Gucci's latest Fall/Winter 2020 season advertisement campaign discusses the concept of looking at something from a different perspective. Titled "The Routine," the photos show the Gucci models' everyday lives in the comfort of their own homes. The intimate photos and video clips, captured by the models themselves, represent a diverse cast of characters, offering a deeply personal, frank and authentic collection of self-portraits. 

Knitting, gardening, washing, jumping off a bed or skateboarding indoors are seen on the Gucci models. Such hyper-real photos show residents who are free to use their creativity to have fun and explore, being their own artists, storytellers, producers and scenographers. The playful campaign video, which evokes a powerful sense of freedom and joy, has been set to the song "Alright" by Supergrass. While the photos were recorded on a variety of devices ranging from disposable cameras to mobile phones, an emotional dreamlike quality was exuded during the visual experiment. 

"I wanted to let the clothes fly to the houses of cast models – the characters that have embodied my stories for years; I selected individuals specifically, over time, because of their individuality, which typically brings my campaigns to life," explained Creative Director Alessandro Michele. "I asked them to reflect their idea of themselves, to go public with it, to form the poetry that goes with them. I was encouraging them to play and improvise with their lives. 

"The unrealistic hyper-naturalism that I've always tried to convey comes out even more authentically and beautifully now," he says. "In fact, the overturning produces a paradoxical effect: the loosening of control created a narrative that seems to transcend my own capacity to construct fiction in strength. I am grateful for this creative experiment, because it has restored the power of my dream."

Take a closer look at the Fall/Winter 2020 campaign below.

In other news, Following his recent Spring/Summer 2021 showcase, Rick Owens unveiled a pair of white bondage-wrapped hi-tops. 

GUCCI'S FW20 CAMPAIGN: A DEEPLY PERSONAL SERIES OF SELF-PORTRAITS.

The Norwegian government has begun to tear down the Y-Block building in Oslo, Norway, featuring Pablo Picasso's massive murals. The government building had been damaged by the rightwing extremist Anders Breivik in the 2011 terrorist attack. The government announced plans in 2014 to relocate both of the concrete murals and to demolish the building itself as part of a massive rebuilding project. The decision has since caused an outcry on the part of preservationists, campaigners and politicians. Even the New York's Museum of Modern Art has joined the battle to save the murals, urging officials to "reconsider the demolition decision approval." 

The Norwegian government began deconstruction of the landmark Y Building on Monday. The 250-ton sandblasted façade design called The Fishermen and the 60-ton lobby piece called The Seagull were stored on site while the building was being torn down. In the new modern building, which is expected to be completed by 2025, those will be finally installed. As it's been noted by a representative of the Norwegian Directorate for Public Construction and Property, about five demonstrators protested against the demolition in person on Tuesday. 

Olso's School of Architecture and Design's professor of architectural history and theory Mari Hvattum, told Artnet News that demolition is "a massive mistake" and that "the relocation of Picasso's artworks will do nothing to rectify this mistake." Those who condemn the demolition of the building and the removal of the site-specific works believe that murals will not have the same significance if they are separated from the original environment. Those who support the demolition say it's for the site's safety, which is directly on top of a traffic tunnel.

*Back in February, officials from the Norwegian government approved the demolition of the Y-Block building in central Oslo featuring two murals by Pablo Picasso and the Norwegian artist Carl Neja. 

In other news, Rick Owens isn't into doing anything halfway. The Paris-based California-born designer is known for some of the most controversial and envelope-pushing concepts in the fashion industry, with runway shows to suit. Yet Spring/Summer 2021 "PHLEGETHON" is another matter. The line, closely lensed by Owens himself, is a selection of repurposed pieces from the previous collections of Owens, accompanied by new designs and concepts.

What happens to a mural when its context is destroyed?

PICASSO MURALS REMOVED FROM NORWEGIAN BUILDING AFTER YEARS-LONG DEBATE

Photographed in St. Tropez on the southern coast of France by artistic director Hedi Slimane, the campaign highlights the Celine house's latest Plein Soleil collection. The young model offers an effortlessly cool energy coupled with a natural beauty that fits perfectly with the last days of summer feeling. Slimane captures her in his black-and-white signature style, seeking a sense of soft harmony between his subject and the surrounding wildflowers and trees. 

