Search Results (297)

As part of contemporary urban culture, murals support place making and city identity. While much attention has been paid to their role in activating public space during daylight hours, their presence after dark remains largely unexamined. This paper analyzes how mural content interacts with night-time illumination. The research draws on case studies, photographs, luminance measurements, and lighting simulations. It evaluates how existing lighting systems support or undermine the legibility and impact of commercial murals in urban environments. It explores whether standardized architectural lighting guidelines suit murals, how color and surface affect visibility, and which practices improve night-time legibility. The study identifies a gap in existing lighting strategies, noting that uneven lighting distorts intent and reduces public engagement. In response, a new design tool—the Floodlighting Content Readability Map—is proposed to support artists and planners in creating night-visible murals. This paper situates mural illumination within broader debates on creative urbanism and argues that lighting is not just infrastructure, but a cultural and aesthetic tool that extends the reach and resonance of public art in the 24 h city. It further emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and a multi-contextual perspective—encompassing visual, social, environmental, and regulatory dimensions—when designing murals in cities. Full article

This article examines training itineraries for early childhood education professionals in Portugal, focusing on promoting social and human development through music and the arts for infants. The training models discussed are categorized as short-term and long-term, encompassing both theory and practice through a transdisciplinary approach. Based on initiatives promoted by the Companhia de Música Teatral (CMT) and the Education and Human Development Group of the Centre for the Study of Sociology and Musical Aesthetics (CESEM) at NOVA University Lisbon, the article highlights projects such as: (i) Opus Tutti and GermInArte, developed between 2011 and 2018; (ii) the Postgraduate Course Music in Childhood: Intervention and Research, offered at the University since 2020/21, which integrates art, health, and education, promoting collaborative work between professionals; and (iii) Mil Pássaros (Thousand Birds), developed since 2020, which exemplifies the integration of environmental education and artistic practices. The theoretical basis of these training programs combines neuroscientific and educational evidence, emphasizing the importance of the first years of life for integral development. Studies, such as those by Heckman, reinforce the impact of early investment in children’s development. Edwin Gordon’s Music Learning Theory and Malloch and Trevarthen’s concept of ‘communicative musicality’ structure the design of these courses, recognizing music as a catalyst for cognitive, emotional, and social skills. The transformative role of music and the arts in educational and social contexts is emphasized, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, by proposing approaches that articulate creation, intervention, and research to promote human development from childhood onwards. Full article

The essay offers an expansive and multi-stratified investigation into the role of esoteric traditions within the development of Russian modernity, reframing occultism not as an eccentric deviation but as a foundational epistemological regime integral to Russia’s aesthetic, philosophical, and political evolution. By analyzing the arc from Petrine-era alchemical statecraft to the techno-theurgical aspirations of Russian Cosmism and the esoteric visual regimes of the avant-garde, this essay discloses the deep ontological entanglement between sacral knowledge and modernist radical experimentation. The work foregrounds figures such as Jacob Bruce, Wassily Kandinsky, and Kazimir Malevich, situating them within broader transnational currents of Hermeticism, Theosophy, and Rosicrucianism, while interrogating the role of occult infrastructures in both late-imperial and Soviet paradigms. Drawing on recent theoretical frameworks in the global history of esotericism and modernist studies, the long-read article elucidates the metaphysical substrata animating Russian Symbolism, Abstraction, Malevich’s non-Euclidian Suprematism and Moscow Conceptualism. This study contends that esotericism in Russia—far from marginal—served as a generative matrix for radical aesthetic innovation and ideological reconfiguration. It proposes a reconceptualization of Russian cultural history as a palimpsest of submerged sacral structures, where utopia and apocalypse, magic and technology, converge in a distinctively Russian cosmopoietic horizon. Ultimately, this essay reframes Russian and European occultism as an alternate technology of cognition and a performative semiotic universe shaping not only artistic modernism but also the very grammar of Russian historical imagination. Full article

