Artist Wael Shawky will preside over Art Basel’s new Qatar edition as artistic director.
Wael Shawky will serve as artistic director of Art Basel’s first Qatar edition, which opens in Doha in February 2026. The fair departs from the traditional booth model in favor of curated solo presentations tied to a central theme, with exhibitions staged across M7, the Doha Design District, and surrounding public sites. Shawky will oversee the curatorial framework and gallery selection, drawing on his deep ties to the region and interest in narrative-based, multidisciplinary work which highlights artists from the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and beyond.
Next month, Bonhams will host an exhibition and auction to mark the end of Downton Abbey.
Bonhams will host a public exhibition and online auction of costumes, props, and set pieces from Downton Abbey to mark the release of the franchise’s final installment in September. Running from August 18 to September 16, the event includes items like Lady Mary’s wedding dress, Lady Sybil’s harem pants, and Maggie Smith’s costumes, alongside memorabilia such as an autographed script and the Crawley family’s bell board. Proceeds from the sale will support the children’s charity Together for Short Lives.
After 20 years, Santiago Calatrava’s “Sail” sporting facility has been completed.
After two decades of delays, Santiago Calatrava’s “Sail” structure in Rome—originally intended for the 2009 World Swimming Championships—has been completed in time for the 2025 Youth Jubilee. The long-stalled project was revived with $94 million in public funding and now includes an open-air arena, updated infrastructure, and redeveloped public space.
Birkenstock has joined Prada and Crocs in taking legal action against knockoff factories in India.
Birkenstock has filed a lawsuit in Delhi High Court against multiple footwear traders and factories accused of producing and exporting counterfeit versions of its sandals. Acting on a confidential court order issued in May, legal representatives inspected suspected sites in Agra and New Delhi, seizing items deemed “cheap knockoffs.” The case follows similar legal actions in India by Crocs and Prada.
Microsoft is earmarking $4 billion to fund A.I. education in schools and nonprofits.
Microsoft will invest over $4 billion in cash, tools, and cloud services to support A.I. training for schools, colleges, and nonprofits. The effort includes launching Microsoft Elevate Academy to help 20 million people earn A.I. certificates, and backing new educational initiatives like Code.org’s “Hour of A.I.” The company aims to expand national access to A.I. education amid broader industry efforts to integrate chatbot technology into classrooms.
Today’s attractive distractions:
Chanel’s couture show was, according to Romy Mars, blessedly Labubu-free.
Ed Sheeran is making paintings now!
At his final couture week show for Balenciaga, Demna passed the proverbial baton.
Shigeru Ban’s paper log house has a new home.
