More Magic Awaits … Be the First to Unlock It With Wizarding World Gold

More Magic Awaits … Be the First to Unlock It With Wizarding World Gold (PRNewsfoto/Wizarding World Digital)

Today, we are delighted to announce further details about Wizarding World Gold, an annual, paid subscription which will unlock early access, exclusive benefits and enhanced experiences when it officially launches later this autumn.

• This spellbinding, new subscription will offer fans the opportunity to enhance their free Official Harry Potter Fan Club experience and is available to pre-order from today. 

Subscribers to Wizarding World Gold can look forward to a host of new benefits, including a magical welcome gift, currently not available anywhere else! The gift includes the interactive Keys and Curios journal, featuring a specially designed cover by MinaLima - the graphic design team behind some of the most iconic and memorable visuals from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films.

This beautiful and intricate journal will arrive personalised with your name, Hogwarts house and more – meaning no two journals will be the same. Inside, you'll discover interactive secrets and surprises, which are updated monthly and are unlocked as you explore the new Wizarding World app.

• Also included in the gift is a postcard print of J.K. Rowling's original Hogwarts sketch and an exclusive collectible pin badge, which features the Enchanted Key emblem!

As well as your welcome gift, a year's Wizarding World Gold subscription will unlock:

• Wizarding World Originals – Immerse yourself in our new video series which is set to unravel the mysteries and uncover the secrets from all corners of the Wizarding World. Learn about the creative talent and craftspeople who bring you closer to the magic in The Workshop and discover our pick of behind-the-scenes content in From The Archive.
• eBooks – Take the magic of J.K. Rowling wherever you go with all seven eBooks of the original Harry Potter stories, available on the Wizarding World app for the duration of your subscription.
• Collectible pin badges - You'll receive the first pin badge in your welcome gift. Plus, claim collectible pin badges from selected Wizarding World UK and US locations including: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child theatres in London, New York & San Francisco, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London and Hollywood as well as at the iconic Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ in King's Cross Station, London.
• Special events – Get access to Gold subscriber events throughout the year, such as the Wizarding World Christmas Party in the Great Hall at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London later this year.
• Exclusive discounts - Enjoy discounts from the new Wizarding World.com shop, the Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ in King's Cross Station, London, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Exclusive Vacation Package at Universal Orlando Resort, as well as Warner Bros. Studio Tour stores in both London and Hollywood.
• Priority booking - Look forward to priority access to tickets for the most popular Wizarding World events and locations, including Harry Potter and the Cursed Child shows in London, New York and San Francisco as well as Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter.
• Early access - Unlock early access to limited-edition Wizarding World Gold merchandise ranges and curious collectibles - before they go on general release.
• Plus, plenty of perks – including new quizzes and puzzles, chances to win once in-a-lifetime experiences and much, much more!

Fans can enjoy all this for just $74.99 (US) or £59.99 (UK) per year. In addition, Wizarding World Gold will soon be available to purchase as a gift box subscription - the perfect present for any Harry Potter fan! It launches this autumn online at WizardingWorld.com, the Harry Potter Shop at Platform 9 ¾ at King's Cross Station in London as well as Warner Bros Studio Tour Gift Shops in London and Hollywood.

Want to be among the first to get your hands on a Keys and Curios journal? Fans can pre-order their Wizarding World Gold subscription from today on WizardingWorld.com, with full benefits unlocked later this autumn.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London: The Making of Harry Potter (Image from Warner Bros.)

About Wizarding World Digital  

Wizarding World Digital is a joint venture between Pottermore Ltd and Warner Bros. and is dedicated to delivering innovative and digital experiences for all fans of the Wizarding World. In 2019, it launched the Wizarding Passport, Wizarding World mobile app, WizardingWorld.com and The Official Harry Potter Fan Club.

About Wizarding World

More than two decades ago, a young Harry Potter was whisked onto platform nine and three-quarters at King's Cross Station, and readers everywhere were swept along with him into a magical universe, created by J.K. Rowling. In the years since, the seven Harry Potter bestsellers have inspired eight blockbuster movies, an award-winning stage play, and, more recently, the start of the Fantastic Beasts five-film series. People of all ages have been enthralled by these extraordinary adventures, set within an expanding universe, inspired by the vision of J.K. Rowling. For today's growing worldwide fan community, and for generations to come, the Wizarding World welcomes everyone to explore more of this magical universe — past, present and future. The Wizarding World also provides fans with an instant, trusted kite-mark of quality and authenticity.

About Pottermore Publishing

Pottermore Publishing is the global digital publisher of the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts series as well as other audiobooks and eBooks from the Wizarding World. It leads the way in innovative digital publishing and to bring new generations of readers together with long-standing fans, celebrating and bringing to life the stories that first began with the Boy Who Lived.