The Buades Gallery (1973–2003) was not merely a commercial space in Madrid. In the history of art in Spain, it served as a professional and political node for Spanish conceptualism, an art form which, due to its idiosyncrasies, required its own channels of distribution. This article seeks to examine the trajectory of Mercedes Buades in alignment with this movement, re-evaluating her role from a feminist perspective and highlighting the importance of certain agents who have traditionally been invisibilised. To this end, a theoretical approach is adopted, following the sociology of art and the social history of art, paying particular attention to the contributions of Enrico Castelnuovo, Pierre Bourdieu and Núria Peist. These frameworks enable an analysis of the role of the gallerist as a structuring agent within the artistic field, capable of generating symbolic capital and establishing dynamics of production, circulation and consumption in the context of post-Franco Spain, a country that lacked a consolidated museum infrastructure at the time. Even so, Mercedes Buades established a model of gallery practice that, beyond its commercial dimension, contributed decisively to the symbolic configuration of contemporary art in Spain and formed part of a network of artistic visibility that promoted experimental art. Full article

This study explores the enhancement of spatial vitality in the Historic Center of Macau from the perspective of museumification theory. This research employs GIS technology to analyze Baidu heatmap data, comparing the differences in spatial vitality between the festive and daily periods. Furthermore, experiential quality questionnaire data were collected from 224 tourists visiting the historical district, constructing a theoretical model of “objective vitality–experience quality”. Through objective analysis, the results indicate that the distribution of vitality in the Historic Center of Macau exhibits a clear core–periphery diffusion pattern. During the festive period, the intensity of spatial vitality significantly increases. Through subjective analysis, this study reveals that experiential quality has a significant impact on spatial vitality. Among the dimensions, education and inspiration, cultural exchange, and entertainment enjoyment have a notably positive effect on spatial vitality. The elements of education and inspiration play a crucial role during festive periods—particularly artistic attractions and educational entertainment—which positively influence vitality. This study innovatively applies museumification theory to the research of vitality in a historical district, providing valuable references for the sustainable cultural tourism development and cultural heritage preservation of the Historic Center of Macau. Full article

Landscape visualization plays a crucial role in various scientific and artistic fields, including geography, environmental sciences, and digital arts. Recent advancements in computer graphics have enabled more sophisticated approaches to landscape representation. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) image generation has further improved accessibility for researchers, allowing efficient creation of landscape visualizations. This study presents a comprehensive workflow for the rapid and cost-effective generation of photorealistic still images. The methodology combines AI applications, computational techniques, and photographic methods to reconstruct the historical landscapes of the Great Hungarian Plain, one of Europe’s most significantly altered regions. The most accurate and visually compelling results are achieved by using historical maps and drone imagery as compositional and stylistic references, alongside a suite of AI tools tailored to specific tasks. These high-quality landscape visualizations offer significant potential for scientific research and public communication, providing both aesthetic and informative value. The article, which primarily presents a methodological description, does not contain numerical results. To test the method, we applied a procedure: we ran the algorithm on a current topographic map of a sample area and compared the resulting image with the view model provided by Google Earth. Full article

The Inverted Swallow (IS) is a rare isometric upper-body skill in artistic gymnastics. Athletes use Preconditioning Strengthening Exercises (PSEs) to develop the strength necessary to hold the IS at competition rings. However, the specific muscle excitation and synergies typical of the IS and its PSEs remain unexplored. Thus, this study analyzed muscle excitations and synergies during the IS and its five common PSEs. Muscle excitation was recorded from the pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, triceps brachii, infraspinatus, trapezius, serratus anterior, biceps brachii and posterior deltoid muscles in six elite calisthenics athletes (age: 24.5 ± 3.0 years; height: 168.6 ± 5.8 cm; body mass: 65.0 ± 4.7 kg). Non-Negative Matrix Factorization was used to extract synergies. The results showed a predominant role of the posterior deltoid and triceps brachii during the IS. Significant differences were observed in the muscle excitation of the triceps brachii between the IS and its PSEs (p ≤ 0.001; W = 0.765), and in the posterior deltoid (p = 0.002; W = 0.629). Muscle synergy patterns also differed in simultaneous muscle activation between the IS and its PSEs. These findings provide the first detailed evidence of the characteristics of the IS element, providing insights for optimizing strength training and gymnastics performance. Full article

