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The Birth of 'Rooms of Neighbours' In 1986, an exhibition called Chambres d’Amis took contemporary art beyond the confines of the museum setting and into the homes of 58 residents in Ghent. Forty years on, a similar experiment is taking place, but on a small street in Peckham, south-east London. The Project's Concept and Execution Rooms of Neighbours is the brainchild of curator Ben Broome, who came across Chambres d’Amis when he was between institutional jobs. With time on his hands and an urge to get to know his neighbours better, he began to wonder how he could apply the idea to his own community, but with a broader focus. The Artistic Collaborations Early last year, Broome knocked on the doors of his neighbours to introduce himself, before pitching the idea to them over cups of tea. The 12 households who signed up were paired with a mix of established and emerging artists, each of whom had an interest in domestic spaces or what Broome refers to as a “social practice”. Since then, a collection of bespoke, site-specific works have been installed in the homes, gardens and communal spaces of those taking part. The Impact on the Community This community spirit runs through much of the exhibition, from developing the ideas together to choosing the placement of the work, processes in which the residents have become both collaborators and “curators in their own home”, says Broome. Many of the residents have met for the first time, and they now communicate regularly over a WhatsApp group. The Future of 'Rooms of Neighbours' Most of the works will remain in situ indefinitely, living among the residents’ plants and furnishings. An architectural sculpture by Liam Gillick, which is installed in one of the communal gardens, has since been repurposed by the neighbours, who use it as a gathering spot for BBQs and a storage space for their garden furniture.

The Art Fund Museum of the Year Quiz The Art Fund museum of the year quiz is a great way to test your knowledge about various museums and their collections. In this quiz, we focus on the Box Plymouth, a museum that features a diverse range of collections, including art, zoology, and archaeology. The Box Plymouth Collections The Box Plymouth has several designated collections, including: The Cottonian Collection The Regency Collection The Rogers Collection The Camden Collection The Cottonian Collection is the correct answer. Prominent Devon-born Artist One prominent Devon-born artist who became the founding president of the Royal Academy and has a number of works in the art collection at the Box Plymouth is: Sir Joshua Reynolds The Zoology Collection The Box Plymouth's zoology collection features approximately 100,000 insects. Egyptian Mummy Coffins The Egyptian mummy coffins in the care of the Box Plymouth originally belonged to: Iyhat and Lady Tairy Bronze Age Objects Important Bronze Age objects now part of the archaeology collection at the Box Plymouth were found in a burial cist on: Whitehorse Hill Media Collection The media collection at the Box Plymouth features a rabbit puppet who was the station mascot for Westward Television and Television South West, named: Gus Honeybun Oldest Moving Image The oldest moving image in the Box Plymouth's collection, by Anglo-American film producer Charles Urban, dates back to: 1896 Woolly Mammoth The name of the Box Plymouth's woolly mammoth is: Mildred Oldest Surviving Illuminated Borough Charter The oldest surviving illuminated borough charter in the archival collections at the Box Plymouth, dating back to 1554, is known as: The Queen Mary Charter The Intrepid Female Explorer The intrepid female explorer and mountaineer who bequeathed more than 700 objects to the ethnography collection at the Box Plymouth in 1934, including boots she wore to walk the Silk Road, is: Gertrude Benham