• Visit PottermorePublishing.com for the full range of publishing, including language availability as well as forthcoming releases.

SOURCE: Wizarding World Digital

During October's Adopt-a-Dog Month, American Humane and Hallmark Channel Remind Animal Lovers That Every Hero Needs a Home

During American Humane's 38th national "Adopt-a-Dog Month," the organization and Hallmark Channel are urging animal lovers everywhere to save a life by adopting a canine companion in need of a home.

For thousands of years, dogs have been our best friends, our protectors, and often our heroes, improving and even saving lives. That is why each October, American Humane, the country's first national humane organization and the nation's leading first responder for animals in need, encourages animal lovers to repay the favor by adopting a dog from a local shelter or rescue group during its annual "Adopt-a-Dog Month." 

This year, American Humane is teaming up with Hallmark Channel's "Adoption Ever After" campaign to help get more of the millions of beautiful animals left in shelters each year into forever homes. All throughout the month, you can go to AmericanHumane.org to find tips on preparing your home for a new four-legged companion, other vital information, and social media campaigns and blogs to help build a better world for our best friends.

If you're already a dog lover, or just need an extra push to bring home a pup waiting for your love, be sure to tune in to the 2019 American Humane Hero Dog Awards on Hallmark Channel Oct. 21 at 8 pm ET/7 pm CT (check local listings for exact date and time). The heartwarming stories of amazing dogs (including rescued shelter dogs) who improve and even save our lives will make you realize that every dog is a hero and every hero needs a home. 

• Make this the month you bring your hero home, watch the Hero Dog Awards, and spread the word with the hashtag #adoptioneverafter.

A poster from a previous 'Adopt-A-Dog Month' campaign (image via the American Humane site)

Here are a variety of ways to celebrate Adopt-A-Dog Month:

Adopt from a shelter or rescue group

When you're ready to open your heart and home to a new best friend, adopt from your local animal shelter or rescue group. Talk with shelter staff to find the perfect dog for you and your lifestyle, and remember that older dogs make excellent pets too.

Spay or neuter your dog

Have your dog spayed or neutered, thus preventing the possibility of unexpected, and potentially unwanted, puppies. Spayed and neutered animals have been shown to lead longer, healthier lives and have fewer of certain behavioral problems than animals who have not been spayed or neutered.

ID your pet

By putting identification on your dog, either in the form of a tag, a microchip or both, you will reduce the possibility that your pet will become one of the presumably "homeless" dogs that end up at your local shelter. Only 15-20 percent of dogs who enter a shelter are reunited with their owners. Make sure your dog is one of the fortunate few by outfitting him with proper identification!

Support your local shelter

Show the pets at your local shelter or rescue group that you care by donating time, money or supplies like pet food, leashes, beds and toys. Call the shelter to see what supplies or services are needed most. Even the smallest effort can make a difference.

SOURCE: American Humane

'Transparency: An LGBTQ+ Glass Art Exhibition' Makes West Coast Debut at Museum of Glass

Pearl Dick. Us, 2017. Blown, sculpted glass; 12 1/2 x 16 x 6 inches. (Photo by Randy Korwin. Courtesy of the National Liberty Museum.)

The nation's first museum exhibition of Studio Glass works produced exclusively by artists in the LGBTQ+ community, Transparency: An LGBTQ+ Glass Art Exhibition makes its West Coast debut at Museum of Glass on October 12, 2019. 

Curated and organized by the National Liberty Museum, this three-dimensional mediation on queer experience emphasizes the importance of being open about identity, a hallmark of liberty and creative freedom.

Transparency, which originally opened for Pride 2017, speaks both to the medium of glass and to the artists' freedom to acknowledge their identity, regardless of the political or artistic consequences. It includes work by more than 20 glass artists, including Nancy Callan, Pearl Dick, Tim Tate, Kim Harty, Joseph Sircoulomb, and Sabrina Knowles and Jenny Pohlman. The featured pieces were chosen by the artists, keeping with the spirit of self-advocacy and creative self-expression that characterizes Pride.

"The National Liberty Museum's mission is to promote freedom and self-expression, and nothing better exemplifies that more than this groundbreaking exhibition," said Meegan Coll, Director of Glass Programs at the National Liberty Museum. "We are so excited that we could partner with Museum of Glass to not only bring the work of these artists but also the message of Transparency to the West Coast."

The opening of Transparency at Museum of Glass correlates with Refract: The Seattle Glass Experience, happening October 17-20. Refract is the nation's newest festival showcasing creative uses of glass in the Pacific Northwest. 

