Latest news with #VincentVanGogh
Korea Herald
16 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Art tour to Arles: where ancient legacies fuel contemporary creativity
Explore cultural gems in the southern French city ARLES, France — Located on the banks of the Rhone River in southern France, the city of Arles has witnessed over 2,000 years of history and was once a crucial spot for military movement and commerce in Roman times. Home to a population of 53,000, Arles is full of cultural gems. From traces of Vincent Van Gogh to remnants of structures built under Julius Caesar during its time as a Roman colony, visitors to Arles often feel as though they are discovering hidden treasures when exploring the city. In recent years, Arles has flourished as a hub for contemporary art. LUMA Arles, a cutting-edge art center built on a 19th century industrial site, opened in 2021, while Lee Ufan Arles, a museum dedicated to the minimalist works of the eponymous Korean artist, opened in 2022. Those who want to explore the history of the city and the Provence region can head to the Museon Arlaten, which covers local social and cultural life, such as the traditional Arlesian costume. The 15th century buildings housing the museum were constructed on the site of a secondary Roman forum built in the first century AD and later functioned as a municipal school in the 19th century, according to the museum. The vestiges of the Roman forum were unearthed and inaugurated as a museum in 1909. Other remnants of the ancient empire in Arles include a well-preserved Roman amphitheater and Roman thermal baths. Anyone familiar with Vincent van Gogh's work will recognize parts of the city from some of his most iconic paintings: 'The Starry Night,' 'Cafe Terrace at Night,' 'Van Gogh's Chamber in Arles' and his famous sunflower paintings. Each of these was painted during his stay in the city — from 1888 to 1889 — when he moved there in search of warmer weather and golden sunlight. Van Gogh created some 400 paintings in less than two years before leaving for Saint-Remy-de-Provence to stay in an asylum following a nervous breakdown. It was in Arles where the artist cut off a part of his left ear out of despair after Paul Gauguin, with whom Van Gogh had been working at the time, left the city after an argument between the two. A hospital in Arles where Van Gogh was once admitted is now a cultural center named "Espace Van Gogh." Its courtyard full of flowers and the pond remain just as the artist depicted them in his paintings. The cafe seen in the background of the popular painting 'Cafe Terrace at Night' is unfortunately closed for now due to legal issues, according to people familiar with the city. Some say Arles has a 'guilt complex' about Van Gogh because its residents did not recognize his greatness. In tribute to the master, however, the city built the Foundation Vincent Van Gogh Arles, which houses at least one original Van Gogh painting in partnership with the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. When The Korea Herald visited the foundation on July 6, it had two of his paintings on display — 'Peasant and Peasant Woman Planting Potatoes' and 'Basket of Potatoes' — alongside the retrospective of German artist Sigmar Polke (1941-2010). The exhibition 'Beneath the Cobblestones, the Earth' runs until Oct. 26 and brings together Polke's expansive works of art and draws a symbolic link between the two masters through the motif of the potato. The foundation offers a combined ticket with entry to the LUMA Arles priced at 17 euros ($20) until December, according to the foundation's website. LUMA Arles is a hotspot for art lovers around the world. The contemporary art institute stands as an homage to Van Gogh with its iconic building, The Tower, designed by Frank Gehry. The museum is expected to draw crowds year-round -- not just in summer for the renowned Arles Photo festival -- according to LUMA CEO Arles Mustapha Bouhayati. In July, the museum opened seven massive contemporary art exhibitions featuring leading figures in the scene: Singapore's Ho Tzu Nyen, Egypt's Wael Shawky, Switzerland's Peter Fischli, Belgian landscape architect Bas Smets, American photographer David Armstrong, interdisciplinary studio EBB in collaboration with American artist Tony Oursler, and South Korea's Koo Jeong-a. Another art destination in Arles, Lee Ufan Arles, is a space dedicated to a wide variety of works by the Korea-born artist Lee Ufan. The building is rather understated, built between the 16th and 18th centuries as a private mansion, and can be easily missed with only a small sign to guide you. The space is home to Lee's installations and paintings, including 'Relatum — The Stage' and 'Relatum — Infinity of the vessel,' which offer viewers a chance to meditate and focus on oneself while appreciating his art. Lee Ufan Arles is the artist's third museum, following spaces in Naoshima, Japan, and Busan, South Korea. The artist is known for leading the avant-garde Mono-ha movement in Japan in the late 1960s to 1970s, which delved into the relationships between materials and perceptions. Lee was born in Korea in 1936 and lives and works in Paris, New York and Japan. If you happen to visit Arles on a Wednesday or Saturday, you're in luck. On these days, a bustling market comes to life with hundreds of stalls offering a wide variety of local goods and foods — olives, cheeses, fresh fruits, meats and more. For some, the market scenery might bring to mind Van Gogh's 'Caravans, Gypsy Camp near Arles" (1888), leading you to imagine how the city has evolved over the past 200 years and how life there has changed. A note on the painting shown at the Orsay Museum in Paris reads: 'Since his arrival in Arles, (Van Gogh) had been very enthusiastic about the multiplicity of subjects available to him as he explored the area. A small gypsy camp caught his attention due to its contrasting colors and the peaceful atmosphere conveyed by the scene."
