Latest news with #StarryNight
Time of India
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bengaluru immerses in Van Gogh's art
Missed it the first time? The Real Van Gogh Immersive Experience is back in Bengaluru. This exhibition offers a fresh perspective on van Gogh's timeless masterpieces, showcasing his colours and emotions through immersive art, all complemented by Mitch de Klein's original music score. The exhibition features a curated line-up of 70 pieces from van Gogh's collection of artworks, including Starry Night, Sunflowers, Wheatfield with Crows, and Irises. The experience begins in an education room, providing context and background to Van Gogh's life and artistic journey. Next, the infinity room offers an expansive space where visitors can immerse themselves, with numerous twinkling lights and reflective surfaces. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Finally, the immersive room transports art lovers deeper into the artist's world. Bengaluru hosted its first Van Gogh exhibition in 2023, which used 6,000 lumen projectors. This new show, however, features 22,000 lumens of projection technology, resulting in crisper, more colourful images and a significantly more immersive experience. Pictures by Karthikeyan Sairam
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Van Gogh on wheels: 'Starry Night' car spotted in Bengaluru's Indiranagar goes viral
A car wrapped in Vincent van Gogh's iconic painting The Starry Night turned heads on the streets of Bengaluru, sparking both admiration and amusement on social media. The vehicle, seen in the city's Indiranagar neighbourhood, has become a viral sensation.(X/@Ishita_Kedia_) The vehicle, seen in the city's Indiranagar neighbourhood, has become a viral sensation after an X user posted a photo of it with the caption, 'Spotted this beauty in Indiranagar last evening! Bengaluru never fails to surprise.' The image shows the entire car covered in a detailed, custom wrap inspired by the Dutch artist's swirling blue and yellow masterpiece, making it look like a moving canvas of post-impressionist art. This post was shared just a day ago on X. Since being posted, it has gained more than 67,000 views and over 3,000 likes. (Also Read: Built in April, ruined in July: Bengaluru resident shares timeline of footpath mess in viral post) Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night, painted in 1889, remains one of the most beloved and recognizable artworks in the world. Its swirling skies and vivid blues have found their way onto everything from T-shirts to tote bags. How did X users react? The visual, equal parts bold and unexpected, quickly drew a flood of reactions from Bengalureans and art lovers alike. While some users were impressed by the creativity, others weren't so kind. One comment read, 'Starry Night is so overrated,' while another joked, 'Soon a cop will stop him and say car's color doesn't match RC.' A more practical user even tagged the city's traffic police asking, '@blrcitytraffic is it valid to have such a painting?' Not everyone was impressed, with one user bluntly stating, 'This is not beauty. It's cringe .' Recently, in a surprising twist, the iconic masterpiece was recently seen in an unexpected place, not in a gallery or on a poster, but on the back of an auto rickshaw in Mumbai too. An image of this was shared on Instagram. (Also Read: Mumbaikar in Bengaluru says city defied all warnings: 'Expected hostility, got patience')
What's On
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- What's On
8 amazing things to do in Dubai this week: June 30 to July 3
Looking for things to do in Dubai this week? From a healthy afternoon tea to a digital art experience to a new bar with a lads night, there's just so many cool things to experience. Here are 8 fun things to do in Dubai this week: Monday, June 30 Soak up golden hour at Burj Al Arab The Burj Al Arab is something you probably pass by often here in Dubai, but have you ever had a chance to see what it looks like on the inside? Now you can, and you don't have to have a restaurant booking or a room booked. Opt for the Burj Al Arab Tour where you can explore this iconic landmark, including the opulent Royal Suite and immersive Experience Suite. After the tour, you can enjoy a complimentary drink at either UMA Lounge – a chic outdoor sanctuary with panoramic sunset views, or Observation Lounge on the 25th floor where you'll be treated to sweeping vistas of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai's glittering skyline. The 60 to 90-minute experience will cost you Dhs249, and is available daily from 5pm onwards. Enjoying yourself? Stay for longer and pay just Dhs50 per drink. Location: Burj Al Arab, Umm Suqeim Cost: Dhs249 per person Times: Daily from 5pm Website: This cafe is wheely good Prefer cafes over restaurants? You have plenty of options around Dubai. And if you love cars, too, there are a number of cafes