Latest news with #EuronewsCulture
Euronews
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Euronews
George the Poet teams up with young Londoners to reimagine iconic art
'I think expressing yourself creatively is like opening a window in a crowded room,' George the Poet told Euronews Culture. 'It's part of the cleansing process. It's a way of letting go. A way of just confronting things that you might not even want to say out loud.' That energy was exactly what filled the shimmering LED walls of FRAMELESS, the UK's largest immersive art space, for a special event celebrating the words of young Londoners. In a collaboration between FRAMELESS, the Mayor of London's Violence Reduction Unit, and spoken word artist and podcast host George the Poet, the Art of Expression initiative invited a group of 13–25-year-olds to reimagine famous artworks through original spoken word pieces. Their work - poetry rooted in their lived experiences - was presented not just alongside the art, but within it: an immersive, multi-sensory reframe of Rembrandt's The Storm on the Sea of Galilee, Edvard Munch's The Scream, Hieronymus Bosch's The Garden of Earthly Delights, and more. Making art more accessible for young people The project comes off the back of new research which uncovered a growing cultural divide: 48% of young people don't feel historical art is relevant to their lives, while a quarter find traditional galleries 'posh and intimidating.' Yet, despite this disconnect, the appetite is there - 61% of young people say they wish they had more opportunities to engage with art, and 64% believe that learning to interpret or create art would improve other areas of their lives. 'I always imagined a space where we can do immersive artwork,' explained George the Poet, recalling how he has previously utilised audio immersion through his award-winning podcast, "Have You Heard George's Podcast?". 'But the visual immersive was always the missing piece. Frameless reached out… connecting young people, classic pieces, contemporary pieces, and poetry. I said, yeah - you've come to the right person.' George led workshops with the Young People's Action Group from the VRU, using art as a mirror to reflect back the challenges, hopes, and complexity of youth in modern London. A post shared by Frameless London (@framelessldn) 'I personally believe that everything we drew out was already within them,' he said. 'They had the appreciation of art, of poetry, of how these things connect to contemporary society. It's been beautiful to watch it blossom.' He added: 'If you recognise that we all have that creative instinct, that artistic impulse, and you invite a young person to bring that to the table - they will become receptive to anything you want to introduce them to,' he said. 'I've never seen it fail.' One young writer turned "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" into a metaphor for migration and family displacement. Another took on "The Scream", framing it as a cry against systemic injustice. And George himself reimagined John Atkinson Grimshaw painting "Reflections on the Thames", all through the lens of 21st-century urban life. George believes that this kind of expression can leave a lasting imprint not just on the individual, but on society: 'When we come together and share our reflections, that becomes like a map of society,' he said. 'And in this era of AI, of online wars, of populism - it's very important that we're making our voices heard. Our authentic voices.' But the barriers to entry in the creative industry remain high, especially for those from working-class or marginalised backgrounds. For George the Poet, the solution lies in real, long-term investment. 'We need more public support, more state support,' he told Euronews Culture. 'It's very important to proactively meet our young people in their communities with a real, intention to usher them into the industry." The spoken word pieces can be heard here on the Frameless website, and are also available to listen to in the gallery space this summer by scanning a QR code.
Euronews
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Cryptic posts and song lyrics: Is a Fleetwood Mac reunion happening?
