Discover inspiring stories in art, design, and architecture — from interior trends and urban planning to creative structures, visual arts, and sustainable innovations that redefine the way we live, build, and express ourselves.
Beneath one of the most magnificent Byzantine monuments is a ticking time bomb: the 55-meter-tall Turkish landmark Hagi…
Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional detective has taken on a life of his own, almost like a ghost rising from the séances the author once attended. The character now seems to…
The secret underground passages sketched in Leonardo da Vinci’s notebooks have finally been found — beneath Milan’s Sforza Castle. A team from the Polytechnic University of Milan, working with the…
Researchers at the Cyprus Institute (CyI) uncovered a male portrait hidden for centuries beneath Titian’s 1570 painting Ecce Homo (“Behold the Man”). This artwork depicts Jesus Christ before his crucifixion…
Art therapy uses art and creativity as a psychological intervention. This form of psychotherapy includes two main approaches: creative self-expression and the guided appreciation of existing artworks. Who developed this…
British artist Jane Crowther began her career in 1986 after studying illustration at Kingston Polytechnic. The money she earned as an artist barely covered living costs in London. To supplement…
For centuries, believers and travelers visiting the Sistine Chapel have marveled at the frescoes of Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475-1564), a master of the High Renaissance. Among these works is the fresco…
Art critics, beware: pigeons might steal your job. That’s thanks to a respected scientist who taught a flock of these clever birds to “understand” art. That’s Shigeru Watanabe, an honorary…
A joint Egyptian-American archaeological mission uncovered the upper part of a statue of Ramses II near the city of El-Ashmunein, at the site of the ancient city of Hermopolis in…
A team led by 3D designer Cicero Moraes has digitally reconstructed the face of Dante Alighieri (1265–1321), author of the “Divine Comedy.” The face of the man who described a…
Few things are more beautiful than tiny sea creatures shimmering in dark water in every color imaginable. As the sun sets over Florida and the sky and sea go black,…
These late-medieval frescoes were hidden beneath plaster for nearly 300 years in one of Cambridge University’s oldest buildings. The artwork, which honors the patrons of Christ’s College, was found in…
Leonardo da Vinci famously experimented with the materials he used to prepare grounds and paint layers. A new study has identified a mixture of toxic pigments in the iconic painting…
Famous artists often ran large workshops of students who helped create their masterpieces. So this story matters not just because an assistant may have worked on the painting, but because…
Artist and dollmaker Noel Cruz turned an unhappy childhood into a kind of fairy tale—and now he shares that transformation through his work. He grew up in a large family…
American jeweler and luxury designer Jay Strongwater (born 1960) has been creating beauty for over forty years. He works in a world of luxury objects: jewelry, figurines, furniture, mirrors, frames,…
A pair of psychologists in Chicago found that most people tend to remember the same artworks when shown a collection. Trent Davis and Wilma Bainbridge ran three kinds of experiments…
The Sistine Chapel, located in Vatican City, was built between 1473 and 1481. Many renowned artists of the time, including Sandro Botticelli, were invited to contribute to its frescoes, but…
At the start of her creative journey, American artist Carol Long chose a medium that is technical but rewarding: ceramics. She has never regretted the choice. Ceramics gave Carol a…
Thanks to advances in imaging and chemical analysis, researchers can now hunt for surprises in the paint of “The Night Watch” (1642). Recently, a team from scientific centers across Europe…
Every year, throngs of visitors flock to the Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague, the Netherlands, to admire Jan Vermeer’s masterpiece. Now art enthusiasts have the chance to become co-creators of…
German photographer Uli Westphal has spent several years working as both an artist and a researcher. Each time he strolled through the street markets of Berlin, he was captivated by…
This painting by French artist Henri Matisse, one of the leading figures of Fauvism, first went on display in 1961 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. It…
In 1976, ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” shot to the top of the UK charts and stayed there for six weeks. It’s widely regarded as one of the Swedish quartet’s best and…