• In partnership with Refract, Museum of Glass will celebrate Transparency with an opening party, including a meet and greet with several participating artists, DJ, cash bar, and free access from 12-2pm on Sunday, October 20.

'Seaform Pavilion, Chihuly Bridge of Glass' - Museum of Glass, Tacoma

About Museum of Glass

Located in Tacoma, Washington, Museum of Glass is a premier contemporary art museum dedicated to glass and glassmaking in the West Coast's largest and most active museum glass studio. 

Opened in 2002, the Museum has established a reputation for hosting impactful and engaging artist residencies, organizing nationally traveling exhibitions, and creating unique programs for visitors while building a growing permanent collection chronicling the development of modern and contemporary glass. 

Museum of Glass provides an environment for artists and the public to ignite creativity, fuel discovery, and enrich their lives through glass and glassmaking. 

• Museum of Glass is a non-profit organization sponsored in part by the City of Tacoma Arts Commission, ArtsFund, The Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, The Dimmer Family Foundation, and the Driscoll Foundation.

SOURCE: Museum of Glass

Get Free Comic Books During Halloween ComicFest at Local Comic Book Shops

Get Free Comic Books During Halloween ComicFest at Local Comic Book Shops (image via HalloweenComicFest.com)

On Saturday, October 26, participating comic shops across North America and around the world will hand out more than 1.7 million free comics to anyone who comes into their shop during Halloween ComicFest! During the event, anyone who goes into a participating comic shop can choose a free comic from the 28 titles available this year and participate in the fun Halloween-themed activities hosted by the comic shops. 

• The annual event is a great way to welcome curious, first-time readers as well as longtime comic book fans into local shops to experience all the horror comics and spooky delights comic shops have to offer.

Twenty-eight free comics, including 19 full-size comics and 9 mini comics can be picked up. This year's titles include Marvel Comics' Ghost Rider: King of Hell #1, Iron Man: Road to Iron Man 2020, Miles Morales: Spider-Man #0, Star Wars: Boba Fett #1; DC Comics' DCEASED #1, The Secret Spiral of Swamp Kid/ Black Canary: Ignite, and DC Superhero Girls: At Metropolis High; and Pokémon Adventures, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Spook House, among other spooktacular titles for comic readers of all ages.

Halloween ComicFest also features "The Greatest Halloween Costume Contest Ever!", running now through November 1st at 2pm EST. Fans can enter one of five categories – Superhero/Comics, Video Games, TV/Movie, Horror, or Original – just by taking a picture of themselves in costume and submitting the photo on the Halloween ComicFest website. Six winners will be selected at random: five first prize winners who will receive a $50 shopping spree to their local comic shop and one grand prize winner who will receive a $500 shopping spree to their local comic shop!

"We want communities to participate in Halloween ComicFest not only to discover the great selection of comics offered, but also to experience comic shops as premiere destinations for spooky Halloween fun. Your local comic shop is a great place to meet like-minded people and discover new comics and cool pop-culture items available each week and all year long," said Halloween ComicFest spokesperson Ashton Greenwood. "This year is the perfect time to visit your local comic book shop and celebrate Halloween ComicFest!"

• For more information about Halloween ComicFest, the free comics, costume contest, and to find a participating comic shop, go to halloweencomicfest.com. It's time to get in your Halloween costume and take your family and friends to check out the free comics and fun at your local comic shop!

About Halloween ComicFest

Halloween ComicFest is an annual event where participating comic book specialty shops across North America and beyond celebrate the Halloween season by giving away free comic books to anyone who comes into their shops. 

The event is held the Saturday before Halloween and is the perfect opportunity to introduce friends and family to the many reasons why comic shops are a great destination for Halloween themed comic books, products and merchandise. 

• From zombies, vampires, monsters and aliens to costumes and more, comic shops have it all when it comes to Halloween fun!

SOURCE: Halloween ComicFest

Nestlé Develops 'PB Triple Play' - A Fully Plant-Based 'Bacon Cheeseburger'

Nestlé debuting first-ever vegan bacon cheeseburger

Nestlé announced today that it has developed vegan alternatives to cheese and bacon, designed to complement its existing plant-based burger patties. This makes it the first food and beverage company to develop and produce all three essential elements for a no-compromise plant-based 'bacon cheeseburger'.

This complete burger solution will first be offered to professional clients such as restaurant and foodservice operators. Nestlé's plant-based burger patties are already available to food professionals, with the full package including the vegan alternatives to cheese and bacon following in 2020.

Nestlé CEO Mark Schneider said, "More and more consumers are looking for delicious, nutritious and sustainable plant-based options when they dine out. We have now raised the bar by developing a 'PB triple play' of ingredients for an all-time classic: the bacon cheeseburger. We're continuing to make good on our promise to offer consumers food that is right for them and right for the planet."

