Art Industry News is a daily digest of the most consequential developments coming out of the art world and art market. Today, we’re unveiling a new, streamlined look—with all the same attention to what you need to know on this Wednesday, July 14.
NEED-TO-READ
Artists Denounce MOCA’s “Complicity” With Mass Incarceration – Artists Colin Chin and Nicholas Liem have asked the Museum of Chinese in America to remove their work from its collection and a forthcoming exhibition in protest of what they see as its “complicity” with mass incarceration and gentrification of New York’s Chinatown. The artists denounced the museum’s acceptance of $35 million in funding as part of the city’s jail expansion plan and spoke out against its co-chair Jonathan Chu, who they accuse of closing down two unionized restaurants in Chinatown. (Hyperallergic)
Maurizio Cattelan to Show 9/11 Work Nixed by the Guggenheim – The Italian artist’s show, which opens this week at the Pirelli HangarBicocca contemporary art foundation, includes several new and never-before-seen works. One of them, Blind, is his response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The artist first discussed the idea of a commemorative bisected tower with Nancy Spector, the Guggenheim’s former chief curator, in 2017, but she considered it “too emotionally fraught, maybe even toxic” for New York City. Now, the artist has realized it in the attacks’ 20-year anniversary year. (The Art Newspaper)
How Robots Are Reviving Marble Sculpture – Italy is famous for its artistic workshops—but today, the artisans toiling away behind closed doors are robots. Jeff Koons, Vanessa Beecroft, and Barry X Ball are among the famous artists who have subcontracted the creation of sculptures to robot workshops like Robotor in Carrara, the region known for its marble. Just don’t talk about it too much. “Artists want to perpetuate this idea that they are still chiseling with a hammer,” Robotor’s founder Giacomo Massari said. “It makes me laugh.” (New York Times)
MOVERS & SHAKERS
London’s National Gallery Names Architect – London’s National Gallery has tapped Selldorf Architects to lead an overhaul that will coincide with its 200th anniversary in 2024. Selldorf—arguably the art world’s favorite architect these days—will oversee the construction of a new research center, among other upgrades, as part of the £25 million ($34.6 million) project. (TAN)
FIAC Will Return in Person in October – It’s official: FIAC will hold its 47th edition in Paris from October 21 through 24. More than 160 galleries, including White Cube and Nahmad Contemporary, will set up shop in the Grand Palais Ephémère. An additional 50 galleries will show exclusively in the fair’s online viewing room. (Le Figaro)
Pace Poaches Marian Goodman Veteran – Jessie Washburne-Harris, who served as executive director at Marian Goodman for eight years, is moving to mega-gallery Pace, where she will take up the role of vice president in New York. (ARTnews)
Cheech Marin Center Names Artistic Director – The forthcoming Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture of the Riverside Museum, which will house the comedian’s collection of around 700 works, has named María Esther Fernández to its top post. She previously served as chief curator of the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara. (Los Angeles Times)
FOR ART’S SAKE
Football Stars Get a New Mural – London’s mayor has commissioned a new mural in London celebrating the England soccer team following their performance in the Euro 2020 league. Created by street artist MurWalls, it depicts team manager Gareth Southgate, captain Harry Kane, and star forward Raheem Sterling alongside the slogan “You did us proud.” (Evening Standard)