TROUBLE IN PARADISE FOR JAY Z AND MARINA ABRAMOVIC
The friendship between famous rapper Jay Z and famous performance artist Marina Abramović came crashing down before our eyes this week after Abramović revealed to Spike Art Quarterly that she had only participated in Jay Z’s 2013 “Picasso Baby” video after he promised to donate to her foundation. She claims to feel “totally used” because the rapper never followed through on his promise (see Marina Abramović Accuses Jay Z of Betrayal Over “Picasso Baby” Video). But the plot thickens! Jeanne Greenberg Rohatyn, Salon 94 owner and one of the producers of the video, told artnet News that not only did Jay make a substantial donation, but she has a copy of a receipt to prove it (see Jay Z Defends Himself Against Marina Abramović Accusation with Proof of Donation). Your move, Marina.

TRAGEDY STRIKES IN VENICE AS VISITING ARTIST DROWNS
German artist Ekkehard Drefke, who was visiting Venice for the 56th Biennale, died last week after a fall into the Grand Canal. Drefke was reportedly photographing the city when he lost balance and tumbled into the canal. Venice police initially misidentified the body as that of a local wedding photographer. For more on the tragedy, see German Artist Falls Into Venice Canal and Drowns While Working on New Paintings.

DAVID HOCKNEY SELLS HOUSE HIS ASSISTANT DIED IN
In more tragic news, David Hockney is putting the Bridlington, England home that his close friend and studio assistant Dominic Elliot died in, on the market. Hockney is reportedly traumatized by “bad memories” following Elliott’s death in 2013, which resulted from him drinking toxic toilet cleaner after a drug binge with her partner. More more on the property, read Traumatized David Hockney to Sell the House His Assistant Died In After Drinking Toxic Toilet Cleaner.

MILLENNIAL ARTISTS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Move over Gen X, there’s a new batch of hot young things in town, and they are ready to take the art world by storm. We’ve compiled a list of our ten favorite millennial artists to watch and collect. Featuring Max Brand, Piotr Lakomy, and Nicolas Party, this is a must-read if you’re curious who the big names of tomorrow might be. Check out 10 Exceptional Millennial Artists to Watch.

KEEPING UP WITH JERRY SALTZ
We couldn’t resist checking out Jerry Saltz’s social media-sourced question and answer session at Frieze last weekend. The famed art critic admitted that he likes George Bush’s paintings and thinks Kim Kardashian is the new Andy Warhol. He also informed the crowd that he is not at all like Klaus Biesenbach. What else did he say? Find out: Jerry Saltz On the Importance of Social Media for Art.

NEWS TO KNOW
Member of Qatar’s Al Thani Family Revealed as Buyer of Record-Breaking $179 Million Picasso

Peggy Guggenheim Heirs Sue Guggenheim Foundation To Stop Outside Shows at Venice Palazzo

Who Bought What And For How Much? Read The Definitive Frieze New York 2015 Sales Report

Larry Gagosian Chucked Out of Cannes Premiere for Turning Up in Sneakers

Spend a Night on Airbnb’s Floating House Art Installation on the River Thames