From the Historic Return of the Benin Bronzes to Jeff Koons’s Gallery Shakeup: The Best and Worst of the Art World This Week

Catch up on this week's news, fast.

Jeff Koons poses with his piece Gazing Ball (Bottlerack) (2016). Photo by Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images.

BEST?

Germany Plans Return of Benin Bronzes – In a landmark decision, Germany has announced that it will begin to return the looted art objects in 2022.

The Art Fair Freeze Is Thawing – Rejoice art lovers, Frieze New York is preparing to open IRL next week, with new health and safety precautions in place.

Phillips Names New CEO – The auction house has appointed an ex-Christie’s exec to replace Edward Dolman as CEO.

Ai Weiwei the Author – Activist artist Ai Weiwei is writing a memoir about his family’s history of dissidence in China.

EmRata Releases NFT – The supermodel Emily Ratajkowski is releasing an NFT involving a Richard Prince work that was appropriated from her own Instagram account.

Cappellazzo Decamps from Sotheby’s – Art-market rainmaker and head of the global fine art division Amy Cappellazzo is leaving Sotheby’s.

MoMA Musical Chairs – After activists thwarted Leon Black’s chances at reelection to the museum’s board, MoMA announced that Marie-Josee Kravis will take his place.

Earliest Human Home Unearthed – Archaeologists have discovered a South African cave inhabited by humans 2 million years ago.

The Basquiat Boom Continues – Yet another painting by the beloved artist is hitting the auction block, this time with a $50 million pricetag.

WORST?

Koons Quits Larry and David – Superstar artist Jeff Koons will now be represented worldwide by Pace, ditching Gagosian and Zwirner.

The Burden of Knockoffs – A theme park in Indonesia must destroy its knockoff installation of Chris Burden’s Urban Light after it lost a lawsuit brought by the artist’s estate.

Archaeologists Up in Arms – Dozens of archaeologists are furious at the news of a renovation of the Acropolis.

Oscars NFT Fumble – An artist is redesigning a Chadwick Boseman-themed NFT after a wave of criticism.

Kanye’s Old Sneakers Bring in Bank – A pair of “Nike Air Yeezy” sneakers that the rapper wore to the Grammy’s sold for $1.8 million in a Sotheby’s private sale.

Cadre of Gallery’s Opt Out of Frieze – One-third of galleries who signed up to show at Frieze New York have dropped out, and been replaced with local galleries.

 


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