Art Industry News: ‘The Guardian’ Says Damien Hirst’s NFTs Might Make Him the New Duchamp + Other Stories

Plus, soup-throwing Van Gogh climate protesters plead 'not guilty,' KAWS teams with the North Face, and more.

Damien Hirst takes part in the burning of his artworks at Newport Street Gallery on October 11, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

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 Monday, October 17.

NEED-TO-READ

Climate Protesters Deny Damaging Van Gogh Frame – Just Stop Oil protesters who threw a can of tomato soup at Van Gogh’s Sunflowers at the National Gallery in London denied charges of criminal damage to the painting’s frame, valued at less than £5,000. (BBC)

Major Galleries Sign Venice Biennale’s Women Artists – Simon Lee represents Golden Lion winner Sonia Boyce, Goodman Gallery has signed Zineb Sedira (who continues to be represented by Kamel Mennour in Paris), and Pace Gallery now represents Acaye Kerunen, who represented Uganda (in conjunction with Blum & Poe and Galeries Kandlhofer). (The Art Newspaper)

Judd Foundation to Restore Fire-Damaged Office – Donald Judd’s Marfa Architecture Office will be rebuilt after it was damaged in a fire and will reopen by spring 2024, when it will be made available for temporary exhibitions. (Glasstire)

The Guardian Thumbs Up Hirst’s Burn – The paper thinks we’d be foolish to dismiss Hirst’s NFT project as a stunt: “In 1917, another moment of convulsive change, Duchamp’s Fountain was rejected as a joke. It was a joke, but it was also the future. Today there are many Fountains, though the original urinal was lost long ago.” (Guardian)

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Phillips Appoints Regional Director in South Korea – Minlee Suh will be the house’s regional director based in Seoul, and will support the expansion of Phillips in Asia. (Press release)

Kurt Schwitters’s Studio To Be Sold – The 75-year-old Merz Barn is being sold, and after it is shut next month will likely be commercially developed. (Guardian)

Studio Museum Names Artists in Residence – Devin N. Morris, Charisse Pearlina Weston, and Jeffrey Meris have won places on the program, which comes with $25,000, studio space, and an exhibition. (New York Times)

FOR ART’S SAKE

The North Face and KAWS—Together Again – The activewear brand has teamed up with KAWS for a second collaboration on mountain jackets, shoes, hoodies, and long sleeve Ts, among other items. (Complex)


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