The 2nd Annual Bitcoin FilmFest in Warsaw coincided with the bitcoin halving at block 840,000, an important event where the rewards for mining bitcoin are cut in half. This European Halving Party celebrated cinematic achievements while illustrating the close ties between money, technology, and sustainability.

Set against the historical backdrop of Warsaw, a city symbolic of resilience and renewal, the festival provided filmmakers and artists a platform to question the conventional boundaries of money and authority.

The festival’s highlight was “Dirty Coin,” a documentary that won Best Movie for exploring how bitcoin mining is using stranded and wasted energy to build renewable infrastructure. This film’s premiere took place on the day of the bitcoin halving, which added to its impact.

It concluded with a tribute to Lee Sassaman, who was also featured in “Searching For Satoshi”, a documentary screened at the festival about the disappearance of bitcoin’s inventor, Satoshi Nakamoto. “Searching For Satoshi” won the Short Story Award and investigated the mystery surrounding Satoshi’s identity and disappearance but also reflected on the profound implications of his anonymity. Through interviews and recounts of bitcoin’s history, the documentary uncovered how Satoshi’s foundational ideas continue to influence the evolution of digital currency and test traditional notions of authority and control.

MadMunky from the 2140 Art Collective talked about using art to educate people about bitcoin. His work connects the cypherpunks’ early ideas about digital cash to bitcoin principles. Roger 9000’s “Choco Alchemy” workshop fused chocolate-making with bitcoin, teaching the craft while discussing the mythology of both bitcoin and cacao.

As part of the Festival, there were talks about the parallels between bitcoin and psychedelics, both seen as tools that challenge foundational systems. Bitcoin
Bitcoin
is known for its disruptive impact on traditional financial structures, while psychedelics induce shifts in perception and mental health. Tony Acid noted, “After a psychedelic experience, you question everything,”.

Ioni Appelberg described bitcoin as “an economical psychedelic,” linking the cognitive liberation that psychedelics provide with the financial liberation that bitcoin promises. Together, these tools enhance creativity and problem-solving and prompt a critical reevaluation of authority and control within societal structures. Closing the session, Monika Burra led a meditation, uniting the themes of the discussion by saying, “This is a meditation where we connect love, peace, and bitcoin.”

A documentary teaser at the end of the festival was a bonus feature introduced, ‘After It’s Said’ by Ace & Sed. Due for release in December 2024, this documentary explores the intersection of the internet, language, and human rights. It looks at how AI, bitcoin, identity, and encryption will play crucial roles in shaping our communications and safeguarding our future.

Warsaw’s poignant history—its near-total destruction in WWII and subsequent reconstruction—provided a powerful backdrop for the festival. The discussions about sound money not only highlighted bitcoin’s potential to reshape global economics but also suggested that by adopting hard money, it could make costly wars less feasible.

This unique event introduced a new way to educate about bitcoin. As we anticipate BTC Prague, Bitcoin Nashville, and Riga Bitcoin Week, the Bitcoin FilmFest stands out for its novel approach to bitcoin education, embracing a renaissance through film, art, and culture.

A creative apartment located in a century-old art deco Melbourne CBD building is for sale with a $850,000-$890,000 price guide.

The two-bedroom home at 418/422 Collins St is part of a 1924-built reinforced concrete complex designed by architects Graninger Little Barlow and Hawkings, which previously served as FAI Insurance headquarters.

According to the National Trust database, the address – named Temple Court – is a “substantial and impressively detailed example of the classical revival in modern architecture in Melbourne in the 1920s”.

RELATED: Ivanhoe East: Cyclist Jeff Austin’s family house, an art deco delight, sells

Renovated art deco delight in Geelong West has four-car garage, pool

Luxury inner-city lifestyle attracting buyers in Melbourne CBD’s western end

Temple Court’s foyer boasts a mural depicting indigenous Australians, completed by artist Mervyn Napier Waller, then aged 70, in 1963.

Waller also created the mosaics and murals at several other well-known sites including the Hall of Memory in Canberra’s Australian War Memorial, plus the Melbourne Town Hall; Bourke St’s Myer Emporium; and a circa-1932 commission by journalist and newspaper proprietor Sir Keith Murdoch at Collins St’s Newspaper House.

Galldon Real Estate’s Melbourne sales manager Vincent Duong said the 106sq m apartment featured high ceilings, a large undercover balcony and east-facing floor-to-ceiling windows framing Bank Place views.

“It’s rare to have that view and that aspect in Melbourne, especially coming from a historic and heritage building,” Mr Duong said.

“The apartment is very sizeable by apartment standards and does exude a certain European and old-world charm.”

Bank Place, a stop on Visit Victoria’s Golden Mile Heritage Walk in Melbourne’s financial district, mainly consists of architecture dating from the 1860s to the 1920s.

It’s home to one of Australia’s oldest private members’ clubs, the Savage Club, and the 140-year-old Mitre Tavern.

Mr Duong said the streets surrounding Temple Court were packed with cafes, restaurants and retailers.

“It (the apartment) does lend itself to that lifestyle, and further to that it’s in a unique position between Collins St and Little Collins St and backs onto Bank Place,” he added.

“You can get lost in that corner and it’s like you are in Europe.”