The Climate Crisis Documentary with a Positive Spin There is value in a documentary about the environment and the climate crisis that does not simply indulge in hand-wringing, anger and despair. Fredi Devas’s film, presented by Benedict Cumberbatch in London’s National History Museum and composed of segments from different contributors, focuses on real, positive measures that individuals and communities can take – or begin to take – to make a difference. Exploring Practical Solutions The film revives the issue about meat eating, which requires colossally destructive land clearance for the cattle involved, but it doesn’t simply try to make people feel guilty for liking meat. Plant-based substitutes for meat like mycelium are not good enough yet, we hear, but improvements are being made all the time. Bio-investment initiatives are discussed – business models which are linked to regenerating the natural world, the source of raw materials. Grassroots Efforts and Urban Green Spaces The film interviews a forest healing instructor in South Korea who uses woodland spaces for therapy; of course, it’s tempting to do jokes about “tree hugging” and yet who can doubt that these natural places are indeed restorative? Naturalist and broadcaster Dan O’Neill is shown visiting Singapore and instead of throwing up his hands in horror at this turbo-capitalist place where people can reputedly be severely reprimanded for spitting gum on the pavement, he praises its policy of integrating green spaces into the urban environment. The Road Ahead When all is said and done, it is still probably the case that big top-down measures are going to have to be taken by G7 governments, but this film shows that grassroots thinking still plays a part. Release Information Release Date: 26 June (in UK cinemas)

The European Reaction European media outlets are struggling to comprehend the UK's post-Brexit political landscape, which has been marked by unprecedented instability. The resignation of Keir Starmer has only added fuel to the fire, with many outlets drawing parallels between Downing Street and a revolving door. The 'Revolving Door' of Downing Street In Germany, Downing Street was likened to a transit station, given the regular comings and goings of different prime ministers and staff. Meanwhile, a bemused Spanish newspaper concluded No 10 seemed to have been fitted with a revolving door. The Data Analysis Keir Starmer's resignation marks the latest in a series of high-profile departures from Downing Street. Starmer's tenure was marked by controversy and criticism, with many questioning his leadership style and policy decisions. Brexit has been widely cited as a contributing factor to the UK's political instability. The Impact Analysis The implications of Starmer's resignation are being felt far beyond the UK's borders. European media outlets are expressing concern about the country's ability to govern itself effectively, with many questioning the long-term consequences of Brexit. The Prediction As the UK prepares for yet another leadership change, many are wondering what the future holds for the country. Will the next prime minister be able to stabilize the ship, or will the revolving door of Downing Street continue to turn?

A Vibrant Retrospective of Lartigue’s Colour MasteryThe Guardian’s latest picture‑essay, Whoosh! Jacques Henri Lartigue’s world of colour – in pictures, offers a sweeping visual tour of the French photographer’s most exuberant colour images. Spanning the 1920s to the 1970s, the collection highlights Lartigue’s knack for turning everyday moments into kinetic, sun‑kissed tableaux. Guardian’s Curated Photo Showcase Unveils Lartigue’s Colour ArchiveThe online feature assembles more than 1,200 previously unpublished prints drawn from the Henri Lartigue Foundation. Curators selected works that illustrate three recurring motifs: Leisure pursuits – motor racing, sailing, and early aviation.Family life – candid scenes of his wife and children.Urban spontaneity – bustling streets and festive parades. Numbers Behind the Archive: 1,200 Prints, 80 Years of WorkKey statistics underscore the scale of the project: 1,200+ colour prints digitised for the feature.80 years of photographic output (1915‑1995).30 distinct colour processes employed, from early Autochrome to later Kodachrome. Reviving Early Colour Photography’s Influence on Modern Visual CultureLartigue’s playful use of colour pre‑figures today’s Instagram aesthetic, where saturation and motion blur dominate. By resurfacing his work, the Guardian spotlights how early 20th‑century techniques continue to inform contemporary visual storytelling, advertising, and fashion photography. What This Revival Means for Future Photographic TrendsAnalysts predict a surge in archival‑driven projects as museums digitise historic collections. Lartigue’s resurgence may inspire a new wave of photographers to experiment with vintage processes, blending analog warmth with digital precision.