where coffee and fast cars come together. And one spot to try is the amgkaffeehausdxb. Named after the Mercedes-Benz founders (Aufrecht, Melcher, and Großaspach), there are two locations in Dubai – in City Walk and Dubai Design District, and it is the place to be for AMG devotees. You can unwind with your favorite brew, dine on delectable cuisine and talk your heart out about cars. They even do their own afternoon tea at Dubai Design District which you can enjoy with views of two iconic Mercedes-Benz models on display. And yes, the cafe even sells AMG merch. PS. If you love Formula 1, they will screen the races, and this weekend, the race takes place at Silverstone. Location: City Walk on Happiness Street and Dubai Design District in the Mercedes-Benz Brand Center, Times: open daily from 8am. @amgkaffeehausdxb Tuesday, July 1 Theatre of Digital Art You don't need to have an art history degree to recognise the masterpieces by some of the greatest painters that have walked our earth. And if you love the well-known works of art such as Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh, the Waterlilies by Monet, and The Kiss by Gustav Klimt, then the Art Masters Night experience at Theatre of Digital Art is one you don't want to miss. You will go on a 360-degree digital journey through the works of these popular artists and many more. You will walk out with plenty of photos, new favourite paintings, and you may even learn a thing or two. Book your show here. Location: Theatre of Digital Art, Souk Madinat Jumeirah Contact: (0) 4 277 4044. @todadubai It's happy hour at the Circus Bar StreetXO Life's a circus at times, so why not enjoy a drink while the show goes on? At the Cirus Bar, your evenings take a wild turn with inventive cocktails starting from Dhs50 and tapas from Dhs35. Besides the enjoyable treats, you will get an energetic atmosphere you are sure to enjoy. It's perfect for a post-work get-together with colleagues or loved ones. Location: Circus Bar, StreetXO Dubai, The Garden, Za'abeel 1 Offer: Tapas from Dhs35, drinks from Dhs50 Times: Mon to Fri, 5pm to 7pm Contact: ( 0)4 666 1617. @ Wednesday, July 2 The art of guilt-free indulgence Penrose Lounge Love an afternoon tea but find yourself heading back home trying to count calories? Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre has the solution. The stylish hotel has launched a new sugar-free afternoon tea which has been curated to celebrate wellness and mindful eating. 'How?' you ask. The desserts and pastries have been crafted using naturally derived sugar alternatives, including white crystalline date sugar, extracted through an all-natural process, and coconut sugar, an eco-friendly favourite known for its lower glycemic index. You can expect the same dainty bites on the tiers, with zero guilt. There's even an alcohol-free mocktail selection you can opt for. Location: Penrose Lounge, Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre, DIFC Cost: Dhs290 for two with coffee or tea or Dhs325 with champagne Times: Daily 2pm to 6pm Contact: (0)4 506 0000. @fsdubaidifc Early dining done right Mott 32 Award-winning Mott 32 has launched a new offer that early diners are just going to love. A Taste of Mott is an early evening dining session running from 6pm to 8pm daily, offering a three-course set menu for Dhs250 (minimum two-guest booking). It serves up some of the best dishes from Mott 32, including its Peking duck salad, king prawn har gow, braised eggplant with chili, wok-fried Angus beef, and more. For dessert, there's the delicate yet indulgent oolong tea, almond and chocolate xiao long bao. If you want to pair it with sips, ask for the pairing menu and tailor your experience to your own taste. Location: Al Mamsha Street, Dubai Marina Cost: Dhs 250 per person (minimum two bookings required) Times: Daily 6pm to 8pm Contact: ( 0) 4 278 4832 . @mott32dubai Thursday, July 3 Ladies, plan your midweek escape Virgin Izakaya If you're seeking some catch-up time with your friends, make plans to visit Virgin Izakaya. On Thursday, Joshi Kai 2.0 offers up three hours of free-flowing drinks and two gourmet Japanese bites for Dhs150. You can pair your night with views of Ain Dubai and the stunning skyline, plus a live DJ. Location: B luewaters Island Cost: Dhs150 for two bites and unlimited drinks Times: From 7pm every Thursday Contact: ( 0)4 589 8689. @ This one is for the boys Yes, gents, we haven't forgotten about you. The Sports Bar Dubai is a newly opened spot at La Mezcaleria at Pavilion at The Beach, and on Thursday, all the lads can enjoy some pretty cool pocket-friendly deals. For Dhs99, you can enjoy a beer bucket (four beers), or if you want to enjoy some bites with your sips, pay Dhs149 and get two starters and a beer bucket, or if you want a bigger meal, pay Dhs199 and get a starter, a main, and a beer bucket. While you're there, you can enjoy the conversation with your mates, watch live sporting action, or get a little competitive yourself with a game of pool. Get this in the group chat and book your spots. Location: The Sports Bar Dubai, La Mezcaleria at Pavilion at The Beach Cost: Deals from Dhs99 Times: Every Thursday Contact: @thesportsbardubai Images: Supplied
