1. ArchDaily
  2. Art

Art: The Latest Architecture and News

Architecture and Light Between Documentation and Emotion: In Conversation with the Photographer Thomas Mayer

Subscriber Access | 

For over five decades, Swiss photographer Thomas Mayer has developed a serene, emotional, and documentary language for architecture. His lens captures the random and memorable moments of our built environment - reflections in the rain, long blue hours in Nordic summers, and the quiet darkness of sacred spaces. Recognized by ArchDaily as one of the top architectural photographers, Mayer carries an abundant fascination for light and space.

Architecture and Light Between Documentation and Emotion: In Conversation with the Photographer Thomas Mayer - Image 1 of 4Architecture and Light Between Documentation and Emotion: In Conversation with the Photographer Thomas Mayer - Image 2 of 4Architecture and Light Between Documentation and Emotion: In Conversation with the Photographer Thomas Mayer - Image 3 of 4Architecture and Light Between Documentation and Emotion: In Conversation with the Photographer Thomas Mayer - Image 4 of 4Architecture and Light Between Documentation and Emotion: In Conversation with the Photographer Thomas Mayer - More Images+ 23

Ernesto Neto’s Textile Art Installation at Paris’ Grand Palais Captured by Paul Clemence

The exhibition "Nosso Barco Tambor Terra" by Brazilian artist Ernesto Neto, held at the recently renovated Grand Palais in Paris from June 6 to July 25, 2025, is a large-scale, immersive installation that invites visitors to reconnect with nature and community through sensory experience. Drawing inspiration from Brazilian and Indigenous cultures, Neto uses textiles, scents, and organic materials to create a space for reflection and interaction. The textile installation was recently captured by photographer Paul Clemence, who sought to portray its architectural qualities.

Ernesto Neto’s Textile Art Installation at Paris’ Grand Palais Captured by Paul Clemence - Image 1 of 4Ernesto Neto’s Textile Art Installation at Paris’ Grand Palais Captured by Paul Clemence - Image 2 of 4Ernesto Neto’s Textile Art Installation at Paris’ Grand Palais Captured by Paul Clemence - Image 3 of 4Ernesto Neto’s Textile Art Installation at Paris’ Grand Palais Captured by Paul Clemence - Image 4 of 4Ernesto Neto’s Textile Art Installation at Paris’ Grand Palais Captured by Paul Clemence - More Images+ 61

Kristin Feireiss, Founder of the Aedes Architecture Forum, Passes Away at 82

Kristin Feireiss, the German architecture curator, writer, and editor, passed away on April 20, 2025. With a career spanning over four decades, Feireiss played a significant role in promoting international public discourse on architecture, urban development, and social change.

Born in 1942, Feireiss studied art history and philosophy at Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt. In 1980, she co-founded the "Aedes Architecture Forum" in Berlin with Helga Retzer, establishing Europe's first private architecture gallery. After Retzer's passing in 1984, Feireiss continued to develop Aedes into an internationally recognized platform. Since 1994, in collaboration with Hans-Jürgen Commerell, she curated over 350 exhibitions and catalogues, expanding the forum's reach and impact. In 2009, the duo also founded "ANCB The Aedes Metropolitan Laboratory," which received the German Innovation Prize in 2010.

Kristin Feireiss, Founder of the Aedes Architecture Forum, Passes Away at 82 - Image 1 of 4Kristin Feireiss, Founder of the Aedes Architecture Forum, Passes Away at 82 - Image 2 of 4Kristin Feireiss, Founder of the Aedes Architecture Forum, Passes Away at 82 - Image 3 of 4Kristin Feireiss, Founder of the Aedes Architecture Forum, Passes Away at 82 - Image 4 of 4Kristin Feireiss, Founder of the Aedes Architecture Forum, Passes Away at 82 - More Images+ 1

"Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams" Opens in Seoul with Exhibition Design by OMA

OMA has unveiled its latest exhibition design for "Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams" in Seoul, South Korea. Held at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), the exhibition marks the fifth collaboration between OMA and Dior. Previous designs include Dior: From Paris to the World at the Denver Art Museum (2018) and Dallas Museum of Art (2019), as well as Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams at the Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo (2022). The Seoul exhibition presents over 80 years of Dior's creative history and the cultural heritage of Korea.

"Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams" Opens in Seoul with Exhibition Design by OMA - Featured Image"Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams" Opens in Seoul with Exhibition Design by OMA - Image 1 of 4"Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams" Opens in Seoul with Exhibition Design by OMA - Image 2 of 4"Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams" Opens in Seoul with Exhibition Design by OMA - Image 3 of 4Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams Opens in Seoul with Exhibition Design by OMA - More Images+ 19

Art, Activism, and the City: Illuminating Social Change

Subscriber Access | 

The creative fusion of art and activism in urban spaces has propelled the British collective Led by Donkeys into the spotlight, garnering millions of views for their interventions on social media. Their critical visual occupations - whether billboard messages during the day or large-scale projections at night - raise a compelling question: which medium holds the greater persuasive power? The book "Led by Donkeys: Adventures in Art, Activism and Accountability" offers a deep dive into their conceptual approach, charting their rapid evolution over six years. What began as a London-based response to Brexit has expanded into a global critique of political hypocrisy, addressing issues in Europe, the Middle East, and America. For Peter Weibel, former director of the ZKM Center for Art and Media in Karlsruhe, Germany, the innovative fusion of activism and art—or "Artivism"—represents the first new art form of the 21st century. Years of experience in environmental activism provided the group with crucial insights into the mechanics of political communication, the organization of public interventions, and the challenges of achieving meaningful societal change.