The 'PB triple play' is intended to appeal to consumers who are actively seeking to reduce meat in their diet and switch to plant-based meals more often. It delivers on familiar tastes that consumers are seeking out in plant-based alternatives. The vegan cheddar cheese alternative has the texture, meltability and delicious, rich taste of a dairy cheese. The vegan bacon alternative becomes crispy and chewy when cooked, similar to animal-based bacon, and has the same satisfying flavor.

With Nestlé's plant-based burger patties providing the perfectly juicy, meat-like base, the 'PB triple play' offers an amazing vegan burger experience. The plant-based 'bacon cheeseburger' is significantly lower in fat and saturated fat, free of cholesterol and has a higher fiber content compared to a standard bacon cheeseburger. Like Nestlé's existing plant-based offerings, the new products will also have a lower environmental footprint.

Nestlé leveraged its R&D expertise and proprietary technology to develop the vegan alternatives to cheese and bacon, using a combination of natural ingredients such as plant-based proteins, fibers and oils. In creating these ingredients, culinary chefs and food scientists worked alongside foodservice experts to tailor the products for use in professional kitchens, taking into account their specific cooking and serving requirements.

• The company also offers a variety of vegan burger sauces to create a completely plant-based and delicious burger experience.

The move is part of the Nestlé's efforts to speed up the transformation of its portfolio with innovative, sustainable products. Nestlé recently announced its ambition to achieve zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This includes offering more plant-based food and beverages.

• Nestlé has already launched its Sweet Earth Awesome Burger in the United States and its Garden Gourmet Incredible Burger in Europe for retail and foodservices.

SOURCE: Nestlé

Related Video:

Trade War: Containers Don't Lie, Navigating the Bluster

Trade War: Containers Don't Lie, Navigating the Bluster - book cover

Today the decorum of trade negotiations has been replaced with a trade war reality show leaving the world as a whipsawed spectator. For the first time in history, the curtain of trade negotiations has been torn off, creating a turbulent, emotional environment of fear, anxiety, and hope. Global markets and businesses both large and small are trying to navigate the Twitter storms of President Trump—the threats, declarations of winning, and blame. This rhetoric has intentionally buried and distorted the truth of the trade war. That is, until now.

Best-selling author Lori Ann LaRocco has written a detailed examination of the current global trade and tariff wars, entitled: Trade War: Containers Don't Lie, Navigating the Bluster. The book tells the true story of the trade wars through the experiences of American farmers, industry, ports, and markets, in the words of those involved and impacted, and with the trade data, which does not lie.

The flow of trade is agnostic and does not play favorites. Ninety percent of the world's trade is transported by water. The magnitude of the water superhighway is extraordinary. More than 9 billion tons of cargo—the equivalent of more than a ton for each person in the world—is transported by over 86,000 ships each year. This tremendous volume provides the tea leaves for divining the story of trade negotiations.

China is not the only country in a trade war with the United States. It is a multifront war involving Turkey, Russia, the E.U., Japan, and India. Canada and Mexico were also included but recently worked out a trade deal, which has still not been ratified by Congress. This global trade war has impacted U.S. industries ranging from agriculture to steel, motorcycles to whiskey.

Some markets were simply wiped out with the stroke of a pen.

"Our European buyers told us they wanted to put all shipments on hold until the trade talks get settled out," said Tom Lix, CEO of Cleveland Whiskey. "Once the tariff was official, shipments were then canceled. The E.U. made up 15 percent of our overall revenue. Now it's gone."

Join author LaRocco as she leads readers through fake headlines, Twitter rants, and geopolitical calculation on a story about globalization in the throes of change. Read how businesses, individuals, and even countries are victims, villains, and heroes as told by actual trade data. Ms. LaRocco notes, "China wants a basket of trade and they are doing just that. If they cannot trade with the U.S., they are finding alternatives."

According to the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC), the United States soybean industry would need to have a 92 percent market share with every country that is importing soybeans right now to make up for the loss of trade with China. The volume of the trade shows the uphill battle of the soybean farmer.

Ms. LaRocco has dug deep into U.S. trade, and while businesses have been successful in expanding into new or existing markets, the fact is China is not buying, and the empty bucket of China is difficult to fill. "It takes seven Vietnams to make a China," explained Gene Seroka, executive director for the Port of Los Angeles, the United States' largest port.

The changing patterns of trade reveal the truth. Containers don't lie.

