Istanbul’s IST. Festival will return for a 15th anniversary edition this May.
On May 30, the non-profit IST. Festival (also known as the Istanbul International Arts & Culture Festival) will return for its 15th anniversary edition. Established by ISTANBUL’74, an independent arts platform, the three-day event will incorporate panels, screenings, workshops, exhibitions, and live performances at the Arnavutkoy townhouse cultural center, as well as at local galleries and other destinations across the city. Accompanying the news of the return, after several years on hiatus and a 2019 iteration in Rome, comes the appointment of curator Nazy Nazhand as the festival’s art and culture director—joining co-founders Demet Müftüoğlu-Eşeli and Alphan Eşeli on the leadership team.
George Lucas will take over the content direction of the Lucas Museum as its director-CEO departs.
Sandra Jackson-Dumont will step down as director and CEO of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, with George Lucas taking charge of its curatorial direction. Former studio executive Jim Gianopulos will serve as interim CEO as the museum searches for a permanent leader. Jackson-Dumont, who expanded the museum’s collection and oversaw multiple delays, helped to shape the institution ahead of its planned 2026 opening.
Art Basel Hong Kong will soon return with 240 galleries, a new film curator, and an M+ tie-in.
From March 28-30, Art Basel Hong Kong will showcase 240 international galleries, introduce a new film curator, and expand its reach beyond the fairgrounds with citywide programming. The M+ Museum will feature Ho Tzu Nyen’s AI-driven animation, while Para Site will oversee the film sector for the first time. Large-scale installations, experimental exhibitions, and emerging artists like Chow Chun Fai and Aisha Khalid will further enrich the event’s dynamic lineup.
After generating substantial online buzz, Christie’s AI art sale surpassed auction estimates.
Christie’s inaugural AI art auction, “Augmented Intelligence,” outperformed expectations, generating more than $728,000 and attracting a wave of new collectors, with nearly half of bids coming from younger collectors. Refik Anadol’s Machine Hallucinations – ISS Dreams – A led the sale, reinforcing AI’s growing presence in the art market despite ongoing criticism from artists who argue that AI models exploit their work. The controversy did little to deter buyers, signaling strong demand for digital art even amid ethical debates.
Haider Ackermann’s debut for Tom Ford was the talk—and the toast—of Paris Fashion Week.
Haider Ackermann’s debut for Tom Ford at Paris Fashion Week blended sharp tailoring with edgy leather pieces and sultry eveningwear. Models in slicked-back hair and dark lipstick took to the runways in biker jackets, silk gowns, and glittering pastels, evoking both decadence and rebellion.
Today’s attractive distractions:
Sotheby’s will auction Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant’s first game jerseys.
A detailed account of how gorpcore found its rhythm in women’s fashion.
For its triennial, the Cooper Hewitt turns its focus on the home.
Miu Miu will make an appearance at Salone del Mobile—to stage a literary club.