Owned by the same person for more at least a decade, the apartment is decorated with paintings and sculptures.

Mr Duong said some buyers have been keen to use the abode as a home studio.

“The floorplan lends itself to a lot of flexibility and I think it would suit someone in the arts industry,” he said.

The main bedroom has a walk-in wardrobe and a door that opens directly onto the balcony.

Other features include an European laundry and the kitchen with stainless-steel appliances and a dishwasher.

There’s also split-system airconditioning and heating in the living area and both bedrooms.

---

Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox.

MORE: Saving Melbourne’s historic homes: Preserving vs. demolishing heritage properties

Fitzroy: Former property of Tina Arena for sale after substantial renovation

Melbourne’s movers and shakers make flurry of big deals across the property market

When I was packing for my recent trip to Spain, I knew I had to step up my fashion game.

I had seen countless videos on Instagram and TikTok about day-to-day outfit inspiration and guides from European girls, and the trends I found on their accounts showed one prominent commonality: no matter where they were going, they always had to dress to impress.

I tried to pack like a true European girl: I stuffed flowy dresses, jewelry, and six different pairs of shoes into my suitcase in an effort to blend in once I arrived in Spain. Though I was proud of the effort I put into forming cohesive and appropriate European outfits, the European girls had a certain level of style and execution that surpassed anything I had seen in day-to-day life in America. From jewelry to shoes, the distinct European trends, especially looking at women, prove to be generally more elegant and put together.

Shoes

In America, there is an emphasis on New Balance, Nike, and Converse for day-to-day footwear. Although these brands are universal and dominant all around the world, Europe included, I definitely saw more Adidas shoes being worn around the cities I visited. Although the styles varied, the Adidas Samba shoes were extremely popular due to their versatility and ability to dress the outfit up or down. 

New Balance, especially the 550s, was also very popular. These shoes are a popular option globally for easy, comfortable choices that can be worn with a varying combination of accessories and clothing. Another popular option that isn’t as widespread in America is a classic black loafer or ballet flat, elevating the bottom half of the outfit even further in a look of clean elegance.

Makeup and Hair

A popular trend, dubbed the “clean girl aesthetic,” has proved to be widely prevalent, especially among the younger populations who have been able to follow its progression through social media. While this trend of dewy makeup, slicked back hair, lip gloss, beige and neutral clothing choices, and gold or silver hoops for jewelry is certainly not strictly limited to Europe and has surged in popularity all over the world, the general aesthetic seemed to be exceedingly popular and prevailing in Europe. 

The aesthetic in the United States, on the whole, is similar in terms of clean jewelry, simple makeup looks, and slicked-back hairstyles, but the clothing in the trend is where it differs dramatically in comparison to styles in Europe. I see girls in the United States mirroring this aesthetic while wearing matching gym sets, sweat sets, or leggings with a sweatshirt; in Europe, however, the majority of everyday looks incorporating this aesthetic were void of leggings and sweatpants. I saw a lot of layered outfits, jeans or trousers paired with casual trench coats, and matching bags or purses. 

Bottoms

Something I noticed—and certainly was not prepared for—was the fact that Europeans generally dress according to the season, not the daily weather. When looking at the forecast for the trip, I saw that the places my family was visiting were going to be in the 50s to 70s; therefore, I packed a variety of jeans, tank tops, jackets, and oversized sweaters to throw over or pair with my outfits if it got too cold. 

But because it was just barely spring when I was visiting, people were still dressed in mild winter clothes, typically comprised of coats, jackets, and a variety of bottoms. During the summer months, it is common to wear long, flowy, and tiered white skirts as well as beige or neutral linen pants, allowing for comfort and style amid the hot summer months.

In general, everybody looked put together on a whole different level. Everyday, basic looks steered away from sweatpants or hoodies with flashy prints, something that is exceedingly popular in everyday life in America. For future European trips, I think that less is more when packing and that solid basics and an array of reliable jewelry will go far.

Walk around Vilnius and you may stumble upon something unexpected. 

It is a tiny, self-declared independent state called the Užupis Republic in the Lithuanian capital. 

Užupis parallels the changing fortunes of Lithuania.

It is one of Vilnius’s oldest neighbourhoods, dating back to the 15th century. Throughout history, Užupis was inhabited by Jews, helping Vilnius become known as the ‘Jerusalem of the North’.

During the Soviet era, Užupis went to ruin. Its thriving Jewish community had been massacred by the Nazis and their Lithuanian collaborators in the Second World War. This left swathes of abandoned housing, which fell into disrepair. 

Fortunately, these days passed.

Following Lithuania’s independence from the USSR in 1991, the artistic community flocked to Užupis in search of cheap rent, a stone’s throw from the national art academy.

Around 1,000 of Užupis’s 7,000 residents are artists (15 per cent of the population) – making it one of the most concentrated artistic areas in the world. 

‘Whimsical’

The cornerstone of Užupis’s creative scene is the ‘Art Incubator’, a derelict factory turned artistic residency on the neighbourhood’s riverbank.

“It started life as a squat,” said Ieva Matulionyte, a third-generation Užupian and former manager of the Incubator. “It was a ground-up gathering for artists who were not accepted in the art scene of Lithuania.

“They were rebellious,” she added.