Praise for Trade War: Containers Don't Lie, Navigating the Bluster:

"If you want to understand the nuts and bolts of President Trump's trade war—how we got here and its fallout on global trade, industry and the economy—then you must read this book. Lori Ann LaRocco is masterful at weaving together a clear picture of the trade war, which will become more important to all our livelihoods as it rages on." – Mark Zandi, chief economist, Moody's Analytics

"Whatever side of the debate you are on LaRocco's extensive research on the impact of the trade war speaks for itself. Trade War: Containers Don't Lie, Navigating the Bluster provides tremendous data on the impact of the flow of global trade. Very compelling!" – Gerald Storch, Founder and CEO of Storch Advisors, Former Vice Chairman Target, Former Chairman and CEO Toys "R" Us and Former CEO of HBC (Parent of Saks, Hudson's Bay, and Lord & Taylor)

"LaRocco's book shows you the underlying truth of this trade war. The export and import data shows the dramatic trends of how quickly tariffs have impacted the competitiveness of the United States. Import growth from U.S. competitors cannot be spun away with rhetoric. In the pursuit of 'fair trade,' the American farmer and other industries have been negatively impacted. The equilibrium of a free trade world has been thrown off. The 'benefit' of this multi-front trade war has yet to be realized. The indisputable proof based on the flow of trade only shows disruption." – Anthony Scaramucci, SkyBridge Capital Managing Partner

"Lori Ann has done an excellent job of using readily available data combined with personal interviews to lay out the real life effects of our current trade war and the structural changes that are underway as a result. I found the insights provided to be most helpful in pointing out many of the difficulties that lie ahead." – Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) Former Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

"President Donald Trump trade policy is the most significant and risky presidential economic policy decision of the past half century. Lori Ann's book provides a real time account of the events and the real time consequences of the President Trump trade decisions to date. Her research is impeccable and her knowledge of trade routes and evaluation of container trade provides a guidepost that every policy maker should heed. This is a very important book for the future of the U.S. economy because it sounds an alarm about the trade war now before it is too late to take corrective action. Win or lose this trade war, what is happening today in trade will be analyzed and evaluated and criticized and praised for years. This book will be invaluable to that evaluation." – Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) former Banking and Agriculture Committee member

"Lori Ann LaRocco has provided a first class analysis of current shipping patterns, and their implications for global trade. By doing so, she has given us a book that is a must-read for any student of global trade (and the global economy)." – David M. Rubenstein, The Carlyle Group Co-Founder, Co-Executive Chairman

"Lori Ann LaRocco's prescient book is a clarion call, and makes a compelling, timely and well-documented case for how our trade flows, our joint production platforms and integrated supply chains, and the openness of our economies and dare I say our societies too, need to be defended, but also explained and articulated to a sceptic and, in some cases, angry public." – Arturo Sarukhan, (former Mexican Ambassador to the U.S., 2007-13)

Lori Ann LaRocco (image via loriannlarocco.wordpress.com)

About the author:

Lori Ann LaRocco is senior editor of guests for CNBC business news. She coordinates high-profile interviews in business and politics, as well as special multimillion dollar on-location productions for all shows on the network. Her specialty is in politics, working with titans of industry. 

LaRocco is the author of Dynasties of the Sea, Part 2: The Untold Stories of the Postwar Shipping Pioneers (Marine Money, Inc., 2018), Opportunity Knocking (Agate Publishing, 2014), Dynasties of the Sea: The Shipowners and Financiers Who Expanded the Era of Free Trade (Marine Money, Inc., 2012), and Thriving in the New Economy: Lessons from Today's Top Business Minds (Wiley, 2010).

SOURCE: Marine Money

Transgender Love Story "Just Another Beautiful Family" Wins Audience Choice Award at CIFF

A tender love story about a family with a transgender parent won the Audience Choice Award at Calgary International Film Festival. (Photo credit: Dana Pugh.)

The short documentary film "Just Another Beautiful Family" won the Audience Choice Award at the Calgary International Film Festival on Wednesday, October 2nd. The film follows Katherine and Nick North's own family of 7, which on the surface looks like a typical suburban family, with a twist: Nick is transgender.

"Our goal is to show people an example of what a happy, loving family looks like with queer parents," says Nick North, who co-wrote, co-directed, and co-produced the film with his wife, Katherine North. "As cool as it is for us to win this award, I actually think it's a sign of progress for all of us. Three years ago when I came out, I don't know that a trans film would have been this loved and accepted. We wanted to show everyone that there are so many kinds of beautiful families."

The film's synopsis reads: Just an ordinary suburban family-- except that Dad's transgender, Mom's queer, and there are five kids in this minivan. This is one family's true story of identity, trust, and transformation. Too many transgender kids wonder: Will I be loved? Will I get to have a family? Will it all be ok? Here's the answer: a love story about family, finding your true self, and becoming who you really are.

