Latest news with #NuitBlanche
Winnipeg Free Press
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Playful creations conjured by friends on either side of studio wall
For more than a month, visual artist Takashi Iwasaki and artist/designer Joseph Kalturnyk worked on their joint exhibition Halcyon / Kawasemi together, but apart. In the galleries at Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art, the longtime friends and Nuit Blanche collaborators created art in their own spaces, knowing the other was just on the other side of the wall. 'It was really fun,' says Kalturnyk, who is the founder of RAW: Gallery of Architecture and Design and the designer behind the RAW:almond pop-up restaurants. PHOTOS BY MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Joseph Kalturnyk's installation, Kawasemi, gives one the sensation that they are inside one of Takashi Iwasaki's Halcyon works. 'While Takashi's bending the wood and making his piece over there, I was in here, and I could say, 'Hey, check this out — what do you think?' It's like having a studio partner.' Iwasaki says he appreciated being able to draw on Kalturnyk's skill set, which is different from his own. 'He's got this architectural background, he was a contractor in the past, so he has lots of skills in building things and certain manoeuvres that I can't come up with,' says Iwasaki, who was born in Japan and moved to Winnipeg in 2002 and earned a BFA at the University of Manitoba. 'So when I ask questions, it's instant for him, and maybe vice versa in some instances.' But despite being created independently, both sides of the exhibition sit in conversation with each other. Halcyon is a retrospective of Iwasaki's art, with works from as early as 2005. His practice spans artistic mediums — oil paint, sculpture, embroidery, woodworking and ceramics — but the pieces that compose this exhibition are all united by two things: bold, riotous colour and a sense of play. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Takashi Iwasaki (right) and Joseph Kalturnyk checked in on each other while creating. 'I like things that are uplifting for myself and for the viewers, too. And organic shapes, biomorphic shapes rather than rectangles,' Iwasaki says. Indeed, the only square or rectangle you'll encounter in Iwasaki's work is the frame. 'I like the idea of organic shapes. I think that's something I really feel connected to, and probably it's the same for a lot of people. And sometimes it's also technical too. (Organic shapes) are technically challenging. Straight lines are easy to make,' he says. He references the famous quote from renowned 19th-century architect Antoni Gaudi: 'The straight line belongs to men, the curved one to God.' 'I don't maybe use the same connection, but I feel something closer to that,' he says. PHOTOS BY MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Despite being created independently, works by Takashi Iwasaki and Joseph Kalturnyk sit in conversation with each other. Iwasaki's sense of humour is everywhere. There is a curvy, free-standing sculpture painted in ocean blues he simply calls Floor Lamp since, very technically speaking, that's what it is. But it also looks like it could be found growing in a coral reef. He's not a landscape artist in the traditional sense, but his works look like landscapes you might find in the clouds, in outer space, under the sea or under a microscope. There's a liminal, floating quality to them. But he's also full of surprises, such as the large-scale lattice screens created using traditional Japanese woodworking methods. Those pieces are almost the inverse of the others: clean, grid-like lines, but they are framed out in ovals. The embroidered works are the most whimsical. Iwasaki picked up embroidery in art school and stuck with it — not only for its meditative qualities but the fact that, unlike paint, thread is already dry. Embroidery is also easy to pick up and put down as well as being incredibly portable, attractive qualities when, like Iwasaki, you have two young kids vying for your attention. PHOTOS BY MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Artist Takashi Iwasaki (right) and artist/designer Joseph Kalturnyk are longtime friends and Nuit Blanche collaborators. Through neon-hued embroidery floss, Iwasaki can transform a mundane scene into abstract art. His 2009 embroidered work Haremeazorekenoboushi, for example, was inspired by a pal navigating a cold day. 'A friend of mine came with a ponytail. She had a fur hat and skinny jeans, and it was winter, and her one ear was red, but the other was blue. This is her teary eye,' he says, pointing to what looks like a small bird. Each of these elements exists separately from each other in black negative space. The ponytail looks like a tentacled figure, or the nipped-waist of a parka-clad woman wearing one red mitt and one blue one. The skinny jeans appear as bright turquoise slashes, extending upwards from a mint green eye with a pool of swimming-pool blue tears about to spill over a hot-pink lid. 'The colours are not realistic,' Iwasaki deadpans. Kalturnyk's installation Kawasemi gives one the sensation that they are inside one of Iwasaki's works. 'I felt like it would be really, really amazing to see one of his little figures in three dimensions, kind of floating in midair,' Kalturnyk says. And so, using UV light and little tabs of neon fluorescent tape, Kalturnyk created a three-dimensional shape suspended on a rotating spool of cords inspired by a Japanese folk tale about a Kawasemi (or Kingfisher) bird. For the designer, creating Kawasemi offered him a chance to use a different part of his brain. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. 'I don't get to spend a lot of time in that (space). Most of the time, you come up with the concept, and you spend a bit of time refining it, and then the rest is just running around to get it done.' The installation was intended to be spun by hand. Here, it revolves on its own and can be viewed from the street. 'We adapted it for this show to be motorized, so that at night we can open up the curtains and it's a show for the cars,' Kalturnyk says. You can't take the public art out of the public artist. Halcyon / Kawasemi is on view until late July. 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.
