From Sotheby’s ‘CryptoPunk’ Coup to an Anti-Picasso Protest: The Best and Worst of the Art World This Week

Catch up on this week's news, fast.

Sotheby's virtual gallery in Decentraland displays CryptoPunk 7523. Courtesy of Sotheby's.

BEST?

Venice Biennale Announces a Theme – The so-called “art world Olympics” will be titled “The Milk of Dreams,” inspired by Leonora Carrington’s surrealism.

Stuart Weitzman Sells a Trove – In 10 minutes, Sotheby’s netted $32 million for five stamps and one coin consigned by the famous shoe designer.

CryptoPunk Makes a Killing – NFTs aren’t dead yet, considering one of the rare digital characters known as CryptoPunks sold for a staggering $11.75 million at Sotheby’s “Natively Digital” auction.

Mario at the Museum  A former Nintendo factory will house a museum dedicated to the video game company’s illustrious history.

Sotheby’s Doubles Down on Decentraland – The world’s oldest auction house has opened up a virtual location in the metaverse, banking on winning more crypto-clients.

The Next Gen Hockney – Beloved painter Hilary Pecis discusses her ascent from almost quitting art altogether to becoming the toast of the gallery world.

All In the Family – The sisters and stepmother of the late, great Jean-Michel Basquiat are organizing an exhibition of never-before-seen work.

The Met Returns Benin Bronzes – In a game-changing move toward restitution, the Metropolitan Museum of Art is returning two of the looted artworks to Nigeria.

All That Glitters – Peek at the newly renovated Hall of Gems in the American Museum of Natural History in all its glory.

Archaeologists Uncover Ancient Basilica – Israeli archaeologists discovered a 2,000-year-old Roman basilica built by Herod the Great.

WORST?

Detroit Institute of Arts Draws Ire – An artwork commissioned by the DIA for the local police department is under fire from community members.

Art Students Protest Picasso – A Spanish professor and her students staged a silent protest against Picasso’s mistreatment of women.

Gallery Salaries, Decoded It turns out that many art dealers and gallery assistants make barely enough money to stay afloat, according to a new survey and report by Artnet News, discussed this week on the Art Angle.