The "Just Another Beautiful Family" Short Documentary

About The Norths: 

First-time filmmakers Katherine and Nick fell in love, turned their worlds upside down, and lived to tell about it. Their first joint project is this personal documentary about how they fell in love, became a blended family with FIVE kids, and navigated Nick's gender transition from female to male. 

This is the first of many projects they hope to do together (in addition to coparenting, driving the minivan, and doing to the dishes) as part of their Beautiful Families project, which shares stories about all sorts of underrepresented and nontraditional families-- because every family is a beautiful family.

The North family: just an ordinary suburban family with five kids, a naughty puppy, and a minivan. (Photo credit: Dana Pugh)

• Just Another Beautiful Family premiered as part of the Alberta Shorts program at Calgary International Film Festival, and is now available in full online. This film was made possible with support from TELUS STORYHIVE.

SOURCE: Katherine and Nick North

It's The Year Of Rembrandt Again, To The Delight Of Museum Audiences

Amsterdam, Netherlands - April, 2017: Visitors watching ‘The Night Watch,’ Rembrandt’s largest and most famous painting in Rijksmuseum’s Gallery. (Shutterstock)

Among Dutch-speaking art lovers, 2019 is known as a Rembrandt-jaar (Rembrandt year), one marking the 350th anniversary of the death of the artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It is the cause for the beloved artist — who painted in the 1600s — to be commemorated with exhibitions, publications and even delicious treats.

A milestone Rembrandt year occurred 13 years ago, with the fourth centenary of his birth. The worldwide professional organization of curators of Dutch and Flemish art, CODART, recorded 83 exhibitions between 2005 and 2007 in honour of that Rembrandt year.

And, yet, with the 2006 Rembrandt-jaar still fresh in the memories of many, one may wonder, why are we celebrating Rembrandt again? What appeal does this European male artist have for us in 2019?

The Rembrandt years

Amy Golahny, Richmond Professor of Art History Emerita at Lycoming College, describes the 2006 exhibitions as focused on newly discovered documents and the contextualization of the master within the economic, diplomatic and historical role of art. One consequence of this year was the increase in monographic exhibitions of art by those in Rembrandt’s orbit, such as his master Pieter Lastman and his colleague and a competitor Jan Lievens.

A substantial 53 shows dedicated to the artist are listed on the CODART web site this year. These include Leiden circa 1630: Rembrandt Emerges, organized and circulated by the Agnes Etherington Art Centre of Queen’s University, where I am a curator and resident researcher. The show focuses on the development of Rembrandt’s pictorial language among a network of colleagues in his native city of Leiden.

The Next Rembrandt: Blurring the boundaries between art and technology: the challenge to see if Rembrandt could brought to digital life to create a new painting.

The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, the foremost collection of Rembrandt’s art in the world, took a broader perspective in All the Rembrandts, which showcased its holdings of 20 paintings, 60 drawings and 300 of the finest impressions of the artist’s prints. From examinations of Rembrandt’s early years to a comprehensive view of his accomplishments across media, this year’s exhibitions delve deeply into the development of this singular artistic personality.

The earliest Rembrandt year seems to have been 1906, the 300th anniversary of his birth. That year spurred the placement of a commemorative plaque on the site of his birth home and the erection of a sculpted likeness in Leiden, as well as the purchase of the artist’s home on the Breestraat in Amsterdam to create a museum.

These early acts were as much monuments to the man as much as to his oeuvre, which reveal the lingering 19th-century romanticization of the artist as a Dutch national hero. Subsequent Rembrandt years — 1956 and 1969 — have concentrated on bringing together masterpieces by Rembrandt and his pupils so as to further delineate their individual oeuvres.

In anticipation of the 1969 Rembrandt year, the Rembrandt Research Project, which became the authoritative voice in determining the authenticity of Rembrandt paintings, was founded. Clearly, these commemorative years have had a huge impact upon our understanding the artist’s oeuvre and his biography.

The artist

Rembrandt van Rijn, ‘Self-Portrait’, around 1629, oil on panel (Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, Courtesy of The Clowes Fund, C10063.)

There is a rich body of period documents that convey the painter’s character. Authors frame his personality as one rooted in a sense of conviction and autonomy and he seems to have experienced many of the trials and tribulations of modern life.

He was a late bloomer, and began his art education at the late age of fifteen or so; he believed so audaciously in his own skills that he proclaimed he could sell an unsatisfactory commission depicting a man’s beloved to any interested buyer.

After the death of the love of his life, he took up with the nursemaid and, subsequently, the housekeeper, with whom he had a child out of wedlock. He declared insolvency after unwise financial decisions.

There is something perpetually intriguing about his depiction of the human condition. His powerful colour, robust forms and imaginative interpretations humanize familiar narratives in striking ways. His early masterpiece, Judas Returning the Thirty Pieces of Silver of around 1629, for example, communicates the physical burden of treachery in horrifying terms: clothing rent in desperation, scalp bleeding after a violent fit, hands clasped in agony, body contorted in humiliation and despair.

