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Winnipeg Free Press
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Subversive curation
'Spill the tea' and 'time is a flat circle' might seem like modern neologisms, but they have deep, long cultural roots as evidenced in a pair of new exhibitions opening today at the Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq. Crying Over Spilt Tea, curated by Grace Braniff, assistant curator of art at WAG-Qaumajuq, was inspired by two idioms: 'spill the tea,' a phrase from Black drag culture that refers to the subversive sharing of gossip or the revealing of secrets — a.k.a. piping-hot tea, or 'T,' as in truth — and 'no use crying over spilled milk' which refers to the futility of getting upset over something that can't be changed or undone. A Matter of Time, curated by Nawang Tsomo Kinkar, TD curatorial fellow, explores the concept of spiral time, the idea that time, despite having the tidy grid of the modern calendar imposed on it, is non-linear and cyclical. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Curators Nawang Tsomo Kinkar (left) and Grace Braniff at a preview of the two new shows Crying Over Spilt Tea and a matter of time, both of which display works from Winnipeg Art Gallery's vast collection. Both exhibitions draw from the gallery's nearly 30,000-piece permanent collection. 'It is a lot to choose from,' Braniff acknowledges. 'My strategy is to try to narrow in on a very specific idea, and then do a survey of our collection and see what artworks fit in with that idea. And I think tea and gossip, they are very specific, but they're also universal experiences that everyone has a connection to.' When you walk into Crying Over Spilt Tea, you are immediately greeted by a massive wall of bone-china teaware, most of it from the United Kingdom. On the opposite wall is Afternoon Tea (The Gossips), a work by British painter Sir John Everett Millais. The painting shows three cherub-faced little girls (and a pet pug), leaning in close at a tea party, play-acting as grown-up women. But it also functions as a comment on how silly and non-essential gossip was (and is) treated by society — as in, a thing for little girls in bows — because God forbid women share their oral histories. 'Often feminized and racialized people have used gossip as a means to kind of confront authority or to share their own narratives and information outside of what the main conversation is all about,' Braniff says. 'This teaware, the pug — both imported into the United Kingdom from China — I don't think it's a coincidence that they're framed with these girls who are doing this 'frivolous' thing, like gossiping.' MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Curator Grace Braniff 's new exhibition, Crying Over Spilt Tea, at WAG-Qaumajuq draws from the gallery's huge permanent collection. In addition to the main themes of tea (and its cultural and colonial symbolism), gossip and truths, Braniff also wanted to explore the idea of virality. 'Because when we're talking about idioms, they take on this viral trajectory and through that virality, there's this disconnection, I feel, from their origins. And there, in its representations, we don't see that gesture to its places of origin or the places it was grown in,' Braniff says. She is referring to the now-viral phrase from Black drag culture that gives the exhibition its name and has been heavily co-opted online, but one could make the same argument about tea itself. Like the whisper networks of women before her using gossip to subvert the narrative, Braniff also uses subversion in her curation. On the flip side of the bone-china teaware display is Buffalo Bone China, a 1997 video/found-object installation by Hunkpapa Lakota filmmaker, photographer and performance artist Dana Claxton, whose centrepiece is a heap of smashed bone-china teaware on the floor. 'So, the things we see on the front wall we see back here, broken and crushed up. Dana Claxton was making a commentary on state-sanctioned extermination or eradication of buffalo as a means of control and oppression of Plains Indigenous Peoples,' Braniff says. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Curator Grace Braniff gives a tour of a vault at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. During that period in the 19th century, buffalo bones were shipped across the Atlantic to England, where they were made into bone china. Braniff says Claxton is teasing out the complicated history of that material, while also taking apart an item we might see as a simple teacup and exploring its full narrative. Crying Over Spilt Tea also includes numerous pieces of contemporary Inuit art, including Tarralik Duffy's 2023 work Red Rose, a repeating pop-art motif of Red Rose tea boxes, and Annie Pootoogook's circa 2001-02 coloured-pencil drawing The Tea Drinkers, which is also featured outside the gallery on a billboard at the corner of Sherbrook Street and Portage Avenue. For A Matter of Time, Kinkar leaned into the creative challenge of building a show out of a massive permanent collection. 'I think my approach has been a little bit more playful and about experimentation and creativity and seeing what is in the collection that hasn't been shown in a long time,' she says Circles and spirals figure prominently in the works on view, but not necessarily in the ways that are obvious; the room also makes use of curved inset walls, so the gallery space doesn't feel as angular. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Curatorial fellow Nawang Tsomo Kinkar says circles and spirals have surfaced across different time periods and cultures. The symbol of the spiral has surfaced across different time periods and cultures, Kinkar says. 'We can trace it back to the Neolithic era. It's also been found in rock carvings and Indigenous sites across the Americas. It's been utilized by artists in the later half of the 20th century, specifically in the United States who were involved in movements of abstract art and social art but they're also rooted in other global traditions of mark making,' she says. 'But one thing that I think remains constant, and one thing that the exhibition is trying to build upon, is that the spiral is steeped in deep symbolism.' There are a few entry points onto a matter of time — which is also by design — but if you come into the exhibition from Crying Over Spilt Tea, you'll be met by two juxtaposed works. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. Look up and suspended from the ceiling is Waiting for the Shaman, a 2017 work by Inuvialuk artist Maureen Gruben constructed from polar bear paw bones she has found over the years on beaches. The bones are arranged in concentric circles and encased in clear resin, giving it the appearance that they are encased in sea ice. A space has been left open in the circle for the shaman. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Curator Grace Braniff speaks about the new exhibit, Crying Over Spilt Tea, at the Winnipeg Art Gallery. 'She's really drawing here from aspects of traditional gatherings in Inuit communities that revolve around teaching and drumming circles, this aspect of being connected to community and being connected to Inuit ways of being, specifically ancestral time,' Kinkar says. Across from Gruben's work is an 18th-century fresco by Johann Januarius Zick, depicting angels in a spiraling swirl of clouds, a space left open in the centre for the Holy Trinity. It's meant for a church ceiling, but Kinkar has it displayed on a podium as if on an easel. 'I really wanted to have that effect when you come into the space through that entrance, looking up at Maureen Gruben and then being drawn to this circular wall with the gold, and then looking down here and being pulled and drawn to this imagery.' MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS A vault housing some of the Winnipeg Art Gallery's collection Jen ZorattiColumnist Jen Zoratti is a columnist and feature writer working in the Arts & Life department, as well as the author of the weekly newsletter NEXT. A National Newspaper Award finalist for arts and entertainment writing, Jen is a graduate of the Creative Communications program at RRC Polytech and was a music writer before joining the Free Press in 2013. Read more about Jen. Every piece of reporting Jen produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print – part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Yahoo
The lion cubs who came to tea: Chinese dining experience with big cats sparks concern
Lion cubs are being offered for cuddles as part of a four-course afternoon tea at a restaurant in China, sparking widespread concern for the animals' welfare. Pictures and video clips posted on China's WeChat and Weibo platforms show customers cradling the young lions as if they were babies. The Wanhui restaurant in Taiyuan city, Shanxi province, which opened in June, also features llamas, turtles, and deer on its Douyin page, China's equivalent of TikTok. According to the state-run Shanghai Daily, which reported on its official WeChat page, the establishment sells approximately 20 tickets daily for its 1,078 yuan (\$150) set menu, allowing patrons to 'snuggle' with the animals. Pictures and video clips posted on China's WeChat and Weibo platforms show customers cradling the young lions as if they were babies. (Getty Images/iStockphoto) "The service has raised serious concerns about legality and animal welfare," the English-language newspaper added. Reuters was unable to independently contact Wanhui. Online comments were mostly critical, saying the venture was dangerous and not good for the animals. "This is for the rich to play," said one Weibo user. "Ordinary people even can't afford to drink." Another user urged action by the authorities, adding, "The relevant departments should take care of it." The incident comes just after authorities investigated a hotel in June for offering a "wake-up service" starring red pandas, state media said. A Chinese hotel faced calls to stop its 'red panda wake-up service.' (AFP via Getty Images) The Lehe Ledu Liangjiang Holiday Hotel, a popular family resort in Chongqing, was called on by the local forestry bureau to stop one of its most popular services. Many guests are attracted to the hotel solely for its red panda wake-up experience. The service involves bringing one of the hotel's red pandas up to a guest's bedroom in the morning, allowing the panda to roam freely around the room and climb onto the bed. Reviews online for the resort showed guests checking in just so they can book the experience and get up close to cute, furry animals from the comfort of their hotel room.