BBC News
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
The cryptic symbolism of Van Gogh's Sunflowers – and what they really mean
They helped to make Vincent van Gogh among the most famous and influential painters in the history of art. Why did sunflowers obsess him and so many other artists before and since? When we think about Vincent van Gogh, most people will instantly call to mind his iconic, boldly executed and citrus-warm sunflowers. It's a piece of brand recognition that the artist fully intended. "The sunflower is mine", he once wrote, betraying his desire to be publicly associated with this brazen, man-sized plant and its swaggering, flame-maned crown of petals. Sunflowers clearly had a deep significance for him. So what, if anything, did Vincent intend to symbolise with his beloved helianthus annuus? Alongside Starry Night, the National Gallery in London's Sunflowers is perhaps his most recognisable artwork. But the artist also painted 10 other canvases that focused on these flowers. They came in three short bursts of inspiration. First was a series of four created in Paris in 1887. The second batch of four canvases were created in less than a week after his move to the southern French city of Arles in 1888. The third phase (in early 1889) involved copying three of the previous year's compositions. The most famous versions from 1888 were painted in a flurry of confidence and sensual joy, "with the gusto of a Marseillaise eating bouillabaisse," as he put it. And yet, when he wrote about sunflowers in his letters, Van Gogh never made clear statements about what they truly meant to him. On one hand they appear to be a vehicle for experimenting with colour combinations – particularly the pairings of different shades of yellow. But they were also intended to fill a house where a fellow artist, Paul Gauguin, was due to live. Gauguin had admired Van Gogh's previous sunflower paintings, so perhaps they embodied the artist's irrepressible hopes for solidarity and friendship – desires that would ultimately be thwarted along with Vincent's yearning for artistic recognition in his lifetime. Gauguin left Van Gogh after only two months, and Vincent would die at the age of 37 having failed to sell many of his own artworks. But Van Gogh's sunflower paintings rapidly accumulated cult status in the early 20th Century. It happened first among the artistic avant-garde of Europe. In 1920, the writer Katherine Mansfield noted that the "yellow flowers, brimming with sun, in a pot" had inspired her creative awakening. In 1923 the critic Roger Fry described Van Gogh's Sunflowers as "one of the triumphant successes of this year," which exposed the artist's "supreme exuberance, vitality, and vehemence of attack". They later achieved mainstream recognition, helping to make Van Gogh among the most famous and influential painters in the history of art. Van Gogh's influence into the 21st Century is the subject of the Royal Academy's latest exhibition, Kiefer / Van Gogh, which explores his impact on one of our greatest contemporary artists, Anselm Kiefer. And sunflowers play a key role. At the heart of the show is Danaë, a new sculpture by Kiefer that depicts a sunflower emerging from a pile of books. Elsewhere is a woodcut which depicts a helianthus annuus sprouting from the body of a prone human body. They draw attention to Kiefer's enduring interest in the motif, and they give us the opportunity to unlock the mysterious symbolism of the plant in both his and Van Gogh's art. "For Van Gogh the sunflower embodies his idea of the South," the exhibition's curator Julien Domercq tells the BBC, referring to his move from Paris to Provence. But Van Gogh had worked as an art dealer as a younger man, and was very well-educated in art history. His cultural knowledge comes through in the way he represented the flowers. "He depicts them in a great Dutch tradition: these flowers wilting and dying… the flowers that are still looking up at the sky, and then those that are slowly fading away, becoming browner, and so it's really this meditation on the passing of time. "I think with Kiefer, it follows similar lines," says Domercq. "This idea of the cycle of life, of this incredibly vital flower, a southern flower, the flower that looks up at the firmament." The symbolism of sunflowers throughout history All artistic symbolism can be explained by the evolution of ideas and associations. The meaning of sunflowers has its roots in the past and has germinated widespread discussions, both in science and the humanities. Van Gogh was not the first or only creative mind in history to be obsessed by them. They have set