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hundreds of students showcase their creativity at annual fashion show
Vincent Van Gogh and Vivienne Westwood inspired the runway in a celebration of creativity. Springwood High School's annual fashion show returned for its 11th edition, with young designers and models taking centre stage in a colourful evening of style and innovation. Emma Markwell, fashion and textile course leader at the school, said: "The fashion show has become a highlight of the school year and is looked forward to by everyone. A vibrant collection explores identity and self-expression (Image: Ian Burt) "It encourages the students' confidence, creativity, and self-belief, and provides work experience in a variety of roles in the production of the show." This year's event showcased work from 130 students across all year groups, who contributed to everything from modelling and design to hair and makeup, front-of-house, and ticket sales. Year 11 designs explored the theme of nature and humans, while Year 12 BTEC students focused on nature and sustainability. Year 13 collections delved into identity and the bold and unexpected. Vivienne Westwood and Van Gogh were among the creative influences behind the designs, and a staff collection explored the theme of glamour.
Daily Record
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Hidden Scottish speakeasy with Vincent Van Gogh theme named among best bars in the world
The hidden cocktail bar in Glasgow has made the 2025 Top 500 Bars list for its creative cocktails and quirky vibe A hidden gem in Glasgow's Merchant City has just been recognised on the global stage. The Absent Ear, a speakeasy tucked away on Brunswick Street, has secured a spot on the prestigious Top 500 Bars list for 2025. Known for its inventive cocktails and offbeat atmosphere, the bar draws inspiration from the life and legacy of Vincent Van Gogh, blending artistic flair with an unmistakable edge. Describing itself as a 'multi award winning, delightfully disorientating speakeasy concept bar,' the venue celebrates Van Gogh's legacy 'with a healthy splash of creativity and just a drop of his madness.' The Absent Ear, which slotted in at 466th between Best Intentions in Chicago and Rome's Nite King, is found beneath another city centre pub. After making a reservation via their website, you arrive at the main bar and head downstairs, pressing a doorbell hidden with the ear of a painting of Vincent Van Gogh. Its quirky charm has endeared it to locals and visitors alike. The Top 500 Bars list is being released in stages, with rankings 500 to 401 unveiled on July 5 and 6. The full list and awards ceremony for the Top 100 will be held in Florence on 10 November. The ranking spans 125 cities across 53 countries and claims to use a unique approach based on 'data, AI and other digital revolutions.' According to the site, data was pulled from over two thousand online sources in more than twenty languages. Rather than relying solely on critics or awards panels, it incorporates rankings, reviews, social media, and search engine results. 'As the saying goes: 'we are smarter than me',' says the organisation. 'It's about finding a complementary ranking with existing selections to highlight the daily work of individuals who drive this industry. Because in the end, every opinion counts.' Top 500 Bars added on Instagram: 'This year, the industry has started to boom again with a lot of new bars around the world. We hope with this list, we'll help bartenders and customers discover bars wherever they visit.' This isn't the first time The Absent Ear has made its mark. In recent years, it has earned a steady stream of accolades. It won Cocktail Bar of the Year at the 2023 SLTN Awards, and has made back-to-back appearances on the UK Top 50 Bars list, landing at number 25 in 2023 and 26 the year before. Bartender Liam Grogan was also named Mixologist of the Year in 2022, and the bar was a finalist for GQ's Best Bar UK in 2023. Grogan, now general manager and head of drinks development at the bar, said the venue's latest offering pushes boundaries even further. 'This menu is the culmination of everything we've been working toward as a team. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. "Absent Ear has always been about bold, creative flavours, and this time we've pushed ourselves to make drinks that aren't just great cocktails, they're experiences. "Whether it's a minimalist creation like Fragola-Rama or a maximalist spectacle like Roobarb & Custard, this menu represents the absolute best of what we do.' Opened in 2010, The Absent Ear has grown into one of Glasgow's most beloved cocktail spots, a place where locals and visitors alike are encouraged to lose themselves in its surreal, immersive world.
