Category: visual

Twentieth-century Italian art made quite a showing at Sotheby’s recent London auctions, far outselling the work of other, more well-known European artists. “Although lacking heavyweight material by Modigliani or the Futurists, Sotheby’s realised £7.5 million for just 54 lots and set half a dozen new artists’ records in the process. Were it a football match, the result, on the basis of these figures, would have read Italy 4, Germany 2.” – The Telegraph (UK)

“In the 1980s, Graves became the darling of postmodernist architecture. Then he designed a tea kettle for Alessi, with a bird on the spout, that became an icon of sophisticated home design. Today, he is a self-proclaimed ‘old fogey’ who designs toasters for Target – and, by the way, more buildings than ever.” – The Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

“Watching my class of potential Rembrandts and Van Goghs in action last week, I reflected for a moment on how it was that I had become that ever-popular enigma: the ‘art teacher.’ You know who I mean. The teacher that is always just a little lost, a little dirty and can never quite seem to find anything. For the most part, we are popular with the students because we never seem to be very concerned with discipline and we remain close to the hearts of fellow colleagues who are always in a constant search for bristol board and construction paper.” – The Globe and Mail (Canada)

For centuries the British Museum has been the very symbol of British rectitude and order. But a recent scandal over stone used for a new portico, and a new exhibition about ancient Rome that features film clips from the movie “Gladiator” has critics wonder whether the museum has sold its soul. – The Independent (UK)

What happened to this year’s Turner Prize exhibition? We’re used to controversy, shock, bad art. “This year’s show is tasteful, steady and, in two cases, highly accomplished. There’s nothing willfully bad, flash or obscure here: the services of the Tate’s head of interpretation will not be required. Take your grandmother, take your children – the only shock is that there isn’t a single video.” – The Observer (UK)

Who says architects have to be dull? The Stirling Prize, awarded for “the architects of the European building which has made the greatest contribution to British architecture” in the past year, has “taken a good look round and decided that the best way to raise its profile, part of its self-conscious rebranding, is to make its rather worthy annual awards glamorous.” – The Telegraph (UK)

“Britain has made a mistake. It has decided that Mark Wallinger should represent us at the next Venice Biennale. The Biennale is the most prestigious art event in the world. Quite how hilarious a mistake it is to send Wallinger is made clear by the catch-up survey of his career so far that has been organised by the Liverpool Tate. Actually, it is one of very few things that are made clear by it.” – The Sunday Times (UK)

Whether it’s Jimi Hendrix’s guitar or Leonardo’s snuff box, we’ve always had a fascination for relics. “Russell Martin’s new book, “Beethoven’s Hair,” is a wonderful contemplation of how relics can become bridges between people separated by time, culture and death. “Beethoven’s Hair” also gives us a long, inspiring look at passion in several forms.” – The Plain Dealer (Cleveland)

There are those who think that the best thing about the Turner Prize is that it inevitably irritates a lot of people. “This year, the Turner Prize’s promotional budget is being helped along by the Stuckists arts group, who are calling for a return to the values of modernism and an acknowledgment that painting is the only true expressive art form.” – London Evening Standard

Steve Wynn’s collection from the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas is being sold off piece by piece. – New York Times