aflame the imagination of countless artists and writers in the past, including among others Sir Anthony van Dyck, Maria van Oosterwyck, William Blake, Oscar Wilde, Dorothea Tanning, Paul Nash and Allen Ginsberg. Unlike many other symbols in art history, the sunflower is relatively new. They are native to the Americas and were only introduced to the "Old World" following Columbus's explorations and European colonisation in the 16th Century. When they were successfully cultivated and propagated in Europe, the fact that immature sunflowers move their faces to follow the sun (a phenomenon known as heliotropism) became the plants' most compelling feature, which fundamentally shaped its symbolic meanings. In 1568, the botanist Giacomo Antonio Cortuso, linked the flower to an ancient mythological character named Clytie. Clytie was said to have fallen in love with Apollo, a god associated with the sun, and fixated on his movement through the sky until eventually her feet rooted into the ground, and she transformed into a heliotropic flower. The sunflower was soon associated directly with Clytie in art, turning it into an icon of devoted love. You can see this in paintings like Maria van Oosterwyck's Flowers in an Ornamental Vase (1670-75) where a carnation and sunflower gaze adoringly at each other above a sculpture that looks like a bathing Venus but is strongly reminiscent of the immobile Clytie. In Bartholomeus Van der Helst's Young Woman Holding a Sunflower (1670), the bloom almost certainly signifies the woman's marriage, showing how it had evolved into a symbol of romantic love and attachment. But the theme of devotion was also linked to religion in artworks. In Anthony van Dyck's Rest on the Flight into Egypt (1632), the Virgin Mary has a sunflower above her to symbolise her role as an intercessor between the earthly and the heavenly. The flower now connoted religious faithfulness as well. In 1654 the Dutch poet and playwright Joost van den Vondel suggested that the sunflower could be a symbol of art itself. Just as a young sunflower follows the direction of the sun, he wrote, "thus the art of painting, from innate inclination and kindled by a sacred fire, follows the beauty of nature." This may hold the key to another of Anthony van Dyck's paintings, Self-Portrait with a Sunflower (1633), in which the artist points meaningfully at himself and a sunflower, as if to compare himself to this naturally attentive heliotropic plant. More like this:• Who was the real Andy Warhol?• Five works that reveal the hidden philosophy of Banksy• Why Turner's greatest painting is so misunderstood But art historians have argued that it really alludes to the faithfulness of the artist to his patron, King Charles I of England, to whom Van Dyck was employed as "Principal Painter". This political symbolism of sunflowers reverberates even in contemporary artworks. In Ai Weiwei's 2010 Sunflower Seeds, for example, the 100 million hand-painted porcelain seeds were inspired by the artist's recollection of posters of Chairman Mao. These depicted him as a sun above fields of devoted sunflowers, to signify his almighty power over the Chinese people. How sunflowers reflect human concerns The consistent meaning across the diverse symbolism of sunflowers is faithfulness. It is possible that Van Gogh was aware of some of these concepts. When he wrote to his sister that his paintings were "almost a cry of anguish while symbolising gratitude in the rustic sunflower" he may have been thinking about his own simple and sunflower-like appreciation to fellow artists like Gauguin. But he may also have been thinking about his previously devout religious beliefs, romantic love, or even his obligation to the art of painting. How Van Gogh influenced Anselm Kiefer, and whether the two align in their thinking on sunflowers is another fascinating issue. Kiefer has previously stated that "the sunflower is connected with the stars, because it moves its head against the sun. And in the night, it's closed. The moment they explode they are yellow and fantastic: that's already the declining point. So, sunflowers are the symbol of our condition d'etre [condition of being]." In his woodcut print Hortus Conclusus (2007-14), Kiefer's sunflowers evokes decay more emphatically than Van Gogh, but also the chance of regeneration. They are blackened and desiccated. But they often also show their seeds cascading to the ground, and thus the promise of new life to come. Kiefer has cited as his inspiration another figure of the 17th Century – the physician, occult philosopher and cosmologist Robert Fludd. One of Fludd's beliefs was in the correspondence between the living plants of the Earth and the stars, and a mystical link between the lowest forms of life and a singular heavenly truth. In his images of sunflowers, Kiefer typically has them framed by the sky to remind us of sunflowers' heliotropic attachment to the sun. When shown