Opinion & reviews

Editorials, critical reviews, analyses, commentaries, and viewpoints on the contemporary art world.

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Art Theft at MuMe: Antonello da Messina Works Missing Amid Reflection on Famous Heists opinion-review
During the Ferragosto heist at the MuMe museum in Messina, four masterpieces by Antonello da Messina went missing: the Madonna with Child, the Angel Announcing, the Virgin…
Michael Ondaatje’s Early Work Reconsidered in New Yorker Essay opinion-review
In an essay featured in The New Yorker, the author contemplates the early literary contributions of Michael Ondaatje, prompted by Clint Bentley's reference to Ondaatje’s 1970…
Kyiv artist community Nahirna22 faces eviction after Russian strikes, Edward Akrout warns opinion-review
The Nahirna22 artist community at the Kyiv Institute of Automation is at risk of eviction after enduring two Russian attacks. A military strike on 28 August 2025 devastated…
Cristian Pirvulescu Criticizes Mungiu's 'Fjord' Palme d'Or Victory opinion-review
Romanian political scientist Cristian Pirvulescu, writing in Le Monde on August 19, 2026, argues that Cristian Mungiu's Palme d'Or-winning film 'Fjord' presents a politically…
Ukraine's Unwanted Priests: Sent to the Front, Some Never Return opinion-review
In an opinion piece for Der Freitag, journalist Gerd Meissner criticizes the Ukrainian government's treatment of priests from a church with ties to Russia. President Volodymyr…
Ines Reinisch's Documentary 'Salz und Wasser' Takes Viewers to Antarctica Aboard the Polarstern opinion-review
Directed by Ines Reinisch, who also served as cinematographer, 'Salz und Wasser' documents an Antarctic expedition aboard the German research vessel Polarstern. The film follows…
Spaziergang nach Syrakus Review: Charly Hübner's East German Journey Lacks Drama opinion-review
In 1982, Paul Gompitz, a waiter in Rostock played by Charly Hübner, dreams of traveling to Syracuse, Sicily, but is denied permission by East German authorities. His secret plan…
A 1938 Children's Book as Propaganda for the 1939 New York World's Fair opinion-review
The 1939 New York World's Fair, known as The World of Tomorrow, stands out as a hallmark of aggressive branding during the 20th century, crafted in response to the Great…
Der Freitag Opinion: Iran Peace Requires Sanctions Relief and Security Guarantees opinion-review
In an opinion article, Der Freitag, a German weekly, argues that for a lasting peace between Iran and the United States, the emphasis should be on lifting economic sanctions…
Benjamin Blanc Named Finalist for ACS Studio Prize Amid Uneasy Figurative Works opinion-review
French artist Benjamin Blanc, based in London, has reached the finals of the ACS Studio Prize, chosen by judges David Dawson, Sir Gabriele Finaldi, Philip Mould, and Viscountess…
Shatara Michelle Ford's 'Dreams in Nightmares' Follows Black Queer Artists on a Road Trip opinion-review
In her second feature, 'Dreams in Nightmares,' Shatara Michelle Ford tells the story of three Black women artists—Zuleka (Denée Benton), Tasha (Sasha Compère), and Lauren (Dezi…
Social Media Addiction: Mechanisms Well-Researched, But What's Next? opinion-review
An opinion piece from Süddeutsche Zeitung examines the psychological mechanisms that make users addicted to social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. It…
Henry Moore at Kew: Sculpture and Nature in Uneasy Dialogue opinion-review
John-Paul Stonard offers a critique of the exhibition Henry Moore: Monumental Nature, currently displayed at Kew Gardens until 31 January 2027. This showcase includes Moore's…
Paolo Sorrentino's 'Youth' (Ewige Jugend) – Film Review: Aging, Beauty, and Decadence at Davos' Schatzalp Hotel opinion-review
In 'Ewige Jugend' (Youth), Oscar-winning filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino brings together Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel at the Schatzalp hotel in Davos, drawing inspiration from…
The Directors Label: When Great Filmmakers Made Music Videos opinion-review
The Directors Label DVD series, published by Palm Pictures, collected seminal music videos by major filmmakers. Volumes devoted to Spike Jonze, Chris Cunningham, and Michel Gondry…
Gillian Anderson Stars in Splatter Comedy 'Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma' opinion-review
A review in the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung recommends the splatter comedy 'Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma' to horror film enthusiasts. The film stars Gillian…
Alexandra Munroe Reflects on 20 Years of the Guggenheim's Asian Art Initiative opinion-review
In an interview with ArtAsiaPacific, Alexandra Munroe, who has served as the senior curator of Asian art at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum since 2006, reflects on the Asian Art…
Marsupilami Film Success in France Questioned by Critics opinion-review
The film adaptation of the Marsupilami character has drawn more than six million viewers in France. The comedy, described as a crude slapstick farce, is the subject of a review…
How Queer Men Can Age Well: Jan Hoek on Mister Motley opinion-review
In an article for Mister Motley, Jan Hoek addresses the question of how queer men can age in a positive way, noting the rarity of older queer role models. The piece, part of the…
Cristian Mungiu's Palme d'Or Film Featured in Le Monde's Weekly Cinema Reviews opinion-review