Earlier this week, Euronews Culture published an article about the musical acts we'd love to see reuniting, following Oasis' comeback. In the article, we mentioned that some reunions are 'wishful thinking – bordering on pipe dreams' and listed a series of bands whose return to the stage would never happen: 'We're looking at you, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Smiths and Fleetwood Mac.' Well, it may be time to eat some humble pie with that last one, as a series of cryptic Instagram posts by Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham have led fans to believe that a reunion of the legendary British-American band could very well be imminent... Yesterday, Nicks posted hand-written lyrics to the 1973 tune 'Frozen Love': 'And if you go forward…' Buckingham then completed the lyric in his own hand-written post: 'I'll meet you there'. Une publication partagée par Stevie Nicks (@stevienicks) Une publication partagée par Lindsey Buckingham (@lindseybuckingham) As if that wasn't enough to get fans excited, Mick Fleetwood also joined in, sharing a video of himself listening to the duo's 'Frozen Love', which was re-shared on the official Fleetwood Mac Instagram page. 'Magic then, magic now,' Fleetwood wrote. Une publication partagée par Mick Fleetwood (@mickfleetwoodofficial) Understandably, this sent the internet into frenzy: So, how realistic is a Fleetwood Mac reunion? Well, as much as we'd love to see it happen, we do stand by our comments in the Oasis Effect: Which bands should reunite next? piece. It seems very unlikely. Nicks has said that without the late singer Christine McVie, who died on 30 November 2022 aged 79, 'there's no chance of putting Fleetwood Mac back together.' It's more likely that these recent posts are just bandmates having a laugh and patching things up. Fleetwood Mac have seen their fair share of drama (to say the very least), with Nicks and Buckingham having dated between 1972 and 1976. Their fractured relationship caused turmoil, but they remained bandmates in Fleetwood Mac until Buckingham was fired from the band in 2018 over a tour disagreement. Fleetwood stated on CBS This Morning that Buckingham would not sign off on a tour that the group had been planning for a year and a half and they had reached a disagreement. When asked if Buckingham had been fired, he said: "We don't use that word because I think it's ugly." In October 2018, Buckingham filed a lawsuit against Fleetwood Mac for breach of fiduciary duty and breach of oral contract - among other claims. He later reached a settlement with the band but did not reveal the specific terms that were agreed upon. Since then, Nicks and Buckingham appeared to be at loggerheads. Though that no longer seems to be the case... So, who knows? Maybe that chain can be mended after all.
Euronews
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Remembering Felix Baumgartner - the man who skydived from space
Euronews Culture had the opportunity to interview Baumgartner in 2022, to mark the 10th anniversary of his legendary jump. We remember the intrepid record-breaker and the impact he had on the world of extreme sports. Here is our interview from 2022: 10 years ago on 14 October 2012, Felix Baumgartner, an Austrian parachutist, captivated the world when he jumped from a capsule 40km above the New Mexico desert, on the very edge of space. In total, the remarkable feat broke three world records – the highest free fall, the highest manned balloon flight and he became the first man to break the speed of sound in free fall (he reached 1361.5 kmh!). The YouTube live stream of the event also reached more than 8 million concurrent viewers, the highest amount in the website's history. To celebrate the 10th year anniversary of the jump Baumgartner and Red Bull have released Space Jump, a new 40 minute documentary showing never-before-seen images and perspectives of the skydive. We recently caught up with the Austrian adventurer to discuss the new documentary and reflect on the legacy of his death-defying plunge. Euronews Culture: How does it feel looking back on Red Bull Stratos, 10 years on? Felix Baumgartner: In retrospect I have a lot of good memories of it, even if it was not always fun to work on the programme. Especially when I found out that I was getting claustrophobic inside the space suit. That moment was a real showstopper and I had to find a solution. I had never worked on a project like it, so I learnt how to become a team player. I was not used to being around so many people because as a base jumper it's just you, your parachute and your decision making. But once you sign up to a project like Red Bull Stratos there's just so many people in the team. After working on a project of that size I don't really fear any other project, no matter the size. How has your life changed since the jump? FB: It didn't really change my life - I still have the same friends, I'm still a humble person, all the way down to Earth. It just opened up a lot of doors. I was travelling around the world. I did a lot of TV shows, I met Tom Cruise, Gerard Butler and I had a really good conversation with James Cameron, the guy who went down into the Mariana Trench in 2012 in a submarine called Deep Sea Challenger. So I met a