New York’s MET Hosts First Disney Exhibition

People look at a screen during a press preview for “Inspiring Walt Disney: The Animation of French Decorative Arts” at the Met in New York, US, Dec. 6, 2021. (AFP)
People look at a screen during a press preview for “Inspiring Walt Disney: The Animation of French Decorative Arts” at the Met in New York, US, Dec. 6, 2021. (AFP)
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New York’s MET Hosts First Disney Exhibition

People look at a screen during a press preview for “Inspiring Walt Disney: The Animation of French Decorative Arts” at the Met in New York, US, Dec. 6, 2021. (AFP)
People look at a screen during a press preview for “Inspiring Walt Disney: The Animation of French Decorative Arts” at the Met in New York, US, Dec. 6, 2021. (AFP)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is hosting an exhibition that explores how the work and studio of Walt Disney (1901-1966) were inspired by the European decorative arts, reported the German news agency.

According to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET), this is the first animation exhibition in the history of the museum, featuring classic watches, textiles, embroidered fabrics, and furniture.

Met director Max Hollein said: “Disney’s animations and Rococo’s decorative arts are rich in funny stories, joy, and wonder.”

Running until March 6, 2022, the exhibition “Inspiring Walt Disney: The Animation of French Decorative Arts,” features 150 Disney animations and productions works with over 60 pieces of European decorative art from the past centuries like furniture and teapots.

The exhibition celebrates classics including Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Beauty and the Beast.



One Direction Stars Join Mourners at Liam Payne’s Funeral

A funeral goer holds the order of service with the image of former One Direction singer Liam Payne on it, on the day of his funeral at St. Mary's Church in Amersham, near London, Britain, November 20, 2024. (Reuters)
A funeral goer holds the order of service with the image of former One Direction singer Liam Payne on it, on the day of his funeral at St. Mary's Church in Amersham, near London, Britain, November 20, 2024. (Reuters)
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One Direction Stars Join Mourners at Liam Payne’s Funeral

A funeral goer holds the order of service with the image of former One Direction singer Liam Payne on it, on the day of his funeral at St. Mary's Church in Amersham, near London, Britain, November 20, 2024. (Reuters)
A funeral goer holds the order of service with the image of former One Direction singer Liam Payne on it, on the day of his funeral at St. Mary's Church in Amersham, near London, Britain, November 20, 2024. (Reuters)

The former members of boy band "One Direction" were among the mourners at the funeral of their band mate Liam Payne on Wednesday, just over a month after the singer died aged 31.

Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson joined Payne's family and friends for the private church service in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, north west of London.

Payne's former partner, fellow pop star Cheryl, with whom he had a son now aged seven, was photographed leaving the service.

The singer and songwriter was found dead after he fell from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, triggering an outpouring of grief from fans around the world.

His coffin arrived at the church in a white carriage drawn by two white horses and adorned with floral tributes spelling the words "Son" and "Daddy".

Attendees included Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy, actor and TV host James Corden, and Simon Cowell, the music mogul who created One Direction for Britain's X Factor talent show.

The group were catapulted to global fame in the 2010s after appearing on the show and they went on to become one of the best-selling boy bands of all time.

With their tousled hair and youthful charm, the band members became teen idols through hit singles like "What Makes You Beautiful", "Live While We're Young", "Best Song Ever" and "Story of My Life."

Fan Victoria Horwood, 28, speaking outside the church, said she had followed Payne since he appeared on X Factor and she was shaken by his death. "I just wanted to pay my respects," she said.

Payne, who was still a teenager when One Direction found global success, struggled with the pressures of fame, and he later spoke about his problems with alcohol.

"Don't get me wrong, we had the best time ever but there were moments where ... you don't realize you have a choice at that point," he said in 2021. "There is a sacrifice for that."

He launched a solo career after One Direction split in 2016 and he released a debut album in 2019.

Argentine authorities have charged three people in connection with Payne's death after an autopsy revealed traces of alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant in his system when he died.