the gallery's focus on contemporary African sculpture.

This art exhibition in Delhi evokes nostalgia around the houses we once lived in

An exhibition titled 'Houses I Almost Lived In' is currently on view at Latitude 28 gallery in Delhi's Defence Colony, running until May 25. The show brings together works by five artists—Shalina Vichitra, Pooja Iranna, Raj Jariwala, Samit Das, and Mahen Perera—who explore how architecture, memory, and belonging intertwine. Through layered cartographies, cement grids, stitched forms, and material fragments, the artists evoke nostalgia for the houses and spaces we once inhabited, examining how physical structures persist in personal and collective memory long after they vanish.

Brush to canvas: News from the art community

The Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, will open two exhibitions in May 2025: "Architecture of the Dalí" on May 2, tracing the museum's history from its 1980s origins to its current bayfront structure, and "Dalí in America" on May 9, featuring over 70 works exploring Salvador Dalí's vision of the United States. Other notable openings include "Wolves: Photography by Ronan Donovan" at the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art (May 9), multidisciplinary artist Babs Reingold's solo show "After Venus" at the Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg (May 15), and "Cigars! Photography, Industry, and Identity" at the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, commemorating Ybor City's cigar-rolling history. Additional events include Florida NOW at Florida CraftArt, Charles Morrison's "Head in the Sky, Feet on the Ground" at the Morean Center for Clay, and a photography contest sponsored by FloridaRAMA and St. Petersburg Month of Photography.

Viandalism: the exhibition bridging street art and contemporary art at the Mona Bismarck

The Mona Bismarck American Center in Paris is hosting an exhibition titled 'Viandalism' from May 7-8, 2026, bringing together 40 artists from graffiti and contemporary art backgrounds. The show features installations and site-specific interventions within the 1,000 m² private mansion, aiming to create a dialogue between the artworks and the venue's unique architecture and atmosphere.

In the Curator’s Words: James Hubbell and his brother Bert still united through art

The Oceanside Museum of Art has opened "Brothers in Arts: James Hubbell and Bert Hubbell," a poignant exhibition curated by Brennan Hubbell, the son of James and nephew of Bert. The show explores the parallel creative lives of the two brothers, who lived on opposite sides of the Pacific for sixty years—James in San Diego and Bert in Japan—yet maintained a deep spiritual and artistic connection through letters and shared philosophies. Both artists passed away within weeks of each other in 2024, shortly after a final video call that reconnected them after a period of silence.

Architects respond to "excess and demolition" at reuse exhibition in Mexico

Fifteen international architecture studios have created installations from reused building materials and found objects for the exhibition "Reuse: Architectures of Almost Nothing" at artspace Laguna in Mexico City during art week. The show, curated by Laguna's curatorial director María Muñoz and architect Edgar Rodríguez, features works made from windshields, tarps, barrels, and even a complete car, all arranged across the former factory space. Participating studios include Sam Chermayeff Office, Ex-Soup, Parabase, Bangkok Tokyo, and others, with each piece designed as an "architectural accessory" that resignifies a single object through redeployment.

Gaudí’s fantastical house in Barcelona is now home to a new art space

Casa Batlló, Antoni Gaudí's iconic Art Nouveau house in Barcelona, has opened a new contemporary art gallery called Casa Batlló Contemporary. The 230-square-meter space, designed by local studio Mesura, occupies previously inaccessible rooms on the building's second floor and will host two exhibitions annually, aiming to explore Gaudí's vision through contemporary creativity.

In Oregon, a One-Night Art Exhibition Within a Midcentury Home

A one-night, invitation-only exhibition titled "The Open House" took place within a private midcentury home in Oregon, designed by modernism pioneer Robert Rummer. Curated by Lena Vasilenko and Emma Strgar of the experiential agency Ethereal Reflections, and presented by Marisa Swenson of Modern Homes Collective, the group show featured works by contemporary artists including Stephanie Ketty, Christopher Belluschi, Ben Latham, Aremy Stewart, and Carvers Collective. The installation was designed to integrate the artworks with the architecture, encouraging reflection on how art enhances domestic space.

