Art World
From a Stunning Photo Find to a Tourist’s Selfie-Fueled Sculpture Vandalism: The Best and Worst of the Art World This Week
Catch up on this week's news, fast.

BEST👍
Murdoch Buys Into MCH Group – The veteran media mogul James Murdoch bought the controlling stake in Art Basel’s parent company.
Introducing Superblue – Pace’s latest initiative, Superblue, is dedicated to immersive, over-the-top art experiences.
Secret Photo Trove Discovered – A woman found a stash of 8,000 amazing photos taken by her grandfather, Alberto di Lenardo. Now they’re in a book.
Oprah Cedes Her Cover – The late paramedic Breonna Taylor is on the cover of Oprah’s O magazine, marking the first non-Oprah cover in its 20 year history. The image was painted by a 24-year-old artist.
Twenty Years of Trailblazing – The gallerist Susanne Vielmetter reflects on running her eponymous space over the last two decades, and championing artists who weren’t always in favor.
Philly Art Workers Unionize – The country’s first museum-wide union was agreed upon at Philadelphia Museum of Art, just days after the institution laid off dozens of employees.
The #GettyChallenge Lives On – This spring’s viral social media challenge is now available as a book.
Germany Gives Arts a Boost – As galleries and artists struggle, the government has increased its acquisition fund by 600 percent.
NYC Flags Fly – Blue-chip artists like Jeff Koons and KAWS designed flags for the skating rink at Rockefeller Center, where they were raised alongside designs by New York residents.
WORST👎
Beirut’s Art Left Reeling in the Wake of Explosion – Galleries and museums are among the wreckage in Lebanon after an explosion killed dozens and left thousands injured.
The Met Reduces Its Workforce, Again – The Met has laid off almost 80 workers since closing in March, reducing its staff by 20 percent.
MFA Axes Staff – The Museum of Fine Arts Boston slashed its staff by 15 percent as it remains closed due to COVID-19.
Dallas Cancels Fair – An uptick in coronavirus cases in Texas led the Dallas Art Fair to cancel its 2020 edition. Galleries won’t get their money back for booths.
Selfie Vandalism – A visitor trying to capture a selfie by sidling up to a 200-year-old statue accidentally broke off some of its toes; CCTV footage revealed the vandal’s identity as an Austrian tourist, who has apologized for the damage.
Bouvier May Owe Millions in Taxes – Swiss financier and art collector Yves Bouvier is now in hot water over charges he may owe millions of dollars in back taxes.
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