BEST?
State of the Art – The latest Art Basel market report shows a five percent decrease in international sales, but an uptick among millennial collectors; findings that are consistent with Artnet News’s own new Intelligence Report.
Sotheby’s Boasts a Billion – The auction house announced private sales of up to $1 billion in 2019, with a good balance of contemporary and historical artists raking in high figures.
Armory Standouts – Artnet Nes editor in chief Andrew Goldstein selected five works that stole the show at this year’s Armory fair.
Artnet Intelligence – The latest edition of the Artnet Intelligence Report is live, featuring unparalleled data (that’s actually interesting) plus in-depth looks at the future of AI, how banker bros are upending the art industry, and more.
Man on the Run – This week’s episode of the Art Angle podcast reveals the twisted tale of Inigo Philbrick, a young art dealer who conned high-flying collectors and has now disappeared from public view.
Political Donations Revealed – Which collectors, artists, and trustees donated to which presidential campaigns during the Democratic primaries? We surveyed the field.
Mona Lisa Returns to View – After a two-day closure at the Louvre, Leonardo’s work is back on view as tourists return to the French museum with increased safety measures to protect staff from infection.
WORST?
Remembering Ulay – The famed artist and ex-partner of Marina Abramović died at age 76 after suffering lymphatic cancer and is being remembered for his performances, photography, and extreme body art activations.
How to Defend the NEA – With the National Endowment for the Arts under threat, our critic Ben Davis looks at the most common arguments against it and provides answers for all of them.
Coronavirus Fears Spark Racism – A dealer who uninvited an Asian art curator from working with her due to the perception of Asians as carriers of the virus has been dropped from showing at the Affordable Art Fair.
Tourism Declines – Cultural institutions in France and Italy continue to shutter as the virus sweeps through and residents are worried about the economic hit as tourism numbers continue to drop.
Richard Serra Vandalized – Serra’s massive steel works fell victim to “significant damage” while on view across nearly four miles in Qatar’s desert. They will be restored by the art organization that commissioned them.
Art Dubai Downsizes – Yet another art fair is responding to coronavirus by postponing activities, this time Art Dubai who will present a slimmed-down version as scheduled in March, but refrain from a larger affair.
BRAFA Dealers Balking – Belgian authorities seized more than 30 artifacts from the Brussels Antiques and Fine Arts Fair that had suspicious provenance or questionable authenticity.