Art Industry News is a daily summary of the most important developments in the art world and the art market. Here’s what you need to know this Thursday, May 11.
NEED TO READ
Pictures of Madonna Sex Hit the bidding block – Forty prints of images taken by fashion photographer Steven Meisel from the singer’s 1992 coffee table book Sex will make their auction debut at Christie’s New York this fall to mark the 30th anniversary of the popular but controversial title. Each print will be a unique edition, signed by Madonna and Meisel. No-cost pre-sale estimates ranged from $50,000 to $300,000. Proceeds from the sale will go to Raising Malawi, a non-profit organization founded by the singer to support orphans and children in need. (The arts journal)
The Rijksmuseum extends the opening hours of the Vermeer exhibition – The Rijksmuseum has extended the opening hours of its once in a lifetime exhibitionremaining open until 2 a.m. for its final weekend on June 2-3. The museum is also launching 2,600 new tickets through a lottery system which interested applicants can submit by 5 p.m. this Friday, May 12. (Press release)
Tom Sachs is committed to improving workplace culture – The artist expressed his “regrets” for his treatment of former staff at his studio and pledged to “build a studio culture that better aligns with the values I have tried to perpetuate and to explore as an artist”. The public statement comes after it emerged that Nike has canceled its lucrative sneaker deal with him following former employees making allegations in the press, including to Artnet News, on the “debased, dehumanized” workplace under Sachs. (New York Times)
Declassified documents on the Parthenon marbles – Recently available documents reveal that the UK Conservative Party government rejected a proposal made in 1983 by Hugh Jenkins, a former Labor arts minister, to amend the British Museum Act 1963 which prohibited the institution from give up his collection in order to meet the demand of the Greeks for the return of the Parthenon marbles. The law is still in force today but the British Museum changes its position to favor a long-term loan and establishes a new partnership with Greece. So far, Greece has rejected proposals. (The arts journal)
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Pilar Corrias will open a new space in London – The gallery will open its new flagship space in Mayfair in October, 15 years after its inauguration in London. Occupying over 5,300 square feet over two floors, the new space will open with a solo presentation by Los Angeles-based artist Christina Quarles on October 10, coinciding with Frieze London week. (Press release)
Marian Goodman LA will open with Steve McQueen – Opening September 23, McQueen’s solo exhibition featuring the US premiere of the video installation The state of the shining sun (2022) will inaugurate the gallery’s new space in Los Angeles. Cristina Iglesias, Hiroshi Sugimoto and Tony Cragg are among the other exhibitions in the works at the gallery’s LA site. (Press release)
Ampersand Foundation Award – Clarrie Wallis, director of Turner Contemporary, has won the Ampersand Foundation Award for 2023, for the ‘Resistance’ exhibition she curated with artist Steve McQueen. The institution will receive £125,000 for its project as well as £25,000 for a related publication. (Press release)
Ruth Arts awards $1.3 million to organizations – The Ruth Foundation for the Arts, based in Milwaukee, Wis., announced the winners of the second annual Artist Choice program, which awarded $1.25 million in unrestricted grants to 56 arts organizations. Recipients include the Asian American Arts Alliance (Brooklyn, NY); The Center for Afrofuturist Studies (Iowa City, IA); Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts (Pendleton, OR); La Impresora (Rincon, PR); and The Kitchen (New York, NY). (Press release)
FOR ART
Mona Lisa and Live Chickens Take Center Stage at Singapore Expo The National Gallery Singapore’s new exhibition “See Me, See You: Early Video Installation of Southeast Asia” featured the iconic 1985 work by Thai artist Apinan Poshyananda (now Artistic Director of the Bangkok Biennale) How to Explain Art to a Bangkok Rooster back to life – with live chickens as guest stars during the opening weekend. The gallery has partnered with animal welfare group Chicken Rescue Rehome for the exhibit, which runs until September 17 (the chickens may or may not return for the remainder of the exhibit). (TANNING)
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