growing from human bodies, it is as if to symbolise Fludd's belief in the connection of our souls to heaven. It reinforces the idea that the symbolism of sunflowers is still indebted to the beliefs of the late Renaissance. Van Gogh's sunflowers also reflect aspects of these historical associations and allude to his longing for a deeper love – either for nature, art, religion, or his desire for a creative brotherhood with Gauguin. But in his and Kiefer's hands, helianthus annuus also convey universal concerns – our desire to reflect upon the transience of life, and to search for higher and more eternal principles. Sunflowers symbolise a loyalty to concepts that exist beyond our understanding, leading us to think beyond our day-to-day reality, and stretch towards to the warmth, light and love of the heavens. It's something to think about as summer heats up, and real sunflowers once again blaze, all too briefly, in the ecstasy of life. Kiefer/ Van Gogh is at the Royal Academy in London from 28 June to 26 October. -- For more Culture stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Newsweek
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Woman Asks for Sign Her Late Dog Is Okay—Then Visits an Art Fair
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A woman grieving the loss of her beloved dog attended an art fair and encountered a touching tribute that sparked a viral internet moment. Jordyn Smith (@jordynsmith701), 30, a nurse from Indiana, had shared her life with her dog Maizy—a mix of Boston terrier and beagle—since she was 18. In December 2025, Maizy passed away following an unexpected health battle. Shortly after, Smith visited an art fair where she spotted a painting titled "The Starry Night—Maisy at Rest," featuring a dog resting beneath a starry sky. The post about the painting quickly gained massive attention, garnering 1.3 million likes and 5.7 million views. "To say it was hard is an understatement, and we miss her and think about her every day. My other dog still searches for her. When I saw the painting, Maisy at Rest, it did make me tear up, but I was overcome with happiness more than anything. I want nothing more than her to be happy, resting in the sun, wherever her soul may be. This was confirmation that she was doing exactly that," Smith told Newsweek. A split image of Maizy the dog sleeping and the painting of a dog bearing a striking resemblance to her. A split image of Maizy the dog sleeping and the painting of a dog bearing a striking resemblance to her. @jordynsmith701/@jordynsmith701 What happened next surprised Smith—and soon stunned the internet. A complete stranger gifted her the $325 painting. "The fact that a complete stranger bought me the painting not only will remind me of Maizy every time I look at it, but the kindness of humanity too. And, I gained another friend out of it (Thanks Cass!). The whole experience has been amazing and I know Maizy girl is happy, pain free, somewhere among the stars," she added. The artwork is a heartfelt reinterpretation of Vincent van Gogh's famous Starry Night, featuring a peaceful dog resting beneath the swirling night sky. Reflecting on her deep bond with Maizy, Smith shared that the dog had been by her side through many milestones. She said Maizy "came to college with me, nursing school, my first apartment, and my first house. Her and her sister, Kali, are my best friends. She was my cuddle buddy, walking partner, and favorite girl to play fetch with on a cool summer evening." Smith recounted Maizy's health challenges. In 2022, she was diagnosed with cancer in her leg. She recovered after an operation to remove the tumor. She also had a heart murmur that slowly worsened. By October 2024, the pooch had significantly slowed down. In November, they suspected she had come down with a cold after she developed a cough. But they received the devastating news the cancer had spread to her lungs. "She passed at home four days later, on her favorite bed with her favorite toy, a stuffed cow," she said. The TikTok video Smith posted about Maizy took her by surprise with its reach, and users responded with overwhelming support. "Can I buy this for you? I'm being so serious. It's meant to be yours!!!" asked Cass, the generous buyer. "You're such a kind human I hope you're so serious rn. Keep being kind," commented another user, praising the act of generosity. "Someone brought it for her. I'm going to cry that's like 300+ what a lovely person," said Lavender. "That's why art is important. Make your art. Share it. You have no idea who's asked the universe for it," added another user. "I'm pregnant and this video had me emotional, then I came to the comments and saw how a stranger bought you that painting and I'm legit crying. The world CAN be beautiful sometimes," shared a heartfelt viewer. Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@ with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
