Amazon MGM abruptly dropped Luca Guadagnino’s nearly finished biopic about Sam Altman after naming Altman a “strategic partner,” raising fresh questions about corporate sway over creative work — see the report here. [P]The week also marked the end of an era with the death of director James Burrows, whose sitcom staging shaped TV comedy, while sports and pop culture collided as Opie Otterstad’s live painting immortalized Freddie Freeman’s 2024 World Series grand slam (Burrows) and a 21m statue of Lionel Messi drew headlines in Argentina (Messi) — all reminders that art freezes moments and sometimes gets reheard by powerful hands.

Longwood Gardens’ bonsai festival is spotlighting centuries-old, miniature landscapes as living artworks that reward patience and composition — a nice reminder for anyone framing a shot (Bonsai). [P]Local and cultural memory are in focus too: Lisa Soranaka finished a mural honoring Trent Alley’s Chinese and Japanese history in Spokane, and a contentious tarp over the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts facade sparked debate about politics, image and intention (mural) (Kennedy Center). Also in the mix: hometown playwright Ken Ludwig’s return to The Belmont and a tender Netflix drama featuring a 14-year-old actor with Down syndrome, both underscoring how the arts keep finding new, human ways to tell old stories.