BEST?

Saved by the Whale – A train running in The Netherlands was on the verge of a deadly crash, when it struck a giant sculpture in the shape of a whale’s tail, saving the conductor.

Guston Will Go Ahead – After weeks of criticism coming from every which way, the Philip Guston survey will now open in 2022 with newly added contributions from a variety of artists and scholars.

Pepe the Frog and Politics – On this week’s episode of the Art Angle podcast, the creators of a documentary detailing the rise, fall, and attempted reclamation of Pepe the Frog join the show.

MCH and Murdoch Meld – Art Basel’s parent company is edging closer to an investment strategy with Rupert Murdoch’s son James Murdoch at the helm.

Art-Hacking Google – Internet hacker Gretchen Andrews’s latest work manipulates Google’s search engine to show unexpected presidential results.

Beyonce Mints Another Cover Artist – The 21-year-old photographer Kennedi Carter is the youngest person to shoot British Vogue’s cover, starring Bey herself.

Art World Reacts – Artists, curators, and other insiders react on social media to the endless news cycle and undecided presidential race.

RISD Bolsters Its Ranks – The Rhode Island School of Design is hiring 10 faculty members dedicated to educating in the fields of race and decolonization.

Kentridge Gets Candid – The inimitable South African artist spoke to Artnet News about the joys and sorrows of working in quarantine.

Lightning Strikes – Artists in Poland have deployed a bright red lightning bolt as a symbol for women’s rights amid government protests.

Serenity Now – Feeling stressed? We’ve rounded up some of the most soothing artworks to ease your frayed nerves.

WORST?

Van Gogh’s Demons – The artist may have been suffering from alcohol withdrawal when he infamously lopped off his own ear, new research suggests.

Gagosian Axes Top Director – Sam Orlofsky was fired from Gagosian just one week into his unpaid suspension for alleged bad behavior.

Theft at the Museum – World War II museums are being looted for Nazi-era memorabilia.

Magnum Suspends Photog – After an internal investigation, the photography agency suspended photojournalist Alan Harvey, a first in its history.

German Museums Clap Back – The leaders of museums are railing against the impending second shutdown as virus cases surge once more.