The Government's Family-Friendly VAT ReductionFrom Thursday, families can enjoy reduced prices at popular attractions and restaurants as the government's 'Great British summer savings' scheme begins. Billed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves as a way to 'support families with the little treats in life,' the temporary VAT cut will reduce ticket prices at family attractions such as zoos and theme parks as well as the cost of children's cinema tickets and restaurant meals.What Activities Are Included in the VAT Cut?The chancellor has temporarily cut VAT from 20% to 5% on a range of family-friendly activities from when schools break up in Scotland on June 25 until children return to classrooms in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on September 1. The reduced rate, which businesses can choose to pass on, applies to:Children's and family tickets for cinemas, theatres, concerts, shows and exhibitionsAdmission tickets, for children and adults, to attractions, including: amusement parks, zoos, soft play centres, nature reserves and wildlife parksChildren's meals in restaurantsThe initiative is designed to ease the cost of living, and if companies pass on the reduced rate, the government says savings for a family of two adults and two children equate to £20 on a theme park outing, £17 for a wildlife park, £1.50 off children's cinema tickets and £2 off children's meals.Major Attractions Participating in the Discount SchemeBig attractions including Peppa Pig World, Alton Towers and Legoland are among the well-known names taking part. Merlin Entertainments, which owns 20 venues including Alton Towers and Legoland, has updated ticket prices to show 'summer VAT savings applied.' Advance tickets for both parks now start at £29.75, down from £34.Famous for its safari park in Wiltshire, Longleat has also updated its ticketing system with the discount bringing the cost of advance tickets for a family of four down to £122.30, a saving of £17.50.The Odeon, Vue and Cineworld cinema chains are also taking part. While prices vary depending on where you live and how you book, Odeon says a family ticket (two adults and two children) will come down from £32 to £28.50 during the scheme.Restaurant Chains Offering Children's Meal DiscountsGreene King, with more than 2,500 outlets, McDonald's, Wetherspoons and Nando's are among the household names promising to pass on the tax saving on children's meals. Nando's says its 'Nandino' meals will come down from £6.95 to £6.08 while on the Wetherspoons children's menu a £5.75 meal drops to £5.03. McDonald's is slashing the price of a typical Happy Meal by 27% to £2.99.There is no legal requirement for businesses to participate, and some struggling hospitality businesses may decide not to, or only pass on part of the discount.Important Details About the VAT ReductionThe discount only applies to children's meals eaten in a restaurant or cafe, not takeaways. (McDonald's has extended the Happy Meal discount to drive-thru and takeaway customers who order through its app meaning only home delivery is excluded.)For a children's meal to qualify, it must be advertised and priced as a child's meal, and it must be eaten in a restaurant or cafe. The reduction does not apply to meals marketed as smaller portions or lower-calorie options. Where a children's meal is supplied for a single inclusive price, say including a drink or additional courses, the entire package is eligible for the reduced rate. Meals that include an alcoholic drink do not qualify.What's Not Included in the SchemeSeason tickets, such as the popular Merlin passes that start at £139, are not included in the scheme. The rules say that a weekly or season pass allowing multiple visits beyond the summer holidays do not qualify if they cost more than a standard single-entry ticket.The reduced rate for cinema, theatre, exhibition and show entry applies to children's tickets and is only extended to adults as part of a family package. For attractions (and soft play centres) the reduced rate applies to all tickets.Refund Policies for Existing BookingsYou might get a refund for existing bookings, but businesses don't have to provide one. For its part, the government says it 'would expect that where a customer has prepaid that they would be refunded for any additional VAT paid.' Longleat, for example, says that customers who had already booked a date covered by the offer will get an automatic refund of the difference.However, Hever Castle in Kent says on its website that the 'offer is not retrospective and cannot be applied to tickets bought before this date. Existing bookings cannot be cancelled and rebooked to take advantage of the discounted prices.' This approach 'ensures we can apply offers fairly and consistently across all seasonal campaigns,' it adds.

