Category: visual

“The extent of the downturn, from $800 million to a final count of $470 million by Friday night, looked bad. Seven lots estimated to fetch more than $10 million each did not sell, and the total accumulated was the equivalent to the amount fetched in New York two and a half years ago. Nothing can obscure the fact that only 60 per cent of approximately 900 lots were sold, and the vast majority of these sold below their estimates – often by as much as 30 per cent.”

Artist Tracey Emin paid a visit to 10 Downing Street on Monday to drop off a petition signed by many of the U.K.’s top artists, calling for the British government’s help to keep two 16th century masterpieces from leaving the country.

The decision has exposed a rift between oil-rich western cities competing for a share of Canada’s cultural treasures and those who believe the nation’s cultural heritage should dwell in the nation’s capital.

“Art worth an estimated £1m is being given away by one of the world’s leading street artists, Adam Neate, in an exhibition that will see 1,000 pieces deposited across the capital and left for whoever wishes to take them.”

“The Art Gallery of Ontario pulls back its curtain next week. Frank Gehry’s only show in Canada has a little to do with the story of a prodigal son, and a whole lot more to do with architecture that will illuminate long into the future.”

“The government has cancelled plans to build a permanent home for the Portrait Gallery of Canada, a move that is likely to anger members of the arts community who slammed the federal Tories during the recent election campaign over cuts to cultural programs… Many in the cultural community fear the Conservative government is targeting the arts since nearly $45-million in cuts to cultural programs were revealed in August.”

A group of anarchist artists have taken over an unoccupied townhouse in London’s posh Mayfair neighborhood, and announced their intention to mount an art installation inside. Meanwhile, the building’s owners appear not to have noticed, and the artists say they won’t be leaving unless they’re officially evicted.

Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts is in the midst of a $500m endowment drive. Yes, in the middle of a recession, and at the same moment that the Boston Symphony is looking to raise $400m of its own. So what’s the secret to fundraising success in one of America’s toniest cities? “Endless networking, skillful research, deft public relations, and genteel persuasion.”

Inga Saffron weighs in on the controversial redesign of New York’s 2 Columbus Circle, and finds the whole thing disconcerting. “It’s a conscientious if unspectacular effort. Yet it’s impossible to forget that this decorous little tower was once something flamboyant, fun, and maybe even a little foolish… Its demise reminds us how little our society tolerates the weird, even in a metropolis like New York.”

“For months, a chorus of voices has enthused about Friday’s Art Gallery of Ontario reopening… Curiously silent have been the artists who, as one might naively imagine, are what an art gallery is all about. There’s a deep-seated reason for this: Artists everywhere have a love-hate relationship with museums and major galleries. They’d rather stay quiet than blow a chance to see their work become part of a collection.”