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.

Courtesy the estate of Alberto di Lenardo and MACK.

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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