Though understated and softly stunning, the campaign forms a significant moment for Celine. Recently, Hedi Slimane faced criticism and accusations of racism, and his personal instagram account – which consists of his creative work and does not feature a single non-white person – was pointed out as clear evidence. Celine's account is faring a little better. Especially in the reign of the Black Lives Matter movement, concerns were raised about whether there was no deep tension between what Celine values as a brand, and who its creative director is as an individual and artist. 

This campaign is only a beginning to rectifying those issues, but it is a beautiful one. The presence of black models and other people of color should be a norm, not something that needs to be celebrated, so it's awesome to see these Mombot images so naturally and beautifully integrated into Celine's existing aesthetics. She's a young model and a fresh face – this is her first big campaign, and it appears to be one of her best ever ads – and Celine has helped her make a beautiful first impression. We are superexcited to see where her career is heading, and hoping to see more progress from Celine.

Essoye Mombot stars in a new campaign from Celine.

CELINE FALL 2020 AD CAMPAIGN WITH ESSOYE MOMBOT

Mercedes-Benz today revealed it is partnering with multi-hyphenate artist Virgil Abloh to produce a special piece of artwork. 

The artwork, named Project Geländewagen, would modify and reinterpret the G-Class SUV from the German carmaker, a rugged off-road vehicle with a distinctive boxy profile that was first unveiled in 1979. It draws on the Mercedes-Benz brand's hallmarks: luxurious fabrics, excellent craftsmanship and highly evolved design; and seeks to offer a fresh concept of luxury, identified by exchanging ideas and disciplines. 

In the preview announcement, Abloh calls the project "a great chassis to interject the ideas of contemporary artists on what the future can be in terms of style, within conceptual car design."

Mercedes-Benz chief design officer Gorden Wagener, echoing Abloh's passion for creative experimentation, says they're "set to create something unseen" in car design, fashion and art. The project articulates the role of Mercedes-Benz as 'more than a luxury carmaker, it is a symbol of quality and a luxury label."

On 8 September 2020, at 4pm CET, Project Geländewagen will be announced online to a global audience on mercedes-benz.com. 

Recognizing a responsibility to help the arts and the international artistic culture in a time of turmoil, Mercedes-Benz and Abloh decided to auction off a home-scale version of their original artwork after the launch case, with all proceeds donated to a charity that supports the arts. The Auction winner will also receive a personal introduction to Abloh and Wagener, to learn more about the artwork's inspirations and intentions. 

The full story on Project Geländewagen, with exclusive preview images, will be released on Cruvoir newsstands from 20 August.

In other news, following his recent Spring/Summer 2021 showcase, Rick Owens unveiled a pair of white bondage-wrapped hi-tops. 

Most of the shoes were kept clean, with white rubberized tape swaddled sporadically. Although much of the shoe is covered up, parts of the high-top outlines of the silhouette, such as the heel, laces, and rubber toecap, can still be seen. Sitting next to two small vent holes, providing easy access, contrasting silver-toned zippers can be found along the medial sides. Completing the minimal feel, the midsole of the shoe is also lined, finished at the heel with three jagged staples. 

Creating a unique artwork inspired by the G-Class automotive.

PROJECT GELÄNDEWAGEN: VIRGIL ABLOH X MERCEDES-BENZ COLLABORATION

As we approach Sony's big a7 camera reveal, pricing for its low-light powerhouse camera, the Alpha 7S III, has been disclosed. The leaked A7S III report goes above and beyond the initially rumored specifications, with a peak ISO sensitivity of 409,600, improved 12-megapixel sensor, 8x faster BIONZ-XR processor, 3-inch-1,44 million-dot articulating LCD screen, dual memory slots (both CFexpress and SD), 10 fps autofocus, and 120p 4K video recording. 

Although this would be a valuable device for most filmmakers, the document leaked mentions that the latest Sony A7S III will be priced at a whopping €4,200 EUR (about $4,925 USD), or about double the A7S II price. Official news is likely to come soon, but expect the A7S III to hit shelves in September. 

