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, November 3.

NEED-TO-READ

How Artists Have Been Phone Banking for the Election – Los Angeles-based artists Barnett Cohen, Ellen Schafer, Tanya Brodsky, Katherine Aungier, and curator Ceci Moss have been training arts workers across the US to phone bank ahead of the election. Their group, called “Artists for Biden/Harris,” is encouraging potential voters in swing states to cast a ballot in today’s election. “You’re going to find people with the most potential for imagining a new future among artists and activists,” Cohen notes. (Hyperallergic)

Is the Bangkok Art Biennale a Distraction From Politics? – The recently opened Bangkok Art Biennial is being eyed by critics who think it might normalize the political situation in Thailand, which pro-democracy protesters find untenable. Thai artists have been debating whether they should participate in the prestigious biennial, which, while presenting critical positions, is still viewed by some as legitimizing institutions that stand in the way of change. The biennial’s artistic director Apinan Poshyananda invited Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, sister of the under-scrutiny King Maha Vajiralongkorn, to attend the opening on October 12 as anti-monarchy protesters marched outside. (South China Morning Post)

Years of #MeToo Allegations Catch Up With a Dutch Artist – Dutch artist Julian Andeweg is facing serious allegations of rape, sexual harassment, and violence from at least 20 women and men in a case that is roiling the Dutch art world. A staggering investigation published on the front page of the Dutch newspaper NRC over the weekend detailed 14 years of alleged abuse by the painter, who studied at the prestigious Rijksakademie, as well as the experiences of women who say they were dismissed by police as well as dealers and curators when they tried to voice their complaints. When asked about the accusations against Andeweg, his longtime dealer Martin van Zomeren said: “I am not his father. I like his work and it sells.” But he has also ended his relationship with the artist, who is no longer named on his website. The Rijksakadamie denies prior knowledge of any alleged misconduct. (NRC)

The Re-Education of the MFA Boston – Boston Magazine follows Makeeba McCreary, chief of learning and community engagement at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, through her tumultuous first first year on the job. Soon after her arrival, it became clear the MFA Boston had a lot of work to do around racism and equity. But that challenge became acute after a disturbing situation last year when several students of color were harassed by museum staff. Now, as the museum reopens to the public after a prolonged shutdown, it has to convince constituents that it has grown into a different kind of place. (Boston Magazine)

ART MARKET

Toni Morrison’s Library Is for Sale – The library and apartment of the legendary writer, who died in 2019, is going up for sale. Her three-bedroom Tribeca residence is priced at $4.75 million. Morrison’s formidable book collection, available for purchase in a separate deal, includes volumes by the Obamas, W.E.B DuBois, Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and James Baldwin. (Galerie)

George Rickey’s Estate Is Now at Kasmin Gallery – The estate and foundation of the artist known for his kinetic steel sculptures is now represented worldwide by Kasmin gallery. Three of Rickey’s works will be displayed on the gallery’s rooftop next fall to coincide with a presentation of nine of his works along Park Avenue. Rickey died in 2002 at age 95. (TAN)

COMINGS & GOINGS

Kinetic Sculptor Alan Rath Dies at 60 – The influential Bay Area artist known for creating kinetic sculptures guided by software has died from complications from a rare form of multiple sclerosis. Since the 1980s, Rath has created robotic sculptures that often feature computer-generated animations of disembodied limbs. (ARTnews)

Berlin’s Madame Tussauds Dumps Trump Wax Figure – The Madame Tussauds wax museum in Berlin has put its effigy of Donald Trump on display… inside a dumpster. “Today’s activity is rather of a symbolic character ahead of the elections in the United States,” the museum’s marketing manager said of the move. (Reuters)

FOR ART’S SAKE

Art Is Coming to Giant London Screens – Video and digital works ranging from Marina Abramović’s Seven Deaths of Maria Callas to Bruce Conner’s film Crossroads will be projected onto a building in London’s Denmark Street area as part of a colossal public art project. Artist Marco Brambilla will curate the program on the 21,000-square-foot screen, which has been described as the largest digital canvas in the world. (Guardian)

Can’t Make It to the Gallery? Send a Robot for You – If you are unable or uncomfortable visiting an art gallery these days, artist Philip Colbert has an alternative for you. As part of his exhibition “Lobsteropolis” at London’s Saatchi Gallery, he is offering visitors the opportunity to sign up for their very own robot proxy, which they can direct around the exhibition space using their mobile phones. (BBC)

 

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Head Robot @simondepury being interviewed behind the scenes by @reuters ahead of opening of #lobsteropolis at @saatchi_gallery?? curated by @sachacraddock presented by @unitlondon ??? #saacthigallery #philipcolbert #simondepury #robots

A post shared by Philip Colbert (@philipcolbert) on Oct 28, 2020 at 4:31pm PDT