The signatories of the letter expressed concern that recent decisions made by Documenta’s supervisory board “have considerably damaged one of Germany’s internationally active and influential cultural institutions, and thus also the image of Germany abroad.” They said the city is debating changes that will lead to the “restructuring of Documenta in the direction of a pure commercialisation and marketing of the Documenta brand.”
Category: visual
England’s Largest Medieval Stained-Glass Window Has Been Restored
At York Minster, one of the great cathedrals of northern England, the Great East Window – completed 1405-1408 and roughly the size of a tennis court – has undergone a ten-year rehab costing nearly $15 million.
Artist Sells Off Space On Original Rauschenberg Piece To Advertisers
“Artist Nikolas Bentel is on a mission to destroy an original Robert Rauschenberg in a project intended to emphasize how the art market is, in his words, ‘a glorified stock market.’ Beginning this week, the artist – who is part of the New Museum-led incubator New Inc. – is selling off sections of the artwork as advertising space, so its surface will eventually be covered with an eclectic assortment of images.”
Is The Renovation Of The Old Corcoran Gallery Literally Making The Students There Sick?
“When the Corcoran failed as an institution in 2014, George Washington University absorbed the school and its [120-year-old] building at 17th Street and New York Avenue NW. The university soon after launched an unprecedented renovation, and decided to keep the school open to studios and classes for the duration.” The disruption caused by the construction was bad enough, but now students are complaining of headaches, nausea, rashes, breathing problems, and even fleas.
Tiny Art Town Of Marfa, Texas Loses One Of Its Main Spaces
“Marfa Contemporary, … [which] offers a year-round exhibition program, workshops, educational initiatives, and a residency program, … is permanently closing its doors. The space has been led by curator, art historian, and educator Kate Green since 2017. Green will soon take up the post of curator at the El Paso Museum of Art.”
Would Free Admission Help Diversify The Met Museum? The Research Says…
“Admission cost is a secondary factor when considering a museum visit.” More specifically, “a lack of time… or a simple lack of interest… were far more important factors in one’s decision not to visit museums than were admission fees.” So this suggests the Met has a bigger problem than admission fees.
The Modiglianis Were Fake. Now Visitors Sue Museum To Get Their Money Back
The suit will also seek compensation for the 100,000 attendees’ travel expenses, according to the Times of London. A hotline has even been set up for dissatisfied visitors, the Associated Press reports. Tickets to the show, titled simply “Modigliani,” were priced at €13 ($15.67).
The Google Selfie App That Compares Your Face To Fine Art
This was, perhaps, inevitable: On the Google Arts and Culture app, a new feature can take your selfies and compare them to Google’s database of fine art. (And if it’s taking over your Facebook feed, you’re not alone.)
Beirut Has A New Civil War Museum, But Many In Lebanon Are Not Interested
Differing opinions on Beit Beirut, the new museum in a building harmed by the 15-year civil war: “‘If the architects think that thing is meant to represent me, then they’re wrong,’ said Saad Youssef, looking up at the building last week. ‘It’s ugly. They should tear it down.’ His friend Mustafa Khattib disagreed. ‘It has to stay. The Lebanese need to see this every day, because they need to remember what they did.'”
How Roman Ruins Ended Up Repurposed Into A British Garden
In short, cultural imperialism, “the heyday of the British Empire and the ancient world of Roman North Africa.”