The Sony A7S Mark III may look like a very conservative camera up against its rivals' new releases, but the company sticks to its guns, with what it claims is the best Sony 4K camera ever made. 

Let's just get serious for a few moments. Everybody wants more and everybody understands that a big number is better than a small one, but while we're all taking 4K video for granted as a common camera spec right now, it's important to note that even 4K still isn't broadcast and distributed that widely. Perhaps we're trying to sprint until we can walk down here. 

In any case, Sony places all its confidence clearly in 4K, and the Sony A7S Mark III carries with it a host of updates, enhancements and additions to support its "best ever" claim. 

Sony A7S Mark III's €4,200 price takes it up against the 6K Panasonic Lumix S1H and 8K Canon EOS R5, so it will just have to be the best 4K camera ever.

In other news, Under the Maison/Objects line Rick Owens has created a flurry of diverse homewares. The designer is known for his sleek, brutalism-inspired furniture; with similar design aesthetics, he is now adding wares to his namesake.

NEW SONY A7S III: THE PRICE HAS JUST LEAKED

NASA invites the public to engage in virtual activities and events prior to the agency's Mars 2020 Perseverance rover launch, which is scheduled for 7:50 a.m. EDT July 30, from Space Launch Complex 41 on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket at Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. 

Live coverage and countdown commentary will start at 7 a.m. on NASA Television and the website of the corporation, as well as YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Twitch, Daily Motion and Theta.TV. Gregory Porter, Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter will perform a special version of "America the Beautiful" as part of the show. 

Perseverance is NASA's new Red Planet rover built to scan for ancient microbial life on Mars as astrobiological evidence. It'll arrive at Jezero Crater on Feb. 18, 2021, after a seven-month ride. There, Perseverance will gather samples of rock and soil for eventual return to Earth. It will also define the climate and geology of the planet, and pave the way for Red Earth human exploration. The robotic scientist, weighing just under 2,300 pounds (1,043 kilograms), will also carry the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, a demonstration of technology that marks the first attempt at electric, guided flight on another planet. 

Public members will digitally attend the launch, receiving updates of the mission, and other opportunities usually provided by on-site visitors. The virtual launch experience of NASA for Mars 2020 Perseverance rover includes: the mission's behind-the-scenes look; AR filters; access to an interactive NASA media community; invitation to upload videos to join the television launch broadcast; student tool kits; opportunity to take a souvenir photo in Mars Photo Booth; and opportunity to send your name to Mars! 

"More than 112,000 people registered as our virtual guests for NASA's launch of the SpaceX Demo-2 test flight in May, which was the first time that the agency had provided this form of launching experience to the public," said NASA Associate Communications Administrator Bettina Inclán. "We are expecting to see more people joining us for our Mars 2020 Perseverance rover launch as we #CountdownToMars!"

How would a Rover designed by Rick Owens look like? Share your ideas with us!

When Perseverance launches to Mars, it will carry three dime-size chips with 10.9 million names submitted by people all over the world.

NASA TO BROADCAST MARS 2020 PERSEVERANCE ROVER LAUNCH

Magnum Photos, an influential photography group, is launching a square print sale called Solidarity to raise funds for NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People). The series, in collaboration with Vogue, covers more than 100 photographs from international visual artists. 

The vast collection brings together powerful images that invoke solidarity amid turmoil, from snapshots of the civil rights march in the U. S. to representations of human relations from around the globe. Highlights include Eve Arnold's 1960 photograph of demonstrators being taught not to respond to bigoted intimidation and Bruce Davidson's 1965 image of protestors marching from Selma to Montgomery. Other collections include a portrait of Muhammad Ali taken in 1966 by Thomas Hoepker, a Baroque-style shot by Harry Gruyaert catching fisherman in the North Atlantic from 1970, a 1968 photo by Bruno Barbey showing a barricade made up of film posters and immigrants sleeping on a fire escape in New York City to flee the summer heat captured by Chien-Chi Chang in 1998. 

