Arts & Culture
Here we cover the latest and most uplifting exhibitions, creative movements, and imaginative design to keep you inspired throughout your day.
Researchers use AI to complete Beethoven’s unfinished 10th Symphony
Ludwig von Beethoven is celebrated as one of the best composers of all time, but when he died in 1827, he left behind the unfinished sketches of his 10th Symphony. Beethoven fans have since pondered what the remainder of that piece would sound like, and now, thanks to a dedicated team of music Read More...
Lorde uplifts New Zealand’s Indigenous language with new mini album
International star and New Zealander, Lorde, is paying tribute to her home country with new recordings of a set of songs off her latest album, “Solar Power,” in the country's Indigenous language, Māori. “Many things revealed themselves slowly to me while I was making this album, but the Read More...
Washington National Cathedral to retire Confederate-themed stained glass
Addressing racism in the 21st century often means confronting uncomfortable reminders of America’s history of slavery. The Washington National Cathedral is taking steps to confront its own legacy of oppression with the removal of stained glass depicting Confederate figures. The glass will be Read More...
Decolonizing Science: Kiwi scientists take a stand on using Maori language
At The Optimist Daily, we have often featured stories about scientific discoveries that help improve our understanding of the biosphere. We are also big fans of inclusivity, particularly when it shows an appreciation of Indigenous wisdom. That’s why we wanted to feature this delightful account of Read More...
Richmond, VA unveils Emancipation and Freedom Monument
Last week we shared how a controversial Robert E. Lee statue was finally removed from Virginia’s capital. In an acknowledgment of the history of slavery and the fight for equality in the US, Richmond has unveiled a new monument—a statue of a man and a woman holding an infant after they were Read More...
Thailand’s idle taxis find an unusual new purpose during the pandemic
We’ve written a lot about the power of rooftop gardens to boost access to fresh produce in urban areas. Today we’re sharing a story about rooftop gardens, but not the type you might expect. Taxi fleets in Thailand have repurposed the tops of vehicles idled by the pandemic into mini urban garden Read More...
Hispanic Heritage Month: A brief history and why it begins mid-month
National Hispanic Heritage Month started last week and will run through October 15. Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates members of our communities and their ancestors from Mexico, parts of the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Spain, and it begins in the middle of September, rather than the Read More...
Evangelical Lutheran church installs first openly transgender bishop
The Evangelical Lutheran church accepted seven LGBTQ pastors in 2010 after the ordination of pastors in same-sex relationships was allowed. Now, Rev. Megan Rohrer, one of these seven, has been installed as the first openly transgender bishop during a service at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco last Read More...
These eco-friendly crafts use supplies right from your garden
Autumn colors and cooler weather inspire creativity in many of us. Tap into the natural resources of your own backyard this fall and put your creative juices to use with these fun, eco-friendly crafts. Pruned wood rounds and pyrography If you find yourself with larger branches after pruning trees Read More...
Restored Vermeer painting reveals a cupid hanging on the wall
Two months ago, we wrote about how researchers in the Netherlands used AI to restore Rembrandt’s masterpiece The Night’s Watch, enabling millions of visitors at Amsterdam’s Rijkmuseum to enjoy the painting as the author originally intended it. In a more recent development in the world of Read More...