The squatters eventually struck a deal with the local authority to establish an official art incubator – the first of its kind in the Baltics. With 40 studios, Ieva described the building as a “stepping stone” for young artists.

“They get the support they need: Exposure and very, very favourable rent.”

Artwork soon spread from the Incubator onto the streets. Be it down narrow alleyways, on peeling walls or in the neighbourhood’s garden, art is everywhere in Užupis.

This art, says Ieva, changed the character of the area and dramatically improved living conditions.

“We made the neighbourhood more exciting, fun and livable,” she said. “Before the 1990s, Užupis was dilapidated and dangerous. Artists brought about a change.”

But things were not all rosy.

“Artists made the area attractive,” said Ieva. “Then people with money settled in. Developers came.

“It was good and bad.”

Barliament is in session

Užupis is jam-packed with cafes, bars and social spots, despite covering less than 1 square km.

In the summer, people often gather and party along the riverbank. Loud music and large plumes of cannabis smoke seem not to faze the Užupian authorities.

The republic’s parliament assembles in Užupis Cafe, colloquially known as ‘Barliament’.

During Lithuania’s second lockdown last winter, the cafe was the only place in the city still serving beer (outside, of course).

“The atmosphere here is completely unique,” said local resident Khorshid Hirboud. “For me, the best thing about Užupis is how laid back it is.

“Vilnius is full of fancy bars and restaurants that are stuffy and soulless. There are no pretences in Užupis.

“You can be yourself here,” she added.

Užupis began as an April Fool’s Day joke between friends, Romas Lileikis and Thomas Čepaitis. The original squatters of the Incubator, they created the republic to attract visitors.

Yet it soon took on a life of its own.

Užupis now has a national anthem, constitution, bishop, two churches and mascot, besides a government, constitution and currency.

It even had a navy of four boats and standing army of ten, until they were disbanded in favour of a more peaceful republic.

One date on every Užupian’s calendar is Užupis Day, 1 April.

Travellers can get their passports stamped as they cross into the republic, use the local currency and help themselves to beer flowing from the fountain in the main square (yes, you read that right).

To celebrate the republic’s independence, local beer pours from the spout of an old fountain underneath the angel of Užupis from morning until night. 

And when that is finished, wall-to-wall surrounding bars welcome revellers with open arms. 

A strong constitution

Užupis is famed for its constitution. Drafted out by Lileikis and Čepaitis one beer-fuelled night, it lays out the rights of every Užupian.

Much of the constitution is serious and humanist, such as ‘everyone has the right to hot water, heating and a tiled roof.’

Others are humorous: ‘Everyone has the right to understand’, followed immediately by ‘everyone has the right not to understand’.

The republic’s founders were inspired by the Greek philosopher Aristotle.

They wanted to create a state based on Aristotle’s idea that a country’s population cannot be too large, otherwise it becomes unmanageable and disorderly.

If people know one another they are less like to do wrong or hurt someone else, they believed.

Yet Užupis is far from inward-looking.

It named a park ‘Tibet’ and made the Dalai Lama an honorary citizen in support of the region – much to the ire of the Chinese government.

Užupis also has more than 300 ambassadors, representing streets and municipalities, alongside nations.

Although largely ceremonial, these ambassadors have translated the constitution into 43 languages, including Yiddish, Icelandic, Hindi, Sanskrit, Kazakh, Korean, Gaelic and Old Prussian (which has only 50 speakers).

‘I hope Užupis never dies’

Užupis has captivated tourists since its inception in 1997.

“Our spontaneous and unexpected character is truly unique,” said Ieva. “No wonder people want to visit.”

Yet this popularity is threatening the area.

Surging demand for tourist accommodation has caused property prices to sky-rocket, forcing locals out and fundamentally altering Užupis’s character.

“While it is good that foreigners get insights into something strange and artistic,” said Khorshid. “They have changed the area so much.

“Slowly the vitality, the spirit is fading away,” she added.

Coinciding with the 60th Venice Biennale, the seventh edition of ECC’s Personal Structures, Beyond Boundaries, brings together over 200 artists and thinkers to investigate a world beyond borders

Personal Structures, the biennial art exhibition organised by the European Cultural Centre (ECC), returns for its seventh edition in Venice under the title Beyond Boundaries. Coinciding with the Venice Art Biennale, it will welcome visitors from 20 April – 24 November across three historical venues – Palazzo Bembo, Palazzo Mora and Marinaressa Gardens.

Bringing together more than 200 artists and thinkers from 51 different countries, Beyond Boundaries presents itself as a journey that will cross multiple borders – geographic, political, religious, cultural and artistic. While some physical and conceptual limits can mean comfort and safety – our own bodies, the walls of our homes, the lines on the road – the exhibition will aim to shift these constraints, and to investigate what is beyond in order to see it from a different point of view.

The participants in this year’s Personal Structures include both renowned and emergent international artists along with art and academic institutions and galleries, who articulate their visions, reflections and responses to the pressing challenges of our times. Working across photography, sculpture, performance and new media, the invited artists interrogate notions of national and cultural identity and the challenges posed by global migration.

Since 2011, Personal Structures has been organised every two years by the European Cultural Centre Italy in its venues in the heart of Venice. The biennial exhibition documents the diversity of contemporary art today, featuring different expressions from artists that break away from any ideological, political and geographical barriers.

