When the coronavirus forced the world into lockdown earlier this year, millions felt isolated and longed to connect with other people. The piano instruction app Playground Sessions found a way, inviting musicians around the globe to learn the Josh Groban song "You Raise Me Up" for free and send in videos of their performance.

Hundreds of piano players unite during pandemic for world's largest virtual recital

A traditional Aztec ceremony was held in Mexico City's Zocalo square on Sunday (July 26) to mark the 695th anniversary of the founding of the lost city of Tenochtitlan, the former Aztec capital that was destroyed by Spanish conquistadores.

Aztec culture returns to Mexico City to remember the lost city of Tenochtitlan

While the cinema drive-in may have gotten a boost as lockdowns gradually come to an end amid the COVID-19 outbreak, in Paris film fans can now munch on their popcorn watching a movie from a boat on the river Seine.

Movie magic as Paris turns the Seine into open air cinema

Russia's famous Bolshoi theatre went back to rehearsals after the coronavirus lockdown in the capital, preparing for the performance in the annexed Crimea.

Bolshoi gets ready for opera and ballet festival in Crimea

No air kissing and no hugs, a safely distanced front row and face masks were de rigueur as Dolce & Gabbana had to rewrite the rules of high-end fashion engagement with one of the first physical shows of the COVID-19 era on Wednesday (July 15).

Masked fashionistas and distant models, D&G launches the COVID-era catwalk

Reclusive British street artist Banksy published a video to his social media showing how he covered a London underground train with a coronavirus message.

Street artist Banksy spray-paints London tube train with coronavirus message

Post-lockdown, the Roman arena has been transformed within just one month into a coronavirus-friendly outdoor venue for the Rome Opera House's summer performances.

How you turn a chariot racing arena into an opera venue

While some museums have had to cancel or postpone long-planned exhibits because of the coronavirus, organizers of a Van Gogh show in Toronto had a novel idea: offering art lovers a drive-in option. 
 
"Of course, because of COVID, we had to think creatively," said Corey Ross, a co-producer of the exhibit, which was initially slated to start in May and was delayed by the pandemic. 
 
As Canada's largest city gradually comes out of lockdown, the exhibit began this week with two viewing areas in a huge Toronto warehouse: one area with social distancing circles on the ground for those who prefer taking in their art on foot, and another for people in cars that drive right into the building. 
 
Viewing art from inside a car provides a safe experience for people who are physically fragile, fearful of the virus or vulnerable. And it is a unique experience, said Ross. 
 
"You've never had an experience like this in your car," said Ross. "The feeling is almost as if the car is floating through the art." 
 
The show was set up in collaboration with the creators of 'Van Gogh, Starry Night,' a hugely popular exhibit presented last year at l’Atelier des Lumieres in Paris.

- Cruising in a Plymouth - 
 
The Toronto show features a similar, digital concept: works by the Dutch painter are projected in high definition on walls and floors. 
 
The warehouse has space for up to about 10 cars at a time, parking in designated spots. 
 
Car engines stay off during the projection of the artworks, which is accompanied with music. The paintings are positioned so people can see them through their windshields. 
 
Some people take photos with their kids in their lap as they spend 35 minutes in the bold, intense world of Van Gogh. 
Jessica Counti, 17, came with her family for the first drive-in edition on Friday to celebrate her sister's birthday. 
 
"It's just a really immersive experience that you can't really get in a regular art gallery. So I really appreciate that, even though we can’t walk around art pieces," she said. 
 
Another visitor, Patrick Corcoran, took in the show from the steering wheel of his vintage 1950 Plymouth. &nbsp; 
 
"The whole thing of sitting in your car and being out and enjoying the art –- it was comfortable, it was safe. With all the stuff that’s going on in the world with the COVID, it was an experience. It was great." 
 
Ross said the idea is turning out to be a hit but will just be temporary. "If you're a car enthusiast, it's a very special moment," he said. 
 
"But I think overall as soon as there's an opportunity for the public to go back to experiencing art in the way that we love to, in groups, beside other people, where you can talk and see strangers and see how they react and be part of a community, I think we will go back to that," Ross said. 
 
The art hall for cars is booked almost solid through its end on August 9. 
 
The show will remain open to pedestrians through September.

