Design Dispatch offers expertly written and important news from the world of design created by our dedicated team. Think of it as the day’s design cheat sheet delivered to your inbox before you’ve had your coffee. Subscribe now.
Do you have a news story our readers need to see? Submit it here
Afterpay launches specially made designer NFTs ahead of New York Fashion Week.
“Afterpay is branching out into the NFT world. Ahead of New York Fashion Week, the buy-now-pay-later service is giving consumers “Keys to NYFW,” custom-made designer NFTs by Altu, AnOnlyChild, Jonathan Simkhai, Kim Shui and The Blonds. Created specifically for NYFW, the digital collectibles unlock access to authentic Fashion Week experiences as well as exclusive products. Anyone can purchase the embossed designer NFTs with Afterpay, allowing consumers to pay for their digital collectibles over four interest-free installments. All proceeds from the ‘Keys to NYFW’ collection will be donated to Free Arts NYC to help bring arts and mentoring programs to children in New York City’s underserved communities.” [H/T Input]
Donald Trump’s political action committee helps fund his presidential portraits.
“The political action committee controlled by former President Donald Trump has made a $650,000 contribution to the Smithsonian Institution that will almost exclusively fund portraits of Trump and former first lady Melania Trump for the National Portrait Gallery, marking the first time in recent memory that a political organization has financed a former presidential portrait for the museum.” [H/T Washington Post]
Apple employees are launching a petition against the tech brand’s plans to return to the office.
“Employees have launched a petition against Apple’s back-to-office plans, saying a recent order for many workers to return to the office at least three days a week early next month could negatively affect their well-being. Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly issued a memo stating that workers in the San Francisco Bay Area are expected to report to the office three days a week starting September 5. Employees are expected to be in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays, as well as on a third day to be determined by individual teams, according to The Verge, which published the memo’s contents.” [H/T NBC]
Australia approves large fertilizer plant despite concerns about damaging ancient art.
“Australia has approved a multi-billion dollar fertilizer plant in the Pilbara region after the project was given the go-ahead by the area’s local Indigenous Peoples Corporation, despite concerns it would damage sacred Aboriginal ancient rock art located nearby. Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said on Tuesday that the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, which represents the five traditional owners of the land in Western Australia, had agreed that a number of petroglyphs could be safely moved to an adjacent site.” [H/T Bloomberg]
President Biden appoints a new committee to advise on the importation of cultural property.
“Michael Findlay, director of Acquavella Galleries in New York, is one of eight new members appointed to the Cultural Property Advisory Committee by US President Joseph R. Biden on August 19. The appointments represent a near-total turnover of the 11-member committee, which brings together experts from the art market, museums, archaeology, anthropology and related fields, as well as three members representing the public interest, to advise the US State Department on matters related to other nations’ cultural heritage, such as import restrictions on property from certain countries or emergency measures to help protect objects abroad.” [H/T The Art Newspaper]
Russian forces shell the Constructivist Railway Workers’ Palace of Culture in Kharkiv.
“The Constructivist Palace of Culture of Railway Workers in Kharkiv is the last culturally significant building in Ukraine to have been seriously damaged by the Russian invasion. Images show plumes of smoke engulfing the building in Kharkiv after a Russian rocket was reported to have left it “engulfed in fire” on Thursday. The Railway Workers Palace of Culture, or Palats Zaliznychnykiv, was an architectural monument designed by Russian architect Aleksandr Dmitriev that opened in the southern Ukrainian city in 1932. [H/T Dezeen]
A Japanese theme park that recreates Dutch cityscapes could sell for $658 million.
“The sale price of Huis Ten Bosch, a theme park that recreates Dutch cityscapes in the city of Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, is expected to be around 90 billion yen, according to informed sources. HIS, a Japanese travel agency that currently owns the majority of the park, is in the final stages of sell it, with Hong Kong investment firm PAG seen as the most likely buyer.As travel demand slowed amid the COVID-19 pandemic, HIS posted a record consolidated net loss for the year to last October.The company hopes to improve its financial position with income from the sale of Huis Ten Bosch. [H/T The Japan Times]
Today’s attractive distractions:
This is hydrogen derived heating system could transform coal-fired power plants.
Chipotle releases a scented “water cup” candle stolen lemonade.
Minnesota State Fair resident butter sculptor chisels realistic busts.
A giant ring-like structure is proposed to surround the Burj Khalifa.