Local France
06-06-2025
- Local France
Americans in France: Tax deadlines, French summer fun, and where to buy a second home
Welcome to The Local's "Americans in France" newsletter for members, featuring all the news and practical information you need as an American resident, visitor or second-home owner in France. You can sign up to receive it directly to your inbox before we publish it online via the link below. Dear Americans in France, Les grandes vacances (or the summer school holidays) are fast approaching in France. While this means that summer fun is on the horizon and French tax season is over, don't forget that the IRS gives Americans living overseas an automatic extension until June 15th to file their US tax return. You can request an additional extension to October 15th if you need it. If you are worried you filed your US and French taxes in the wrong order - do not fear. Tax expert Jonathan Hadida has some advice for those who find themselves in this situation. Advertisement Away from taxes and onto the beach! I have a couple of tips for how to maximise your summer holidays in France. My first piece of advice is to look into the SNCF special annual holiday discount plan . Basically, this allows people to get a one-time 25 percent discount on train tickets. The idea is to help you pay for summer travel, and it's available to everyone; you just have to be willing to sit down and apply for it in advance. If you can't swing it this year, it's worth adding to your to-do list for summer 2026. My second tip is to do summer like the French, and by that I mean, enjoy the seasonal festivals . Summer truly is festival season here in France, and as early as June, you have some of the best (free) events like Nuit Blanche in Paris (where museums and cultural centres stay open all night) and Fête de la Musique, where every French town turns into a concert venue. My third tip is to check out your local municipal pool. I cannot speak for the entirety of France, but my experience with municipal pools in western France and Paris has been fantastic. I am consistently amazed by how affordable, well-kept, and clean the swimming pools are. I'll be spending a few weeks in Maryland this summer, and I was shocked to see the entry prices for municipal pools. Safe to say it was much more than the €3.50 I am used to paying in Paris. If you are feeling brave, you might consider jumping into the Seine this summer (in one of the three dedicated swim areas , of course). Here at The Local, we have been busy introducing two new series. The first is on buying a second home in France . I spoke with real estate experts and readers to put together seven articles covering everything you need to know about buying your dream French house/apartment, whether that is in Paris, Brittany, the south-west or the Riviera. Advertisement One of the real estate experts I spoke with - Alexander Kraft, the chairman and CEO of Sotheby's International Realty for France and Monaco - had noticed some recent trends in the French property market . He said that he has seen "more American buyers in the last six months than in the past five years", and interestingly, they are coming from both sides of the political aisle. He had some useful tips for would-be buyers and sellers. With each edition of this newsletter, I like to remind readers that we love to hear from you. You can give your best tips for other Americans in France or ask us questions via our ongoing survey . We've also tried to nail down a clear response to one reader's question about whether or not it's "legal to work remotely for US clients while residing in France on a visitor visa." I started to tackle this thorny question in the previous edition of this newsletter, but since then, we have received more clarification. Confusingly, the 'visitor' status requires people to promise they will not 'work in France', but the meaning of 'work in France' has been up for debate amongst legal experts. Advertisement We can now say with confidence that both French tax and social security authorities consider any work done on French soil to be income earned in France. We'll continue trying to untangle this web, so you can keep an eye out for the rest of the series in our ' Remote working in France' section . Another point I've noticed readers mention over the years is the idea that France still has 'the Napoleonic code in force '. This sounds quite draconian and startling, but in reality, it may not be as shocking as it sounds. And finally, if you don't have a summer of French fun planned, you can still live French culture via French cinema. I tried to put together a list of the French films that are most popular with Americans, but I was surprised to find the category of 'French film' to be broader than I was expecting. By some metrics, the best 'French films' are those belonging to a certain Liam Neeson thriller franchise. Thanks for reading, and as always, you can reach me at
France 24
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- France 24
'Nuit Blanche': Art after dark in Paris's beloved all-night festival
France 07:07 Issued on: 07:07 min From the show Paris's annual Nuit Blanche, taking place on Saturday June 7, has become a much-loved art festival in the French capital, with thousands meandering the city's streets from one art exhibit to another. In this edition, we discover how it came about, learn about the origins of its name and take a quick look at other beloved night-time festivals in France. A programme produced by Amanda Alexander, Marina Pajovic and Georgina Robertson.