Le Monde's film critics offer their weekly recommendations of new theatrical releases every Wednesday in La Matinale. The August 19, 2026 edition spotlights four titles: 'Fjord',…
Aleš Šteger's Subtle Plea: Listen Rather Than Opine or Missionize opinion-review
In an essay for the Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Slovenian author Aleš Šteger emphasizes the importance of listening rather than jumping to conclusions. He contemplates Slovenia's…
Adam Smith's 'Wealth of Nations' at 250: Lessons for Cultural Funding in Capitalism opinion-review
Marking the 250th anniversary of Adam Smith's 'The Wealth of Nations,' this opinion piece in the Neue Zürcher Zeitung's arts section revisits Smith's famous example of the…
NZZ reviews Emma Cline's 'In die Schweiz' and Tony Tulathimutte's 'Fiasko' opinion-review
A new review in the NZZ Feuilleton praises Emma Cline's novel 'In die Schweiz' for bringing a semblance of order to life's final days. The same article also examines Tony…
Literary Feud in Iceland Over EU Ties Explores Norse Myths' Global Reach opinion-review
Iceland is arguing about its relationship with the European Union, and the debate has become literary. The NZZ feuilleton explores the Nordic Middle Ages, referencing Wotan…
Yar Kirsanov's 'Memories of a Dream': Red, Desire, and the Pursuit of Dreams opinion-review
A critical essay by Wiktor V/R, the founder of creAtIva AI Art Book, has been released by Plataforma de Arte Contemporáneo, focusing on Yar Kirsanov's series titled 'Memories of a…
The Nightline returns to Melbourne: an immersive hotline of sleepless confessions opinion-review
The Malthouse Theatre's Bagging Room in Melbourne now hosts The Nightline, an engaging audio experience created by Roslyn Oades and Bob Scott. Attendees are seated at tables…
Der Freitag Opinion: AfD Is Not Yet Fascist, But Toxic Mix of Dangerous Forces opinion-review
In "The AfD is not yet a fascist party. But that doesn't make it any less dangerous," published in Der Freitag, Georg Fuelberth contends that it is overly simplistic and…
Kiran Desai's New Novel 'La solitudine di Sonia e Sunny' Marks Her First Book in 20 Years opinion-review
Kiran Desai makes her literary comeback with 'La solitudine di Sonia e Sunny', arriving two decades post her Booker Prize win for 'The Inheritance of Loss'. This 762-page Italian…
Werner Bischof's Meiji Shrine Snow Scene Examined in Doppiozero Essay opinion-review
In an essay titled "Il tocco lieve di Werner Bischof," published on doppiozero on August 19, 2026, authors Giampiero Comolli and Anna Stefi analyze a photograph taken by Werner…
Istanbul Grand Airport's Success Comes at a Cost, Says Monocle opinion-review
Istanbul Grand Airport (IGA) became Europe's busiest airport in July, handling 8 million passengers compared to Heathrow's 7.86 million. The single-terminal hub, which opened in…
Wangechi Mutu’s ‘The SeasSpirit’ Explores Precolonial Hybridity at Victoria Miro Venice opinion-review
Wangechi Mutu's exhibition titled 'The SeasSpirit' is on display at Victoria Miro Venice from July 18 to August 29, 2026. This showcase highlights the artist's paper works, where…
France’s New Law Targets Ultra-Fast Fashion with Environmental Charges and Ad Ban opinion-review
Beginning in September, France will increase environmental fees for ultra-fast-fashion brands such as Shein and Temu. Next year, a subsequent regulation will prohibit advertising…
Bode Spring 2027 Ready-to-Wear: Western-Inspired Looks and a Youthful Cast opinion-review
Emily Adams Bode Aujla presented Bode's Spring 2027 Ready-to-Wear collection, closing the Rodeo Bodeo chapter and unveiling a two-part narrative inspired by 1920s–40s imagery and…
Why Artists Should Price Small Works Higher: Sliding Scale Strategy opinion-review
This opinion piece from RedDotBlog addresses a common pricing mistake among artists: using a strict per-square-inch formula for small versus large artworks. It argues that linear…
BSO's Nelsons Exit Sparks Criticism Over Handling, Music Quality, and Corporate Turn opinion-review
On March 6, the Boston Symphony Orchestra stirred controversy by announcing that Music Director Andris Nelsons would not have his contract renewed following the 2027 Tanglewood…
Great Books Professor Discovers Dostoevsky's 'Brothers Karamazov' Alongside Students opinion-review
Matt Dinan, a 'Great Books' professor at St. Thomas University in New Brunswick, Canada, admitted in an August 17, 2026 New York Times opinion essay that he had not previously…
Alex Graham’s ‘The Devil’s Grin: Book One’ Gets a Fantagraphics Edition and ArtReview Review opinion-review
The Devil’s Grin: Book One, Alex Graham’s surreal comic series, is now available as a $29.99 softcover from Fantagraphics, collecting the first six issues of her self-published…
Markus Beckedahl Warns of Authoritarian Overhaul in German Intelligence Reform opinion-review
A proposed reform of Germany's intelligence services would vastly extend the authorities' powers, a shift that digital rights activist and netzpolitik.org co-founder Markus…
From Sheltered Youth to AfD: Seeßlen Probes Female Fascism in Europe opinion-review
In an article for Der Freitag, film scholar Georg Seeßlen investigates the emergence of right-wing extremism in Europe, focusing on figures like Alice Weidel, Giorgia Meloni, and…
DC's 'Lanterns' Delivers Gothic Superhero Mystery in Small-Town America opinion-review
The new DC series 'Lanterns' presents a grown-up, gothic take on the superhero genre, as reviewed by the Financial Times. The show balances wisecracking action with serious…

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