Art, Activism, and the City: Illuminating Social Change - Image 1 of 4Art, Activism, and the City: Illuminating Social Change - Image 2 of 4Art, Activism, and the City: Illuminating Social Change - Image 3 of 4Art, Activism, and the City: Illuminating Social Change - Image 4 of 4Art, Activism, and the City: Illuminating Social Change - More Images+ 1

Venice Art Biennale Appoints Koyo Kouoh as Director of the 61st International Art Exhibition

The Board of La Biennale di Venezia has just announced the appointment of Koyo Kouoh as the Director of the Visual Arts Department. Kouoh will lead the curation of the 61st International Art Exhibition, scheduled for 2026. This announcement follows a recommendation by Pietrangelo Buttafuoco, President of La Biennale, who emphasized Kouoh's extensive experience in the global art world and her ability to engage with contemporary artistic and cultural discourse. Born in Cameroon, Koyo Kouoh will become the first African woman to curate the Venice Art Biennale.

Venice Art Biennale Appoints Koyo Kouoh as Director of the 61st International Art Exhibition - Image 1 of 4Venice Art Biennale Appoints Koyo Kouoh as Director of the 61st International Art Exhibition - Image 2 of 4Venice Art Biennale Appoints Koyo Kouoh as Director of the 61st International Art Exhibition - Image 3 of 4Venice Art Biennale Appoints Koyo Kouoh as Director of the 61st International Art Exhibition - Image 4 of 4Venice Art Biennale Appoints Koyo Kouoh as Director of the 61st International Art Exhibition - More Images+ 1

Democratizing Art and Redefining the Gallery Experience

 | Sponsored Content

Art has long been perceived as elitist, an image solidified by its deep ties to power and wealth. In ancient times, works of art were status symbols reserved for rulers and religious figures, while the Renaissance marked a period in which wealthy patrons like the Medici family promoted art as a tool of social and political prestige. In the 17th century, with the rise of art academies, strict standards were established for what was considered "high culture," further distancing art from the masses.

By the 19th century, the art market had become shaped by private collectors and commercial galleries who viewed art as a luxury product, accentuating its exclusivity and making accessibility a secondary issue. Artistic movements like Impressionism, Modernism, and street art challenged the elitism of art, broadening its reach and questioning its institutional exclusivity. While the contemporary system remains dominated by wealthy collectors and a market that prioritizes profit over accessibility, there are still initiatives aiming to change this dynamic.

Eileen Gray Through the Lens: Film Sheds Light on the Architect and Her Vision of Modernism

Subscriber Access | 

A journey through the legacy of Eileen Gray and her most famous house in the French Riviera, "E.1027 – Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea," by directors Beatrice Minger and Christoph Schaub, invites viewers into the layered legacy of the pioneering Irish architect and her unique vision of modernism. Designed in the late 1920s, the villa not only embodies Gray's architectural genius but also bears the shadow of an uneasy narrative involving Le Corbusier and Jean Badovici. Through their docufiction, Minger and Schaub illuminate Gray's groundbreaking work and critique the prevailing narratives of male dominance in modernist history.

Eileen Gray Through the Lens: Film Sheds Light on the Architect and Her Vision of Modernism - Image 1 of 4Eileen Gray Through the Lens: Film Sheds Light on the Architect and Her Vision of Modernism - Image 2 of 4Eileen Gray Through the Lens: Film Sheds Light on the Architect and Her Vision of Modernism - Image 3 of 4Eileen Gray Through the Lens: Film Sheds Light on the Architect and Her Vision of Modernism - Image 4 of 4Eileen Gray Through the Lens: Film Sheds Light on the Architect and Her Vision of Modernism - More Images+ 2

Aesthetics Alone Do Not Give Sacred Space Its Meaning

Subscriber Access | 

This article was originally published on Common Edge.

In the post-pandemic era, an oversupply of underutilized churches is a growing reality. Besides offering explorations in adaptive reuse, what does this trend say about modern spirituality? Have humans lost interest in the sacred? In a recent article on Common Edge, Duo Dickinson addressed this concern by claiming that "the cultural change that is causing the abandonment of churches does not end the human search for the sacred."

While correctly stating that no formula can turn architecture into "the holy," he seemed to indicate that a new spirituality might still be found in architectural form. As we consider what changing forms of sacred space mean for the modern era, looking for a revitalization of spirituality through architecture alone risks a repeat of an error made in the last century: expecting too much of aesthetics.

