Lifestyle

Egyptian artist Ghada Amer has recontextualized the QR code in a new solo exhibition at London's Goodman Gallery. Born in Cairo and now based in New York City, Amer is typically known for creating striking mixed-media artwork that centers the female body as a "battleground" to explore themes pertaining identity, sexuality and Islamic culture. In QR CODES REVISITED, however, she tapped into the ubiquity of what has now become a common form of language to meditate on how we universally communicate across cultures in the present. Mapped across the gallery space are a series of new woven tapestries that appear like mazes made of patchwork lettering in both English and Arabic. Hidden beneath each geometric layer are messages of prominent feminist voices from Eastern and Western activists — such...

Known for his multi-colored contemporary art and signature smiley flower designs, Takashi Murakami is one of the most celebrated Japanese artists of the 21st century. In continuing his legacy, the artist has now announced a forthcoming exhibition entitled, “Takashi Murakami Mononoke Kyoto.”Taking place at the KYOCERA Museum of Art in Kyoto City, the large-scale exhibition will chronicle the extent of Murakami's work – also celebrating the museum's 90th anniversary. For the announcement, an introductory press conference was held at the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo where Murakami offered a look at what's to come from the exhibition and why he focused on Kyoto for it.Aside from the conference, an iwai-maku (celebration curtain) celebrating the name succession of Kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro XIII, who...