A SUMMARY OF THE MOST EXCITING ART NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
While we focus on Indian art, we can’t obviously function in a vacuum. It’s a small world and everything is connected, especially on the web. So, let’s train our spotlight across the world map to see what’s going on — from art trends to socio-political issues to everything that affects the great aesthetic global consciousness. Or, let’s just travel the world and have some fun!
He transformed cakes into symbols of joy
His “luminous” paintings of cakes, gumball machines, and other symbols of mid-century Americana made him one of the country’s most recognizable and beloved artists — Wayne Thiebaud died on Saturday, December 25 at 101. His death was confirmed by his longtime gallery, Acquavella in New York. Thiebaud drew as much from Abstract Expressionism as Pop art. His art also invited comparisons to Edward Hopper, who infused snapshots of American life with pathos. Earlier this year, two paintings by the artist — a landscape and a portrait of a woman toweling her face — sold for $9.8 million and $8.4 million respectively. Artnet News writes a comprehensive obituary.
AI-powered art app lets you paint — with words
Wombo, a Canadian startup which grabbed earlier eyeballs for its eponymous AI-enabled lipsyncing video app, recently launched another app, called Dream (iOS and Android), which uses AI to create original “artworks” — based on a text prompt. You simply describe what you want it to paintm pick a style from the selection offered or opt for “no style”; and hit create. You even get to see a glimpse of the AI at work, as the app shows the modelling’s rapid-fire evolution. As soon as a fresh artwork appears, the app wastes no time in trying to sell it! By the end of last month more than 10 million images had already been generated by users. TechCrunch reveals all the details.
How Banksy’s \’Spraycation\’ artwork is being protected
In August this year, people flocked to see pieces created during Banksy’s \”Great British Spraycation\”. The artist, whose true identity remains a mystery, claimed responsibility for the work found in Great Yarmouth, Gorleston and Cromer, Norfolk and in Lowestoft and Oulton Broad, Suffolk. Subsequently, local authorities funded measures such as security patrols and clear sheets to protect them, saying the cost was \”justified\” due to the interest they generated. It has emerged that about £20,000 was spent by three councils to protect Banksy artwork that appeared at various locations along the coast. The BBC tells you more.