According to a statement by Magnum Photos, the thematic series represent the "societal and political turmoil that has seen the cause of the Black Lives Matter taken up around the world as well as hundreds of millions who face government restrictions on protest." "While considering the overwhelming divisions and fault lines that run through society, the selection will explore a common human desire for communion and connexion, with the aim of exploring the power of both the person and the community and the interdependence of peoples around the world in the face of adversity and oppression." 

The images will arrive on Magnum Photos' website as six by six inch prints for $100 USD starting from July 27. Half of the selling proceeds will benefit NAACP. View our selection of photos in the gallery below.

In other news, Rick Owens fabric, material and color guide. There are various formats of Rick Owens codes and a short explanation to help people figure them out.

A powerful selection of photographs evoking unity amid unrest.

MAGNUM PHOTOS: SOLIDARITY PRINT SALE TO BENEFIT NAACP

Kim Kardashian has released a statement via her Instagram about the continuing issue with the mental health of husband Kanye West. The post comes after weeks of the millionaire rapper, designer and potential presidential candidate's increasingly erratic behavior ahead of the release of his forthcoming album. Some suspect he is actually going through a psychotic phase due to his diagnosis of bipolar disorder. 

In recent days, despite their efforts to get mental health practitioners to intervene, Kanye has been holed up on his Cody, Wyoming property sending a steady stream of tweets directed at his wife and mother-in-law Kris Jenner. In between tweets of different font photos for his upcoming collaboration with YEEZY Gap and screenshots of his forthcoming DONDA tracklist, now removed tweets contrasted his current situation to the Get Out movie. West also dubbed Kris Jenner 'Kris-Jong-Un' and accused Kim of cheating on himself with Meek Mill. While the 43-year-old mogul detailed the effort by the Kardashian and Jenner family to push him into psychiatric treatment, Kim's comment touches on the fact that families are often unable to do so if the person suffering mental health issues is above of a minor's age. 

Kanye also aimed now-deleted tweets at his continuing feud with Drake and Lil Baby, who allegedly declined to do a song with him. Despite all this, Dave Chappelle paid a visit to Kanye to check up on him. 

Kim explains how hard it is to deal with and support someone with a mental health condition like the Bipolar diagnosis of Kanye, but urges patience and understanding. "People who are not aware of this reality or who are far away from it may be judgmental and do not realize that the victim himself needs to participate in the process of helping himself no matter how hard family and friends try," she said. He also claims that the diagnosis is "part of his talent and many of his great dreams have come true, as we have all seen." 

"As many of you know, Kanye has bi-polar disorder. Anyone who has this or has a loved one in their life who does, knows how incredibly complicated and painful it is to understand. I’ve never spoken publicly about how this has affected us at home because I am very protective of our children and Kanye’s right to privacy when it comes to his health. But today, I feel like I should comment on it because of the stigma and misconceptions about mental health.

Those that understand mental illness or even compulsive behavior know that family is powerless unless the member is a minor. People who are unaware or far removed from this experience can be judgmental and not understand that the individual themselves have to engage in the process of getting help no matter how hard family and friends try.

I understand Kanye is subject to criticism because he is a public figure and his actions at times can cause strong opinions and emotions. He is a brilliant but complicated person who on top of the pressures of a being an artist and a black man, who experienced the painful loss of his mother, and has to deal with the pressure and isolation that is heightened by his bi-polar disorder. Those who are close with Kanye know his heart and understand his words some times do not align with his intentions.

Living with bi-polar disorder does not diminish or invalidate his dreams or creative ideas, no matter how big or unobtainable they may feel to some. That is part of his genius and as we have all witnessed, many of his big dreams have come true.

We as a society talk about giving grace to the issue of mental health as a whole, however we should also give grace to the individuals who are living with it in times when they need it the most. I kindly ask that the media and the public give us the compassion and empathy that is needed so that we can get through this. Thank you for those who have expressed concern for Kanye’s well being and for your understanding.

In other news, the adidas "Black/Red" YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 is again rumored to be scheduled for a re-release amid false reports last year.

“I kindly ask that the media and the public give us the compassion and empathy that is needed so that we can get through this.”

