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Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
41st Irvine Annual makes the art world accessible
When the 41st Irvine Annual opened on July 12 at the Irvine Fine Arts Center, some visitors were experiencing the municipal arts and community center for the first time. For others, the juried exhibition was a full circle moment. 'We have an artist in this exhibition who went to preschool at the co-op next door, took art classes here as an adult and now is showing here,' said Virginia Arce, exhibitions program coordinator at Irvine Fine Arts Center. Whatever an individual's relationship may be to the center, Arce said it is imperative for art environments to feel accessible to everyone in the community. 'In thinking about what the space really serves, we want to introduce more professional practices, opportunities and just ways that the community can be more involved,' Arce said. With Irvine Annual, a four-decade tradition of showcasing regional and national artists, the center continues to curate an event that fosters connections between artists, curators and community members alike. Formerly known as 'All Media,' this year's exhibition features a range of mediums, including painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media and fiber that can be displayed on a wall, a new requirement this year. The show has been held under many different names in the past, Arce said. 'In the early '80s it was called Notice: Arts Orange County, and it was called New Juice for the remainder of the '80s,' said Arce. 'Sometime around the early '90s it became All Media.' In addition to the new name, there are few other changes this year. The show always offers monetary awards and this year the prize money has increased. The first place winner receives $700, second place collects $500 and the artist who captures third place goes home with $300. Also, the Irvine Fine Arts Center has added a Viewer's Choice Award that carries a $200 prize. Those whose works are given honorable mentions will receive $200 each. 'Viewer's Choice has been really well received because people are excited to weigh in on what their favorite piece is,' said Arce. 'As we are seeing the tally come in, it is interesting to see which pieces get the most love.' There were nearly 1,300 entries to the juried exhibition, which gave guest jurors Elizabeth Múnzon, Dakota Noot and Stephanie Sherwood the arduous task of whittling down the pool to a slim selection of 80 works that comprise the show. 'The three jurors are all artists and curators, which I thought was really important, ' said Arce. 'They have experience making art and also producing exhibitions. They are all emerging curators who are also kind of established, as well.' Arce notes that even if an artist's work isn't selected for the show, it is a good way for them to get on the radar of important and up-and-coming curators. The work is among the most diverse the center has seen, according to Arce, not only in terms of content but also in media. Textiles feature heavily, as do other unusual materials. 'Black Girl Magic' (2022) by Bonita Deamicis is a large scale crochet work that incorporates intricate coils and beading designed to represent the 'beautiful beaded, braided, and curled styles of Black girls.' Jose Loza used the transparent mesh from old window screens to create a floating dream of two immigrant children that reach out of the frame with ghost-like hands in his 2024 work 'Infant Memory.' In the artist's statement, Loza calls the discarded window screen, 'a material that evokes the experience of navigating multiple spaces simultaneously, a reality for many immigrants.' There is also work from established local artists like writer and photographer, Jesus Cortez, whose digital photography piece titled 'Jesus Is Your Homeboy' (2025) is featured alongside work from Javier Cortes, who Arce says is a photographer to watch. Cortes's pieces 'La Monroe' and 'Cholito' are not unilike Cortez's work, documenting immigrant subculture from a place of intimacy and love. On Aug. 2, the Irvine Fine Arts Center will present 'Irvine Annual: Professional Practices Panel' from 2 to 4 p.m., providing valuable insight from the guest jurors on how to build sustainable, recognized careers in the art industry. The panel is another way Arce hopes the Irvine Fine Art Center can continue to make the arts accessible to the community today and into the future. 'It is really important for municipalities to support arts,' she said. 'There has been a lot of funding rescinded and now more than ever a space like this is really meaningful.' The 41st Irvine Annual runs through Aug. 30 at the Irvine Fine Arts Center, 14321 Yale Ave. For more details visit
Business Insider
12-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Business Insider
Move over, mason jars. Coffee drinkers are obsessed with a new glass cup.