Signs of Life: Kunel Gaur’s Immersive Solo Exhibition at Method Delhi

Artist Kunel Gaur presents his solo exhibition "Signs of Life" at Method Delhi, running from December 11, 2025 to January 25, 2026. The show features immersive works that explore contemporary life through architectural materials like wood, concrete, metal, and acrylic, with series including "Colour Field Studies," "Interface Portraits," "KUMI," and "Tile Assemblies." Gaur's practice draws on graphic design, architecture, and brutalist influences to examine how identity, memory, and emotion are filtered through technology and industrial systems.

‘Shifting Grounds’ Opens at EOU’s Nightingale Gallery; Artist Talk Nov. 5

Eastern Oregon University’s Nightingale Gallery presents “Shifting Grounds,” a solo exhibition by Spokane-based artist and architect Andrew Parker. The show explores how place shapes identity through abstract mixed-media works that blend collage, India ink, colored pencil, and repurposed materials like personal photographs, grocery bags, and maps. An opening reception takes place November 7, and the artist will give a public talk on November 5. The exhibition runs through December 4.

Historic architecture is celebrated in new Onera Foundation venue in Connecticut

The Onera Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving historic American architecture, has opened a physical venue in New Canaan, Connecticut. Its inaugural exhibition, "Treaties on De-Fences" (through March 2026), features sculptures and prints by Spanish American artist Jorge Otero-Pailos, inspired by his work preserving the Eero Saarinen-designed US Embassy in Oslo. The foundation, founded by David B. Peterson, acquired the landmark 1836 Greek Revival building in 2018 and restored it to host exhibitions and public programs.

SOLO CSV Is a New Madrid Art Venue That Should Be On Your Radar

SOLO CSV, a new art venue in Madrid, Spain, has opened as part of the international SOLO arts project led by Ana Gervás and David Cantolla. The space, located near Parque del Oeste, was transformed from a 4,000-square-meter former printworks by Spanish architecture firm Estudio Herreros into an unconventional art labyrinth. Its inaugural exhibition at the Bowman Hal gallery featured William Mackinnon, followed by Aaron Johnson's current show 'WE ALL SHINE ON.' The venue also houses the SOLO arts incubator, including the ONKAOS digital arts initiative, a conservation lab, and the newly announced Movimiento 37 program.

Gail Mabo leads new exhibition round at Umbrella Studio

Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts in North Queensland will present three new exhibitions next month, led by Meriam artist Gail Mabo's 'Wer Wer (Boundaries)'. Developed during a residency with master printmaker Dian Darmansjah, the exhibition reinterprets boundary maps drawn by Mabo's father, land rights pioneer Eddie Koiki Mabo, through four unique drypoint etching and collagraph prints. Also opening are 'Neural Architecture' by Geoffrey Schmidt, exploring memory and consciousness through oil, string and rocks on aluminium panels, and 'Scattered' by Barbara Pierce, a site-responsive installation made from found materials addressing global displacement and survival.

Primordial Future Forest - The Architecture of Sou Fujimoto at Mori Art Museum

The Mori Art Museum in Tokyo has opened "The Architecture of Sou Fujimoto: Primordial Future Forest," the first major survey of the Japanese architect's thirty-year career. Running from July 2 to November 9, 2025, the exhibition spans eight thematic sections, featuring over 1,000 models, sketches, videos, installations, and even stuffed toys. Highlights include a large-scale installation of Fujimoto's key projects, a timeline by architectural historian Kurakata Shunsuke, full-scale mock-ups of his Grand Ring for Expo 2025 Osaka, and a futuristic city proposal developed with data scientist Miyata Hiroaki. The show aims to be accessible to all visitors, not just architects.

Boston Young Contemporaries 2025 Exhibition Mentioned in The Boston Globe’s The Ticket | College of Fine Arts

The Boston Young Contemporaries 2025 exhibition, mentioned in The Boston Globe's "The Ticket" column, is currently on view through July 26 at Boston University Art Galleries' Faye G., Jo, and James Stone Gallery. The show features works by current and recently graduated MFA students from Boston art schools, including Boston University, the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University, and Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Juried by Selby Nimrod, director of exhibitions and commons at MIT's School of Architecture + Planning, the exhibition revives a tradition that began over 20 years ago when students organized a summer showcase of their best work.