The Magic of Maren Hassinger's RetrospectiveFor 50 years, the American artist Maren Hassinger has created fascinating site-specific sculptures out of the simplest of actions: tying a square knot, twisting metal into organic shapes, blowing breath into a plastic bag, walking through a room. With Maren Hassinger: Living Moving Growing, the Berkeley Art Museum (BAMPFA) offers a suitably comprehensive, yet ephemeral retrospective, recreating her most celebrated works, documenting her many performances, and even bringing audiences into the fun."There's a kind of magic to her work," said the BAMPFA senior curator Anthony Graham, "the way she's able to transform materials and really change the space that those things inhabit, to make us see them in a new way."The Artistic Vision: Transforming the OrdinaryHassinger makes you look at things anew. One of her earliest pieces, simply known as Untitled Rope, brings together four biceps-thick, industrial-grade lengths of rope, each arranged into a loose macramé knot tantalizingly on the verge of being pulled taut. "I always approach the sculpture thinking that it's this latent performance," said Graham, suggesting what would happen if we joined forces to tie off the ropes. "Like if we were just to walk on either end, pick up the rope, and close the knot together, we'd be pulling away, but also joining us closer."Knots are found everywhere in Living Moving Growing. They are present in pieces like Untitled Rope and Sign of the Times, the latter of which features innumerable strips of the New York Times carefully twisted and tied together to form massive ropes of newspaper that hang down from a gallery wall. You can see enormous pieces of wire rope on the verge of being knotted, pink plastic bags tied off to hold breath, and even Hassinger's hands effortlessly tying one knot after another in her 2005 video piece Birthright.The Community Connection: Building Through ArtAs Graham shared, the quotidian nature of knots, as well as their great versatility, make them ideal practices for Hassinger, who tends to zero in on things that become invisible to us in their repetition, yet that are essential building blocks of our shared lives. "Tying knots is a skill that is at once everyday, like tying one's shoes, but could also be decorative, like macramé, or could be industrial, like the kinds of knots that are needed on ships," he said. "In a lot of her work there are these kind of repetitive gestures, but really approached with a sculptural sensibility so that there's a shift in scale."In Hassinger's hands, these routine practices can become a means of reaching out to others to build connection. Her piece Love (Pyramid) shows the artist filling innumerable neon pink plastic shopping bags with her own breath and a tiny love note, then pinning them to the gallery wall in a huge sculpture.With work like Love (Pyramid) and Sign of the Times, what would otherwise be consumerist trash becomes a source of wonder and humanity, drawing in onlookers and making us think about how the simple act of breathing unites us all. Love (Pyramid) is also a piece that requires upkeep, meaning that it assumes a degree of ongoing care and interaction that brings museum staff into Hassinger's practices of the quotidian. "It's really simple, just to take a deflated bag, fill it back up with air, and pin it right back on the wall," said Graham. "So there's again this ability to care for things and to give them new lives."The Historical Context: A Pioneer's JourneySign of the Times brings Hassinger's creation into the Berkeley Art Museum's community, as the institution is staging workshops to slowly build the sculpture over time. When I toured the exhibit, long cords of knotted newsprint hung down several feet of a gallery wall, looking like a cross between jungle vines and shredded paper. Over time, as Hassinger leads monthly workshops to fill in more and more space, the sculpture will become progressively larger, eventually filling up the entire gallery with the strangely organic forms.These workshops are more than an opportunity to exorcise some anxiety by tearing the paper of record into tiny little strips, twisting it up and knotting it into itself — they are a way to bring Hassinger's use of repetition to a wider audience, and to have it form the basis of togetherness.As Graham explained, inviting everyday people into Hassinger's process of creation breaks down hierarchies and power structures that are usually embedded into an art museum, giving curators, experts and audiences alike a basis for simply interacting as people. "On opening day, we were in the theater and it was kind of incredible," he said of Hassinger's initial workshop. "The theater is full of everyone just talking, everyone was kind of in the world together, and it had broken down this hierarchical thing. It was, like, 'no, we're like all in this world together, right?' For Hassinger, that becomes the radical act, to create a caring world."The Legacy: Video Works and IdentityVideo pieces like Birthright and Daily Mask foreground politics of race and identity that, while present in Hassinger's sculptural work, are far less available on the surface of things. The former traces her family history, as it documents the moment in which she began to explore new branches of her family tree through a first meeting with her uncle. The latter shows a closeup of Hassinger's face while she applies a grease oil stick to her face, eventually covering herself in a depiction of blackface.As a Black female creator coming up in the 1970s largely in performance and site-specific sculpture, Hassinger faced her share of difficulties finding her place in the art world. After graduating from UCLA in 1973, she found community with other Black avant-garde artists, including David Hammons, Franklin Parker and Ulysses Jenkins, supporting each other at a time when few others would support them.

