Entertainment And Arts
Artist Andy Goldsworthy showcases his latest work, gathering gravestones
The art world had previously neglected him, but he has now been invited to produce a work for a recently established art award.
In the Kirkconnel graveyard, Dumfriesshire, artist Andy Goldsworthy is examining freshly dug earth, which local gravediggers had excavated just hours earlier to make room for a coffin. The rich red soil is now the focus of his attention.
Goldsworthy is searching for stones within the clay soil, a task that is part of his larger project, Gravestones. This vast artwork, set to be constructed in the Lowther Hills, will feature thousands of stones gathered from various graveyards, and the BBC has been given an exclusive first look.
With the necessary permission from the council, Goldsworthy is collaborating with gravediggers across 108 cemeteries in Dumfries and Galloway. The resulting artwork, measuring 25 meters by 25 meters and enclosed by a wall, will be filled with stones from these graveyards, creating a space for people to mourn and celebrate their loved ones.
The experience of burial is inherently difficult, and Goldsworthy believes that people often leave feeling the need to do something positive in response.
He thinks that visiting the artwork, situated on a hill with beautiful views, will provide a sense of contrast to the pain of a burial, offering a spiritual uplift.
Local gravedigger Toby Howat, 25, is working alongside Goldsworthy. Howat takes pride in his work, ensuring that he treats each grave with the utmost respect, recognizing that it belongs to someone's loved one.
Howat describes the planned artwork as a collective representation of various graves, repurposing stones that would otherwise go unused.
Goldsworthy's enclosure will feature a layer of gravestones on top of ordinary stones, over half a meter deep, creating a stark and simple landscape that he hopes will remain unchanged over time, symbolizing a "sea of humanity" displaced by burials.
Currently, the site is marked by a staked-out area with posts connected by twine, awaiting the construction of the artwork.
Goldsworthy has received £200,000 from the newly established 'Dent in the Universe' art prize, which will be used entirely for the construction of the work, and the BBC is announcing this news exclusively.
The 'Dent in the Universe' prize, offered annually, provides a six-figure sum to an artist to create a publicly accessible work of art in the UK.
The prize is funded by the Hugo Burge Foundation, which, according to its CEO Lucy Brown, is now the largest single source of funding for public artworks in the UK.
Brown notes that commissioning public art was once a common aspect of civic life but has since declined, and the foundation aims to make a positive impact on people's experience of art through this prize.
The foundation's goal is to support the creation of bold, enduring works of art that will make a lasting difference in people's lives, according to Brown.
The prize was established using funds left in perpetuity by the late art philanthropist Hugo Burge, who founded the travel search engine Cheap Flights and passed away in 2023 at the age of 51.
For the inaugural award, Goldsworthy was approached directly, as he had a clear vision for the project, which had been developing since his ex-wife's death in 2008. During a visit to her grave, he noticed a pile of stones that had been displaced by gravediggers, sparking an idea.
Unlike many people, Goldsworthy saw artistic potential in this observation, recognizing the connection between the body, the stone, and the earth.
The stone, in Goldsworthy's eyes, transformed into a powerful symbol, representing the connection between life and death, and the earth that both gives and takes.
With a career spanning over 50 years, Goldsworthy has become known for creating deceptively simple yet often labor-intensive works of art in natural environments, from freezing winters to scorching summers.
Many of his works are ephemeral, such as leaf sculptures that disintegrate in the forest or giant snowballs that melt in the city, revealing sticks and stones beneath.
In contrast, his Hanging Stones project, a six-mile trail in Northdale, North Yorkshire, is more permanent. Goldsworthy restored farm buildings under the patronage of David Ross, co-founder of Carphone Warehouse, and transformed them into works of art.
Goldsworthy's work has attracted a large and dedicated following, with tickets to Hanging Stones selling out until September and likely to be in high demand when they become available later this month.
His retrospective exhibition, Andy Goldsworthy: Fifty Years, at Edinburgh's National Galleries Scotland, was one of the top five paid exhibitions in the gallery's history.
However, Goldsworthy's work was not always widely recognized, and he was often overlooked by the urban-oriented art world.
Goldsworthy notes that the art world's perception of nature as a subject matter has shifted over time, and it is now a dominant theme in contemporary art.
Despite being overlooked in the past, Goldsworthy, who trained at Bradford College of Art and Preston Polytechnic in Lancaster, does not seem to hold any grudges. His early experiences working on farms near his home in West Yorkshire have had a lasting impact on his artistic vision.
Goldsworthy expresses his contentment with working outside the mainstream art world, finding joy in being part of the larger world and having the privilege of creating art within it.