The Independent
16-07-2025
- The Independent
The lion cubs who came to tea: Chinese dining experience with big cats sparks concern
Lion cubs are being offered for cuddles as part of a four-course afternoon tea at a restaurant in China, sparking widespread concern for the animals' welfare. Pictures and video clips posted on China's WeChat and Weibo platforms show customers cradling the young lions as if they were babies. The Wanhui restaurant in Taiyuan city, Shanxi province, which opened in June, also features llamas, turtles, and deer on its Douyin page, China's equivalent of TikTok. According to the state-run Shanghai Daily, which reported on its official WeChat page, the establishment sells approximately 20 tickets daily for its 1,078 yuan (\$150) set menu, allowing patrons to 'snuggle' with the animals. "The service has raised serious concerns about legality and animal welfare," the English-language newspaper added. Reuters was unable to independently contact Wanhui. Online comments were mostly critical, saying the venture was dangerous and not good for the animals. "This is for the rich to play," said one Weibo user. "Ordinary people even can't afford to drink." Another user urged action by the authorities, adding, "The relevant departments should take care of it." The incident comes just after authorities investigated a hotel in June for offering a "wake-up service" starring red pandas, state media said. The Lehe Ledu Liangjiang Holiday Hotel, a popular family resort in Chongqing, was called on by the local forestry bureau to stop one of its most popular services. Many guests are attracted to the hotel solely for its red panda wake-up experience. The service involves bringing one of the hotel's red pandas up to a guest's bedroom in the morning, allowing the panda to roam freely around the room and climb onto the bed.
Arab News
02-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
St. Regis Riyadh's GM wins Hotelier Middle East award
The St. Regis Riyadh has announced that their General Manager Marina Krasnobrizhaya has been awarded GM of the Year — Luxury Properties, Middle East by Hotelier Middle East, marking a defining moment in the hotel's remarkable journey of excellence and recognition. Since its grand opening, The St. Regis Riyadh has reimagined luxury hospitality in the Kingdom — seamlessly blending the storied legacy of the St. Regis brand with the cultural richness of Saudi Arabia. From its bespoke guest rituals to its refined design and exceptional dining venues, the hotel has become a symbol of elegance, sophistication, and modern prestige. Under Krasnobrizhaya's dynamic leadership, the hotel has emerged as one of the most celebrated properties in the region, earning multiple prestigious industry accolades, including: Best Luxury Hotel in Riyadh, Best New Business Hotel, Best Lounge in Riyadh for the iconic Stella Sky Lounge, and Best Afternoon Tea in the City, a tribute to The St. Regis signature ritual, elegantly reinterpreted in Riyadh. 'Each award reflects the hotel's deep commitment to curating unforgettable experiences, blending international standards with local artistry and spirit,' a press statement said. 'Whether it's an elevated business stay, a sunset at Stella Sky Lounge, or the celebrated afternoon tea in The Drawing Room, every detail is thoughtfully designed to honor the brand's heritage while resonating with today's sophisticated traveler.' 'Krasnobrizhaya's recognition by Hotelier Middle East is a testament to her visionary leadership and relentless drive to foster a culture of excellence. Her role has been instrumental in positioning The St. Regis Riyadh as a flagship of luxury in the Middle East and a benchmark for service innovation in Saudi Arabia's hospitality landscape,' the hotel said. 'As The St. Regis Riyadh continues to shape the capital's luxury narrative, this award marks not only an individual achievement but a collective triumph for the entire team that brings the brand's legendary legacy to life each day.' Located in the heart of the capital, the hotel is a landmark of modern elegance and Arabian grandeur. With its signature butler service, immersive rituals, and a dedication to exceptional service, the hotel is redefining luxury for the Kingdom's new era.
