On the Edge
Discover compelling stories and insights from around the world.
Art
Exhibitions Across Eras
Exhibitions offering new perspectives where memory, history and the senses intersect
Chicago
Korean National Treasures: 2,000 Years of Art
This special exhibition of Korean art is showing at The Art Institute of Chicago in the museum’s largest exhibition of Korean art in 40 years. Ranging from 6th-century gilt bronze Buddhist sculpture to Joseon-era paintings and contemporary artwork from the late 20th century, this diverse selection of 140 pieces covers two millennia’s worth of trends in Korean art. It’s also the first public exhibition of pieces from the late Lee Kunhee’s art collection since it was donated to the Korean government, serving as an excellent opportunity to share the history and value of Korean art with people around the world.
- The Art Institute of Chicago
- 3.7 - 7.5
Florence
Rothko in Florence
An exhibition chronicling the life and work of Mark Rothko is being held in Florence. The exhibition presents over 70 of Rothko’s works from the collections of leading international institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Tate Modern and the Centre Pompidou against the backdrop of the city’s stunning Renaissance architecture. Viewers will see how Rothko’s color fields were informed by the tension between classical restraint and expressive freedom. Along with the main show at Palazzo Strozzi, other programs will be held at the Museo di San Marco and the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, making the city itself part of the exhibition.
- Florence, Palazzo Strozzi
- 3.14 – 8.23
Singapore
Loewe Foundation Craft Prize 2026
This exhibition of finalists for the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize opens in May at the National Gallery Singapore. The annual show features modern works shortlisted for this prestigious prize, with the winner set to be announced at the opening. This year’s exhibition broadens the traditional definition of craft, featuring contemporary works across a diverse range of disciplines including sculpture and design. This exhibition will highlight today’s expanded understanding of craft.
- National Gallery Singapore
- 5.13 – 6.14
Seoul
Yoo Youngkuk: The Mountain Lies Within Me
Korean abstract pioneer Yoo Youngkuk rendered “mountains” as “landscapes of the mind” in bold colors and simple forms. Marking the 110th anniversary of his birth, this largest-ever retrospective features around 170 works — including oil paintings, reliefs, drawings, photographs and archival materials — with previously unseen pieces also on display. This is the first exhibition in the Seoul Museum of Art’s new “Modern Korean Masters” series.
- SeMA, Seosomun main branch
- 5.19 - 10.25
Image courtesy of the artist and Tina Kim Gallery;photo: Sebastiano Pellion di Persano
Vienna
Mire Lee
This solo exhibition by Mire Lee — a Korean contemporary artist who has fascinated international audiences with installations and sculptures that explore the boundaries between mind, body and machine — will be held concurrently at the Vienna Secession and the Korean Cultural Center. In this exhibition, Lee unveils large-scale kinetic sculptures based on materials as diverse as cement mixers, wall sections, rust, clay and sawdust. The proliferation of sound, smell and texture throughout the gallery space produces an immersive environment and a visceral experience for visitors. Through their movement, repetition and flow, her works are metaphors for the precarious structure and fluid relationships of our contemporary society.
- Vienna Secession & The Korean Cultural Center
- 4.7 – 12.6
Sports
A New Stage of Glory
A new chapter in world football unfolds through an expanded format and electrifying energy.
United States, Canada and Mexico
FIFA World Cup 2026TM
The world’s premier sporting event, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, begins its epic journey this year with a total of 104 matches to be played across 16 host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Marking the first time in history that three nations will jointly host the tournament, and with the number of participating teams expanded to 48, this edition will see teams divided into 12 groups competing fiercely over 39 days. Host nation Mexico has the honor of kicking off the tournament on June 11 at Mexico City Stadium (Estadio Azteca) in their capital city.This tournament also promises a range of new rules and spectacular attractions. One notable addition is the “hydration breaks,” allowing players a three-minute rest during each half, regardless of weather conditions. In particular, attention is focused on the final match at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium), where the FIFA World Cup’s first-ever halftime show is expected to take place. In addition, the tournament will feature the official match ball, Trionda, along with AI-powered officiating technology designed to enhance both fairness and excitement on the pitch. Prepare to experience the tension and emotion of a World Cup set to write a new chapter in football history.
- 6.11 - 7.19
Festivals
Cities in Celebration
Festivals around the world where vibrant streets, performances, light and music come together.
Sydney
Vivid Sydney
Each year, much of Sydney — including the city’s iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge — lights up in a spectacular display. Organized around the four themes of light, music, minds and food, Vivid Sydney features eye-grabbing installations, perfor-mances and diverse culinary offerings. With an expanded daytime program, the festival aims to create a city-friendly cultural event catering to visitors both by day and night.
- 5.22 - 6.13
Bergen
Bergen International Festival
Northern Europe’s biggest arts festival has been held since 1953 in Bergen, home of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The festival program spans a wide range of genres, including classical music, opera, ballet and theater. Performances are held in such historic settings as Troldhaugen, the former home of famed composer Edvard Grieg, guiding audience members on a thrilling journey into the past.
- 5.27 - 6.10
Film Festivals
Where Stories Gather
A season of film festivals connecting people and stories beyond the screen
Seattle
Seattle International Film Festival
Known as one of North America’s biggest film festivals, the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) brings cinema to viewers through audience-friendly programs. Offerings include movies for those wanting to knit or sew while viewing, rare film showings and open caption screenings. Films here are regarded as something not merely watched but shared with a community. SIFF has taken the lead in fostering an artistic ecosystem by showcasing mainstream, independent and international films.
- 5.7 - 5.17
Annecy
Annecy International Animation Film Festival
Widely considered the world’s leading animation festival, Annecy became its own event when it spun off from the non-competitive animation section at Cannes in 1960. Today, it hosts the International Animation Film Market (Mifa). Its AI section examines the ethical and creative challenges of AI-powered animation, while seeking to predict the future of this rapidly evolving industry.
- 6.21 - 6.27
Shanghai
Shanghai International Film Festival
The Shanghai International Film Festival is a leader in Asia’s film industry and China’s only festival accredited
by the International Federation of Film Producers Associations. It explores cinema’s potential through digital restor-ation and generative AI. In particular, world classics remastered in 4K honor the legacy of the past and enhance the festival’s artistic value.
- 6.12 - 6.21
Korea
Seoul
Seoul International Garden Show
The Korean capital turns into one big garden for this show, which gives landscape designers from around the world a chance to build relaxing havens in the urban landscape. The Seoul Forest area, where the show is being held this year, will feature gorgeous gardens created not only by world-renowned designers such as Jung Youngsun but by ordinary citizens, government offices and corporations. Visitors can reconnect with nature amid their hectic routines.
- 5.1 - 10.27
Seoul
Lotus Lantern Festival
Each year, in honor of Buddha’s Birthday, the streets of the Jongno area shimmer with a procession of multicolored lights. In the glow of the ornately painted paper lanterns depicting Buddhist symbols and traditional motifs, Koreans hold hands for the ganggangsullae circular dance with flower petals drifting overhead. Heartfelt wishes gather to create a wave of harmony, encouraging festival goers to reflect upon Korea’s distinctive sense of community.
- 5.16 - 5.17
Seocheon
Hansan Ramie Fabric Cultural Festival
First held in 1989, this venerable festival is one of the leading events organized to carry on Korea’s textile heritage. Visitors come to appreciate the value of ramie fabric from the Hansan region, which UNESCO has recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. These time-honored traditions are reinterpreted in a series of programs including textile workshops, fashion shows and a folk weaving performance called Jeosan Pareupgilssamnori.
- 6.12 - 6.14