Injury or fear of injury can cause stress for everyone. This is especially true for dancers, whose careers can be ruined by a serious injury. Stress or various psychological problems can play a role in the development of injury. Our research aims to explore the psychosocial patterns associated with injuries among Hungarian professional folk dancers. A cross-sectional study was carried out with 96 professional dancers (47.9% male, 52.1% female, mean age 29.9 years). Data was collected through an online questionnaire survey. Among psychological factors, perceived stress (using the Perceived Stress Scale), burnout (using the Athletic Burnout Questionnaire), coping skills (using the Athletic Coping Skills Inventory), relationship with the leader (using the Coaching Behaviour Questionnaire) and perceived social support (using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support) were examined among injured and non-injured dancers. The two groups were compared along psychological subscales using Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) followed by a post hoc ANOVA and Mann–Whitney test regarding social support. Our results showed a significant correlation between psychosocial factors and injuries sustained during the study period. Positive correlation was found between injuries and perceived stress (p < 0.001) and burnout (reduced sense of accomplishment p = 0.021; dance devaluation p < 0.001). Factors reflecting dancer’s behavior and coping skills also correlated with injuries, such as a decrease in coachability (p = 0.007), less concern (p = 0.029), and negative reactions to the leader’s behavior (p = 0.019). In addition, perceived social support from family also negatively correlates with injury (p = 0.019). Our findings suggest a multidirectional relationship between physical injuries and the mental state of dancers. Further investigation of the causal relationships is recommended, with the aim of using psychosocial support tools during the prevention and treatment of injuries by the professionals dealing with dance artists. It is also recommended to investigate whether individual psychological factors are directly related to injuries or interact with each other. It would also be useful to introduce prevention programs that help dancers manage their emotions related to injuries. Full article

Amid the accelerating processes of modernization and commercialization, traditional rural public spaces are increasingly losing their cultural value and social functions. This study investigates the transformative role of art intervention in enhancing the quality and cultural significance of rural public spaces, with a focus on Machang Village in Tengchong, China. The study first develops a conceptual model to explore the causal relationships and pathways between these influencing factors. Drawing on this framework, the research then uses Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to empirically test a multi-dimensional resident satisfaction model that incorporates spatial aesthetics, functional suitability, historical-cultural identity, and emotional cognition. Through field surveys and data collected from 224 residents, the study reveals that cultural emotions and functional completeness are the most influential factors in driving overall satisfaction. Artistic innovation and aesthetics contribute moderately, indicating that visual creativity alone is insufficient without deeper cultural integration and functional coherence. The findings suggest a dual-pathway satisfaction mechanism, where both symbolic emotional resonance and practical usability shape residents’ perceptions of public space quality. The study offers theoretical and practical insights into optimizing rural public space design, advocating for art-led, community-engaged, and culturally embedded approaches to rural revitalization. Full article

Stained glass has played important roles in heritage building construction, however, conventional fabrication techniques have become economically prohibitive due to both capital costs and energy inefficiency, as well as high-level artistic and craft skills. To overcome these challenges, this study provides a new design methodology for customized 3D-printed polycarbonate (PC)-based stained-glass window alternatives using a fully open-source toolchain and methodology based on digital fabrication and hybrid crafts. Based on design thinking and open design principles, this procedure involves fabricating an additional insert made of (i) a PC substrate and (ii) custom geometries directly 3D printed on the substrate with PC-based 3D printing feedstock (iii) to be painted after the 3D printing process. This alternative is intended for customizable stained-glass design patterns to be used instead of traditional stained glass or in addition to conventional windows, making stained glass accessible and customizable according to users’ needs. Three approaches are developed and demonstrated to generate customized painted stained-glass geometries according to the different users’ skills and needs using (i) online-retrieved 3D and 2D patterns; (ii) custom patterns, i.e., hand-drawn and digital-drawn images; and (iii) AI-generated patterns. The proposed methodology shows potential for distributed applications in the building and heritage sectors, demonstrating its practical feasibility. Its use makes stained-glass-based products accessible to a broader range of end-users, especially for repairing and replicating existing conventional stained glass and designing new customizable products. The developed custom patterns are 50 times less expensive than traditional stained glass and can potentially improve thermal insulation, paving the way to energy efficiency and economic savings. Full article

Drawing from the insights of community partners, this study explored the roles and benefits of arts-based approaches to foster civic learning, critical media literacy, and community engagement. It also uncovered approaches to promote kindness, prevent violence, and combat online extremism, offering insights into strategies that may enhance community engagement and create a positive impact. We presented our model framework, a detailed case study of our project, and qualitative methods incorporating 15 interviews with our community partners to capture a broad range of perspectives and experiences. Interviewees were community partners who collaborated with our project in organizing events and activities using an arts-based approach to promote kindness, awareness, and violence prevention since the inception of the project. Data were analyzed using thematic data analysis. We categorized the community partners’ responses into four key themes: (1) the inherent benefits of the arts, (2) promoting kindness and preventing violence through artistic expression, (3) teaching civic responsibility through the arts, and (4) practical strategies for collaborating with community partners. The practice implications and lessons learned were discussed. Full article

