THE MoMA “BJÖRK” SHOW MAY SIGNAL KLAUS BIESENBACH’S RUIN
In the article heard ’round the art world, critic Christian Viveros-Fauné poses a question that’s been nagging us for weeks: what will become of MoMA chief curator at large and MoMA PS1 director Klaus Biesenbach following the “Björk” exhibition’s total flop? Viveros-Fauné outlines the ups and downs of Biesenbach’s career, and cites a source within the museum, who reports that trustees are unhappy with both Biesenbach and director Glenn Lowry. Will the trustees drop celebrity-worshiping Klaus in an attempt to reclaim some of the institution’s once untouchable status? Only time will tell. Read the story that everyone’s talking about: MoMA Curator Klaus Biesenbach Should Be Fired Over Björk Show Debacle.
THE ART WORLD REACTS TO VIVEROS-FAUNÉ’S BIESENBACH STORY
Remember when we said that everyone was talking about Christian Viveros-Fauné’s aforementioned Biesenbach expose? Well, they are. And we’ve got the tweets to prove it. See what prominent social media personalities like Felix Salmon, Christopher Glazek, Jerry Saltz, and Hrag Vartanian have to say about the Biesenbach bombshell: Art World Reacts to Christian Viveros-Fauné’s Call for Klaus Biesenbach to Resign.
WORKER SUFFERS FATAL FALL AT LARRY GAGOSIAN’S MANSION, INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY
An ironworker died after a fall at Larry Gagosian’s Upper East Side mansion this past weekend, which has sparked an investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”). On-site reports note that workers were under pressure to complete the $70 million, four-year redesign on time. OSHA reported that they were not notified of the tragedy, despite the fact that employers are required by law to report to them within eight hours of any on-the-job death. Gagosian has released a statement that he “was deeply saddened to hear of this tragic accident.” See the full story: Death at Larry Gagosian’s New York Mansion Sparks Investigation.
AUSTRALIANS PAY TO GET NAKED WITH JAMES TURRELL ARTWORKS (AND ABOUT 50 OTHER PEOPLE)
Artist Stuart Ringholt is running guided tours of James Turrell’s current retrospective at the National Gallery of Art in Canberra, Australia. But they’re not just any exhibition tours—they’re nudist exhibition tours. And they’re currently sold out. “Naked, our whole body experiences color,” espoused Ringholt, who has led similar tours in various other locations. Wondering what the next institution to be graced with a slew of nude patrons will be? Find out: National Gallery of Art in Canberra Offers Naked Tours of James Turrell’s Artwork.
MACBA SNAFU FORCES DIRECTOR TO FIRE CURATORS AND RESIGN
MACBA director Bartomeu Marí was forced to make the difficult choice to cancel an exhibition last week after controversy arose surrounding a pornographic artwork featuring Juan Carlos, the former king of Spain (see MACBA Barcelona Show Canceled Over Pornographic Artwork Ridiculing Spanish King Juan Carlos). In the aftermath of the controversy, Marí fired both of the curators attached to the show and resigned from his position at the helm of the troubled institution. Is MACBA experiencing an identity crisis, or is something else at the root of the problem? Find out: MACBA Director Bartomeu Marí Sacks Curators and Resigns Following Sodomy Sculpture Scandal.
NEWS TO KNOW:
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Viral Feminist Campaign Poster Plagiarizes Art Student Project—Oops