The Victoria & Albert Museum acquired the first YouTube video.
The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London has acquired and installed a reconstruction of an early YouTube “watch” page featuring the platform’s first-ever video, Me at the Zoo—a 19-second clip uploaded on April 23, 2005 by YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim. Developed in collaboration with YouTube’s user-experience team and interaction design studio oio, the exhibit recreates the look of YouTube as it appeared on December 8, 2006 and highlights early interface elements like rating buttons and badges that shaped the internet’s Web 2.0 design and creator economy. The video and interface are now on view in the Design 1900–Now gallery at the V&A South Kensington, with behind-the-scenes context at the V&A East Storehouse, marking a major institutional effort to preserve the history and culture of the internet.
A Catalonian chalet has been confirmed as the work of Gaudí.
The Xalet del Catllaràs—a mountain chalet in the Catllaràs range near La Pobla de Lillet in Catalonia—has been confirmed as an early work by Antoni Gaudí. Built around 1902–1905 for coal-mine engineers and commissioned by his patron Eusebi Güell, it was recently restored to reflect his original design. The building’s simple arched structure, organic form, and functional plan demonstrate Gaudí’s architectural ingenuity beyond his better-known Barcelona masterpieces. Long overlooked and in disrepair, the chalet and nearby Artigas Gardens—also linked to Gaudí’s time in the region—are now appreciated as rare examples of his work outside the city, drawing renewed attention to his influence in the Catalan Pyrenees.
Marilyn Minter has won this year’s International Artist Award from the Anderson Ranch Arts Center.
Marilyn Minter will receive this year’s International Artist Award from Snowmass Village, Colorado’s Anderson Ranch Arts Center. The artist and arts educator will be honored at the center’s annual Ranch Gala this July, alongside a screening of Pretty Dirty, the documentary about her life and work. Minter is the award’s 28th recipient, joining a roster that includes Charles Gaines, Simone Leigh, and Theaster Gates.
Brunello Cucinelli exceeded financial expectations in 2025.
Italian luxury house Brunello Cucinelli reported a record-breaking 2025, with full-year revenues rising more than 10 percent to over €1.4 billion—an 11.5 percent increase at constant exchange rates, exceeding its earlier growth forecast. The company saw broad regional growth across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, including double-digit expansion in China, and continued strong demand in its retail and wholesale channels. With major investments completed ahead of schedule—such as expanding its Solomeo headquarters and new tailoring facilities—the brand reaffirmed its outlook for around 10 percent revenue growth in 2026.
AIA’s Architecture Billings Index dropped considerably in January.
The American Institute of Architects’ Architecture Billings Index—an economic indicator within the industry—dropped in January. New project inquiries also declined at the start of the year, following steady increases in 2025. Recent employment data remained optimistic, however, with growth in both construction employment and architectural services.
Today’s attractive distractions:
Alexandre de Betak transformed a traditional Swiss barn with reflective lights for Gstaad Art Week.
Glimpse a trio of Clare Celeste’s large-scale, paper-cutout installations.
Lego just released its first-ever Snoopy set.
A beloved bartender opened his own cocktail spot in Singapore.