Aesthetics Alone Do Not Give Sacred Space Its Meaning - Featured ImageAesthetics Alone Do Not Give Sacred Space Its Meaning - 1 的图像 4Aesthetics Alone Do Not Give Sacred Space Its Meaning - 2 的图像 4Aesthetics Alone Do Not Give Sacred Space Its Meaning - 3 的图像 4Aesthetics Alone Do Not Give Sacred Space Its Meaning - More Images

Light as an Active Participant in Space: Robert Wilson’s Minimalist Approach to Stage Lighting

Subscriber Access | 

Robert Wilson embodies the roles of director, set designer, scenographer, lighting designer, and architect in a single figure. Internationally celebrated as a pioneer of stage lighting and honored with numerous prestigious awards, including the Golden Lion of the Venice Biennale and the Praemium Imperiale, Wilson, now in his eighties, continues to travel the world, staging remarkable productions. His use of light and color is marked by precision and minimalism, creating scenes that skillfully oscillate between stillness and drama. During rehearsals at the Düsseldorf Schauspielhaus, he elaborates on the interplay between stage and architecture, his creative process, and the profound impact of light on darkness.

Light as an Active Participant in Space: Robert Wilson’s Minimalist Approach to Stage Lighting - Image 1 of 4Light as an Active Participant in Space: Robert Wilson’s Minimalist Approach to Stage Lighting - Image 2 of 4Light as an Active Participant in Space: Robert Wilson’s Minimalist Approach to Stage Lighting - Image 3 of 4Light as an Active Participant in Space: Robert Wilson’s Minimalist Approach to Stage Lighting - Image 4 of 4Light as an Active Participant in Space: Robert Wilson’s Minimalist Approach to Stage Lighting - More Images+ 15

Rothko Chapel Closes Indefinitely After Suffering Damage During Hurricane Beryl

Built in 1971, the Rothko Chapel in Huston, Texas, was conceived as an intimate sanctuary for people of every belief, while in front of the chapel, Barnett Newman's sculpture "Broken Obelisk" stands in memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In 1964, Mark Rothko was commissioned by John and Dominique de Menil to create a meditative space for his site-specific paintings. Rothko’s vision clashed with that of the initial architect, Philip Johnson, over the scale and grandiosity of the building, which he felt distracted from the art. The project underwent several revisions with different architects, including Howard Barnstone and Eugene Aubry. Now officials have announced the indefinite closing of the chapel, after having sustained severe damage during Hurricane Beryl, the Category 1 storm that hit Houston on July 9.

Rothko Chapel Closes Indefinitely After Suffering Damage During Hurricane Beryl - Image 1 of 4Rothko Chapel Closes Indefinitely After Suffering Damage During Hurricane Beryl - Image 2 of 4Rothko Chapel Closes Indefinitely After Suffering Damage During Hurricane Beryl - Image 3 of 4Rothko Chapel Closes Indefinitely After Suffering Damage During Hurricane Beryl - Image 4 of 4Rothko Chapel Closes Indefinitely After Suffering Damage During Hurricane Beryl - More Images+ 1

Storytelling for Interiors: From Murals and Wallpapers to Digital Screens

Subscriber Access | 

Walls have long been more than mere structural elements; they are canvases that narrate stories, reflecting desires for nature, spirituality, or the pursuit of tranquility and stimulation. With advancements in addressable LED pixels, walls have evolved into immersive digital surfaces capable of displaying any image in large format, adapting to the needs of the moment.

However, while universities continue to train architects and interior designers to create static buildings, the art of meaningful storytelling through digital screens—especially those with dynamics—remains largely unexplored in academic curricula.

Chromasonic: An immersive Renaissance of California's Minimalist Light and Space Movement

Subscriber Access | 

Step into the realm where the minimalism of the 1960s Light and Space movement intertwines with contemporary high-tech algorithms and sensors. Back then, light artists like James Turrell, Dan Flavin, and Robert Irwin captivated audiences with the bare essentials, using precisely daylight or lamps to heighten visual perception. Fast forward to today, Chromasonic takes this synergy of light and color but augments it with sound and algorithms. Envisioned as a global network to experience the harmony of body and mind, Johannes Girardoni's team unveiled the first satellite of perception in the heart of Venice Beach, California. Through a collaboration with Google, Milan Design Week showcased how the interplay of light and color can go on tour as a walk-in installation on a larger scale.

Chromasonic: An immersive Renaissance of California's Minimalist Light and Space Movement - Image 1 of 4Chromasonic: An immersive Renaissance of California's Minimalist Light and Space Movement - Image 2 of 4Chromasonic: An immersive Renaissance of California's Minimalist Light and Space Movement - Image 3 of 4Chromasonic: An immersive Renaissance of California's Minimalist Light and Space Movement - Image 4 of 4Chromasonic: An immersive Renaissance of California's Minimalist Light and Space Movement - More Images+ 1