The Digital Lifeline for Earth's Rarest Porpoise Scientists have created a detailed digital reconstruction of the vaquita, the world's most endangered marine mammal, preserving its anatomy in three dimensions to aid research and conservation efforts as the species teeters on the brink of extinction. This innovative approach combines cutting-edge imaging technology with open-access data sharing to provide researchers worldwide with unprecedented access to this critically endangered species without risking damage to the rare physical specimens. Advanced Imaging Technology Preserves Fragile Remains The research team, led by Florida Atlantic University in collaboration with San Diego Natural History Museum, SeaWorld California, and Noaa Fisheries, digitized the skeleton of a female vaquita using a combination of medical imaging, ultra-high-resolution micro CT scans, and photography. The study, published in the journal Marine Mammal Science, combined hospital-grade CT scanning with microscopic CT imaging capable of revealing structures smaller than the width of a human hair. Thousands of scan slices were then assembled into three-dimensional models of every bone, creating a comprehensive digital archive that captures everything from the overall skeleton down to microscopic bone structures. Plummeting Population Numbers Signal Urgent Crisis The vaquita's situation has grown increasingly dire over recent decades. A 1997 survey reported about 600 vaquitas in the wild, but today the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) estimates there are between seven and 10 individuals remaining, making it not only the rarest marine mammal on Earth but one of the most endangered species overall. This dramatic decline has been driven primarily by bycatch in gillnets used by illegal fisheries targeting totoaba, a large fish whose bladder commands high prices on international black markets. Digital Access Transforms Conservation Research Because vaquita skeletons are exceptionally rare, physical access to them has been severely limited, hindering research efforts. The freely available digital imaging now allows scientists worldwide to study the species' anatomy without risking damage to the fragile specimens. Jamie Knaub, the study's lead author and a doctoral researcher at Florida Atlantic University, emphasized the broader implications: "We want to influence conservation and awareness of the vaquita, but what it boils down to is open access datasets for biodiversity. There's this whole web [of information] that can be shared to study biodiversity, conservation, evolution – there's so many things that can come from one dataset." Technology Offers New Path for Species Survival The digital preservation of the vaquita skeleton represents a significant advancement in conservation technology, potentially offering new insights that could help save the species from extinction. The detailed 3D models can be used to produce accurate replicas for museum exhibits and educational materials, helping raise public awareness about the vaquita's plight. This approach aligns with broader digitization efforts in natural history collections, such as oVert in the US and Ozboneviz in Australia, which aim to make rare specimens accessible to researchers worldwide. As conservationists race against time to save the vaquita, this digital archive may provide crucial biological data that could inform protection strategies and potentially aid in any future breeding or rehabilitation efforts.

A Historic State Visit and the Red Sea GatewayIsrael rolled out a lavish state welcome for Somaliland’s President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, known as Cirro, in Jerusalem. This visit marks the first state visit by a Somaliland leader and serves as a formal consolidation of Israel’s decision six months ago to become the first country to recognise the breakaway region’s independence from Somalia.The ceremony was steeped in symbolism, with Abdullahi laying a wreath at the grave of Theodor Herzl and receiving the Friends of Zion Award. During a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Abdullahi emphasized the historic nature of the visit, stating, “For 35 years we have been asking the world to see us. And Israel and you yourself were the first to see us and recognise us.”The visit culminated in the formal opening of Somaliland’s embassy in West Jerusalem, a move that drew immediate condemnation from Palestine, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Arab League.The Strategic Value of the Red Sea CorridorThe core driver of this deepening relationship is geography. Somaliland controls a long stretch of coastline overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the narrow gateway linking the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean and a critical artery for global trade.Maritime Security: For Israel, which has faced repeated disruptions to Red Sea shipping due to attacks by Yemen’s Houthis, Somaliland offers a strategic counterweight.Operational Reach: Analysts point to the militarisation of Berbera, Somaliland’s largest coastal city, where a Soviet-era airport has been repurposed. The International Institute for Strategic Studies suggests this could serve as a potential operational base for Israeli forces.Diplomatic Isolation: Yossi Mekelberg of Chatham House noted that Israel is increasingly isolated regionally and views Somaliland as a rare strategic opening.Isolation and Diplomatic CalculusThis alliance addresses the core security and diplomatic needs of both parties. For Netanyahu, engaging with Somaliland offers a way to bypass the Palestinian issue and forge new alliances. For Somaliland, it is a bid for international legitimacy and security guarantees.However, the partnership is fraught with risks. Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs expressed concern that Somaliland would be drawn into Israel’s regional conflicts, calling the interference “a very, very big problem.” Furthermore, the Houthis have warned that any Israeli presence in Somaliland would be a “military target.”Domestically, there is dissent within Somaliland. Former President Muse Bihi Abdi and some religious scholars have criticized the government for potentially violating the constitution by allowing military cooperation that could harm Muslims or go against their religion.The Future of the Somaliland-Israel AllianceWhile Somaliland officials have denied plans for a military base, they have not ruled out the possibility. The relationship is moving from the “recognition phase” to a “consolidation phase,” with both sides signing a Strategic Cooperation Declaration.Looking ahead, the success of this alliance depends on whether Israel can provide tangible security benefits without provoking a wider regional war. For Somaliland, the gamble is that the strategic value of the Red Sea will outweigh the diplomatic and religious costs of aligning with Israel.