Spalted wood is a natural material characterized by distinctive colors and patterns from wood decay fungi as they digest their substrate and leave behind colored secretions. As an art form, spalted wood was used heavily in western Europe from the 1400s–1600s; however, its use in other parts of the world remains deeply understudied, even in cultures where wood played a dominant social role. The use of spalted wood in China, in particular, is unknown, despite a growing interest by Chinese researchers in modern spalting practices and their potential commercial value. This study systematically reviews the potential historic use, current artistic value, environmental significance, and future application prospects of spalted wood for a Chinese market. By integrating historical records, modern scientific research, and insights from traditional Chinese woodworking, the study provides a comprehensive analysis of the aesthetic and functional value of spalted wood for Chinese markets. The findings indicate that the random and non-reproducible nature of spalted wood imbues it with exceptional artistic appeal and collectability, which has a strong potential to appeal to Chinese furniture design, decorative arts, and high-end interior applications. Furthermore, spalted wood demonstrates considerable potential for resource recycling by turning otherwise non-commercial, pale, white woods into higher value options—a phenomenon that has been studied across Europe and North America. In China, this has the potential to reduce wood waste and advance ecological design. However, challenges remain in fungal infection control, processing techniques, and market adoption. With ongoing advancements in biotechnology and manufacturing processes, spalted wood is poised to gain greater recognition in Chinese art, design, and cultural innovation while also contributing to green manufacturing and sustainable development. Full article

Generative AI tools are increasingly being integrated into game design and development workflows, offering new possibilities for creativity, efficiency, and innovation. This paper explores the evolving role of these tools from the perspective of game designers and developers, focusing on the benefits and challenges they present in fostering creativity. Through a mixed-method study, we conducted an online survey (n = 42) with game design professionals, followed by in-depth online interviews (n = 9), to investigate how generative AI influences the creative process, decision-making, and artistic vision. Our findings reveal that while generative AI accelerates ideation, enhances prototyping, and automates repetitive tasks, it also raises concerns about originality, creative dependency, and undermine of human-authored content. Future work will aim to address these challenges by investigating strategies to balance leveraging AI’s capabilities with preserving the integrity of human creativity. This includes developing collaborative human-AI workflows that maintain human oversight, designing systems that support rather than replace creative decision-making, and establishing ethical guidelines to ensure transparency, accountability, and authorship in AI-assisted content creation. By doing so, we aim to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of generative AI’s role in creative practices and its implications for the game design and development lifecycle. Full article

In the field of cultural heritage (CH), non-invasive analyses, such as photogrammetry and multiband imaging (MBI), play a pivotal role as effective solutions for examining the morphology, materials, and state of preservation of an artifact. Gathering such information is particularly valuable since these data are complementary and provide a comprehensive perspective for an in-depth study of a wide variety of historically and artistically significant artifacts. Photogrammetry and MBI are commonly utilized for these purposes but typically as separate methodologies. This research seeks to address this limitation by integrating these datasets to enrich the information embedded within a 3D model, thereby facilitating the identification of areas subsequently analyzed using spectroscopic techniques. This study provides an in-depth analysis of two historically significant violins housed at the Museo del Violino in Cremona (Italy) contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of a specific category of artifacts that remains underrepresented in the existing literature. Furthermore, the technical workflow for integrating MBI data using the Physically Based Rendering (PBR) approach and Sketchfab, along with the interpretation of the resulting data, is presented. Full article

The 1913 Armory Show has long been celebrated as the moment when America was introduced to modern art. This formalistic understanding of the event, though, would miss another equally important development which would only be observed through a historical materialist methodology that would see it as a response to a crisis of over-supply in the art market. It remains the single primary exhibition staged by the short-lived Association of American Painters and Sculptors (AAPS), a secession from the National Academy of Design. Though they would not succeed in creating a long-term alternative to their rival, their exhibition expanded upon innovations by the 1912 Sonderbund exhibition in Cologne. Through an archival examination of the Armory Show’s sourcing methods, a paradigm shift can be observed leading away from the nineteenth-century salon model by changing the system of artists submitting works to a jury, to one of marketing artworks provided by dealers. This new role for dealers would lead the way to the contemporary art fair model where galleries are the key exhibition decision-makers. Full article