Local France
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Local France
Everything that changes in France in June 2025
Strike threats CGT-Chéminots, the largest trade union representing workers at France's national rail service SNCF, has called for more strike action on June 4th, 5th and 11th. READ ALSO French rail union calls for more strike action in June It's not clear at this stage exactly how disruptive this will be - previous strike action around the May 8th holiday weekend saw roughly 90 percent of train services running as normal - but you can find the latest details in our strike section here . Dreyfus Parliament will debate a proposal to posthumously promote Alfred Dreyfus to the rank of Brigadier General. READ ALSO French lawmakers want Dreyfus promoted 130 years after scandal Pride month The month of June marks Pride Month for members of the LGBTQI+ community. Pride parades (or marches des fiertés in French) are set to happen across France. Paris' Pride parade - on Saturday, June 28th - is the largest, attracting thousands of participants and spectators. Advertisement Anjou Festival The second-biggest outdoor theatre event in France kicks off on June 3rd and runs to June 28th. Details of the full programme of dramatic events are here . Summer is a good time for festivals in France, here's our pick of 29 of the best festivals in summer 2025 Nuit Blanche On June 7th, Paris will celebrate its annual Nuit Blanche, when venues across the capital stay open all night and free indoor and outdoor cultural events across the city. D-Day June 6th marks the anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France. Throughout the month, there will be several events to commemorate the event, in addition to official ceremonies on the day. Tennis The finals of the Roland-Garros tournament take place on June 7th and 8th. Tax declaration deadlines Inhabitants of the French départements numbering 60-96, as well as the overseas territories, must turn in their French tax declarations by 11.59pm on June 5th. Residents of all other départements, as well as those who live outside France but have French income, should have submitted their declarations in May. READ ALSO French 2025 tax deadlines Property tax declaration If you've moved house in France or otherwise changed your status in the past year you may have complete another tax form - the déclaration d'occupation - and it must be submitted by June 30th (by 11.59pm if you're using the online system). READ ALSO Who is exempt from the 2025 French property tax declaration? Public holiday Monday, June 9th, is Pentecost, a public holiday for many – but not all – people in France. So, expect shops and public transport to operate different hours, and also – perhaps – a rush of traffic to and from holiday sites over the long weekend. READ ALSO Why do many in France work for free on Pentecost public holiday? Advertisement Petrolheads assemble The endurance-focused 24 Hours of Le Mans sports car race will be held on June 14th to 15th this year near the medieval town of Le Mans. Father's Day Father's Day is on Sunday, June 15th this year. Bordeaux wine festival Bordeaux is a name synonymous with wine – and the city holds its annual four-day festival celebrating all things grape-related from June 19th to 22nd this year. Along the quays of the Garonne, winegrowers and merchants welcome visitors to various pavilions for tasting stops taking in the gamut of white, red, rosé, claret and crémant… from the wines of Médoc, via Bordeaux whites, the various Côtes, Saint-Emilion, Pomerol and more. Advertisement Fête de la Musique Every summer solstice, France rings to the sound of the Fête de la Musique, in which towns and cities across the country enjoy a day of concerts, music events and street musicians. This takes place every year on June 21st, which this year is a Saturday. Olympic balloon After being a huge hit during the 2024 summer Olympic Games in Paris, the innovative cauldron, which carried the Olympic and Paralympic flames, will return to France's capital each summer. This year, its arrival coincides with the Fête de la Musique on June 21st. READ ALSO Olympic hot-air balloon set to return to Paris this summer Festival de Nîmes The Festival de Nîmes – which starts on June 22nd and runs to July 25th – brings modern music to the famous Roman Arena. This year's line-up includes Korn, London Grammar, Gims, Santana, and Scorpions. Find out more, here . Summer sales For the majority of the country, the summer sales (soldes d'été) will start on Wednesday, June 25th and will run until Tuesday, July 22nd. If you're in Corsica, you'll have to wait until July 9th for the sales to kick off. Exam time Pupils in troisième class at collèges in France will sit their brevet exams on June 26th and 27th this year. Those studying towards their baccalaureate face exams on June 13th (French), 16th (philosophy), 17th and 18th (speciality subjects), with the Grand Oral period starting on June 23rd and running to July 2nd. Flights BA will operate a new service London Stansted and Bergerac Dordogne Périgord airport. The service will begin on June 28th, 2025 and it will run on Saturdays. It's not the only new flight route due to start in June. READ ALSO New flights to and from France in 2025
