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 Wednesday, June 21.
NEED TO READ
Documenta 15 closing within budget – The numbers are there and Documenta 15, which closed in September 2022, managed to stay within its €42.2 million budget, despite its massive scale (there were over 1,500 artists involved), the pandemic and a crisis around antisemitic motives In the living room, which required an external committee. Documenta 14, held in both Athens, Greece and Kassel, Germany, closed with a deficit in 2017. (Press release)
Austria to propose new restitution laws – Following in the footsteps of Germany and France, the Austrian government is mobilizing to propose new legislation on the return of objects from its national museums acquired in a colonial context. A government-appointed advisory committee led by Jonathan Fine, scientific director of the Weltmuseum in Vienna, has called for a permanent, “intellectually and culturally diverse” evaluation committee. He hopes to have legislation ready by 2024. (The arts journal)
German court investigates ‘contradictions’ in König case – The Hamburg public prosecutor’s office would be resumption of the procedure In art dealer Johann Königthe defamation case against Carolin Würfel, one of the journalists behind a 2022 report that shared the MeToo allegations against König. The office is also reportedly investigating whether three women wrote false affidavits regarding allegations against König. König is seeking millions in damages for pain and suffering. The original report in Die Zeit remained online but was significantly redacted due to disputes over the report, in accordance with German law. (Berliner Zeitung)
Inge Mahn has passed away – The famous German artist Inge Mahn died on June 19 at the age of 79. His gallery Max Hetzler announced his death. Mahn was known for his sculptural and performative works that placed people in new relationships with each other and with objects. (Press release)
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
The sculpture popped up on the High Line overnight – The new occupant of the High Line, seemingly unauthorized but now welcome, is a bright yellow, wide-eyed figure by artist Danny Cole, titled simply The creature. Cole and a group of art managers apparently went rogue and installed the sculpture, which was originally made for the launch of Cole’s “Creature World” fashion label earlier this year, on the balcony of an apartment located in Tony Manhattan Park. (ART news)
The Whitney Museum is shaking up curatorial roles – Writer and curator Meg Onli has been named general curator of the Manhattan Museum, where she was recently named co-curator of the upcoming 2024 Whitney Biennial. Onli will also co-curate the upcoming Roy Lichtenstein exhibition with director Scott Rothkopf and artist Alex Da Corte. The museum also announced the promotion of Assistant Curator Laura Phipps to Associate Curator. (Press release)
Exhibitors of Independent Names for 20e– Fair of the century – Prior to its second edition, Independent 20e Century has released the names of more than 30 galleries and nonprofits, 12 of which are newcomers, which will be featured at the upcoming Cipriani South Street fair, which runs September 7-10. The list includes Garth Greenan, Karma, Venus Over Manhattan, Galerie Vito Schnabel and S94 Design. (Press release)
Photofairs names exhibitors – The show has announced the list of exhibitors for its inaugural edition, which will take place September 8-10 at the Javits Center in New York City and will run alongside the Armory Show. Alongside booth presentations, the fair will host a range of special projects, large-scale installations and publishing projects by programming partners including Baxter St at the Camera Club of New York, Fotografiska, Gagosian Quarterly and Jamaica Art Society. (PPress release)
FOR ART
Princess Kate reopens the National Gallery – The Princess of Wales joined architect Jamie Fobert, musician Paul McCartney and artist Tracey Emin as the National Portrait Gallery in London reopened after a three-year refurbishment. McCartney’s own photographs are on display in a new exhibit called “Eyes of the Storm” and Emin has designed bronze doors featuring images of 45 women hand-drawn by the artist.
Tracey Emin, who has been commissioned to create artwork for the National Portrait Gallery’s new doors, incorporating 45 carved brass panels, depicting ‘every woman, through time’, greets Catherine, Princess of Wales during the reopening of the National Portrait Gallery on June 20, 2023 in London, England. The Princess of Wales opens the National Portrait Gallery after a three-year renovation programme. Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage.
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