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, April 19.
NEED TO READ
Curator Bernice Rose has died – Art historian Bernice Rose, who was once senior curator of MoMA’s Department of Drawings, has died aged 87. It is best known for its exhibitions devoted to Cézanne, Jackson Pollock and the Surrealists, as well as for the historic “Drawing Now: 1955-1975” investigative exhibition. In 1993, she became director of temporary exhibitions at Pace before joining the Menil Collection in 2007. (New York Times)
Penalties for an art collector accused of funding an activist group – Art dealer and collector Nazem Ahmad, who was previously put on a sanctions list by the US Treasury, is now sanctioned by the UK as part of a counter-terrorism measure, for alleged money laundering. He is believed to have used his large collection of artists like Picasso, Warhol and Antony Gormley to fund the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. (Guardian)
Bernini Salvator Mundi Go on view at the airport – Arrival at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport normally signals the end of tours, but tourists will now have the opportunity to see one of Baroque sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s best-known works. Salvator Mundi while checking their door number. The marble representation of Christ will remain in its new location for four weeks as part of a strategy to promote the region’s cultural offer before returning to the Basilica of San Sebastiano. (The arts journal)
Floridians could now sue for removal of Confederate monument – A new bill introduced in Florida by Republican Senator Jonathan Martin would give civilians the power to sue local governments that remove Confederate statues for up to three times the cost to repair or replace them. Although Martin argued that these monuments are necessary for educational purposes, the bill would also prohibit the installation of signs or other texts intended to better contextualize them. (Hyperallergic)
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Artcurial acquires the Swiss auction house – Parisian auction house Artcurial is expanding into Switzerland with the acquisition of Beurret Bailly Widmer Auktionen, which has offices in Bern, Zurich and St. Gallen. The new Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer will hold its first sale in Basel on June 21 as international collectors flock to the city for Art Basel. (Press release)
RISD staff reach tentative agreement – Groundskeeping, removals and custodial staff have reached a tentative contract agreement at the art school following a massive protest held on their behalf last week. The six-year deal is being reviewed by union members, who will vote on it, potentially ending the ongoing strike. (art forum)
Carolyn Ramo leaves Artadia – The veteran executive director of the grant-making nonprofit has announced she will step down at the end of next month after 11 years. Suzy Delvalle will serve as interim manager while searching for Ramo’s replacement. (Press release)
Parrish appoints first new chief curator in decades – New York-based arts institution Water Mill has announced Corinne Erni as chief curator of art and education, the first new chief curator position in nearly 40 years. Erni joined the museum in 2016 as Curator of Special Projects. (Press release)
FOR THE ARTS
Björk teams up with DRIFT for Coachella Set – The Icelandic artist performed a massive set at the music festival against the backdrop of more than 800 aerobatic drones designed by Studio Drift. An orchestra conducted by Bjarni Frímann accompanied the singer. (Twitter)
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