The European Cultural Centre (ECC) is a non-profit organisation headquartered in the Netherlands. Committed to promoting culture through international exchanges, ECC works with associations and partners from around the world on the planning and management of cultural projects, such as exhibitions, publications, video series, and educational programmes. Based in Venice, ECC Italy is the main branch of ECC and focuses on diverse topics within art, architecture and design. The art exhibition Personal Structures alternates each year with the architecture biennial exhibition Time Space Existence.

Personal Structures: Beyond Boundaries will be on view at Palazzo Bembo, Palazzo Mora & Marinaressa Gardens, Venice, from 20 April – 24 April 2024. Special opening events will take place on 18 and 19 April across the three venues.

Click here for more details and the full list of participating artists.

New Delhi [India], April 3: The Belgian Meat Office is pleased to announce the return of its “The Art of European Pork: By the Belgian Meat Suppliers” campaign in India, continuing to highlight the exceptional qualities of Belgian pork. Building on the success of the first year, the campaign takes a significant step forward by participating in the renowned Food & Hotel Asia (FHA) exhibition in Singapore.

Belgium, a global leader in pork production with a rich culinary heritage, launches the second year of its “The Art of European Pork” campaign in India. This initiative highlights the expertise, traceability, food safety, and service levels of Belgian pork exporters, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship behind its exceptional quality and taste.

Key attributes of Belgian pork:

1. Producers’ Know-how: Belgian pork producers leverage centuries of knowledge and traditional practices, ensuring consistently high-quality, tender, and flavorful meat.

2. Traceability: Unparalleled traceability lets consumers follow their Belgian pork from farm to fork. Meticulous records guarantee transparency and accountability during every procedure of the way.

3. Food Safety: Belgian pork prioritizes safety, meeting the highest food safety standards through strict regulations, advanced testing, and regular inspections. These procedures guarantee that Belgian pork reaches the market with the utmost quality and safety.

4. Service Levels: Belgian pork suppliers go beyond exceptional products, offering personalized assistance, prompt delivery, and customized orders for complete customer satisfaction.

The “Art of European Pork” is an effort by the Belgian Meat Office to promote Belgian Pork and strengthen the trade relationship between India and EU nations. This campaign is an opportunity for retailers, distributors, and culinary professionals in India to expand their knowledge and offerings in the world of Belgian Pork.

Witness the Art of Pork Come to Life at FHA Singapore

As part of the campaign, Belgian pork exporters will participate in the upcoming Food & Hotel Asia (FHA) exhibition in Singapore, taking place from 23rd to 26th April 2024. FHA is Asia’s largest international food and hospitality trade event, attracting leading manufacturers, emerging brands, and over 50,000 trade professionals from over 95 countries and regions in 2023.

Food industry and hospitality professionals are invited to visit “The Art of European Pork” booth at BOOTH 7H3-04 during FHA to explore the meticulous craftsmanship behind European pork production, experience the exceptional quality and service levels firsthand.

This participation in FHA is a key component of the ‘The Art of European Pork’ campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the high standards and qualities of Belgian pork in the South Asian market. By showcasing their products at FHA, Belgian pork suppliers hope to generate interest and establish new partnerships in the region.

“The Art of European Pork” is a campaign launched by the Belgian Meat Office to raise awareness about the exceptional quality of Belgian pork, focusing on producers’ know-how, traceability, food safety, and service levels. The campaign includes a series of events, digital and social media promotions, and aims to foster partnerships between Belgian pork suppliers and Indian stakeholders.

Transparent Quality

Certified European pork’s transparent quality consists of two things. Firstly,100 per cent traceability. As a result of careful logging, you can trace the product back to any point in the supply chain, from the pig’s feed to meat processing. Secondly, European pork meets the highest standards. This way, you will always be assured of our pork’s safety and quality. Belgian pork is renowned for its exceptional quality, tender texture, and exquisite taste. Produced with expertise, ensuring traceability, and adhering to stringent food safety standards, Belgian pork has earned a reputation for excellence within the global market.

Minimum risk for maximum food safety and quality

We subject our process to extensive internal and external audits, carried out by independent bodies. Providing the opportunity to carefully assess any possible risk and take action when necessary.

(Information is referred from Source: www.europeanpork.eu/#pork)

For more information about “The Art of European Pork by Belgian meat suppliers” campaign, please visit www.europeanpork.eu.

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.

Show Full Article

NewsVoir

New Delhi [India], April 3: The Belgian Meat Office is pleased to announce the return of its “The Art of European Pork: By the Belgian Meat Suppliers” campaign in India, continuing to highlight the exceptional qualities of Belgian pork. Building on the success of the first year, the campaign takes a significant step forward by participating in the renowned Food & Hotel Asia (FHA) exhibition in Singapore.

Belgium, a global leader in pork production with a rich culinary heritage, launches the second year of its “The Art of European Pork” campaign in India. This initiative highlights the expertise, traceability, food safety, and service levels of Belgian pork exporters, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship behind its exceptional quality and taste.

Key attributes of Belgian pork:

1. Producers’ Know-how: Belgian pork producers leverage centuries of knowledge and traditional practices, ensuring consistently high-quality, tender, and flavorful meat.