&nbsp;

While some museums have had to cancel or postpone long-planned exhibits because of the coronavirus, organizers of a Van Gogh show in Toronto had a novel idea: offering art lovers a drive-in option.

While some museums have had to cancel or postpone long-planned exhibits because of the coronavirus, organizers of a Van Gogh show in Toronto had a novel idea: offering art lovers a drive-in option. "Of course, because of COVID, we had to think creatively," said Corey Ross, a co-producer of the exhibit, which was initially slated to start in May and was delayed by the pandemic. As Canada's largest city gradually comes out of lockdown, the exhibit began this week with two viewing areas in a huge Toronto warehouse: one area with social distancing circles on the ground for those who prefer taking in their art on foot, and another for people in cars that drive right into the building. Viewing art from inside a car provides a safe experience for people who are physically fragile, fearful of the virus or vulnerable. And it is a unique experience, said Ross. "You've never had an experience like this in your car," said Ross. "The feeling is almost as if the car is floating through the art." The show was set up in collaboration with the creators of 'Van Gogh, Starry Night,' a hugely popular exhibit presented last year at l’Atelier des Lumieres in Paris. - Cruising in a Plymouth - The Toronto show features a similar, digital concept: works by the Dutch painter are projected in high definition on walls and floors. The warehouse has space for up to about 10 cars at a time, parking in designated spots. Car engines stay off during the projection of the artworks, which is accompanied with music. The paintings are positioned so people can see them through their windshields. Some people take photos with their kids in their lap as they spend 35 minutes in the bold, intense world of Van Gogh. Jessica Counti, 17, came with her family for the first drive-in edition on Friday to celebrate her sister's birthday. "It's just a really immersive experience that you can't really get in a regular art gallery. So I really appreciate that, even though we can’t walk around art pieces," she said. Another visitor, Patrick Corcoran, took in the show from the steering wheel of his vintage 1950 Plymouth. "The whole thing of sitting in your car and being out and enjoying the art –- it was comfortable, it was safe. With all the stuff that’s going on in the world with the COVID, it was an experience. It was great." Ross said the idea is turning out to be a hit but will just be temporary. "If you're a car enthusiast, it's a very special moment," he said. "But I think overall as soon as there's an opportunity for the public to go back to experiencing art in the way that we love to, in groups, beside other people, where you can talk and see strangers and see how they react and be part of a community, I think we will go back to that," Ross said. The art hall for cars is booked almost solid through its end on August 9. The show will remain open to pedestrians through September.

In Canada, art lovers head to drive-in for safe Van Gogh show

Amid the barren hills of the Jordan Valley, Palestinian artist Khadeeja Bisharat paints scenes of bulldozers and demolitions, a reflection of fears of what may happen to her isolated Bedouin community if Israel annexes land in the occupied West Bank.

Palestinian painter channels her fears of Israeli annexation through art

The world's most visited museum, the Louvre, is preparing to re-open after a near four-month lockdown, projecting an 80 percent plunge in visitor numbers which the management says makes it the moment to see its masterpieces without the crowds.

Louvre Museum prepares to re-open, minus the Mona Lisa melee

Rare coloured diamonds and historic gems will be under the hammer at Sotheby's semi-annual sale in Geneva this week, as it resumes live auctions after a suspension due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Live jewellery auctions resume but online ‘here to stay’ – Sotheby’s

Blues musicians in an Italian lakeside town came up with a novel way to please fans despite coronavirus restrictions - play from borrowed fishing boats to an audience on shore.

Floating musicians beat the coronavirus blues in Italy

Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia and the Maison Fendi on Saturday (June 20) presented a unique performance to give a positive message of rebirth through art, fashion and music after the new coronavirus pandemic.

Fashion meets orchestra in Fendi summer solstice rooftop performance

Stuck at home during a three-month lockdown in Hanoi, and troubled by the unfolding news of a pandemic all around her, 10-year-old Nguyen Doi Chung Anh decided to pick up her coloured pencils and set to work expressing her feelings about what she was seeing.

