The Metropolitan Museum in New York acquired the bronze sculptures The Seated I and The Seated II, both of 2019, by artist Wangechi Mutu. The Met had commissioned the works that were part of a larger series titled The NewOnes will Free Us, that were featured on its Fifth Avenue façade.
The US House of Representatives passed a bill to create a national museum dedicated to Latin Americans, to be located on the National Mall in Washington D.C. Planning for the museum started in the 2000s, but lacked government support until now. The legislation will now head to the Senate for final approval.
A 39 year old man and volunteer at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul at Nantes confessed to starting the fire that destroyed a 17th-century organ and seriously damaged the building. The man was arrested following an analysis that determined the cause of the fire to be arson.
Founded as an alternative to the traditional art fair in 2015, Paris Internationale announced that its 6th edition will be held this year on October 21st – 24th. Departing from their traditional format, this year they will present an exhibition in an “airy yet intimate venue” accompanied by online viewing rooms.
Less than 20 employees of the Pace Gallery, already furloughed in April will be let go. Pace spokeswoman Amelia Redgrift stated “The economic situation caused by the global pandemic means we cannot sustain our previous level of staffing,” (ArtNews)
Inaugurated in October 2019 and crowned with success as soon as it opened, the Roman Museum Musja closed its doors for good due to health restrictions related to Covid-19. It exhibited works of art, dating from the 19th century to the present day, collected by Ovidio Jacorossi, who died shortly after the museum opened.
The English photographer leaves his post as artistic director of the Bristol Festival: in signing the preface to the reprint of the book by Italian photographer Gian Butturini London, in which the portrait of a black woman is set opposite that of a gorilla in a cage, Martin Parr was accused of racism.
Work on the gates of the Palais du Louvre has just begun. "If necessary", the Louvre could proceed with the total closure "of the Louvre and Tuileries grounds". Some fear it will bring an end to permanent access to the Carrousel garden.
The US House of Representatives overwhelmingly voted in favor to remove Confederate statues from the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. Each state can donate 2 statues for display, there are currently 12 Confederate sculptures according to Politico.
Intersect Aspen, formerly known as Art Aspen, launched its first online edition under the direction of Becca Hoffman. 110 galleries, both local and international are participating in this inventive art fair, which runs through July 26th.
In order to better understand the technique used by Picasso for his painting Still Life (1922), experts from the Chicago Institute of Art used X-rays and infrared rays. They discovered a hidden drawing of the master illustrating a jug, a cup and a newspaper placed on a chair according to their report.
Parisian gallery owner Enrico Navarra died on July 21 of respiratory emphysema at the age of 67. A charismatic and ever-present figure of the Parisian art scene, he was notably known for having introduced the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat to France in the early 1990s.
During the repair of the floor of the Billettes church, rue des Archives in the Marais, the archaeology department of the City of Paris discovered, with the work of preventive archaeology, a crypt probably medieval and certainly filled in the 19th century. A complete excavation is underway.
Luxury automobile maker Ferrari lost a legal battle to trademark the form of the mythic 250 GTO to Ares Design, an Italian car atelier also based in Modena. This ruling overturns an earlier Italian court decision that protected the GTO as a work of art. Only 39 250 GTOs were produced between 1962 and 1964.
Awarded annually since 1955 by the association Gens d'images, the Prix Nadar is given to a French book on photography with a print run of at least 500 copies, published between October 2019-2020. The book selected by the jury will benefit from a press campaign and will be advertised in bookshops.
Elizabeth Dee was named director of newly founded John Giorno Foundation. Based in New York, the foundation is dedicated to the legacy of American artist, poet and activist John Giorno, who died last year. The foundation equally seeks to support poets, artists, musicians and the Nyingmapa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin announced that certain mosaics depicting Christian figures in the Hagia Sophia will be covered with curtains during prayer services, as reported by Reuters. The mosaics in question are those situated in view of Qiblah, where Muslims face during prayer.
According to the Iraqi interior ministry German national Hella Mewis, an activist and curator who established the Beit Tarkib arts collective, was kidnapped near the collective Monday evening. Mewis has lived in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, for the past seven years. No one has claimed responsibility at this time.
