Another week, another barrage of art world news. We’ve rounded up the headlines you need to know.
BEST?
Artist Hito Steyerl Reigns Supreme – The outspoken German artist, critic, and theorist earned the number one spot on ArtReview’s annual Power 100 list, a watershed moment in the international art world’s recognition of female artists.
A Billion-Dollar Auction Bonanza? – As we gear up for New York’s jam-packed auction week, kicking off on Monday, we highlight the star lots from Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Phillips—so mark your catalogs, and get your paddle ready.
Eastern Expansion – artnet News’s Andrew Goldstein spoke to Leo Xu, recently tapped to lead David Zwirner’s Hong Kong outpost. After reading the late New Museum founder Marcia Tucker’s memoir, Xu says he was inspired to spend his career nurturing emerging talent and challenging the art-world status quo.
Michelangelo’s Greatest Hits, Ranked – How do you rank a masterpiece? Margaret Carrigan takes on the challenge, just in time for the Met Museum to unveil the must-see exhibition “Michelangelo: Divine Draftsman and Designer.”
5Pointz Verdict Makes Art Law History – The ongoing legal battle between the graffiti artists behind the 5Pointz aerosol-art mecca and the property’s owner—who whitewashed the street art last year—came to a close when a federal jury ruled in favor of the artists.
From Heavy Metal to High Art – What does a Grammy-winning musician do in retirement? Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted traded in his bass for a paintbrush. Now, the rocker’s artwork will be featured at Art Miami in December.
WORST?
A Shakeup at the Armory Show – Benjamin Genocchio is no longer the director of the Armory Show following sexual harassment allegations reported in the New York Times. Genocchio, who worked at both artnet News and Blouin Artinfo, will be replaced by deputy director Nicole Berry for this year’s Armory Fair.
Where Did the Money Go? – That’s what fans are asking artist Marina Abromović, who raised more than $600,000 through Kickstarter to fund an eponymous institute that has since been scuttled. No plans to reimburse the 4,765 backers who contributed to the project have been announced.
Trouble in the Paradise Papers for One Celebrity Artist – Spanish artist José-María Cano went from teen music idol as a member of the band Mecano to an art world success, netting six-figure sums for his paintings. But the Paradise Papers reveal that the rocker-turned-painter set up a shell corporation, possibly to hide his earnings.
Top Art Prize? No, Thank You – Four artists who were nominated for the esteemed German Preis der Nationalgalerie, have released a statement denouncing the prize’s PR tactics. Agnieszka Polska—who was announced as the winner last week—and her three fellow nominees, all women, condemned the prize for focusing on their gender and nationality instead of the content of their work.
Nazi-Looted Art Must Be Returned – The High Court of Paris ruled that a painting by Camille Pissarro, and purchased in good faith by an American couple, must be returned to the descendants of a Jewish collector from whom it was taken during the Nazi occupation of France.
The Warhol Effect in One Box – When the original cardboard box containing a set of Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe prints went missing in transit, one art dealer brought a claim against the shipping company—suing for a whopping $250,000.