Condé Nast Traveler
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Condé Nast Traveler
How You Can Experience London Like a Local
Transcript Hi, I'm Sarah Allard, London local and travel expert. Now, the internet has plenty to say about what you should do when you're in my city, but not all advice is made equal. I'm here to take you beyond the tourist traps to the places that make London actually special. [bright music] [upbeat music] I feel like the cafe and bakery culture in London has, particularly over the last five years, just gone crazy. You can absolutely expect to see people queuing for maybe even up to an hour at their favorite bakery now. Let's see where the internet recommends we get some pastries. So I'm actually seeing quite a lot of Afternoon Tea. Afternoon Tea is a great shout, but it's not really something that a lot of us London locals tend to do. I might go for Afternoon Tea, maybe, if my mom is visiting. The Ritz is probably the most iconic spot that you can go, but if you really wanna get yourself immersed in local life, then I would totally recommend a bakery. [groovy music] Morning. How are you? [Server] I'm good, how are you? I'm good, thanks. I'd love a maritozzi. Thank you [laughing]. [groovy music] This is a maritozzi. So this is the reason why I love Forno and I think it's the best bakery in London. When you're in Forno, I feel like you see every type of Londoner. There's people that have just come in from a run. There's parents with kids, you've got people working, people meeting up, having a chat. [groovy music] What do you think makes Forno so popular? Why do you think you get these Saint and San-yous? I think part of the appeal is seeing the bakers create the goods, like in front of you, people are always taking photos, like walking to the bathroom. We see them like sneakily pull out their phone [laughing]. With the maritozzi we're like making all day long because we just sell out. So we always have the buns ready to fill with cream throughout the day. A maritozzi is basically like a bready bun. Brioche, yeah. Brioche bun. And then we make a Chantilly, which is a sweetened whipped cream and we just fill that in the center. [Sarah] So what do you reckon is like the maximum number of maritozzis you've made in a day? I think easily like 300 to 400. My Gosh. I dunno how you're supposed to eat one because... [Server] Oh yeah, that's... Is there a technique to eating one? Like no, but I've seen every way here. I've seen people like tackle it with a knife and fork. Some people just go for it. I don't think there is like a one way, but I really enjoy watching the customers struggle [laughing]. So there's really no pretty way to eat this, but I'm just gonna go for it. So good. [upbeat music] So London is often referred to as The Big smoke, but it's actually one of the world's largest urban forests. So let's see where the internet suggests that we go. Okay, I'm seeing a lot of Hyde Park. Hyde Park. Hyde Park. And you know what? Hyde Park is amazing. It's iconic park right in the center of the city. It's huge, but you won't find many locals there. Where you will find locals is somewhere like Hampstead Heath. Hampstead Heath isn't exactly a secret, but what you might not know about is this hidden structure tucked away in plain sight called The Pergola, and it's just covered in these beautiful vines and flowers. And on a day like today, it's just beautiful. [upbeat music] So there's a lot of different information out there about what this actually started life as. And some say that it started life as a pleasure garden in the 20th century for London's high society, which I kind of love. When you're here, you can just imagine people swanning around having drinks, chit-chatting. I love to think of it as that. Bearing in mind, we're in the city, it's so quiet here and you actually really feel like you are in nature. I can just hear the birds singing. You kind of get the little buzz of insects now and then, it's so peaceful. And the smell of the flowers, I wish you could smell it, it's just absolutely amazing. [upbeat music] One of the reasons I love the Heath so much is that you get these incredible views that you just don't get from the tourist traps. London I'm looking at you. The people watching here is so good and if you're lucky you can actually spot the odd celebrity or two. I've actually heard that Harry Styles walks his dog through here. [bright music] When it comes to art and culture, London is hard to beat. Our history combined with how multicultural London is, creates this incredible creative scene that people come from all over the world to experience. Let's