KIM KARDASHIAN: INSTAGRAM STATEMENT ON KANYE WEST'S MENTAL HEALTH

The winners of 2020 Apple's iPhone Photography Awards have just been announced. The 13th annual awards saw thousands of applications from over 140 countries worldwide, with images taken on a range of various iPhone models, both new and old. 

UK photographer Dimpy Bhalotia came out on top as the winner of the Grand Prize, having received Photographer of the Year title for her work "Flying Boys." The photograph is a dramatic black and white picture of three boys jumping into the Ganges river. It has been taken from a low point, against a faint overcast, framing each subject mid-air in an expressive composition. Some notable winners include Artyom Baryshau of Belarus for "No Walls," Geli Zhao of China for "Unwalled;" and Saif Hussain of Iraq for "Sheik of Youth," to name a few. 

Go through the gallery above for a look at some of Apple's 2020 iPhone Photography Awards selected images, and head over to Apple's website for a look through the full selection.

iPhone Photography Awards TM (IPPAWARDS) is the first and longest-running award in iPhone photography since 2007. IPPAWARDS honors the creativity of iPhone users since the first iPhone inspired and motivated active users all over the world. Every year since then, IPPAWARDS has picked the best shots from thousands of photos from 140+ countries around the world submitted by iPhone photographers. The winners are chosen in several phases by the members of the jury and the awards are given to The Photographers of the Year and the winners category.

British photographer Dimpy Bhalotia wins the 13th annual contest.

IPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS: THE WINNERS OF 2020

Elon Musk and his company Neuralink will inform the world on August 28 on its progress. The company has been founded in 2016 with the goal of creating a computer-brain interface to help people keep up with the ongoing artificial intelligence revolution. Now Elon wants to find a way to stream music directly into one's mind without headphone stoppage through wiring thinner than human hair, which would be connected directly to the brain through implants. 

The Tesla CEO announced back in July 2019 that positive experiments have been carried out on mice and apes and he intends to start studying human subjects as early as later this year. He explained Neuralink's mission statement in a series of tweets revisited by Complex: "When you can't. Beat em, join em" obviously referring to humanity trying to keep up with modern machine learning innovations. Elon also referred to a variety of questions, suggesting Neuralink would help avoid the rapid firing in neural networks for people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) diagnoses. Users also have been brainstorming about adding serotonin and other chemicals for those in need. 

Elon Musk has appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience back in May where he explained his computer-brain interface in greater detail. Elon is currently worth more than Warren Buffett and his stock options are estimated at USD $3.5 billion, and with that kind of financial backing anything is possible. Stay tuned until the end of August for further updates on Neuralink's development.

Neuralink has recruited several high-profile neuro-scientists from various universities since its establishment. By July 2019, it had raised $158 million in investment, $100 million of which was from Musk and hired 90 employees. Neuralink announced at that time it was working on a "sewing machine-like" tool capable of implanting very thin (4 to 6 μm in width) threads into the brain, demonstrating a system that reads information from a lab rat through 1,500 electrodes and anticipated starting human experiments by 2020.

In other news, Rick Owens, the Paris-based California-born designer known for some of the most controversial and envelope-pushing concepts in the fashion industry, with runway shows to suit. Yet Spring/Summer 2021 "PHLEGETHON" is another matter. The line, closely lensed by Owens himself, is a selection of repurposed pieces from the previous collections of Owens, accompanied by new designs and concepts.

Bringing new meaning to having a song stuck in your head.

ELON MUSK WILL START STREAMING MUSIC DIRECTLY TO YOUR BRAIN

An unseen drawing by Pablo Picasso has been discovered beneath one of the late artist’s most recognizable abstract paintings called Still Life. The discovery was made by conservators of the Art Institute of Chicago during their attempts to examine seemingly wrinkled parts of the artwork that is currently displayed at the museum. The team used X-ray and infrared technology in their investigation and found the secret illustration of "a pitcher, a cup, a rectangular item that may be a newspaper" drawn on top of a table or chair, as stated by the team in the SN Applied Sciences journal. 

