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, May 3.
NEED TO READ
Lessons from the Art for Tomorrow conference – Environmental activists told a panel in Rome that attacks on art in museums in recent years as a form of protest have succeeded in drawing public attention to the urgency of climate change. Museum officials and art historians, however, argued that there was little connection between the art and the subject of the project. As museums have tightened their security measures to prevent artistic vandalism, museum directors have also wondered if they can still fulfill their role as guardians of the cultural heritage of humanity if these manifestations continue. (New York Times)
A rare painting is visible after 100 years – by John Lavery Portrait of a lady in gray and black (1901) will be exhibited to the public for the first time in a century since its acquisition by Nicol Paton Brown, patron of the artist and grandfather of the current owner. The work will be part of the ‘History of the New’ exhibition at the Fine Art Society galleries in London and Edinburgh in June and July. (Guardian)
The Bulgari diamond worn by Priyanka Chopra Jonas hits the block – The rare 11.6-carat sparkling Bulgari Laguna Blu diamond that Chopra Jonas donned at the Met Gala 2023 earlier and this week will be auctioned at Sotheby’s Geneva later this month. The gem is Bulgari’s largest and most expensive to be offered for sale, where it could fetch up to $25 million. (yahoo)
Planning begins for Grenfell Tower Memorial – Almost six years after the deadly London fire, planning has begun for the future Grenfell Tower Memorial on the site of the former housing site. The Department of Upgrading, Housing and Communities is currently using CCTV to collect data on traffic patterns near the location to help with visitor and construction planning. The catastrophic fire that killed 72 is the subject of Steve McQueen’s 24-minute film Grenfellwhich premiered at the Serpentine in London on April 7. (evening standard)
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Filmmaker Joel Coen tackles the work of Lee Friedlander – The Oscar-winning filmmaker curated a book and two exhibitions with a total of 70 photographs. The book titled framed, a project Coen began working on during the lockdown, forms the basis of the exhibitions, which will run from May 6 to June 24 at the Fraenkel Gallery in San Francisco, and from May 13 to June 24 at Luhring Augustine in New York. . (New York Times)
Herb Alpert Foundation Names Recipients – Visual artists American Artist and Park McArthur are among the class of 11 artists to receive the annual Herb Alpert Prize in the Arts, recognizing creatives in dance, film, music, theater and fine arts; who each receive $75,000 in unrestricted funding. (The Hollywood Reporter)
Rauschenberg Foundation appoints interim COO – The foundation has named former Sotheby’s executive Karen Sutton as interim chief operating officer. Michelle Coffey, co-founder and executive director of the Lambent Foundation, and Peter Kraus, president and CEO of Aperture Investors and co-founder of the Kraus Family Foundation, were elected to the foundation’s board of directors. Kathy Halbreich announced in January that she was stepping down from her role as executive director of the foundation this month. (Press release)
FOR THE ARTS
Artist Alleges Met Museum Chandeliers Scammed His Work – Artist Willie Cole joins the chorus of art world individuals claiming chandeliers made from plastic bottles at the Met Gala are rip-offs of his own installation work. Commissioner Ellen Hawley took to social media criticize the institution which she says “seems to be a blatant copycat” of Cole’s work. (ART news) (instagram)
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