see what the internet says we do for a bit of culture. I've seen the British Museum, Tate Modern, the National Gallery, all really great options. But if I had an afternoon to spend somewhere for a bit of culture, I would come to The Wallace Collection. It's super central. We're just moments from Oxford Circus here. So it's a really busy part of town, but actually you wouldn't know it from where we are right now. And it does feel like a bit of a hidden spot. [bright music] First of all, the gallery itself is so beautiful and that's before you've even got to the art on the walls. It's home to one of the most impressive fine art collections in the world. Some of this stuff dates back to the 14th century and one of the best parts about it, like a lot of the galleries in London, is that it's actually completely free to just come in and wander around. [bright music] The vibe of the gallery is so peaceful. You genuinely feel like you've snuck into someone's home and like you're looking at their private art collection. I like to come here in the afternoons. You often find that you might have the place to yourself just like I do now. I feel like every time I come here I discover something new. There's just so much to see. Now, I don't believe in ghosts, but it is said that some of the paintings here are haunted. I'll let you tell me which ones you think might be. [upbeat music] I don't think it's any secret that us Londoners love a drink. We are so spoiled for choice when it comes to amazing pubs, amazing bars, and the absolute best thing we love is drinking a pint in the sunshine. In fact, someone's even invented an app where you can track exactly which pubs have sun at exactly what time. So let's see where the internet thinks that we should go for a drink. So I'm seeing a lot of pubs in Central London. The ones in Central London are really, really good. But I think that coming to East London you're gonna have a far more authentic experience of what it's like to be a local in London. My top recommendation would be to come to Satan's Whiskers in Bethnal Green. [groovy music] So today I'll be joined for a drink by my friend Hannah. So Hannah is an amazing drinks writer. She's been writing about drinks for about six years it's been, and now got a really exciting gig writing for The Guardian. Yeah. As the drinks critics so everything from wine to beers to BuzzBallz. And cocktails. What a job. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. This is the menu of today. I kind of want to start with something sparkling. I love anything 75 and I also love cognac. [groovy music] Thank you so much. Of course. Oh my gosh. Cheers. Cheers. So good to see you. How was it? Oh, it's a lot stronger than I thought it was gonna be. Which obviously because it's got cognac in it. What do you think it is about Satan's Whiskers that the locals love so much? Well, I feel like you've kind of already answered the question, like this is a bar that is for locals. I mean, when we were up at the bar and we kind of noted that the menu is something that changes absolutely every single day. That was something, 'cause when it opened 13 years ago, like no one was drinking cocktails in Bethnal Green. And the daily changing menu gave locals a reason to come back. And since then they've won like pretty much every single award there is to be won of Euro bar in London. I've actually come here before and I've been sitting at the bar and someone's literally challenged me and said, Okay, gimme four ingredients that you like and I'll make you something. And there aren't many places in London where you can get that. Tell me a bit about like the drinking scene in London, how it's changed since you've been writing about drinks. Do you think that there's been a bit of a move away from super experimental types of cocktails? I always get asked at the start of the year about drinks trends for the rest of the year. And I think that the idea of trends, like whether it's in hospitality or food or drink or even fashion, it's this idea that it's kind of like out with the old in with the new. But I think the thing that I love the most about London drinkers and drinking establishments is like the sheer variety. And just because you, I dunno, for example, get into clarified tomato cocktails, it doesn't mean that you're gonna completely forget about orange wine or kind of like a dirty martini with blue cheese. Tastes are constantly expanding, evolving and I think it's such a treat to be part of such an experimental and diverse drink scene. [upbeat music] So whenever I'm traveling, going to a market in that place is one of my absolute favorite things