The Titanic-bound submersible suffers a catastrophic implosion as rescue and recovery missions continue.

A gas explosion at the Paris American Academy leaves some 50 people injured; six remaining in critical condition and one missing.

In the U.S., the twice impeached former president Trump is now indicted a second time, this round for a federal criminal inditement for retention of classified documents and conspiracy charges on 37 counts.

Further south, the former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s own trial on charges of abuse of political power and misuse of public media begins in Brazil’s highest electoral court.

The National Portrait Gallery in London reopens their doors after three years. The rehang brings the collection more in line with modern Britain and follows public feedback to better “present an inclusive and dynamic picture of the people who have contributed to the rich history of the United Kingdom.”

Today is June 23rd. On this day, Thomas Mann becomes a U.S. citizen (1944); Gamal Abdel Nasser elected President of Egypt (1956), Dutch Reformed Church accepts women ministers (1958); The first contraceptive pill is made available for purchase in the U.S. (1960); the first extraterrestrial message is sent from Earth into space (1974); Moldavia declares independence (1990); Claude Monet’s Water Lilies is sold at auction for $54 million USD (2014); The United Kingdom votes to leave the European Union with its Brexit referendum (2016).

One year ago today, the U.S. Supreme Court declares for the first time that there is a constitutional right to carry a handgun in public for self defense, striking down a century-old gun law in New York that limited licenses, in a 6-3 vote. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been over 300 mass shootings this year alone to date, that is, over 300 mass shootings in 173 days.

Welcome to the 140th edition of Prescriptions. Here is our review of the week in the arts.

Alice Mann, Fairmont High School Majorettes, Cape Town, 2018. From the series ‘Drummies

Belfast Photo Festival 2023

This edition of Belfast Photo Festival explores how artists in the contemporary moment are interpreting the idea of journey as a subject of art. The festival features projects from new and surprising angles. Various locations in Belfast through June 30, 2023.

Luca Santese

Luca Santese: Mütter

The artworks displayed touch on the milestones of Luca Santese’s research, which from the beginning set out to radically question the relationship between the photographic image and reality itself. On view through July 2, 2023 at Jergon.

Norbert Schwontkowski, Sopot, 2010 / Courtesy Contemporary Fine Arts, Berlin / Photo Jens Ziehe

The Inner Island

As a mise en abyme of the location of the Fondation, this exhibition explores an essential driver of creation, as powerful as it is common: the distancing of reality as to reveal an interiority. On view through November 5, 2023 at Fondation Carmignac.

Ursula Biemann, Acoustic Ocean © Ursula Biemann

Acts of Empathy / Bienal Fotografia Do Porto

The third edition of Bienal Fotografia Do Porto entitled Acts of Empathy, focuses on assessing today’s social, ecological, and economic resources, and re-imagining a regenerative future. Running through July 2, 2023.

Rebeca Romero / Photo Ingrid Pumayalla

Rebeca Romero / A Conversation

“When you work with artefacts it is impossible not to wonder about the life they once had, the context in which they were made and how they were used. I explore their narrative and spiritual power…” Our own Beatrice Sacco interviews Winner OGR Award 2023, Rebeca Romero.

Cyprien Gaillard, Lesser Koa Moorhen, 2013 / Photo Boros Collection, Berlin © NOSHE

Boros Collection / Bunker Berlin #4

In the Collection’s new presentation #4, the commodification of our physical beings is repeatedly and poignantly objectified. It presents a completely new excerpt of the collection in the bunker. Ongoing at Boros Foundation / Sammlung Boros.

Ornella Mazzola

Lasciare Libero Grazie

Mainly because of the morphology of the land, Danisinni over time has remained isolated from the rest of the city, almost suspended between the green of its fields and Palermo’s historic center. The girls enliven the neighborhood, their voices fill the air, their shadows stand out and faithfully accompany them. An ongoing photo series by Ornella Mazzola.