Rembrandt van Rijn, ‘Judas Returning the Thirty Pieces of Silver’, around 1629, oil on panel (Private collection. Morgan Library & Museum/Private Collection)

Many scholars; numerous creative endeavours like novels, movies and works of art; and even new applications of technology.

Rembrandt, through his acute observation of the human condition, has incited new reflections upon our place in the world and our contributions to it.

The shows
Why have museum exhibitions been so fundamental to this investigation of Rembrandt?

The curatorial act is a powerful strategy for imbuing the Old Masters with agency in the modern world. That act can unify contemporary themes with historical grounding, inviting the viewer to consider artworks as living objects bearing renewed meaning through the interpretative material presented in the gallery. The curatorial act can also invoke deeper understanding through comparison with other objects, illuminating new perspectives on familiar works.

Curators, as stewards of collections, have the responsibility to think creatively and broadly about the current pertinence of historical artworks. This can be seen in some of this year’s Rembrandt exhibitions.

We are delighted today to launch a call for artists to participate in an exhibition celebrating 350 years since #Dutch master artist #Rembrandt van Rijn died. ‘Rembrandt@350: Zimbabwe remasters a Dutch icon’. Launch in both #Bulawayo & #Harare with @BYOgallery & @NatGalleryZimb. pic.twitter.com/HBM0gFaCja

— Dutch Embassy Harare 🇳🇱 (@NLinZimbabwe) August 2, 2019

Among the more incisive investigations are Rembrandt and Saskia: Love and Marriage in the Dutch Golden Age at Fries Museum in the Netherlands, which explores notions of status and social expectations within the framework of Rembrandt’s marriage, and Rembrandt@350: Zimbabwe remasters a Dutch icon, which features local artists’ responses to Rembrandt, plus six of the master’s etchings and a life-sized print of The Night Watch (which is now undergoing in-gallery analysis streamed live online.

The exhibitions on view this year demonstrate that new perspectives can deepen our access to and appreciation of the past. Each era curates the Rembrandt that it desires.
So, in this Rembrandt year of 2019, how are you celebrating the master?

Rembrandt van Rijn, ‘Head of an Old Man in a Cap c. 1630, oil on panel. (John Glembin/Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Queen's University. Gift of Alfred and Isabel Bader, 2003)

About Today's Contributor:

Jacquelyn N. Coutré, Bader Curator/Adjunct Assistant Professor, European Art, Queen's University, Ontario

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. 

United Nations Association Of New York Announces 2019 Humanitarian Of The Year Award And Partnership With Freedom United

New York Times journalist Nicholas Kristof, Academy Award-winning actress Mira Sorvino and Delta Air Lines among those honored at the annual United Nations Day Humanitarian of the Year Award Gala Dinner 2019

The United Nations Association of New York (UNA-NY) held their annual United Nations Day Humanitarian of the Year Award Gala Dinner at the JW Marriott in New York City last night. 

The event gathered attendees together to raise awareness around human trafficking, recognized those who champion progress in this important category and celebrated their contributions to-date. 

Among those honored included Delta Air Lines, Academy Award-winning actress Mira Sorvino, and New York Times journalist Nicholas Kristof. In addition, the organization announced a critical partnership with Freedom United, the world's largest anti-slavery community, to act upon the mission and encourage more governments to ratify a comprehensive international standard on forced labor.

The UNA-NY's annual gala aims to acknowledge corporations and individuals for their contribution to, and in support of, the principles and efforts of the United Nations. With this year's theme taking specific focus around human trafficking, Allison Ausband, Senior Vice President of Inflight Services, accepted the Humanitarian of the Year Award on behalf of Delta Air Lines. 

• The airline was awarded the Humanitarian of the Year Award for its accomplishments to fight the global issue. As one of the world's largest airlines, Delta has contributed millions of dollars to fund organizations working to combat this epidemic, provided over 100 flights to victims, offered apprenticeships for survivors at its corporate headquarters, and trained 66,000 employees on how to identify and report human trafficking at home, onboard, or even during a flight.

Mira Sorvino (image via Wikipedia)

Actress and United Nations Goodwill ambassador Mira Sorvino was also honored, praised for her passion for social justice and her dedication to erase the issue of human trafficking worldwide. 

Having supported the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime anti-trafficking initiatives since 2007, Sorvino was appointed to her current position in 2009 as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's Goodwill Ambassador in the Global Fight Against Human Trafficking. 

