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 Wednesday, June 22.

NEED-TO-READ

Nobel Medal Sells for $103.5 Million – Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov’s 2021 Nobel Peace Prize medal fetched an impressive $103.5 million at Heritage auction house after an extended bidding war on Monday night. The proceeds will be donated to UNICEF’s efforts to aid those affected by the war in Ukraine. Muratov was recently named one of TIME’s most influential people in 2022. (Press release)

Ukrainian Tech Startup Trains AI to Make War Art – A Ukrainian deep tech startup is has trained A.I. to generate images of the war in Ukraine. NFTs of the images are being sold to raise money for those affected by the war. The sale starts Friday and hopes to raise $2 million for Dobro.ua, a charity focused on providing assistance to children in hospitals, and Unchain.fund, a “crypto-native” charity aiming to give assistance to Ukrainians affected by the war by sending cash payments directly to a mobile wallet. (TechCrunch)

Anna Wintour’s Hair Stylist Is Also an Artist – Andreas Anastasis, the man who is behind Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour’s iconic sculpted bob, is also, it turns out, a… sculptor. The artist makes plaster casts of friends and lovers; his works are often wall-hanging muscular backs and thick calves that recall Greek friezes. (New York Times)

KAWS Covers New York Magazine – The magazine commissioned KAWS to design the cover of its most recent issue, which features an already-controversial story about cancel culture in high schools. The artist depicted one of his “Companions” sitting on a skateboard with its head in his hands for the piece, titled “Canceled at 17.” “As the father of two young children, imagining what life might be like when they become teenagers, I understand the concern that comes with navigating the complexity of relationships and how that is layered with the realities of the pandemic and social media,” KAWS told New York. (New York)

MOVERS & SHAKERS 

Palais de Tokyo Founder Gets a New Gig – Jérôme Sans, who co-founded the contemporary art museum in 2002 with Nicolas Bourriaud, will begin a new role as the creative director of a forthcoming cultural center in Chapultepec Park, Mexico City. Lago/Algo is being spearheaded by gallery OMR. The more than $450 million project has drawn some criticism for bolstering an already thriving cultural sector with more money and power, while institutions along the periphery of the city and beyond fall by the wayside. (Art Review)

Japan Crowdfunds for Forest That Inspired Totoro – A crowdfunding campaign to save a forest in Japan that inspired Studio Ghibli’s famous film My Neighbor Totoro hopes to raise ¥2.6 billion ($19 million). Donors who give ¥25,000 ($185) will receive prints of background artwork from Studio Ghibli. An initial 1,000 sets will be made available. (Japan Times)

National Gallery of Canada Appoints Interim CEO – Angela Cassie will serve as the interim director and CEO of the museum, where she previously held the position of chief strategy and inclusion officer. Cassie will take up the post on July 10, succeeding Sasha Suda, who is departing to helm the Philadelphia Museum of Art. (Toronto Star) 

You Can Win a Chance to Visit Anselm Kiefer’s Studio – Gagosian is organizing a sweepstakes today and the lucky winners get an exclusive tour and lunch at the 40-hectare site of Anselm Kiefer’s studio at La Ribaute in France. Nine pairs of winners will get to travel there on September 10 for a guided tour and a private lunch amid the artist’s installations. Individuals are selected at random. (Press release)

FOR ART’S SAKE

Kojo Marfo Debuts Work for Mayfair Sculpture Trail – The London-based, Ghanian artist’s new sculpture, called Treasure of the Heart, is on view through July 31 at 68 New Bond Street as part of the Mayfair Sculpture Trail in London. Better known for his vivid figurative and abstract paintings, Marfo is now making his mark in a new medium. (Press release)