Category: visual

Perelman, one of the top art collectors on the planet, says that art, “a beautiful thing”, has “been sullied by an ugly business [and] needs to be fixed.” Mega-dealer Gagosian’s side says that Perelman is a “notorious bully” who’d rather file “meritless litigations … [than] pay what’s owed.”

“Turns out that the Kainer “heir” that has for years collected proceeds from these sales and other restitutions, including war reparations from the German government, is not a family member but a foundation created by Swiss bank officials.”

“The original conception was to edition the piece, and to make it available with a very restricted contract to museums, institutions and collectors, … but that was before I knew that the art world was going to close ranks around Koons, and bow before his scary power.”

“‘Paris will not succumb to the threats of those who, by attacking an artist or a work, are attacking artistic freedom,’ [Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo] said in a statement. ‘Art has its place in our streets and nobody will be able to chase it away.'”

“Architecture is an expression of values – the way we build is a reflection of the way we live. This is why vernacular traditions and the historical layers of a city are so fascinating, as every era produces its own vocabulary. Sometimes we have to explore the past to find inspiration for the future. At its most noble, architecture is the embodiment of our civic values.”

“The Commission of Fine Arts on Thursday approved the concept of the revised Frank Gehry design for the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial [on the National Mall] but asked its creators to return with more details about the plan’s landscaping, statuary, pathways and lighting.”

“Artists should not be “slaves” to the market or “lose themselves in the tide of market economy”, Mr Xi told them. Nor should they “go astray while answering the question of whom to serve, otherwise their works will lack vitality”, he warned.”

“After a renovation marred by delays, infighting and controversy the Picasso Museum in Paris is due to open on the anniversary of the artist’s birth on 25 October.”

“Gerard Vaughan previously spent 13 years as director of the National Gallery of Victoria, leaving the role two years ago. He was also previously the director of the British Museum development trust and held an arts role at Oxford University.”

“Emiliano Paolini and Marianela Perelli’s Barbie: The Plastic Religion would have featured 33 Barbies” – and a few Kens – “as sacred figures from Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Argentine folk religion.” (Conspicuously missing: Islam.)