PERFORMANCE ARTIST CHRIS BURDEN DEAD AT 69
The art world mourned the death of performance artist and sculptor Chris Burden, who died on May 10 at his home in California following a battle with malignant melonoma. An outpouring of love and respect for Burden and his career came from artists, gallerists, museum directors, writers, and friends. Read their kind words about the legendary and pioneering artist: Performance Art Legend Chris Burden Is Dead at 69.

$179 MILLION PICASSO SALE SETS RECORD AT CHRISTIE’S
Picasso’s Les Femmes d’Algers (Version “O”) shattered records at Christie’s dramatically-named “Looking Forward to the Past” sale when it sold for $179.4 million to an unknown buyer. The $705.9 million total was the auction house’s third highest, coming in way above the presale estimate of $500 million. What else was sold, and what do art world luminaries think of this unprecedented display of wealth? Check out $179 Million Picasso Sets Stratospheric Record at Christie’s $705.9 Million “Looking Forward” Sale.

SURPRISING FACTS ABOUT FRIDA KAHLO
In celebration of the New York Botanical Garden’s recreation of Frida Kahlo’s storied garden (see New York Botanical Garden Will Recreate Frida Kahlo’s Garden), we’ve gathered seven fascinating facts about the artist, including that she was unable to bear children. What else did we uncover? See 7 Astonishing Facts That Will Change the Way You See Frida Kahlo.

INSIDE SOTHEBY’S $380 MILLION SALE
Sure, it’s not exactly $705 million, but Sotheby’s contemporary evening sale still surpassed its presale estimate of $320 million, raking in $380 million thanks to a Christopher Wool that hammered for $29.9 and broke the artist’s record. However, other aspects of the sale were not as triumphant. Which lots fell flat? Find out: Sotheby’s Stellar $380 Million Evening Contemporary Sale Not Without A Few Bumps.

CELEBRITIES FLOCK TO FRIEZE VIP PREVIEW
It wouldn’t be Frieze without appearances from some of our favorite celebrity collectors, including Leonardo DiCaprio (hiding beneath his requisite hat and beard) and Mike Meyers. What did the stars and the rest of the VIPs think of the fair? See Leonardo DiCaprio, Mike Myers, Grace Celebrity VIP Frieze New York Preview.

ART CRITIC BLAKE GOPNIK TRAPPED IN BAG AT YOKO ONO PREVIEW
Our intrepid critic Blake Gopnik climbed into Yoko Ono’s 1964 work Bag Piece during a VIP preview of her retrospective at MoMA only to find himself stuck. How did he get out? What did he make of the experience? Read on: Art Critic Gets Trapped in Bag at MoMA’s Yoko Ono Gala.

NEWS TO KNOW
After Bjork Fiasco, MoMA’s Yoko Ono Show Makes a Case for Art and Celebrity

Robert Ellsworth, King of Ming, Leaves Waitresses Hefty $100K Tip in His Will

$81.9 Million Rothko Leads Christie’s Frenzied $658.5 Million Contemporary Art Sale

National Portrait Gallery Announces Exhibition of Giacometti Portraits

Okwui Enwezor’s 56th Venice Biennale Is Morose, Joyless, and Ugly