It wasn't uncommon for Picasso to paint over his works, according to Artnet, but he usually painted over them directly, using the composition to create a new piece. Nevertheless, for Still Life the artist painted entirely over the secret drawing using a "thick white layer" of paint before the abstract work has been created. "In Picasso's experience, this seems somewhat odd, as he often painted directly over earlier drawings, allowing underlying forms to come through and influence the final painting," the team wrote in the paper. 

The date on the painting was marked "February 4, 1922," suggesting that the drawing has also been made around that time. Picasso gave the work to Gertrude Stein, "the artist's friend and dealer and important patron of modern art in Paris in the early 20th century," the team described. Picasso created the painting from late 1921 to 1922 during his Cubist era — a time during which he experimented with representations of three-dimensional objects alongside different geometric forms to create realistic perspectives for the onlookers. Apart from the drawing's discovery, the conservators have also uncovered earlier methods of reconstruction using acrylic resin and paint added to the cracks of the work. The team took these conservation efforts away to locate the original colors of the painting.

Rumors say that designer Rick Owens owns a piece created by Picasso called "Nature Morte."

A team of conservators used X-ray and infrared technology for the fascinating discovery.

HIDDEN PICASSO PAINTING FOUND BENEATH ONE OF HIS MOST ICONIC WORKS

Rick Owens returns with a new footwear release in the form of the black Bozo Chelsea boot, after dropping the colorful Maximal Runner sneaker in an eye-catching burgundy and blue colorway. 

Handcrafted with rubber strips, layered to mimic tape strappings, this boot is said to draw on the designer's passion for creative textural play. The Bozo is a reworking of the traditional Chelsea boot shape with elasticated side-gussets, a heel pull, and black leather lining. 

Made in Italy, the boots feature silver staples at the heel to intensify the provocative slant, a round toe finish and a sturdy black rubber sole that is durable.

The original Chelsea boots are ankle-high, close-fitting boots with an elastic side panel. They also have a fabric loop or tab on the back of the boot, so that the boot can be pulled on. The shoe dates back to the Victorian era when both men and women would put it on. In Britain, Chelsea boots and some of its variants were considered an iconic item of the 1960s, particularly the mod scene. 

The design is attributed to Queen Victoria's shoemaker J. Sparkes-Hall. The shoemaker, J. Sparkes-Hall claimed that "Queen Victoria walks in them every day and therefore offers the best evidence of the importance she attaches to the invention." - J. Sparkes-Hall's Patent Elastic Ankle Boots. The boot was popular for both horse riding and walking. 

The development of vulcanized rubber by Charles Goodyear allowed for the invention of the elastic gusset boot which could be easily removed and put on again. The trend started to catch on by the late 1840s. This grew into a popular style in the West before World War I began. 

Chelsea boots were popular in the UK in the 1950s and 1960s – and their connexion with the Chelsea's King's Road ensemble of Swinging London – worn by everyone from the Rolling Stones to Jean Shrimpton – is thought to explain how the name "Chelsea" became applied to the pair.

In other news, Dior has unveiled its Spring/Summer 2021 collection in an online-exclusive video under the artistic direction of Kim Jones.

A reflection on the designer’s love for innovative textural play.

RICK OWENS' BOZO CHELSEA BOOTS: EXPERIMENTS WITH RUBBER STRIPS

Gucci launched the first-ever non-binary, gender-fluid division known as Gucci Mx. Beginning with fall/winter 2020 and the re-release of its Jackie 1961 bag, Alessandro Michele's Gucci Mx will offer pieces each season that do not adhere to a particular gender. 

Gucci has hired Angelo Pennetta to shoot gender-neutral models wearing the aforementioned bag in honor of the gender-neutral design of the brand. The Jackie 1961 is an iconic classic of Gucci from the 60s and 70s, taking its name from Jackie Kennedy; it was one of her favorite designs - a big success for the luxury Italian label. 

The campaign also features models sporting a wide variety of new-season clothing such as an impressive pair of sparkling metallic green flared pants and an equally 70s-esque doilie-lace shirt. 

Check the new Gucci Mx campaign in the gallery above and discover the complete hand-picked collection of gender-fluid pieces.

Non-binary is a continuum of gender identities that are not predominantly male or female — those are identities outside the standard gender. Non-binary individuals may identify as having two or more genders, as having no gender, moving between genders or having a fluctuating gender identity being a third or other gender (a category that includes those who do not give their gender a name). 

