The Role of Art in Conveying Truth and Future Challenges

Title: New Beginnings and Remembering the Past

On this New Year’s Day in New York, Zohran Mamdani is set to be sworn in as mayor, marking a fresh start while drawing from past experiences to envision and construct a new future. This moment reminds us that success requires determination and collective effort to uphold justice, truth, and peace.

At Hyperallergic, we value our community’s trust and support, reaching our goal of over 8,000 paying members, evidence that commitment to art news and criticism, independent of wealthy influences, resonates with many.

In today’s newsletter, we explore new entries to the public domain, such as José Clemente Orozco’s “Prometheus,” Piet Mondrian’s “Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow,” and the film “L’Âge d’Or” by Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dalí.

Chenoa Baker critiques Fred Wilson’s exhibition, noting the reflection of colonial legacies in our modern world. Additionally, we remember Cecilia Giménez, whose infamous restoration has turned into a community boon, a testament to the unpredictable ways art influences society.

As we reflect on Rainer Maria Rilke’s words of believing in new beginnings, we are encouraged to embrace the unknown with dedication. Let this year be one where dreams are realized, and collective progress is achieved.

— Hrag Vartanian, Editor-at-large

Public Domain Celebrations

– Works like “The Little Engine That Could” and collaborations by Salvador Dalí and Luis Buñuel enter public domain, offering opportunities for new creative endeavors.

From Our Critics

– Fred Wilson’s exhibition at the Rose Art Museum presents a stark reflection on the colonial shadow influencing contemporary realities, as discussed by Chenoa Baker.

Opportunities and Reflections

– Explore and apply for arts-related graduate programs before the 2026 deadlines.
– A call to Mayor Zohran to support art workers and nurture a thriving cultural community in New York.