Dale Chihuly has been blowing glass since the late 1960s. His delicate masterpieces—vibrant, dynamic, and filled with light—can be seen at exhibitions across the United States and around the globe.Recently,…
The story of a former stockbroker who swapped the city’s hustle for the imagined tranquility of tropical islands foreshadows downshifting—a conscious rejection of imposed values and a simplification of life…
Virginia di Castiglione (1837–1899) would’ve been better off born a century—or even 150 years—later. Her talent for modeling and appetite for self-promotion would have been in higher demand then: magazine…
The twists of fate and the tragic end of the 37-year-old outcast with an easel have only added to the value of his legacy. After his death, the mentally troubled…
Plautilla Nelli (1524–1588) has re-emerged in conversations about reviving the legacies of women artists who were unjustly forgotten—often sidelined in a male-dominated art world. Some critics argue the recent spotlight…
Surrealism was an art style and way of life embraced by an eccentric genius who fascinated the public and psychiatrists alike. The theatrical performances of this dreamer, provocateur, and oddball…
The creator of “The Thinker,” “The Burghers of Calais,” and “The Kiss” reinvented how artists depict the human body. What exactly makes his images unique, and why did patrons often…
Childhood works by William Blake (1757–1827) had long been hidden from researchers in the Bodleian Library at the University of Oxford. The artist bequeathed the engravings to the library in…
If you’ve ever wondered why so many ancient statues are missing their noses, you might have assumed time is to blame. In many cases, that’s true. “The statues we see…
This kind of urban landscape exists only in dreams—for now. Its creator, New Delhi–based architect and designer Manas Bhatia, believes his surreal skyscrapers will one day become reality. His latest…
One of the biggest challenges for a power grid dominated by clean energy is the unpredictability of certain renewable sources. Sometimes, when solar energy is needed, clouds roll in, or…
After nearly half a century, capsule hotels are being completely reimagined. It’s not budget alone that draws travelers — in some cases these tiny rooms can be surprisingly pricey. Many…
The cubic skyscraper Mukaab — not the tallest, but planned to be the most massive building in the world — could theoretically hold the equivalent of 20 Empire State Buildings.…
Tropical plants wrap around towering columns and cascade from lofty overhangs. Guests relax around a lagoon-like pool, seeking refuge from the scorching midday sun. The spacious terrace, adorned with a…
The Franck Muller Aeternitas Tower, soaring 450 meters, is set to become the world’s tallest branded skyscraper designed for permanent residence. The building’s roof will feature a massive clock by…
This change is driven by efforts to protect the environment. Who would have thought that opening a plastic bottle could ruin your mood for an entire week? What was once…
Heatherwick Studio has unveiled designs for the new Hanwha Galleria shopping center in Seoul, a city known for architectural innovation. The concept features two symmetrical hourglass-shaped buildings with romantically lit…
As organizers prepared for the Paris Olympics, they aimed to host the most environmentally friendly Games in history. The purple running track stands as a testament to how they tried…
A new stamp for the Paris Olympic Games isn’t just visually appealing — it actually smells like a baguette. The stamp was unveiled on May 16, coinciding with the feast…
British firm Heatherwick Studio designed a new school of design and creative space for students at Ean University in Bogotá. The studio, with offices in London and Shanghai, is known…
Renowned British architect Norman Foster has unveiled plans for a $1 billion office tower in Hollywood. The Los Angeles skyscraper, designed by Foster + Partners, is already capturing the attention…
Mercedes-Benz, in collaboration with Dubai-based developer Binghatti, has unveiled a new landmark for the city. Called Mercedes-Benz Places, the residential skyscraper will stand 341 meters tall and rise in the…
Rafael Viñoly Architects has revealed plans for a new terminal at Florence’s Amerigo Vespucci Airport — and the roof will host a real vineyard. The firm says the terminal’s design…
The design of the medals resembles the iconic luxury jewelry that has made this French jewelry house famous. The sunbeam pattern is reminiscent of Chaumet’s creations from the early 20th…
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