Scottish Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Hidden Glasgow cocktail bar named among best in the world
A POPULAR Glasgow speakeasy has been named among the best cocktail bars in the world. The Absent Ear, situated in the Merchant City, has been named on the prestigious Top 500 Bars list for the first time. 4 The Absent Ear in Glasgow has been named on the Top 500 Bars list Credit: Supplied 4 The bar is inspired by artist Vincent Van Gogh - with drinks and themes celebrating his legacy Credit: Supplied 4 In December last year, they introduced a new art inspired immersive menu Credit: Supplied The bar opened in 2021 and is inspired by artist Vincent Van Gogh - with drinks and themes celebrating his legacy. In December last year, the bar introduced a new art inspired immersive menu. The bar overhauled its drinks menu with two distinct sides - minimalist and maximalist. In a unique UK first, drinkers peruse their cocktail choices in a digital gallery where art and cocktails collide. Each artwork on the menu has a corresponding drink, some of which are simple and minimalist and some of which are crazy, maximalist concoctions. Two years in the making, chief creative Liam Grogan has created cocktails like Roobarb & Custard, which looks like a delicious ice cream sundae, and there's even one with flavours of Thai green curry. The Absent Ear bagged a spot at number 466 on the prestigious world list. Introducing the 2025 rankings, the Top 500 Bars team said: "This year the industry has started to boom again with a lot of new bars around the world. For 2025, the Top 500 bars ranking involves 125 different cities in 53 different countries. "The ranking is quite different from last year with more countries and new bars. "We hope that this list will help bartenders and customers discover bars wherever they visit." Hidden bar in England named one of the world's best - the only one in the UK to make the list The list is currently being released in stages with bars ranked from 400 to 500 announced on July 5 and 6. The full list and the ceremony for the top 100 is set to be held in Florence, Italy, on November 10.