to do. I think you really get to know the culture and the people really well. And I have to say that London does markets the best. Let's see what the internet thinks is the best market in London. So I'm seeing a lot of mentions of Borough Market and Camden as well. I love Borough Market. It's so iconic and there's some really incredible food places there to try. But it can be quite touristy and it gets super busy. I'd much prefer to hop on my bike and come here to Broadway Market. [upbeat music] I absolutely love Broadway Market. It is definitely one of my favorite places to come at the weekend. But you'll find it's gonna be bustling every day of the week. It's always full of interesting people and there are some really good snacks around. The shopping here is also really good and I feel like every time I come away from Broadway Market, I have something that I didn't know that I even needed. [upbeat music] One of my favorite stops on Broadway Market has to be the Broadway Bookshop. I come in here all the time and you can just get lost in here for ages and ages. Yes, we get lost a bit sometimes too if we get stuck on doing a bit of shelving and it's really satisfying, sort of arranging everything. During the week, we usually have our locals and we've got locals who've been coming for the whole 20 years and some of them have been, you know, crawling about on the floor when they first came in and now they've got jobs and girlfriends and boyfriends and stuff and they come in. It's really nice. The market is sort of bustling with every kind of world street food you can get. I just love bustle and I love people. That's why London's so wonderful. Everybody can just be who they are in London. [upbeat music] I think people think that British food is boring and bland. Maybe they just associate London with like fish and chips, which I love. But it's certainly not something that we eat every day. So let's see where the internet thinks we should be eating today. So I'm seeing a lot of pubs, a lot of Chippy's, some actually really good recommendations. But my top choice for eating in London has to be St. John. [upbeat music] Today, I'm so excited because I'm gonna be there with a restaurant icon, Trevor Gulliver himself. Wow. This is a strong start to the day [laughing]. Yes, yes. So, what do we have here, Trevor? [Trevor] This is a Fergroni. [upbeat music] Cheers. Cheers. They're very strong, but they are so good. It's just so refreshing and it just pairs perfectly with the meal that we're about to have. [upbeat music] So we have got roast bone marrow with a parsley salad and it just looks incredible. I mean, there's no dish in London like this, but I have to admit, I don't think I know the proper way to eat it. So Trevor [laughing], could you show us how you are supposed to... [Trevor] Yeah, I would take that with your fingers. [Sarah] You go for it as well. I'm just a bit of a... [indistinct] Little hole there, I'm just gonna get it all out there. [Sarah] Oh wow. Okay. You take the wet salt. Parsley salad. Very simple. [Sarah laughing] As good as it ever is. Yeah. Cheers to that. [upbeat music] what we have now is another one of my favorites, Welsh Rarebit, which is absolutely delicious. What's the history behind this one? Trevor, tell us a little bit about this. I'm gonna dig in 'cause I'm starving. I'm gonna tell you what to do, so... [Sarah] Oh yeah, please do. Okay. Good idea is you score the canals, so you can do it diagonally, be positive. And then you take your Lea & Perrins. I should say Worcestershire sauce. And just tip it so it runs down the canals. And then I would suggest that you could cut that into slices or fingers like [indistinct]. So what we would invariably do is just slice it. Once, whoever did the honors... [Sarah] Rarebit fingers, I like it. We would slice it into Rarebit fingers and munch it. If you're having a a glass of good cider at the bar or whatever. It's just so comforting. [upbeat music] The first time I came here, I smelled the Madeleines and it almost made me cry. It just really reminded me of like being at home. It's just so buttery and comforting. And this is another of the dishes that so many people associate with coming to St. John. Can you tell us a bit about where the Madeleines came from? Why Madeleine's? Madeleines are a finish. They're a thank you. You don't finish them. Put 'em in a bag, take home. Do you have Madeleine's every day? [Trevor] No, but I'll never pass up the opportunity to have Madeleine. Absolutely. So those are some of my favorite spots in London. I really hope you enjoyed them. Let me know what you think in the comments. [upbeat music]