• Sorvino has made enormous strides in the fight against human trafficking through a plethora of powerful actions that have been felt around the world, including testifying before the US Senate on human trafficking, helping engender legislative change and collaborating with the CNN Freedom project. Sorvino's undying efforts towards advocacy for human rights coupled with the contribution she has made to the UN has helped the organization push for progress around the world.

"The fight against human trafficking can only be won if people are aware of the scope and scale of the problem" says Abid Qureshi, President of UNA-NY. "The UNA-NY is honored to present both Academy Award winning actress and United Nations Goodwill ambassador Mira Sorvino and Delta Air Lines with the Humanitarian of the Year Awards," concludes Qureshi.

Nicholas Kristof (image via Wikipedia)

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nicholas Kristof was also celebrated for his immense contribution to the anti-human trafficking movement during the Gala, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award. 

As one of the New York Times' most recognizable and widely-followed columnists, Kristof has leveraged his unique position in culture to bring attention to some of the world's most intractable problems when it comes to human trafficking. In a recent article, Kristof reminded the world's leaders, as they prepared to descend on New York for last week's annual gathering at the UN General Assembly, that tens of millions are effectively locked into modern forms of slavery. And that somewhere between 10,000 and 100,000 children are sold for sex in the United States every year. 

• He brings attention not only to the problem, but to solutions that work, such as grassroots community initiatives to identify those at risk of human trafficking.

The UNA-NY has a simple mission: to educate the public on the issues central to the endeavors of the UN, to advocate on the UN's behalf, and to engage the private sector on critical issues. In their efforts to act upon their mission and encourage international communities to eradicate human trafficking once and for all, the organization is both privileged and thrilled to recognize the most-deserving recipients of their annual Humanitarian of the Year Awards and Lifetime Achievement Award.

• For more information on the event and the association, please visit www.unanyc.org.

SOURCE: United Nations Association of New York

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Desmond Tutu Announces the Winners of the International Children's Peace Prize 2019: Greta Thunberg (16) and Divina Maloum (14)

The winner of the International Children's Peace Prize receives the statuette ‘Nkosi’, which shows how a child sets the world in motion...

From an impressive 137 applicants from 56 countries, the KidsRights' Expert Committee selected Divina from Cameroon and Greta from Sweden as winners. 

The International Children's Peace Prize will be awarded on November 20th, on Universal Children's Day in The Hague. The very special award ceremony, will also celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of the International Children's Peace Prize which became a global phenomenon and reached 1.2 billion people last year.

Personal congratulations from Archbishop Tutu

Archbishop Tutu, who has been the patron of the International Children's Peace Prize and KidsRights for more than a decade, said in a personal message to the winners: "I am in awe of you. Your powerful message is amplified by your youthful energy and unshakable belief that children can, no must, improve their own futures. You are true change-makers who have demonstrated most powerfully that children can move the world."

Introducing the winners

"The impact of both Greta and Divina for the future of many children is unmistakable, they are the rightful winners of the International Children's Peace Prize 2019," said Marc Dullaert, Founder of KidsRights and chairman of the Expert Committee.

Divina Maloum (14 years old, Cameroon, theme: Peace)

Divina Maloum (14 years old, Cameroon, theme: Peace). Since 2014, Cameroon has experienced terrorist attacks. When Divina visited the north of the country, she was horrified to see that children were the biggest victims of these terrorist attacks. She realized that many children do not know their rights, and so she created Children for Peace (C4P) to warn them about enrolment in armed groups and to reinforce the participation of children in peace-building and sustainable development. C4P is now a network of 100 children across the ten regions of Cameroon. She empowers them to be changemakers and to take part in peace initiatives in their communities. She has organized an inter-community children's peace camp, established peace clubs in mosques, and together with other children, made a children's declaration against violent extremism. Divina has big plans for the future and will not stop advocating for the right of children to live in peace.

Greta Thunberg (16 years old, Sweden, theme: environment)

Greta Thunberg (16 years old, Sweden, theme: environment) is a climate activist and a role model for international student climate activism. At the age of eight, when she first learned about climate change, she was shocked that adults did not appear to take the issue seriously. She could not understand why adults were not taking action against the climate crisis. Greta became depressed. She didn't eat, go to school or speak for months. It was vital for Greta to take measures in her own life; she refrains from flying, eats no meat or dairy and she has a shop stop, meaning that she doesn't buy new things. On August 20th 2018 Greta decided that it was time for her to take her efforts to the next level and speak out. She wanted more people to be aware and take action. Inspired by the 2018 International Children's Peace Prize winners March for Our Lives, she sat down in front of Sweden's parliament with a self-made banner skolstrejk för klimatet (school strike for climate).

• Please visit kidsrights.org/childrenspeaceprize for more information about the International Children's Peace Prize .

SOURCE: KidsRights