Alisha Sholtis was scrolling through TikTok when she noticed multiple creators drinking coffee from one specific jar. None of them, though, would reveal where they'd bought it. "Everyone was trying to gatekeep this cup," Sholtis, 39, told Business Insider. "Nobody would respond in the comments when I asked what size it was, or if they would share a link. I was like, 'What the heck?'" Turns out, the Michigan resident was looking for a 19.6-ounce Weck jar. It's chubby, made of glass, and embossed with Weck's strawberry logo. It's also one of the hottest drinkware items on the market. Move over, mason jars Initially, Sholtis was drawn to the aesthetic of a squat jar that could show off her daily coffee creations. "If I can make something fun at home, I will, and it's as simple as buying a cup," she said. "Then I don't want to go out and spend $9 on a coffee from Starbucks. I'm going to make it at home and save money." Others on TikTok have shared similar sentiments. When one person told TikToker @bynakkie to "just use a mason jar" for her daily matcha, she responded: "mason jar no chub 😔." In other words, the Weck jar's distinct shape and trendy look were more compelling than the convenience of any other glass. Though the German brand might seem shiny and new, Weck was actually founded in 1900. From day one, the brand's glassware was designed to preserve food, not carry drinks. That's why they're topped with glass lids, rubber rings, and metal clamps. Today, the brand sells its products at retailers like Crate and Barrel and on its own website. Some shoppers are buying its glasses in bulk. Sholtis bought a pack of six on Amazon, and Valentina Arce, a 24-year-old from Florida, told BI she bought 12 jars in different sizes on the Weck website. The most popular size, 19.6 ounces, is sold in packs of six for $23.40. "I was seeing influencers make their matcha in these jars, and I thought they were super cute and chunky and different than your basic cup," Arce told BI. "I kept an eye on them until I purchased some myself." Who needs another cup? Apparently, lots of people. You might not see anyone fighting over Weck jars in stores like they did for Stanley cups last year. Still, one look at social media shows just how popular the glassware is. On TikTok, a search for #CoffeeTok results in numerous videos featuring influencers making mouth-watering drinks in thick Weck jars. The company has even embraced the trend, posting photos of its jars being used as coffee cups more frequently on Instagram. Of course, some say buying bulk Weck jars and other popular cups is wasteful. People who collect Stanley cups in multiple colors have been widely criticized, and brands like Hydro Flask have been questioned for making mini versions of their bottles and other accessory products. Similarly, some are now saying there's no need to buy Weck jars when you could reuse jars that contained food or something else. Arce tried that, though. She told BI that the strawberry jam jars she previously reused were ultimately too small for her drinks, and their metal tops would rust over time. So, when she saw Weck jars being used as matcha cups, she felt inspired to use them to store fruit, make puddings, and even meal prep. Sholtis also argues that Weck jars are functionally better than the mason jars and compostable plastic cups she used to drink from. "The glass used for mason jars is thinner and sweats," Sholtis said. "Weck jars are thicker, and I like the way that they fit in my hand. They also have wider brims, so you can easily put a lot of ice in there. The whole coffee experience is better based on your cup." Controversial or not, Weck fans are sticking with their coveted cups — at least, until the next trendy glass comes along.
IOL News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
BRICS+ Series: Luis Arce's strategic withdrawal from Bolivia's Presidential Contest
Bolivia's President Luis Arce Catacora waves on arrival for the 66th Summit of Leaders of Mercosur and Associated States at the San Martin Palace in Buenos Aires on July 3, 2025. The fate of a landmark trade deal with the European Union, which France is trying to block, loomed over a gathering of South America's Mercosur bloc. Brussels in December struck a deal with Mercosur's founding members to create a free trade zone of around 700 million consumers, though it still needs to be ratified by EU member states. Bolivia's run‑up to the 17 August presidential election took an unexpected turn on Wednesday when President Luis Arce announced on social media that he would stand aside rather than risk splintering the left‑wing vote and enabling what he called a 'fascist right‑wing project' to prevail. The same day, the Constitutional Court confirmed that Arce's erstwhile ally and now rival, Evo Morales, remains barred from seeking a further term, citing the country's two‑term limit. A Presidency Marked by Strain Elected in 2020 after Morales's exile and the brief conservative interim government of Jeanine Áñez, Arce inherited a divided nation—and soon found himself at odds with Morales, the co‑founder of their Movement for Socialism (MAS) party. Economic headwinds have intensified public discontent: inflation is at a 10‑year high, foreign‑currency reserves are depleted, and the boliviano trades at roughly half its official rate on the black market. Once a gas exporter, Bolivia now imports fuel to meet domestic demand. Arce has also faced pressure from the right: a delayed census in 2022 sparked deadly protests in Santa Cruz, while June 2024 brought an abortive coup led by army chief Juan José Zúñiga, Arce's own appointee, who blamed the president for rising poverty. In Wednesday's resignation post, Arce urged the left to unite behind a single candidate to 'defeat the plunderers of Bolivia'. Morales's Defiance Morales, Bolivia's first Indigenous president, governed from 2006 to 2019 and twice defied term‑limit rules; his bid for a fourth term ended in the 2019 crisis that