Rafael Viñoly, the world-renowned Uruguayan architect who designed buildings including London’s so-called Walkie Talkie, has died aged 78. Viñoly’s death was announced by his son, Román, who described him as a “visionary” who leaves “a rich legacy of distinctive and timeless designs”. He established Rafael Viñoly Architects in 1983 and his work features in more than 600 structures around the world. He died in hospital, reportedly from an aneurysm, in New York City on Thursday. Román Viñoly said his father’s designs “manifested in some of the world’s most recognisable” structures and that he would be missed “by all those whose … Continue reading Famous Uruguayan architect Rafael Vinoly dies aged 78

A temple in the southern Indian state of Kerala has introduced a mechanical elephant to conduct its rituals. The initiative by authorities at Irinjadappilly Sree Krishna Temple in Thrissur district is part of their pledge to stop using live animals for any festivities. The model was donated by People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India and actress Parvathy Thiruvothu. They hoped this would help in holding events “in a cruelty-free manner”. Chained, saddled and decorated, elephants play an important part in temple festivals in Kerala – the state is home to about a fifth of the country’s roughly 2,500 … Continue reading India temple replaces elephant with robot for rituals

Many US newspapers including the Washington Post have dropped the long-running Dilbert cartoon strip after its creator made racist comments. In a video on YouTube, Scott Adams, who is white, said black Americans were part of a “hate group” and that white people should “get the hell away” from them. Mr Adams, 65, later acknowledged that his career was destroyed. He said most of his income would be gone by next week. Dilbert has been a mainstay of the funny pages of America’s newspapers, and features a put-upon office worker and a talking dog, who together take aim at the … Continue reading Dilbert comic strip dropped by US media over creator’s racist tirade

Art lovers in Miami looked on in horror on Thursday night, when a collector accidentally knocked a $42,000 sculpture by US pop artist Jeff Koons to the ground. She had tapped it with her finger, witnesses at the event said. The statue, one of Koons’ iconic Dog Balloons – smashed into tiny shards, and had to be swept into dustpans by gallery staff. The accident happened during the exclusive VIP-only opening night of Art Wynwood, a contemporary art fair held annually in Miami, Florida. Local artist Stephen Gamson told the Miami Herald he was admiring the sculpture, when an “older … Continue reading Visitor breaks iconic Balloon Dog sculpture in Miami

The historic centre of the Ukrainian port city of Odesa has been designated an endangered World Heritage site by the United Nations cultural agency, despite Russian opposition. Unesco said its decision recognised “the outstanding universal value” of the site. But Russia criticised the move, saying it was “politically motivated”. Known as the pearl of the Black Sea, Odesa has been bombed several times since Russia invaded Ukraine. Last year, residents rushed to protect the city’s monuments and buildings by covering them in sandbags. Speaking after the vote, Unesco director general Audrey Azoulay said the city’s designation as a World Heritage … Continue reading Ukraine’s Odesa designated Unesco World Heritage site

The mayor of Amiens, northern France, has asked Madonna if the city can borrow a painting previously believed to have been destroyed. The artwork – Diana and Endymion by Jérôme-Martin Langlois – was exhibited from 1878 but went missing during World War One. Mayor Brigitte Fouré now believes the renowned US pop star owns it. She said displaying the artwork would help the city’s bid to become the 2028 European Capital of Culture. Diana and Endymion was commissioned by King Louis XVIII of France for a room in the Palace of Versailles and was bought by the state in 1873. … Continue reading French city asks Madonna if it can borrow her painting of Diana and Endymion

Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has handed 22 artefacts looted in the 19th Century back to Nigeria at a ceremony in the capital, Abuja. The return of this set of Benin Bronzes follows a deal made earlier this year to transfer ownership of more than 1,000 of these precious objects. In July, Nigeria said it was the first time a European country had entered into this kind of agreement. Ms Baerbock said it was part of efforts to deal with a “dark colonia history”. Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, she added that it was an opportunity to right some of the … Continue reading Germany returns looted artefacts to Nigeria

A museum in London is closing one of its main exhibitions following concerns over “racist, sexist and ableist theories and language”. The Wellcome Collection says the Medicine Man display is ending after a 15-year run. Founder Henry Wellcome, who died in 1936, collected more than a million objects to give an insight into global health and medicine. The museum has marked the closure as a “significant turning point”. Controversial objects include a 1916 painting titled “A Medical Missionary Attending to a Sick African” which depicts an African person kneeling in front of a white missionary. The museum said in a statement … Continue reading Wellcome Collection closes ‘racist, sexist and ableist’ Medicine Man display

Alessandro Michele is relinquishing his role as the creative director of Gucci. The French group Kering, which owns Gucci among other luxury brands, announced his departure on Wednesday. Michele has held the role since 2015. In a statement, Kering’s chair and chief executive, François-Henri Pinault, thanked Michele for his seven-year tenure. “His passion, his imagination, his ingenuity and his culture put Gucci centre stage, where its place is,” he said. Kering has not revealed who will succeed Michele, who left with immediate effect. Championed by Gucci CEO Marco Bizzarri, Michele’s appointment from head of accessories to creative director in 2015 came … Continue reading Alessandro Michele leaves Gucci after seven years as creative director

A 1930s painting by Piet Mondrian has sold for $51m in a New York auction, a record for the artist’s work. The piece was last sold in 1983 for $2.15m, which is equivalent to $6.4m in today’s money. The head of impressionist and modern art at Sotheby’s, where the painting was auctioned, described the purchase as “a once in a generation occurrence”. An unnamed collector from Asia bought the artwork on Monday. Composition No. II is an example of the artist’s signature style. He is most recognised for his abstract, geometric and colourful grid designs that revolutionised the art world. … Continue reading Mondrian painting sells for record $51m at auction

The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka, a supernatural satire set amid a murderous Sri Lankan civil war, has won the Booker Prize. The Sri Lankan writer’s novel is about a photographer who wakes up dead, with a week to ask his friends to find his photos and expose the brutality of war. Camilla, the Queen Consort, presented the prize, and the author said it had been “an honour and a privilege” to be on the shortlist. Pop singer Dua Lipa was the star guest. The prestigious £50,000 prize, for a single work of fiction published in the UK … Continue reading Sri Lankan author wins 2022 Booker Prize award

A fire has damaged the enigmatic statues on Easter Island, with some of the charring said to be irreparable. An unknown number of the stone-carved statues have been affected by the blaze, Chile’s cultural heritage undersecretary said. Easter Island has nearly 1,000 of the megaliths, known as moai. They have oversized heads and generally stand about 4m (13ft) high. They were carved by a Polynesian tribe more than 500 years ago. The fire, which broke out on Monday, affected “nearly 60 hectares (148 acres)”, Carolina Perez Dattari, the cultural heritage official, tweeted. It is reported to have been started deliberately, … Continue reading Sacred statues damaged by fire at Easter Island