Local France
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Local France
La Belle Vie: What to do in France this summer and the benefits of a 'microclimate'
La Belle Vie is our regular look at the real culture of France – from language to cuisine, manners to films. This newsletter is published weekly and you can receive it directly to your inbox, by going to your newsletter preferences in 'My account'. It seems to be a rite of passage for French interior ministers to talk a big game about how they will make the rules stricter for people applying for French residency or nationality. Most recently, interior minister Bruno Retailleau sent out a special kind of memo - called a circulaire - to préfecture and interior ministry staff about how they ought to interpret and apply the 2024 immigration law. In reality, the memo will not lead to sweeping changes, but it does mean that some enforcement of existing rules could be stricter moving forward. There is one thing that remains - the dreaded French citizenship interview. Personally, I found my interview to be quite challenging. The fonctionnaire who asked my questions wanted to know things like the date that the Banque de France was founded, as well as how I see a lasting impact from Napoleon in modern life (aside from the Code Civile). It's never too early to start preparing. QUIZ: Could you pass the French citizenship interview? For readers who are considering applying for French citizenship - if you ever decide to do so, prepare yourself for a long wait. The process is slow and it involves lots of time spent refreshing the ANEF timeline page. I was told that after the interview it could take anywhere from seven months to a year to get a final answer. At earliest, that would mean that this summer I'll get to host a 'citizenship party'. I don't want to get ahead of myself, but if everything works out I want to have a big fête where I invite every French person I know to cook a dish or dessert that is typical of the region they come from. On second thoughts, I might do this even if the citizenship thing doesn't pan out. There are plenty of other things to look forward to this summer in France, from time spent sipping rosé en terrasse to picnics at the local park. 9 of the best things about summer in France Summer festivals are another highlight of the year. While I am sad that I'll be out of town for the main nighttime culture event - Fête de la Musique - I am looking forward to celebrating Nuit Blanche. For those who are considering a trip to the capital region, I highly recommend scheduling it for the weekend of June 7th. Nuit Blanche is the one night of the year where museums stay open all night long. This year there will be films screened outside, as well as the usual nighttime art exhibits and shows. Advertisement 29 unmissable festivals and events in France this summer One of the big events in the French cultural calendar is the Tour de France. I am always surprised to learn how many viewers the Tour de France gets on television each year. I decided to tune in for the first time last year - at the behest of The Local Europe's editor, Ben McPartland - and while I enjoy the cycling, the best part to me is the stunning French countryside on display. The Tour de France route this year goes through Normandy and Brittany in western France. Then, it snakes through the central Auvergne region, down to the south-west and the Pyrenees, and back up through the Alps for a grand ending in Paris. Advertisement The race will pass right by the central French city of Clermont-Ferrand, which was in the news recently. The city's mayor has sounded the alarm bells about the ground being 'Swiss cheese'. Here's what that means. 'Swiss cheese': Why this French city is worried about sinkholes The Tour de France tends to go through more remote villages in France. Oftentimes, when I try to find an illustration image for an article of a small French town, there might be four or five photos, with half of them being from that one time the Tour de France passed through. This has been especially true every time I have looked for photos to illustrate villages or rural life in the sparsely populated Ariège département. REVEALED: Where are the most remote parts of France? And finally, one topic of conversation I have found comes up from time to time when discussing where to buy a home in France is the 'microclimate'. Of course, microclimates are real, but it is a selling point I have heard used for many different parts of France (more so than other countries). Advertisement Previously, I had heard assertions that Brittany has several microclimates, including the southern and comparatively sunnier Morbihan département. Most recently, I learned that many consider Nice to be a microclimate, and that includes the city's own tourism website. Does Nice really have a microclimate?