drove him abroad. Although the court has repeatedly reaffirmed the ban, Morales insists only 'the people'—not judges—can ask him to step aside. He continues to command significant grassroots support despite allegations ranging from electoral fraud to a statutory‑rape investigation, which he denies. Reports say he remains in his power base in rural Cochabamba, surrounded by loyalists. Election Outlook With Arce out and Morales legally blocked, MAS may need to choose a new figurehead quickly if it hopes to retain the presidency. Meanwhile, a resurgent right and a fragmented left leave the August ballot wide open, injecting further uncertainty into Bolivia's already volatile political landscape. A report by the consultancy firm Control Risks notes that Evo Morales' base has repeatedly shown it can disrupt the national economy through widespread protests and blockades. This pattern is expected to continue, posing challenges for any administration attempting to implement major reforms. The report highlights that Bolivia's current economic framework has been heavily influenced by Morales and the ruling MAS party. Despite recent political developments, Morales remains highly popular—especially among the country's Indigenous majority, who make up around 62% of the population. Civil unrest is likely to persist beyond the election, which could significantly hinder effective governance. Due to mounting protest pressure, any incoming government is expected to avoid pursuing the structural reforms necessary to tackle the country's economic challenges. The report also underscores that Morales is likely to oppose any attempts to alter the political or economic system shaped by MAS. Written By: *Dr Iqbal Survé Past chairman of the BRICS Business Council and co-chairman of the BRICS Media Forum and the BRNN *Cole Jackson Lead Associate at BRICS+ Consulting Group Chinese & South American Specialist ** MORE ARTICLES ON OUR WEBSITE ** Follow @brics_daily on X/Twitter & @brics_daily on Instagram for daily BRICS+ updates
United News of India
02-07-2025
- Sport
- United News of India
Paraguay striker Arce leaves LDU Quito
Quito, July 2 (UNI) Paraguay international forward Alex Arce has parted ways with LDU Quito ahead of his expected return to Argentina's Independiente Rivadavia. LDU Quito published a video on social media on Tuesday confirming the 30-year-old's departure after 18 months with the Ecuadorian club. "Thank you, Alex Arce. We want to wish you great success in this new journey," it said in an accompanying statement. Arce, who has been capped nine times for Paraguay's national team, scored 42 goals in 65 matches across all competitions for LDU Quito. On Monday, Independiente Rivadavia president Daniel Vila told local media that Arce had agreed to a four-year deal with the Mendoza-based club, with whom he made 37 appearances and scored 28 goals from 2023 to 2024. UNI XINHUA GNK 0924
Int'l Business Times
19-06-2025
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Bolivia Risks Debt Default Without New Funding: President To AFP
Bolivia, battling an economic crisis that has plunged it into social unrest, risks defaulting on its loan payments if it does not obtain new foreign financing, President Luis Arce told AFP on Wednesday. "We are trying not to default. We have every intention of paying our debt, but if we don't have the resources?" the embattled leader said in an interview in his office in La Paz. Bolivia's external debt stands at $13.3 billion. Its main creditors are the Inter-American Development Bank, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF), the World Bank, and China. Arce has been unable to convince parliament to allow him to seek new loans to the tune of $1.8 billion from multilateral agencies. The country needs $2.6 billion by December for fuel imports and external debt payments. "We are making the worst deal as a country. Because when one has external debt, you pay the principal and interest to the creditor, and that outflow of dollars is compensated by the inflow of new disbursements from new debts, which is not happening," said the president. Bolivia's debt represents over 37 percent of its gross national income, according to the World Bank. The last time the country defaulted was in 1984. Arce has dismissed calls to stand down over an economic crisis marked by a dire shortage of foreign currency, fuel and other basics. But he has said he will not seek reelection in August, with his approval rating at 9.0 percent -- one of the lowest in South America, according to survey body Latinobarometro. Bolivia, home to 12 million people and an Indigenous majority, is one of the poorest countries on the continent despite sitting on vast natural resources such as gas and lithium. In 2023, state oil company YPFB said Bolivia was running out of natural gas -- a crucial export product -- due to a lack of investment in new exploration. A dramatic drop in gas exports led foreign currency reserves to plummet, making Bolivia unable to import sufficient fuel -- which it subsidizes heavily for the domestic market -- for its needs. Inflation in May was 18.4 percent year-over-year, the highest in nearly two decades, and the local currency, the Boliviano, continues to lose value. Bolivia's woes have been compounded by a power struggle between Arce and ally-turned-foe ex-president Evo Morales, who has repeatedly brought his supporters onto the streets in the past year to demand the incumbent's resignation. Arce, in office since 2020, has accused Morales -- who seeks a fourth term as president despite being legally barred -- of using the country's economic crisis for political gain. At least four police officers and one protester were killed in clashes last week. Arce told AFP Morales took aim at his government "with all his artillery" just as it was "beginning to take off." Analysts believe Bolivia is in for a political shift after nearly two decades of leftist governance, with the right now ahead in polls.