2. Traceability: Unparalleled traceability lets consumers follow their Belgian pork from farm to fork. Meticulous records guarantee transparency and accountability during every procedure of the way.

3. Food Safety: Belgian pork prioritizes safety, meeting the highest food safety standards through strict regulations, advanced testing, and regular inspections. These procedures guarantee that Belgian pork reaches the market with the utmost quality and safety.

4. Service Levels: Belgian pork suppliers go beyond exceptional products, offering personalized assistance, prompt delivery, and customized orders for complete customer satisfaction.

The “Art of European Pork” is an effort by the Belgian Meat Office to promote Belgian Pork and strengthen the trade relationship between India and EU nations. This campaign is an opportunity for retailers, distributors, and culinary professionals in India to expand their knowledge and offerings in the world of Belgian Pork.

Witness the Art of Pork Come to Life at FHA Singapore

As part of the campaign, Belgian pork exporters will participate in the upcoming Food & Hotel Asia (FHA) exhibition in Singapore, taking place from 23rd to 26th April 2024. FHA is Asia’s largest international food and hospitality trade event, attracting leading manufacturers, emerging brands, and over 50,000 trade professionals from over 95 countries and regions in 2023.

Food industry and hospitality professionals are invited to visit “The Art of European Pork” booth at BOOTH 7H3-04 during FHA to explore the meticulous craftsmanship behind European pork production, experience the exceptional quality and service levels firsthand.

This participation in FHA is a key component of the ‘The Art of European Pork’ campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the high standards and qualities of Belgian pork in the South Asian market. By showcasing their products at FHA, Belgian pork suppliers hope to generate interest and establish new partnerships in the region.

“The Art of European Pork” is a campaign launched by the Belgian Meat Office to raise awareness about the exceptional quality of Belgian pork, focusing on producers’ know-how, traceability, food safety, and service levels. The campaign includes a series of events, digital and social media promotions, and aims to foster partnerships between Belgian pork suppliers and Indian stakeholders.

Transparent Quality

Certified European pork’s transparent quality consists of two things. Firstly,100 per cent traceability. As a result of careful logging, you can trace the product back to any point in the supply chain, from the pig’s feed to meat processing. Secondly, European pork meets the highest standards. This way, you will always be assured of our pork’s safety and quality. Belgian pork is renowned for its exceptional quality, tender texture, and exquisite taste. Produced with expertise, ensuring traceability, and adhering to stringent food safety standards, Belgian pork has earned a reputation for excellence within the global market.

Minimum risk for maximum food safety and quality

We subject our process to extensive internal and external audits, carried out by independent bodies. Providing the opportunity to carefully assess any possible risk and take action when necessary.

(Information is referred from Source: www.europeanpork.eu/#pork)

For more information about “The Art of European Pork by Belgian meat suppliers” campaign, please visit www.europeanpork.eu.

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

BIRMINGHAM, AL–(Marketwired – February 27, 2014) – After an extensive national search, the Birmingham Museum of Art is pleased to announce the appointment of Robert Schindler as Curator of European Art. Schindler comes to the Birmingham Museum from The Metropolitan Museum, where he held the Andrew W. Mellon Curatorial Fellowship in the Department of Medieval Art and The Cloisters.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Schindler to the Birmingham Museum of Art. He is a formidable scholar with an impressive background,” says Gail Andrews, R. Hugh Daniel Director of the Birmingham Museum of Art. “Dr. Schindler is inspired by our collection and recognizes its great potential. I look forward to his knowledgeable work as a curator, lecturer, and steward of our growing collection of European art. He makes an excellent addition to our staff.”

Deputy Director and Chief Curator, Jeannine O’Grody adds, “Dr. Schindler’s enthusiastic approach to expanding our collection falls seamlessly in line with our institutional commitment of keeping our collection culturally relevant and engaging to our community, while striving towards a reputation of international acclaim.”

Born and raised in Berlin, Germany, Schindler studied art history and business administration at the Freie Universität Berlin. He served as a graduate intern in the manuscript department at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles before receiving his PhD in 2010. Thereafter, he accepted an Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Department of Art History and Archaeology at Columbia University. Schindler went on to work in the European Art Department at the Detroit Institute of Arts prior to his fellowship at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and subsequent move to Birmingham.

Schindler’s overall area of expertise is late Medieval and early Northern European art. While working for the J. Paul Getty Museum, he organized the exhibition French Manuscript Illumination of the Middle Ages (2007). He has published on various aspects of French manuscript illumination of the 15th and 16th centuries, the topic of his dissertation, including a contribution to the catalogue of the exhibition Prayers in Code at the Walters Art Museum (2009).

Story continues

Dr. Schindler’s first project is underway, as on-site curator of the Birmingham Museum of Art’s current exhibition, Delacroix and the Matter of Finish, organized by the Santa Barbara Museum of Art.

cboehm@artsbma.org
205.254.2707

Founded in 1951, the Birmingham Museum of Art has one of the finest collections in the Southeast. More than 25,000 objects displayed and housed within the Museum represent a rich panorama of cultures, including Asian, European, American, African, Pre-Columbian, and Native American. Highlights include the Museum’s collection of Asian art, Vietnamese ceramics, the Kress collection of Renaissance and Baroque paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts from the late 13th century to the 1750s, and the Museum’s world-renowned collection of Wedgwood, the largest outside of England.