As I accompany Goldsworthy on a 20-minute climb to the site of his new artwork, he shares his plans and admits to being "obsessed" with the project.
Goldsworthy believes that this artwork may be the most significant one he will ever create, a sentiment that many artists and architects can relate to when working on a project they are passionate about.
Goldsworthy's other artworks showcase his unique approach to creating site-specific installations.
Before visitors reach the top of the hill, they will start at a farm building, which Goldsworthy plans to transform with a rammed earth wall featuring a deep cavity, reminiscent of a grave.
According to Goldsworthy, looking into an open grave can be a powerful experience, revealing the layers of earth and time, and creating a sense of connection to the natural world.
As we walk uphill, I ask Goldsworthy if working on this project has made him more aware of his own mortality.
He responds that the experience has actually made the concept of death less intimidating, and that graves can be strangely comforting and inviting.
The logistics of collecting stones and creating the artwork are complex, but Goldsworthy is grateful for the support of the Hugo Burge Foundation and the Duke of Buccleugh, who is providing machinery, renovation work, and access to the land.
Goldsworthy is currently working on multiple projects, including ones in Sweden and Massachusetts, and feels that everything is falling into place. He acknowledges that this is a unique moment in his career and is determined to make the most of it.
Goldsworthy hopes to complete the Gravestones project within the next two to three years, creating a lasting tribute to the connection between humanity and the natural world.
Entertainment And Arts
Major film studios target advanced AI video generation technology
A new AI-powered video editing tool called Seedance has generated clips depicting fictional fights between celebrities, including Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, which have quickly gained widespread online attention.
Social media platforms have been inundated with clips generated using Seedance 2.0, a cutting-edge AI video tool. These clips feature reimagined scenes, such as Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt engaging in a rooftop brawl, or characters from Friends depicted as otters, showcasing the tool's capabilities.
ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, has introduced Seedance, touting it as a means to deliver "an ultra-realistic immersive experience" to users.
The emergence of Seedance has sparked concerns in the entertainment industry, with Rhett Reese, writer of the Deadpool series, expressing his unease, stating that the rise of this technology may signal the end of traditional creative roles.
Many of the clips created using Seedance are based on copyrighted materials, including films and TV shows featuring well-known actors. As a result, major US studios have demanded that the platform immediately stop infringing on their intellectual property rights.
Seedance allows users to generate highly realistic clips from simple text prompts, and users have been creating scenes inspired by popular franchises such as The Lord of the Rings, Seinfeld, and Avengers.
Charles Rivkin, chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association, stated that Seedance 2.0 has engaged in widespread unauthorized use of US copyrighted works in a short span, highlighting the need for the platform to respect intellectual property laws.
According to Rivkin, by launching a service without adequate safeguards against infringement, ByteDance is disregarding established copyright laws that protect creators' rights and support millions of American jobs.
The MPA has called on ByteDance to cease its infringing activities immediately, emphasizing the need to respect intellectual property rights.
The Motion Picture Association represents prominent US studios, including Netflix, Paramount Pictures, and Warner Bros Discovery, among others.
TikTok has acknowledged that some videos created using its pre-launch model have been shared, and the company claims to respect intellectual property rights and take potential infringement seriously.
In response to concerns, the company has suspended the ability for users to upload images of real individuals and is working to implement robust policies and monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance with local regulations.
A review by Forbes noted that Seedance 2.0 offers users a level of creative control similar to that of a human director, enabling them to produce high-quality content without requiring complex production tools.
While many users are excited about the creative possibilities offered by Seedance, Rhett Reese has expressed his concern about the implications of this technology on the entertainment industry.
Reese stated that he is worried about the potential loss of careers for many people in the industry, including his own, as a result of the rise of AI-generated content.
Reese clarified that his initial statement about the impact of Seedance was not meant to be flippant, but rather a genuine expression of his fear about the potential consequences of this technology on the entertainment industry.
Reese believes that the emergence of Seedance could revolutionize the entertainment industry, but also potentially lead to significant job losses, and he is concerned about the impact on his own career and those of his colleagues.
Heather Anne Campbell, a writer for Saturday Night Live and Rick & Morty, has noted that the content generated using Seedance is often similar to fan fiction, and that original ideas are still essential for creating engaging content.
Campbell observed that many users of AI visualization engines like Seedance are using them to create content based on existing franchises, rather than coming up with entirely new ideas.
Campbell suggested that having access to advanced AI tools like Seedance does not necessarily make it easier to create original content, as the hardest part of the creative process is often coming up with new and innovative ideas.
Entertainment And Arts
Spielberg Contributes $25,000 to Van Der Beek’s $2 Million Crowdfunding Campaign
The relatives of the deceased actor, known for his role in Dawson’s Creek, have expressed gratitude to those who contributed to the $2m fund.