lot of very interesting people. Still to this day I'm meeting a lot of fans. People that I didn't see while I was doing it. And a lot of them are telling me that this was their personal moon landing. I'm not saying my jump is comparable with the moon landing, that's a much bigger accomplishment. But from an emotional standpoint it is comparable. Do you think the feat will ever be accomplished again? FB: There's always somebody out there who will break your record, but I'm happy with this because I was the first one. And as we remember from history, nobody ever remembers the second one. When did you first get into skydiving? FB: I was always fascinated in skydiving ever since I was a little kid. I remember spending a lot of time on top of trees, always seeing the world from above, that birds eye view. As soon as I turned 16 I went to the local skydiving club. They taught me how to skydive and that's where everything started. Then a couple of years later I joined the Austrian military as a paratrooper. Then later on I started to BASE jump. I started to travel around the world and BASE jump off very well known landmarks. I BASE-jumped off the highest building in the world, the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, I BASE-jumped off the Jesus statue in Rio de Janeiro, so a lot of very famous landmarks. And then in 2005 I signed up for Red Bull Stratos, which was the most complicated project I've done so far. What is your advice for someone seeking to accomplish their own dreams? FB: I think it's very important that you surround yourself with the right people, you have to listen learn and you need a lot of discipline. Don't look left and right just go for it. As I always say big dreamers always win. Are you still skydiving today? FB: Since 2012 I have done four skydives, but I'm more focused on helicopter flying. It was my second childhood dream. My first was becoming a skydiver, which I did at the age of 16, my second dream was becoming a helicopter pilot. I'm a commercial pilot now and Red Bull also taught me how to fly aerobatics in a helicopter two years ago, so I'm now really busy with air shows all around the world. Tell us about your new documentary with Red Bull, Space Jump FB: 10 years later you look at things in a different way. 10 years ago everyone was under pressure, we had to deliver, we had to do something that had never been done before. 10 years later everyone is a lot more relaxed. The film has a lot of insight and a lot of things that we've never spoken about before. So it's definitely worth the watch, I was very happy when I saw it for the first time. It was very emotional and brought back a lot of good memories. What's next for you? FB: I've always had the dream to go to the moon because I still think to this day that it's the biggest accomplishment, to set foot on another planet. And so far there's only been 12 people on the moon. So I would take any chance to go the moon, that's something I'd really love to do. RIP Felix Baumgartner: 1969 - 2025
Euronews
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Robot Ai-Da unveils portrait of King Charles III at the United Nations
King Charles III just got a royal portrait - painted not by a human, but by a robot. In a scene that felt like something out of a dystopian Ridley Scott movie, a painting of the monarch created by a robot named Ai-Da was unveiled at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva. But Ai-Da isn't just your typical robot. Titled "Algorithm King", the oil painting is the latest work by Ai-Da Robot, the world's first ultra-realistic robot artist. Created in 2019, Ai-Da is able to draw and paint thanks to high-tech cameras in her eyes, complex AI algorithms and a specially-designed robotic arm. Her latest regal piece was shown alongside her earlier portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II, "Algorithm Queen", which she painted to mark the Platinum Jubilee. Speaking at the UN's AI for Good Global Summit, Ai-Da said: "Presenting my portrait of His Majesty King Charles III is not just a creative act, it's a statement about the evolving role of AI in our society, and to reflect on how artificial intelligence is shaping the cultural landscape." Created by gallerist and researcher Aidan Meller, Ai-Da can draw, paint, sculpt, and even engage in conversation, thanks to a sophisticated language model. 'Ai-Da chose to paint His Majesty King Charles III because he has an admirable and thoughtful leadership style," Meller told Euronews Culture. "As both a monarch and a long-standing advocate for the arts and sustainability, King Charles emphasises some concerns that Ai-Da's work also seeks to explore – the tension between traditional and the contemporary, for example.' Ai-Da has already made history. Earlier this year, a painting by the robot sold at Sotheby's for a staggering one million dollars. But the true significance of her work might lie less in the gallery and more in the debate it provokes. "Ai-Da's work challenges us to reconsider long-held assumptions about human ingenuity and the purpose of art itself," Meller explained. "More broadly, the portrait invites discussion about the ethical use of AI in the arts: how humans and machines can work together collaboratively."