The following files are available for download:

Issued on: 31/03/2024 – 11:01

3 min

The European Commission says that the new rules will prevent the import of looted cultural goods that finance terrorism. 

The regulation requires new documentation for imported archaeological, antique and art objects found or made outside the EU. 

France’s National Union of Antiques Dealers (SNA) gave a press conference in Paris last month to push back against what speakers called “unreasonable and disproportionate” criteria.  

The SNA warns that the new rules, in effect from mid-2025, will have a “dramatic and damaging impact” on the EU’s art market. 

They also said that the legal onus for highly accurate provenance will unfairly criminalise many in the trade. 

‘Illicit unless proven otherwise’ 

According to UK-based consultant and adviser to art trade associations Ivan Macquisten, the law “deems an imported item illicit, unless proven otherwise”. 

He adds that this means a “reversal of the burden of proof”, effectively scrapping common property law that assumes the owner’s good faith. 

The SNA, which lobbies on behalf of around 300 French antique and art dealers, said that the regulation will also make it difficult for owners to donate cultural objects – like fossils, antiquities, texts and art – to museums.  

Owners of items over 200 years old that are valued above €18,000 will need an “importer statement”. They’ll also need an import licence for other items over 250 years old. 

Critics say finding the proof required for these documents will be costly or impossible.

SNA board member Anthony Meyer added that many owners have had items “for years”. 

“No one ever requested any form of information, any paper trail, because there was no obligation to do so. It was moral and legal at the time,” Meyer said.

“Today, the mentality has changed, and we are changing with it.” 

Looted art 

The EU says Europe’s large art market and close proximity to the Middle East and Africa make it a target for illicit trade.

The European Commission hopes that the law will curb a rise in looting in war-stricken countries such as Syria and Afghanistan. 

It’s also meant to address reports that goods imported and sold in the EU are financing terrorist activities, according to the commission’s website.

The SNA refuted the EU’s claims, citing two studies that the illicit art trade is smaller and less organised than reported.

“The fantasy that the art market is financing terrorism doesn’t exist,” said Yves-Bernard Debie, a Belgian art lawyer representing the SNA, claiming that the legislation responds to “fake news”. 

Compromised market 

While EU-wide, the rules will hit hard in France, the world’s fourth-largest art market and the EU’s largest for such imports.

Meyer added that the SNA and other international trade groups want to work with lawmakers in Brussels to adjust the laws and add exclusions. 

According to the commission, exceptions will be made for objects that only briefly enter the EU, for example at institutional displays and commercial fairs. However, dealers say there’s no incentive to bring objects to a fair if they lack the licence to sell them.

“We’re trying to save all of our jobs, our market, [and] save the possibility for people to appreciate art and to own art,” said Meyer. 

“The antique market is one of the great purveyors of cultural information and knowledge. If you kill the market, you’re going to kill all of that information and appreciation.”

But with the regulation approved in 2019, the SNA has acknowledged that their lobbying has come late.

(with newswires)

From the Musée d’Orsay celebrating 150 years since the birth of Impressionism, to Scotland’s Perth Museum uncovering the origins of the unicorn, there is a delightful smorgasbord of art exhibitions waiting to be explored over the next couple of months.

If you’re a little lost on where to start, here’s our handpicked selection of the crème de la crème: 

‘Angelica Kauffman’ at Royal Academy of Arts (London, UK)

Described by one of her contemporaries as “the most cultivated woman in Europe”, 18th-century Swiss artist Angelica Kauffman is the focus of a major exhibition at the Royal Academy in London. The show traces her journey from a gifted child to a renowned painter sought after across Europe for her neoclassical portraits of women and mythological scenes. The exhibition also highlights her pivotal role in founding the Royal Academy, and her later career in Rome. Visitors can explore her paintings, preparatory drawings, including noteworthy self-portraits, and admire her ceiling masterpieces created specially for the Royal Academy. Don’t mind if I do!

‘Angelica Kauffman‘ at Royal Academy of Arts opened on 1 March 2024and runs until 30 June 2024. 

Why it’s worth checking out – A brilliant collection of groundbreaking, deeply romantic works from one of the few successful female artists of the 18th-century. 

‘Britta Marakatt-Labba – Moving the Needle’ at The National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design (Oslo, Norway)

Explore five decades of Swedish Sámi textile artist Britta Marakatt-Labba’s artistry at Oslo’s National Museum. “Moving the Needle,” her largest exhibition yet, invites visitors on a journey through her work, from her never-before-seen early sketches to iconic pieces like ‘Garjját / The Crows’ and ‘Girddi noaiddit / Flying Shamans.’ At the heart of the exhibition lies the breathtaking masterpiece ‘Historjá,’ a monumental 24-metre-long embroidery that intricately weaves together scenes from Sami history, mythology, and daily existence.

‘Britta Marakatt-Labba – Moving the Needle‘ at The National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design opens on 15 March 2024 and runs until 25 August 2024. 

Why it’s worth checking out – More than five-decade’s of stunning Sámi textile artistry, including the monumental 24-metre-long ‘Historjá’ masterpiece. 