Gender identity is distinct from sexual or romantic preference and, much as cisgender people do, non-binary individuals have a number of sexual orientations. Non-binary gender identities, like androgyny, are not synonymous with a common description of the sex. Non-binary humans as a group have a wide range of expressions of gender, and some may fully oppose "identities" of the sex. Many non-binary individuals are diagnosed with surgery or drugs for gender dysphoria, as are trans males and females.

GUCCI LAUNCHES ITS FIRST NON-BINARY SECTION

Coronavirus has influenced museums in different ways, whether it is forcing them to close, developing opportunities to display the work of artists online or supplying them with content for potential exhibitions. Yet the long-term consequences of shutdowns associated with pandemics are now showing themselves. Yesterday the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) announced that one out of three U.S. museums could be permanently shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The data collected in the month of June showed that 33 percent of museum directors felt that there was a "serious chance" of permanent closure and did not know if their institutions would survive. This knowledge shows that the losses associated with COVID-19 are more severe than expected earlier. The survey received responses from over 750 U.S. museum directors and focused on a large variety of museums, including historical societies, art museums, and arboretums. 

The latest results found that 87 percent of museums invest in their operating assets for 12 months or less and 56 percent have enough to run for less than six months. A total of 37 percent of respondents expected to lose 21 to 40 percent of their operating income this year, while 64 percent projected cuts in education, programs and other public services due to cutbacks in the budget. Among the museums surveyed, the highest risk was for children's museums and science centers. "We are very reliant on ticket sales and very tactile," explained Laura Lott, AAM's president and CEO. 

One promising finding from the survey showed that 75 percent of museum directors were able to provide pupils, parents and teachers with virtual educational services when their institutions were closed, and 64 percent offered entertainment and other events. "The bright spot is that in March museums leapt into action and found ways to deliver on their goal," Lott said. Next year, museums are calling for funding from federal, state, and local governments to deal address the crisis. "Funding from private and public sources is crucial to saving the museum sector," Lott added.

In other news, Rick Owens fabric, material and color guide and a short explanation to help people figure them out.

According to a new survey released by the American Alliance of Museums.

30% OF U.S. MUSEUMS MAY CLOSE DUE TO PANDEMIC

Off-White reflected on the state of the planet with its men's Spring/Summer 2021 pre-collection, "What Stars Are You Under?" The series designed by Virgil Abloh focused on resetting, restoring, and revolutionizing the environment. 

Given the current climate, with coronavirus and social justice causing the way we live our daily lives to change, Off-White has seized the opportunity to develop a collection that reflects on the moment. Off-White therefore presents everything from gloves that read "I Support Young Black Businesses" when held up, to a white hoodie that sports a graphic of a construction truck pushing the Earth along. As strong as the SS21 collection is — in terms of its tailoring, range of accessories and boots, or the elevated cuts we've come to expect from Abloh's brand in recent years — it's the statement that makes a bigger effect.

For example, a screen-printed bomber jacket nods to the isolated times in which we live. The piece is shrouded in a twilight scene; nighttime lights shine through windows as a nod to people who stay indoors and find comfort in isolation. The anti-establishment is also the focus, with formal suit pants sporting an all-over caricatured devil and gremlin motif print, or smart shirts covered with graffiti logos. In these prints the oxymoron of formal tailoring further alludes to the new world in which we live.

By "What Stars Are You Under?" Abloh has a lot of tailoring to it. Standouts include a sleeveless western shirt with complementing cream-plissed pants, a semi-belted gray pinstripe blazer, and a stunning double-breasted melange gray overcoat.

Accessories are also strong. The suits are complemented by a pair of pointy-toe buckle boots, while day-glow sneakers and worn-in construction shoes completely contrast the formality found all along. The bags are compact, covered in luxurious black leather and freed of bold branding, more often than not.

In other news, under the Maison/Objects line Rick Owens has created a flurry of diverse homewares.

Spring/Summer 2021 just got a lot more referential.

OFF-WHITE: WHAT STARS ARE YOU UNDER COLLECTION

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