Euronews
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Wellcome Photography Prize 2025: Domestic abuse, climate and health
The Wellcome Photography Prize, which offers image-makers a platform to showcase the impact of science and health on lives around the world, has unveiled this year's winners. 2025's laureates are UK-based artist Sujata Setia; Bangladeshi documentary and street photographer Mithail Afrige Chowdhury; and UK-based electron microscopy specialist and science photographer Steve Gschmeissner. Their works capture powerful stories exploring domestic abuse, climate migration and the hidden dangers of cholesterol. Each awarded a £10,000 prize at a ceremony held at the Francis Crick Institute in London. Check out their winning images: A Thousand Cuts by Sujata Setia (Storytelling Series) Sujata Setia was recognised for A Thousand Cuts, a portrait project developed with survivors of domestic abuse within South Asian communities. 'Each image is a composite of personal testimony, visual symbolism, and traditional craft. Setia worked with the women and with the charity SHEWISE to create portraits that protected anonymity without erasing identity, applying the Indian paper-cutting technique sanjhi to overlay each photograph.' Check out Euronews Culture's video on the A Thousand Cuts project. About the win, Sujata Setia said: 'This is a monumental recognition. A Thousand Cuts being selected for Wellcome Photography Prize affirms that health cannot be separated from the histories that shape it. And that domestic abuse is never a singular event; it leaves a direct, trans-generational imprint on health.' 'As a child who grew up in a home where violence was a daily occurrence, I carry that trauma like another limb,' she added. 'This recognition validates not just my story, but the invisible, intangible, yet deeply scarring legacy of gender-based abuse.' 'Domestic abuse is one of the most widespread global crimes; and yet remains among the least publicly acknowledged health crises. I hope this moment becomes a catalyst for deeper dialogue and scholarship around the interrelation between domestic abuse and health. That is our collective hope.' Urban Travel by Mithail Afrige Chowdhury (Striking Solo Photography) 'A deceptively gentle image of a mother and daughter on a rooftop picnic in Dhaka. With few parks left in the city due to rapid urbanisation, this staged moment, a simple attempt to give a child a taste of nature, becomes an act of resilience.' 'Nearly half of Dhaka's population today are climate migrants, displaced by increasingly extreme weather, and Chowdhury's work highlights the everyday consequences of these shifts: the loss of green space, of childhood rituals, of breath.' About the win, Mithail Afrige Chowdhury said: 'When I got the news, the first thing I did was charge my camera— not to take a photo, but to restart something I thought I'd lost. I won't dwell on personal or professional hardships, but this moment means more than I can say.' Chowdhury added: 'I made this image two years ago, as part of a major project on climate change, urban sustainability, and public health. Then life intervened, and fear slowly pulled me away from the work I loved. But now, I can wake up with an objective. Because someone has my back. And that makes all the difference. Awards can feel technical but this recognition from Wellcome feels deeply human.' Cholesterol in the Liver by Steve Gschmeissner (The Marvels of Scientific and Medical Imaging) Steve Gschmeissner's electron microscopy image Cholesterol in the Liver reveals cholesterol crystals (shown in blue) forming inside lipid-laden liver cells (purple). 'These microscopic shifts, invisible to the naked eye, can have deadly consequences: when cholesterol hardens from liquid to crystal, it damages blood vessels and contributes to heart disease and strokes. Gschmeissner's colourised SEM image transforms this biological process into something visually striking, part data, part artwork. With a career spanning over four decades, and more than 10,000 images published in scientific journals, stamp collections, fashion collaborations, and music albums, his work exemplifies how imaging can bridge science and culture.' About the win, Steve Gschmeissner said: 'When I discovered that Wellcome had reintroduced the Marvels of Scientific and Medical Imaging category, I was delighted to enter such a prestigious competition. I was thrilled to be shortlisted, and winning first prize is undoubtedly one of the highlights of my 50-year career of trying to bring the wonders of the microscopic world to all.' You can find the full list of the finalists for the Storytelling, Striking Solo Photography and The Marvels of Scientific and Medical Imaging here. Wellcome supports discovery research into life, health and wellbeing, and take on three worldwide health challenges: mental health, infectious disease and climate and health. The top 25 entries are on display in the Wellcome Photography Prize 2025 exhibition, which is free and open to the public at the Francis Crick Institute, London, running from 17 July to 18 October 2025.