‘Leila Babirye: Obumu’ at Yorkshire Sculpture Park (West Yorkshire, UK)

“Obumu (Unity)” is the first museum solo exhibition by Ugandan artist Leilah Babirye, taking place at Yorkshire Sculpture Park’s (YSP) 18th Century Chapel. Babirye’s artistic journey began as a form of activism, stemming from her identity as a gay woman in Uganda, a country where homosexuality is illegal and punishable by death. Following a residency at YSP in the summer of 2023, she created a series of striking wood and ceramic sculptures reflecting her culture, heritage, and experiences of living in exile. This exhibition showcases seven larger-than-life wooden sculptures carved from a 200-year-old fallen beech tree sourced from the Park, alongside five expansive ceramic portrait-sculptures. 

‘Leila Babirye: Obumu‘ at Yorkshire Sculpture Park opened on 23 March 2024 and runs until 8 September 2024. 

Why it’s worth checking out – Truly unique, Queer Ugandan artworks made from nature. 

‘Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment’ at Musée d’Orsay (Paris, France)

In 1874, a gang of art rebels – made up of 31 artists including Monet, Cézanne, Renoir and Degas – decided to break away from traditional rules with the first Impressionist exhibition in Paris. Now 150 years on, the prestigious Musée d’Orsay is presenting a stunningly rare reunion exhibition of 130 works that featured in that now-legendary exhibition. Against a backdrop of post-war turmoil, these artists, relatively unknown at the time, formed a “clan of rebels,” capturing modern life and landscapes with light but visible brush strokes and pale hues. ‘Paris 1874’ juxtaposes their radical works with those of the official Salon of the same period, revealing the visual impact and unexpected parallels between the two. This is certainly not one to miss! 

‘Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment‘ at Musée d’Orsay opened on 26 March 2024and runs until 14 July 2024. 

Why it’s worth checking out – A stacked lineup of some of Impressionism’s finest paintings, all on the 150 year anniversary of the beloved art movement. 

‘Pino Pascali’ at Fondazione Prada (Milan, Italy)

Pino Pascali died in 1968 at just 32-years-old in Rome, Italy, following a tragic motorcycle accident. But despite passing so young, his sculptures, sets and performances left an important contribution to post-war art. Now, over 50 pieces by the Italian-born artist are going on display at the Fondazione Prada museum in Milan. Pascali’s artistic practice, epitomised by his “fake sculptures” and “Armi series,” reflects a playful yet profound exploration of illusion and reality, often drawing from his childhood experiences of war-related play. “Pascali explored the relationship between sculpture and stage elements and contrasted sculpture and everyday objects. He has created works that from a distance appear to be ready-mades, but which upon closer inspection reveal themselves to be made with recycled materials,” explains the exhibition’s curator, Mark Godfrey. 

‘Pino Pascali’ at Fondazione Prada opens on 28 March 2024 and runs until 23 September 2024.

Why it’s worth checking out – A huge display of some of Pascali’s most iconic works, including a fairytale-like, giant spider covered in fake blue fur. 

‘Unicorn’ at the Perth Museum (Perth, Scotland)

This fascinating exhibition at the Perth Museum presents an alluring journey into Scotland’s national symbol, the Unicorn, by showcasing a stunning collection of rare artefacts and artworks from around the world. Among the star loans are remarkable pieces such as the enchanting ‘Danny Jewel’, an Elizabethan pendant made of narwhal horn and enamelled gold, usually housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London. Visitors can also marvel at a 700-year-old, 2.5 metre-long narwhal tusk from the esteemed Wellcome Collection as well as the ‘Lady and the Unicorn’ oil painting by late-Renaissance Italian artist Luca Longhi (1507-1580), making its debut display in the UK. 

‘Unicorn‘ at the Perth Museum opens on 30 March 2024 and runs until 22 September 2024.

Why it’s worth checking out – Two millennia of history, exploring the mythical creature’s cultural significance and its evolution into a symbol of diversity and resilience. 

‘Jean Cocteau: The Juggler’s Revenge’ at Peggy Guggenheim Collection (Venice, Italy)

After the success of the ‘Marcel Duchamp and the Lure of the Copy’ exhibition, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is now presenting the largest retrospective of the avant-garde icon Jean Cocteau ever organised in Italy. Cocteau, a prominent figure in the twentieth-century art world, who brushed shoulders with the likes of Pablo Picasso, Coco Chanel, Apollinaire and Édith Piaf, excelled as a writer, poet, playwright, essayist, illustrator, filmmaker, and actor. Featuring a remarkable array of over 150 works spanning drawings, graphics, jewellery, tapestries, books, magazines, photographs and films, ‘The Juggler’s Revenge’ explores the evolution of Cocteau’s unique and deeply personal style amidst the pivotal moments of his tumultuous career. 

‘Jean Cocteau: The Juggler’s Revenge‘ at Peggy Guggenheim Collection opens on 13 April 2024 and runs until 16 September 2024.

Why it’s worth checking out – Learn more about one of the most fascinating and influential figures of early 20th century art. 

