Art Industry News: London Mayor Sadiq Khan Says Greece and the U.K. Should ‘Share’ Parthenon Marbles + Other Stories

Artnet News July 4, 2023 ShareShare This Article

Art Industry News is a daily digest of the most consequential developments coming out of the art world and art market. Here’s what you need to know on this Tuesday, July 4.

NEED TO READ

Right-Wing Protest of LGBTQ Art Show in Istanbul – The new arts venue ArtIstanbul Feshane, which opened to the public last week, was forced to close temporarily in response to a demonstration against works that conservative critics perceived to be “LGBT propaganda.” Two works singled out by the media were installations exploring gender and queerness by the Turkish artists Taner Ceylan and Ekin Keser. (Hyperallergic)

Outcry Over New Orleans Museum’s Latest African Art Curator Hire – The museum’s announcement that it had hired a white woman, Amanda M. Maples, for the role has caused considerable backlash. The museum responded to critical comments on Instagram, emphasizing that Maples’ experience and strong relationships with African arts institutions made her the most qualified candidate. (ARTnews)

London Mayor Sadiq Khan Says Greece and U.K. Should ‘Share’ Parthenon Marbles – The Labour Party politician told the Greek newspaper Ta Nea that he believes Greece and the U.K. could share the ancient marbles. “I obviously want Londoners to be able to see the Elgin [Parthenon] Marbles, but I don’t see why the British Museum, the British government, the government of Greece, and the museum in Athens can’t come to an accommodation to share these wonderful, wonderful Elgin [Parthenon] Marbles,” he said. (The Art Newspaper)

New French Law for Nazi Looted Art Restitution – A unanimous vote by the French National Assembly has established a one-size-fits-all law for the restitution of Nazi-looted objects to Jewish heirs, which had previously required a new, bespoke law in each case. The legislation applies to objects that were seized between January 30, 1933, and May 8, 1945. (Apollo)

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Washington’s National Gallery of Art to Move Leonardo Portrait – The Renaissance Master’s Ginvera de’ Benci portrait is making a temporary move to gallery 39, dedicated to Flemish and Netherland art, while her usual spot in gallery 6 is being refurbished. She is expected to return early next year. (TAN)

Zeno X Gallery Announces Its closure After 42 Years – The Antwerp gallery, which was founded in 1981 and has two locations in the Flemish city, has announced its closure. The founders cited health issues that “have caused the stress and pressure to become too much,” but pledged to finish the gallery’s program of exhibitions until the end of the year. (Press release)

Berlin Biennale Appoints Its Next Curator – The writer and curator Zasha Colah will oversee the biennial’s 13th edition, which has been postponed to 2025. Born in Mumbai and currently based in Turin, Colah is artistic director of the art association Ar/Ge Kunst and a lecturer in curatorial studies at the Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti in Milan. (Press release)

FOR ART’S SAKE

New Paintings by Damien Hirst at Phillips London – As part of a long-standing collaboration with HENI, the YBA artist is staging a new exhibition “Where the Land Meets the Sea” at Phillips London to showcase new works from his ‘Coast Paintings’, ‘Sea Paintings’ and ‘Seascapes’ series. The show runs from July 20 to August 18. (Press release)