BEST?
The Macklowe Trove Makes a Lot of Money – The hotly anticipated auction of the warring Macklow exes raked in a staggering $676 million.
Frida Sets a Record – A self-portrait by Frida Kahlo sets a new record for a Latin artist, edging out her own husband, Diego Rivera.
… and Gets an Immersive Experience – A tech company is planning an immersive experience dediated to Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera for London and Washington, D.C.
Restitution Conversations Continue – Greece’s prime minister offered to loan national treasures in exchange for the return of the Parthenon Marbles ahead of a meeting with Boris Johnson in London.
The Show Must Go On – Artist Badiucao’s international exhibition was almost thwarted by Beijing officials who cited “anti-Chinese lies,” but the town of Brescia, Italy, showed the work anyway.
Crypto Billionaire Nabs Giacometti’s Nez – Justin Sun revealed himself as the proud new owner of the $78.4 million sculpture once owned by the Macklowes.
KAWS Can Continue, Court Rules – Following a dispute with a collector’s foundation, a court ruled that a KAWS installation can proceed in Singapore.
His Avatar Is an Artist – Turns out, James Cameron is an accomplished artist in addition to being a world-class film director.
Exhibitors Demure Solidarity Fund – Art dealers aren’t nearly as greedy as you thought! Very few actually took advantage of Art Basel’s “solidarity fund.”
WORST?
Remembering Etel Adnan – The Lebanese-American artist and poet died at age 96, just as a show of her work is on display at the Guggenheim in New York.
Thomas Jefferson Moves Out – A contested statue of the former president will move from New York’s City Hall to the New-York Historical Society instead.
Jimmie Durham Has Died – The artist died at age 81 after a career marked by the fraught role of Native identity in America.
Taking Banksy to the Bank? – A landlord in the U.K. tore down a Banksy mural from a shop wall, and locals are furious he’s cashing in on their local pride.
Workers Strike in Boston – Unionized workers at the MFA in Boston are striking to protest stalled contract negotiations.
Artist Pleads for Safe Passage – The Danish artist behind the Pillar of Shame monument to Tiananmen Square victims wants to travel to Hong Kong safely in order to dismantle the sculpture.