Ai Weiwei: Trapped in China, I saw my creations 'through a mirror'
By Matthew Ponsford, CNNWhen his major survey exhibition opens at London's Royal Academy of Arts, Ai Weiwei will be in the building.
Pritzker Prize 2016: Alejandro Aravena owes success to asking 'stupid questions'
By Matthew Ponsford, CNNAlejandro Aravena, the socially-conscious Chilean architect famed for building "half a good house," is the winner of this year's Pritzker Prize for architecture, the profession's highest honor.
Elmgreen & Dragset get their thrills from making us squirm
By Matthew Ponsford, CNNFor an artist duo with global acclaim, Michael Elmgreen and Ingar Dragset don't sound very interested in pleasing the galleries that show their work.
The lost voices of the 20th century's first genocide return to Istanbul
By Matthew Ponsford, CNNFrancis Alys' film The Silence of Ani begins with the rustling of wind through a breathtaking city that now lies in ruins. In the ancient stone, we see eagles carved out, and slowly a melody of birdcalls rises to crescendo -- revealed to be the sound of flute whistles played by children darting between the debris.
Los Angeles to build world's most expensive stadium complex
By Matthew Ponsford, CNNLos Angeles will welcome the return of NFL football with the construction of a new 80,000-seat stadium complex and "NFL Disney World," expected to become the world's most expensive sports arena.
Seven-year search for secrets of CIA's hallways
By Matthew Ponsford, CNNThe CIA's fortress headquarters in Langley, Virginia is home to more than few surprises, like a branch of Starbucks where the baristas definitely don't ask names, and a museum of spying you'll never set foot in.
Karim Rashid: Let's reinvent clothes 'as if the world hadn't existed before'
By Matthew Ponsford, CNNKarim Rashid's clothes don't fit. When the 54-year-old design demi-god pulls on his trademark candy-coloured suit-combos, they're never quite right, he admits. They're the best he can find, but even these don't fit the age we live in.