‘The Last Caravaggio’ at the National Gallery (London, UK)

In May 1610, Caravaggio finished painting ‘The Martyrdom of St. Ursula’. Just two months later, he was dead. A new exhibition from London’s National Gallery is focusing on the final years of the leading Italian Baroque painter’s life, whose large-scale paintings are renowned for their intense and unsettling realism. Highlighted is his last-known painting of St. Ursula, accompanied by a letter detailing its creation. ‘Salome with the Head of John the Baptist,’ is also on display, offering viewers a glimpse into Caravaggio’s tumultuous life, which was marked by consistent violence and legal trouble. 

‘The Last Caravaggio‘ at London’s National Gallery opens on 18 April 2024 and runs until 21 July 2024.

Why it’s worth checking out – Explore the troubled end of Caravaggio’s life, the stories of Ursula and Salome, and reflect on the violence of today.

‘Caspar David Friedrich: Infinite Landscapes’ at the Alte Nationalgalerie (Berlin, Germany)

To commemorate the 250th anniversary of Caspar David Friedrich’s birth, the Alte Nationalgalerie is hosting a major exhibition featuring 60 of his paintings, as well as 50 drawings from both Germany and abroad. Friedrich is considered the most important landscape painter of the 19th century German Romantic movement. Featuring many of his most famous works including ‘Monk by the Sea’ and ‘Abbey in the Oakwood’, the exhibition focuses on the Nationalgalerie’s role in reviving Friedrich’s art in the early 20th century. After the painter had faded into obscurity in the late 19th century, the Nationalgalerie honoured him with a comprehensive retrospective in 1906. Showcasing 93 of his works, the museum helped to revive his legacy as an all-time great.

‘Caspar David Friedrich: Infinite Landscapes‘ at the Alte Nationalgalerie opens on 19 April 2024 and runs until 4 August 2024. 

Why it’s worth checking out – Immerse yourself in over 100 gorgeous works by Friedrich, 250 years since his birth.

‘Olympism: Modern Invention, Ancient Legacy’ at the Musée du Louvre (Paris, France)

As the city of Paris gears up to host the Olympic Games, a fascinating exhibition titled ‘Olympism: Modern Invention, Ancient Legacy’ is set to unfold at the prestigious Louvre museum. Delving into the origins of the first modern Olympic Games, the exhibition aims to highlight the political backdrop that gave rise to these Games and explore the visionary efforts of organisers to reimagine the ancient Greek sporting competitions. Beyond the well-known figure of Pierre de Coubertin, the ‘father’ of the modern Games, the show explores key individuals of Franco-Greek origin, including Emile Gilliéron, a Swiss artist and archaeological draughtsman residing in Greece, who was appointed the official artist for the 1896 and 1906 Olympic Games. A highlight of the exhibition is the first Olympic Cup, created for the marathon winner at the 1896 Games in Athens. Mark your calendars!

‘Olympism: Modern Invention, Ancient Legacy‘ at the Musée du Louvre opens on 24 April 2024and runs until 16 September 2024.

Why it’s worth checking out – Explore the history of the ancient Olympics and France’s influence on the modern games. 

‘Ana Lupas: On This Side of the River Elbe’ at Stedelijk Museum (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

This exhibition opening on 9 May 2024 at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam marks the first comprehensive overview of Ana Lupas’ work. The Romanian installation and textile artist rose to prominence in the 1960s as a leading Eastern European female artist. ‘On This Side of the River Elbe’ spans her career from the 1960s to the present, showcasing many highlights of her artistic output, from her textiles to her sculptures. A centrepiece of the show is ‘Coats to Borrow’ (1989), featuring handmade coats suspended on orange-painted metal furniture. The coats traversed various cities in Romania, passed from friend to friend, with each individual invited to inscribe their name on a label discreetly placed inside the coat. The artwork bearing names, concealed from external view, symbolises the social connections within a community unable to openly resist due to the constraints of the oppressive communist regime. Other notable works on display at the exhibition include ‘Humid Installation’ (1970), which depicts her homeland’s farming culture, along with ‘The Solemn Process’ (1964-1976, 1980-1985, and 1985-2008), which engaged local communities in rural Transylvania. 

‘Ana Lupas: On This Side of the River Elbe‘ at Stedelijk Museum opens on 9 May 2024 and runs until 15 September 2024. 

Why it’s worth checking out – The first ever major exhibition of Lupas’ deeply political and personal work. 

‘Silvia Bächli: Partitura’ at Centro Botín (Santander, Spain)

If minimal and conceptual artworks are your cup of tea, then you must check out Swiss artist Silvia Bächli’s first exhibition in Spain at Centro Botín, which features her latest works alongside earlier drawings. Bächli’s abstract and minimal drawings are deeply intertwined with her body’s movements, reflecting sensory experiences and bodily gestures. “Drawings are actions. Lines tell stories. What do these lines do? Where is the beginning of a line, does it touch another line? How does it touch them? Words appear, which ones come to the tongue?”, says the artist. Created with simple materials like paper and ink, her works are arranged in rhythmic clusters throughout the gallery space, inviting viewers to contemplate the connections between lines, gestures, and emotions. 

‘Silvia Bächli: Partitura‘ at Centro Botín opens on 11 May 2024 and runs until 20 October 2024. 

Why it’s worth checking out – Experience the captivating intersection of minimalism and sensory exploration in Bächli’s debut exhibition.