Korea Herald
09-07-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
LUMA Arles redefines city with renewed energy
LUMA Arles in southern France broadens the horizon of contemporary art appreciation beyond Paris ARLES, France — Along the drive to Arles, extensive sunflower fields extend into the horizon under golden dazzling sunlight. One may realize right away why Vincent Van Gogh was drawn to paint sunflowers during his time in this southern region of France. Upon arriving at LUMA Arles, its iconic tower, designed by architect Frank Gehry, comes into sight. Made of steel, concrete and glass, the building shimmers, reflecting light and the blue sky. It is instantly reminiscent of Van Gogh's 'The Starry Night.' Van Gogh stayed in Arles for less than two years in 1888 and 1889, but he created more than 400 paintings and drawings here, shaping the artist's iconic painting style that is now widely known, according to Mustapha Bouhayati, CEO of LUMA Arles. 'It is light — the light in Arles — that inspires you along with the elements. 'The Starry Night,' for example. You see the swirls in his painting, and it gives me the impression that he painted the wind itself. While many see Van Gogh as a modern artist, to me, he is a very contemporary artist because he was conceptual in what he wanted to represent. 'There was an urge in him to paint, to draw, to do something here. It is really, really interesting,' Bouhayati told The Korea Herald on Saturday. LUMA Arles is located at the Parc des Ateliers, an industrial site built in the 19th century for the construction and repair of locomotives, which was active just before the Second World War and completely closed in the 1980s as the business wound down. Revitalizing the abandoned space, the cultural complex opened to the public in 2021 with several industrial buildings renovated. The initiative was led by Maja Hoffmann, the founder of the LUMA Foundation and heir to a Swiss pharmaceutical fortune. On the ninth floor of the tower is a terrace where one can enjoy a panoramic view of Arles overlooking the surrounding landscape and a Roman amphitheater and theater. The city, once a Roman colony under Julius Caesar, was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. When the cultural complex was built in the city, not all responses were welcoming among residents who expressed criticism at the beginning, saying it did not fit with the identity of the city. Such reaction, however, has completely evolved over the years, the director said. 'France is very centralized around Paris, and people here felt quite remote and somewhat overlooked,' he said. "So creating something of this level of excellence on an international scale makes a strong statement." LUMA Arles emphasizes supporting artists in creating experimental works, including site-specific installations, and showcases a variety of exhibitions annually, having commissioned and presented the work of more than 100 artists, according to the institute. Among its permanent installations is 'Isometric Slides' by Carsten Holler, comprising two intertwined stainless-steel slides for visitors to experience. Exhibitions with experimental approaches The museum unveiled seven exhibitions simultaneously on Saturday, bringing together diverse artistic themes from Singapore's Ho Tzu Nyen, Egypt's Wael Shawky, Switzerland's Peter Fischli, Belgian landscape architect Bas Smets, American photographer David Armstrong, interdisciplinary studio EBB in collaboration with American artist Tony Oursler and South Korea's own Koo Jeong-a. At Shawky's exhibition 'I Am Hymns of the New Temples,' a film at the center of the installation shows the story of a wandering Gaia from Greek mythology interpreted by the artist. The film expands into the space with glass and bronze sculptures, recreating the feel of the ancient city of Pompeii. 'Most of my work is involved with the history of the Middle East, and that was my first time ever I decided to work with the Greek mythology and study it to make this film,' the artist told the press Friday. The works on view were created within a month while the artist stayed in Arles in a residency, including seven paintings — a new area of exploration for the artist — according to LUMA Arles. As a visual artist and filmmaker, Ho showed the newly commissioned installation 'Phantoms of Endless Day,' drawing materials from 'Endless Day,' a film project that began in 2011 and had remained dormant since. He used a series of artificial intelligence processes to edit and re-create the images and sounds from the original film. Vassilis Oikonomopoulos, artistic director of LUMA Arles, referred to the work as 'the future of creating images and producing stories and many narratives.' 'I don't think that I have necessarily completed the film I started 15 years ago, but it has developed into something new along with these new processes,' Ho said Friday. Koo's exhibition 'Land of Ouss (Kangse)' brings together a major body of new and recent work spanning from 2007 to the present, featuring sculptures, an olfactory installation and a series of paintings as part of her everyday practices. 'It is very strong fluorescent colors which give a completely different experience here. It is really characteristic of the way Koo approaches architecture, but also the reality of seeing,' Oikonomopoulos said, entering the space glowing with pink fluorescence with the drawings on display. An internationally recognized landscape architect, Smets presents a selection of three key projects that demonstrate how landscape architecture can respond to different challenges of the climate crisis, including the ongoing project to redevelop the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris, with a focus on designing environments adapted to climate change. 'What we did here is we looked at all the elements to lower the temperature. We store rainwater, and on hot days, we could have a thin layer of water that will run on the plaza, cooling the air through evaporative cooling. The former parking garage will become a visitor center and will make a park 400 meters long, along the Seine,' he said. The museum runs programs such as artist residencies that invite artists, curators and researchers as well as Atelier LUMA, the design research program dedicated to exploring new ways of using natural and renweable resources in design and architecture on a bioregional scale, according to LUMA Arles.
