WEEKEND WATCH: Blow-up by Michelangelo Antonioni (1966)
The Swinging Sixties, London: a popular fashion photographer who is bored and frustrated with his work, one day unwittingly captures a possible murder on film...
Michelangelo Antonioni's key idea was to show the blurred lines between reality and illusion, and to question the artist’s role in interpreting the world, which gave the film its philosophical depth.

Though the plot is interesting, what is more important is that beyond it lies a profound visual essay on the act of seeing — something every photographer, artist, and designer deals with. Blow-Up redefined how cinema engaged with contemporary art and fashion, influencing generations of visual creatives. From color composition to framing, each scene is a masterclass in visual storytelling.

Watch it not just as a film, but as a lens into the very process of creative observation.

#WeekendReco #WeekendInspiration #VisualCulture #Photography

Do you remember our overview of Labubu’s early rise, recalling how a set of 3 figures was sold at Sotheby’s back in 2021? Yesterday, the toy made headlines again — Yongle Auction House (Beijing, China) held the world’s first-ever Labubu auction, and the results were astonishing!

All 48 lots were sold, bringing in a total of about $520,000 (according to NBC News).
The top 3 lots:
— A 1,2 m tall mint-green Labubu for $170,000;
— A 1,5 m tall brown Labubu for over $130,000;
— "Three Wise Labubu" (the set of 3 figures we told you about last week) was sold for more than $80,000.

But here’s a question for you:
Do you think it’s appropriate to auction pieces like Labubu alongside traditional works of art?

#DAFESCulture #Labubu #VisualCulture #CreativeCommunity #AuctionHouse

Weekend Reading Recommendation:
This weekend, take time to explore "On Photography" by Susan Sontag — a collection of essays she originally published in "The New York Review of Books" in the 1970s.

More than a book about photography, it’s a profound reflection on how images shape our perception of reality, memory, and identity.

For creatives working with visual media — from designers and photographers to educators and curators — Sontag’s essays remain sharply relevant. She challenges us to think critically about the ethics of seeing, the power of representation, and the role of images in both personal and public life.

This read won’t offer easy answers, but it will transform how you look at the world and your work.

Have you already read it? Share your review in the comments!

#WeekendRecommendation #DAFESLearning #ArtAndDesign #VisualCulture #CreativePractice #WeekendReading

5 facts about Giorgio Armani:

1. From Medicine to Fashion
Before entering the fashion world, Armani studied medicine at the University of Milan. He left his studies to work as a photography assistant. This experience shaped his visual sensibility and understanding of composition.

2. A New Language of Style
In 1975, Giorgio Armani launched his own fashion house. Five years after he revolutionized fashion by redefining the power suit. His jackets blurred the lines between masculinity and femininity, setting a new standard for elegance.

3. Pioneer of Lifestyle Branding
Armani became one of the first designers to extend his name beyond clothing. His empire now includes Armani Casa (interior design), Armani Hotels, Emporio Armani cafés, an Armani luxury spa, and the Armani/Silos exhibition hall.

4. The Patron of the Arts
Since 1984, Giorgio Armani has made significant donations, which have helped restore iconic Italian sites, including the San Fruttuoso Abbey in Camogli and Villa Necchi Campiglio in Milan.

5. A Self-Made Billionaire
Armani remains one of the few designers who owns 100% of his company. This rare level of independence has allowed him to maintain a consistent aesthetic and vision over the decades.

#FashionHistory #GiorgioArmani