“April’s federal charges against the New York dealer Helly Nahmad included that he worked ‘to launder tens of millions of dollars on behalf of the illegal gambling business.’ While Nahmad has pleaded not guilty to all the charges in the indictment, the accusation raises the questions of whether (and if so why) art would be used in this way.”
Author: Matthew Westphal
How British Does The Royal Ballet Need To Be?
Judith Mackrell: “Critics argue that the cosmopolitan make-up of the company threatens a dilution of the British ‘style’. But even that issue is moot. Dance in this country has always been a mongrel product.”
National Dance Company Wales Co-Founder Resigns Following Suspension
“A co-founder of National Dance Company Wales has stepped down from his post as artistic associate. Roy Campbell-Moore’s decision comes after he was suspended following a complaint about his behaviour by members of staff.”
France Proposes Taxing Smartphones To Fund Culture
“Here’s a proposal that would have a hard time finding support in the United States. A new government study in France suggests levying a new tax as high as 1% on the sale of smartphones, tablets and other Internet devices, with the funds going toward funding cultural initiatives.”
Thomas Messer, Longtime Guggenheim Director, Dead At 93
“During his [27-year] tenure – one of the longest of a director of any major American art museum – the Guggenheim deepened its collection, expanded its exhibitions program, vastly improved its publications and took its first step toward becoming a global institution.”
Mies Julie Director Takes On Delhi Gang Rape
Yael Farber, who adapted Strindberg’s mistress/servant drama into a powerful piece about post-apartheid South Africa, is leading an all-Indian cast in developing Nirbhaya, a new theatre piece inspired by the rape and fatal beating of a 23-year-old student by six men on a bus in Delhi last December.
Drury Lane Theatre Restored To ‘Original Georgian Splendor’ By Andrew Lloyd Webber
“Theatre Royal, Drury Lane has completed a multi-million pound restoration to improve its rotunda, royal staircases and Grand Saloon in the year of its 350th anniversary. The upgraded areas, which date back to 1812 when the current theatre at the site was built, have been refurbished to fit its Georgian style.”
Artists Occupy Budapest Museum Over Replacement Of Director
“Around 30 activists from the group ‘United for Contemporary Art’ have been occupying the entrance hall of Budapest’s Ludwig Museum in the Palace of the Arts since last week. The protest, which is still ongoing, is directed at the ‘lack of transparency’ in the selection process of the Ludwig’s new director.”
German Galleries Fight Against Hike In VAT On Art
“The German federal association of galleries and dealers … has, for the moment, won a major battle to keep VAT rates down on the purchase of original works of art. The European Commission has been trying to raise German VAT tax on original works of art from 7% to 19% to bring it in line with higher VAT rates in the rest of Europe.”
Why Rituals Are Ubiquitous: They Work
“Recent research suggests that rituals may be more rational than they appear. Why? Because even simple rituals can be extremely effective. … What’s more, rituals appear to benefit even people who claim not to believe that rituals work.”