The shortlist for the sustainability-focused Prix Pictet photography award has been announced.
The Prix Pictet photography award has announced the shortlist for its 2025 edition, centered on the theme “storm.” The selected projects tackle a broad range of environmental and social upheavals, comprising climate disasters, political unrest, and human resilience in the face of catastrophe. Highlights include Alfredo Jaar’s haunting images of the shrinking Great Salt Lake, Belal Khaled’s portraits of survival in Gaza, and Camille Seaman’s dramatic supercell storms across the American Midwest. The winner will be revealed in September at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
A guitar given to the Met from the collection of Dirk Ziff may have been stolen from Mick Taylor.
A 1959 Sunburst Les Paul guitar recently donated to the Met by collector Dirk Ziff may have been stolen from former Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor. Taylor’s manager says the guitar was taken during a 1971 burglary in France and that Taylor was never compensated for its loss. The instrument, once owned by Keith Richards and reportedly sold to Taylor, reappeared in the Met’s press materials this year after more than 50 years. The Met has not commented on the claim or the guitar’s provenance.
Akon addressed misinformation about his Senegalese development, Akon City.
Akon dismissed recent reports that his Akon City project in Senegal has been called off, describing the development as “under attack” and the subject of widespread misinformation. He reaffirmed his commitment to the city, which he previously envisioned as a high-tech hub for Africa powered by cryptocurrency. Although only limited construction appears to have taken place so far, Akon said the project remains underway and is part of his broader goal to support African development.
Inditex will revive Lefties—formerly a Zara outlet—to compete with fast fashion in France.
Inditex will reopen its low-cost label Lefties in France, more than a decade after closing its initial stores there. Originally created as a Zara outlet, Lefties now competes directly with ultra-fast fashion players like Shein, offering basics such as dresses and jeans for under €13. The expansion is part of Inditex’s broader strategy to reach younger shoppers and test Lefties in new international markets. Additional brand rollouts include Bershka in Denmark and Zara Man in Los Angeles.
Thousands are flocking to Aix-en-Provence in the name of Cézanne-focused art tourism.
Aix-en-Provence is drawing large crowds this summer thanks to “Cézanne 2025,” a citywide celebration of its most famous native, Paul Cézanne. At the center is a major exhibition at the Musée Granet, featuring 130 works and restored murals from his family home, Jas de Bouffan. Visitors can trace Cézanne’s evolution across the landscapes and studios he once inhabited, even as new developments near Mont Sainte-Victoire threaten the settings he immortalized. The program raises questions about how much place matters in understanding an artist, and what is lost when that place changes.
Today’s attractive distractions:
Louis Vuitton now has Labubus of its own, thanks to Pharrell.
Even during the summer, there’s art to be seen in New York.
Concrete bunkers are getting trés chic; just look at this one.
Here’s a birds-eye view of what’s plaguing the art market this season.
