After six years of restoration, the first of Notre-Dame’s spire statues has been reinstalled.
Notre-Dame Cathedral has reinstalled the first of 16 restored spire statues, marking a major milestone in the six-year effort to rebuild the structure after the 2019 fire. The statue of Saint Thomas—patron saint of architects and modeled on 19th-century restorer Eugène Eugène Viollet-le-Duc—was lifted into place following a ceremonial blessing. The remaining statues, originally installed in 1861 and spared from the blaze by a matter of days, will be returned by the end of July as scaffolding comes down and restoration nears completion.
Tate is embarking on a fundraising spree to secure a $206 million endowment.
Tate has launched a campaign to raise a $206 million endowment by 2030, securing $59 million in early donations from individuals, foundations, and trustees including Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Manton Foundation. The Tate Future Fund aims to ensure long-term support for the museum’s exhibitions and research, marking a significant move toward financial independence rarely seen in U.K. cultural institutions. The announcement came during Tate Modern’s 25th anniversary gala, which raised over $1.3 million for its programming and educational work.
The collection of France’s most prolific Napoleonic art dealer fetched $9.6 million at auction in Paris.
The private collection of Pierre-Jean Chalençon—France’s most prominent Napoleonic art dealer—fetched $9.6 million at Sotheby’s Paris, far surpassing expectations. The 112-lot sale included imperial furnishings, rare documents, and personal effects like Napoleon’s underwear and a fragment of his will, drawing bids from museums and collectors alike. Though some items fell short, the auction confirmed strong global demand for objects tied to Napoleon’s personal mythology, even as reports surfaced that French tax officials may have intervened at the sale’s close.
Ai Weiwei will debut a new installation at Kyiv’s Pavilion 13 exhibition hall.
This fall, Ai Weiwei will debut a new installation at Kyiv’s recently reopened Pavilion 13, a Soviet-era glass exhibition hall renovated by local firm Forma. Titled Three Perfectly Proportioned Spheres and Camouflage Uniforms Painted White, the work combines mathematical forms inspired by Leonardo da Vinci with layered camouflage, using visual language to question how we perceive reality in times of war. Commissioned by Ribbon International, the piece marks Weiwei’s latest meditation on conflict, order, and concealment—unfolding in the heart of a country still under siege.
Denis Villeneuve,a self-proclaimed “die-hard Bond fan,” will direct the next 007 flick.
Auteur Auteur Denis Villeneuve—known for Dune,, Blade Runner 2049, and Arrival—, and Arrival—will direct the next James Bond film, marking a major shift as Amazon MGM Studios takes creative control of the franchise. A lifelong fan of the series, Villeneuve described the opportunity as both sacred and thrilling. Casting for the new 007 remains underway, with no release date confirmed.
Today’s attractive distractions:
After all that online noise, Sabrina Carpenter has dropped an alternate album cover.
Chappell Roan’s Met Gala look will be auctioned to benefit the Ali Forney Center.
At Paris Fashion Week Men’s, Saint Laurent paid tribute to a canon of queer art.
This artist’s paintings of faceless women offer an “absurdist commentary” on domesticity.