A donation of $25,000 (£21,000) has been made by film director Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw, to a GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $2m (£1.6m) for the family of late actor James Van Der Beek.
Van Der Beek, who passed away at the age of 48, is survived by his wife Kimberly and their six children, and the crowdfunding effort to support his family has now exceeded its initial target of $2m.
Other notable donors include Oscar-winning actress Zoe Saldana, who contributed $2,500 (£2,108), and director Jon M Chu, who gave $10,000 (£8,432) to the cause.
A statement from the organizers of the fundraiser, Friends of the Van Der Beek family, expressed gratitude to all contributors, stating that their support is deeply appreciated.
The statement highlighted the significance of the donations, saying that the kindness shown by contributors is beyond words.
It also noted that the outpouring of support has been a source of comfort during a difficult time, serving as a reminder of the power of love, community, and the enduring legacy of James Van Der Beek.
Van Der Beek was perhaps best known for his starring role in the popular US teen drama series Dawson's Creek, which aired from 1998 to 2003, although he remained associated with the show until 2023.
Although Van Der Beek and Spielberg never collaborated on a project, the late actor's character in Dawson's Creek was a fan of Spielberg's work, with posters of films like ET and Schindler's List featured in his bedroom.
At a Dawson's Creek cast reunion event last year, Spielberg paid tribute to Van Der Beek by sending a video message.
In the message, Spielberg said, "Dawson, you made it," and jokingly added that he hoped to one day have a room like Dawson's, filled with memorabilia from his films.
Van Der Beek passed away on Wednesday after a battle with bowel cancer.
He had been dealing with the diagnosis since August 2023 and publicly disclosed his condition in November 2024.
The GoFundMe campaign was launched to help the family with medical expenses, which had depleted their funds.
The statement from the organizers concluded by saying that the family is currently taking time to grieve and be together, and thanked everyone for their compassionate and generous support in honoring James Van Der Beek's life.
Entertainment And Arts
Bookstore Seeks to Revitalize Romance Genre
In Leamington, a bookstore caters specifically to adults, offering a selection of literature that focuses on the genres of dark romance and romantasy with mature themes.
This weekend, a bookstore claiming to be Europe's largest specialty store for adult romance novels is set to open its doors.
With over 2,500 titles in stock, The Spicy Librarian in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, aims to shine a light on various romance sub-genres, providing a welcoming space for book enthusiasts to unwind.
The bookstore's founder, who prefers to remain anonymous, cited her lifelong passion for reading, which began at the age of 14, and her experiences shopping at independent stores in the US as the inspiration behind the venture.
Recounting her visit to an independent romance shop in the US, the founder said, "I spent an hour browsing and left with seven new books, having also made a new friend – it was a truly memorable experience."
The Spicy Librarian has planned a range of events, including monthly book clubs, community nights, and a subscription service featuring works by independent authors.
According to the founder, her goal is to create a sense of familiarity and comfort for customers, making them feel like they've been to the store many times before, even on their first visit.
Ali Maynard-James, a member of the store's team, highlighted the unique nature of their offerings, which differ from traditional romance novels, focusing instead on the "spicy romantasy" and "dark romance" sub-genres.
Maynard-James noted that the characters in these stories are empowered, driving the narrative forward, making their own decisions, and navigating complex worlds, setting them apart from traditional romance protagonists.
She added that readers can relate to the female characters in these stories because they are multidimensional and flawed, reflecting the complexities of real-life individuals.
Indie author J Rose expressed her gratitude for having her work featured in the store, acknowledging that independent authors often lack the recognition afforded to traditionally published writers.
Rose described the experience of having her books in the store as "incredibly fulfilling," knowing that readers are engaging with her work, which she considers pieces of herself.
Rose emphasized the importance of independent bookstores, praising The Spicy Librarian for being "curated by readers, for readers," providing a platform for sharing passions and connecting with like-minded individuals.
Romance novelist Florence Keeling, a Coventry native, writes under her own name, as well as the pen names Charlie Dean and Tanya Mounts, specializing in darker romance material.
With a decade of experience writing romance novels, Keeling has observed a growing interest in the genre, particularly in "spicy" books, as readers become more confident in their preferences.
Keeling attributed her decision to explore the romance genre to a desire to tap into the universal human experiences of affection and connection, saying, "I thought, 'why not give it a try?'"
In her Tanya Mounts series, Keeling focuses on creating strong, older female characters who take charge of their lives, defying traditional romance novel tropes.
These characters, according to Keeling, are not passive or submissive, but rather empowered individuals who drive the narrative forward, taking control of their own lives.
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