Vietnamese girl, 10, sketches hopes for brighter future with pandemic artwork

Iggy Azalea has given birth to a son, according to her Instagram account on Wednesday (June 10).The Australian musician and rapper who turned 30 on Sunday (June 7) confirmed the news in her Instagram story, saying:

Iggy Azalea gives birth to a baby boy

Thrills, popcorn and face masks. This drive-in cinema in Rio de Janeiro has seen a revival amid pandemic, as Cariocas seeking respite from lockdown whilst still keeping to social distancing.

Drive-in cinema sees revival in Brazil amid pandemic

Ocar-winning Civil War epic "Gone with the Wind" was pulled from the HBO Max streaming service as America's reckoning with systemic racism extended to its popular culture.

'Gone with the Wind' pulled as pop culture reckons with racism

With a coronavirus lockdown and racial protests derailing graduation for American students, celebrities and political figures united for YouTube Originals' "Dear Class of 2020" on Sunday (June 07), featuring speeches on race, congratulatory remarks, and musical performances. Lady Gaga compared oppression and racism in the U.S. to a forest with deep-seeded roots.

Lady Gaga, BTS, Maluma encourage class of 2020 in online graduation celebration

Artists in the Cologne and Bonn region of Germany have set up a drive-through gallery in an airport car park to exhibit their work.

Art fans visit drive-through exhibition in airport car park

Dutch youth hit the club on Saturday (June 6), sort of, in one of the country's first attempts to resume night life after the coronavirus outbreak, with social distancing rules still in place.

Social dis-dancing? Dutch club tries post-coronavirus layout

Madrid's El Prado and Reina Sofia museums reopened to the public under strict social distancing measures on Saturday (June 6) as Spain's coronavirus lockdown eased.

Madrid's iconic galleries reopen

Several artists have taken to Cuba's walls to express anguish but also hope vis-a-vis the virus - some in public spaces, others in private for fear of running into trouble again with Communist authorities.

Cuban graffiti artists take over walls and rooftops to illustrate life amid pandemic

A Peruvian woman teaching the ancient Incan language of Quechua via Facebook has reported a surge of interest as homesick compatriots around the world seek to reconnect to their roots during coronavirus lockdowns.

Lonely Peruvians learn to say "I miss you" in the language of the Incas

A 37-year old Thai street artist is splashing walls across Bangkok with murals depicting the nobel fight against coronavirus.

"Keeping the virus at bay!" : Thai street artist sprays city with battles against coronavirus murals

Museums in Spanish city of Valencia opened for the first time on Monday (May 18) on International Museum Day as the region entered in 'Phase 1' of the de-escalation plan over the coronavirus emergency.

Art and culture returned to Spaniards on International Museum Day

Italian director Luca Guadagnino will director a remake of the classic gangster film "Scarface", according to a report by trade publication Variety on Thursday (May 14).

Luca Guadagnino to direct 'Scarface' remake - reports

Mystery-solving animated dog Scooby-Doo is returning during the coronavirus lockdown to solve a fresh mystery in 'SCOOB!'. The return of Scooby and his pals, Fred, Daphne, Velma and of course, Shaggy, was supposed to have been a big screen event but the project was sent to home video because of cinema closures.

ZOINKS! Scooby-Doo and his gang re-emerge out of lockdown with new film

For 64-year-old New Yorker Victoria Rosenblatt, giving up her calming pottery hobby during the stresses of the coronavirus lockdown was not something she wanted to contemplate. But her local pottery studio had been forced to close. So she purchased from the studio a mini pottery wheel on which she can make tiny pots and jugs at home.

Brooklyn pottery studio sells tiny takeout 'quarantine kits' as it seeks to survive

Paris bookstore Ici Librairie redrew its floor plan as it reopened on Monday (May 11) after France lifted strict lockdown measures in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

Paris bookstore reopens after lockdown, stacking alcohol gel next to bestsellers

To mark International Nurses' Day on Tuesday (May 12), Bautista painted walls in the neighbourhood of Benito Juarez with messages calling for a stop to attacks on doctors and nurses on the frontline of the pandemic.

Mexican graffiti artist celebrates health workers on pandemic frontline

Dozens of emerging painters' work is now being curated at an online exhibition gallery, MYART, sponsored by Art TV. The online gallery has received praise from Pakistan's artist community. Despite the millions of views that the exhibition received, only a few paintings have been sold.

Pakistan holds 'first' online-only art exhibition amid coronavirus lockdown

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